Features - The Malaysian Insider

Family breakups affect girls more than boys, study says

A family breakup can have a negative long-term effect on smoking, depression, and overall health of children, with girls' health more sensitive to home structure according to a US study from the...

Female billionaires on the rise thanks to Asian businesswomen

The number of women among the world's billionaires has risen faster over the past two decades than that of men, mostly thanks to Asian female entrepreneurs, a study published yesterday...

Less than 7 hours sleep a night possible link to obesity, says study

A recent US study has found that short sleep, defined as less than seven hours a night, increases the consumption of sugary drinks, and could increase the risk of obesity. Researchers at the...

Reduce stress by helping others, says study

Helping others can lower our daily stress levels according to a new study by Yale University School of Medicine. The research, which was supported by grants from the US National Institute on...

Taking antidepressants while pregnant may double autism risk, says study

Women who take certain common antidepressants while pregnant may face almost twice the risk of having a child with autism, a study said on Monday. The findings in the Journal of the American...

Teens with open, respectful parents less likely to try drugs, says study

According to a US study published in the Drug and Alcohol Dependence Journal, parents' behaviour can have an impact on their teens' attraction to drugs. This new study could reassure and...

Tips for sustainable clothes shopping this holiday season

Sustainable fashion is one of the biggest trends in the industry right now, with brands including H&M and TopShop bringing the ethos mainstream. For help proving your fashion credentials this...

Shared memories in a mug

One of Linda Chong’s fondest memories as a child was waking up to the smell of a hot cup of Milo along with a delicious, home-cooked breakfast. From a simple meal of toast and jam, or a delicious...

9 things Saudi women still can’t do

Saudi women vote today for the first time in elections but still face a host of other restrictions, among the tightest in the world. Under Saudi policies and practices, women cannot: Drive....

Can’t quit Facebook? This could be why

If you've ever tried taking a break from Facebook or quitting the site altogether, only to find yourself logging back on just a few hours laters, a newly published study by researchers from...

Happiness may not help you live longer, study says

A large new study of women in the UK refutes a widespread belief that unhappiness itself can cause ill health. Researchers say, life-threatening poor health can lead to unhappiness, hence the...

Blame parents for your impulsive decisions, new study suggests

According to a report presented this week at the annual meeting of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, delay discounting – that is, the tendency to take a smaller award immediately...

Researchers create world’s first pain-killer patch

Researchers at the University of Warwick, UK, have presented a world first, an ibuprofen patch that can deliver a steady dose of the drug directly through the skin to provide pain relief exactly...

Eating fruit and potatoes could reduce stomach cancer risk

A Chinese study has highlighted the anti-cancer benefits of a diet high in fruit and vegetables. For stomach cancer in particular, potatoes and vitamin C are at the top of the list of...

Negative beliefs about aging could contribute to Alzheimer’s disease

New research suggests that a more positive outlook on aging could help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. The study, carried out by the Yale School of Public Health, is the first to link...

Chemicals in e-cigarette flavours linked to respiratory disease

A team of researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have found a chemical linked to severe respiratory disease in more than 75% of tested flavoured electronic cigarettes. For...

Maternal hormonal imbalance linked to child autism

Children born to mothers with a hormonal imbalance run a much higher risk of developing autism, according to a new study released by Sweden's Karolinska Institutet on Tuesday. The findings,...

US teens think Facebook uncool, but still use it

US teens think Facebook has definitely lost its cool factor, but use it as much as ever. A survey released Monday by Forrester Research found 78% of US teenagers use Facebook, a figure...

Black raspberry touted for big health benefits

If you're looking for a superfood fruit, you may not need to look as far as the exotic goji, acerola or acai berry. A Polish study points out that the common blackberry and raspberry have a...

Probiotics could help with weight loss

A new study has confirmed the link between balanced intestinal flora and weight loss. Probiotics, known as "good bacteria," are thought to reduce the absorption of fat. What we eat can...