Wednesday, June 04, 2025

Evidence to support state policies regulating teen use of social media is limited, study finds

Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health

Evidence supporting policies that restrict social media use like school cell phone bans and anti-cyberbullying laws has significant limitations according to a new study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. The findings are published in the latest issue of the Milbank Quarterly.

More than 50 bills related to adolescent social media regulation have been adopted or enacted in more than half of all U.S. states, with legislators often citing concerns about mental health, harmful content, and developmental impacts. According to the article, most of the legislation uses one of two strategies to reduce adolescents’ social media use or to shape their experiences: 1) imposing restrictions or mandates on social media platforms such as required privacy protection or bans on targeted advertising, or 2) imposing restrictions or mandates on adolescent users, parents, and school administrators, such as bans on cell phones or social media on school-owned devices.

After analyzing the policies, authors Marco Thimm-Kaiser and Katherine M. Keyes at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health evaluated media content that included elected government officials’ statements about 69 state social media legislative initiatives adopted or enacted prior to September 2024. They then looked at the strength of the research on social media’s effects, and the impact of inventions, on mental health, harmful content, and developmental impacts.

The authors identified some evidence to support associations between social media use and adverse adolescent outcomes, particularly for vulnerable youth, but concluded that the research cannot definitively establish the “causal effects” of harm or the benefits of the policies.

“We’re seeing policymakers move with increasing urgency to protect youth from the possible negative impacts of social media and digital technologies,” said Marco Thimm-Kaiser, a doctoral student in Epidemiology at Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health and lead author of the study. “At the same time, the precise role of social media in contributing to adverse outcomes for young people, as well as the effectiveness of policies aimed at restricting youth social media use, remain far from fully understood. As the evidence continues to evolve, it will be vital for policymakers to remain open to reevaluating and refining the emerging policy interventions to ensure we are getting the response right."

Authors Thimm-Kaiser and Keyes offer several priorities for researchers that will help inform policy, including differentiating among types of social media experiences; focusing on children and adolescents with psychiatric symptoms, who are more likely to report harm from social media, such as addiction-like symptoms; and rigorously evaluating existing state policies. They also call for state policymakers to balance action with evidence as they introduce social media interventions for adolescents.

“As technology continues to evolve rapidly, it is critical that policies intended to protect young people are based on rigorous science, while also striking a careful balance between thorough evaluation and timely policy implementation” noted Katherine Keyes, PhD, Columbia Mailman School professor of Epidemiology, and senior author. “Our research shows that the evidence base underlying social media policies continues to have serious gaps that need to be filled so that we can inform the most effective policies.”

Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health

Founded in 1922, the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health pursues an agenda of research, education, and service to address the critical and complex public health issues affecting New Yorkers, the nation and the world. The Columbia Mailman School is the third largest recipient of NIH grants among schools of public health. Its nearly 300 multi-disciplinary faculty members work in more than 100 countries around the world, addressing such issues as preventing infectious and chronic diseases, environmental health, maternal and child health, health policy, climate change and health, and public health preparedness. It is a leader in public health education with more than 1,300 graduate students from 55 nations pursuing a variety of master’s and doctoral degree programs. The Columbia Mailman School is also home to numerous world-renowned research centers, including ICAP and the Center for Infection and Immunity. For more information, please visit www.mailman.columbia.edu.

Journal

The Milbank Quarterly

Article Title

US state policies regarding social media: do policies match the evidence?

How useful are states’ adolescent social media laws?

Wiley

Bills related to adolescent social media regulation have been adopted in more than half of all U.S. states. Research in The Milbank Quarterly finds that these state policies—such as school cell phone bans and anti-cyberbullying laws—have significant limitations. The study identifies research priorities that will help inform more effective interventions.

Because definitive evidence around the potential impacts of social media may take years to emerge, and because the absence of regulation may result in avoidable harm to the public, social media policies have to be designed in the context of imperfect information. In examining these policies, investigators at Columbia University identified three themes connected to state lawmakers’ claims about social media-related adolescent harms: harm to mental health, exposure to dangerous content, and harm to adolescent development.

The researchers found some evidence to support links between social media use and negative outcomes, particularly for vulnerable youth, but overall, current research cannot definitively establish causal effects. They note that research priorities should focus on better characterizing different social media exposures and experiences, understanding relationships between psychiatric symptoms and social media use, and evaluating the impacts of different state policies related to social media.

“We’re seeing policymakers move with increasing urgency to protect youth from the possible negative impacts of social media and digital technologies,” said lead author and doctoral student Marco Thimm-Kaiser. “As technology continues to evolve rapidly, it is critical that policies intended to protect young people are based on rigorous science, while also striking a careful balance between thorough evaluation and timely policy implementation” added senior author Katherine Keyes, PhD.

URL upon publication: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1468-0009.70021

Additional Information
NOTE: The information contained in this release is protected by copyright. Please include journal attribution in all coverage. For more information or to obtain a PDF of any study, please contact: Sara Henning-Stout, newsroom@wiley.com.

About the Journal
Continuously published since 1923, The Milbank Quarterly is a multidisciplinary journal of population health and health policy that presents original research, synthesis, policy analysis, and commentary from leading thinkers, policymakers, and practitioners. Our goal is to publish scholarly papers that illuminate and add new insights to our understanding of important policy issues involving health, health equity, and health care. The in-depth, multidisciplinary approach of the journal permits contributors to explore fully the social origins of health in our society and to examine in detail the implications of different health policies.

About Wiley     
Wiley is one of the world’s largest publishers and a trusted leader in research and learning. Our industry-leading content, services, platforms, and knowledge networks are tailored to meet the evolving needs of our customers and partners, including researchers, students, instructors, professionals, institutions, and corporations. We empower knowledge-seekers to transform today’s biggest obstacles into tomorrow’s brightest opportunities. For more than two centuries, Wiley has been delivering on its timeless mission to unlock human potential. Visit us at Wiley.com. Follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Journal

The Milbank Quarterly

DOI

10.1111/1468-0009.70021

Article Title

US state policies regarding social media: do policies match the evidence?

Article Publication Date

4-Jun-2025

Pet dogs could combat genetic eczema risk in children

University of Edinburgh

Having a dog at home could help to prevent eczema in children who are genetically prone to the condition, a study suggests.

Children with a change in their DNA that increases their chance of developing eczema were less likely to have the condition if they were exposed to a dog in early life, researchers say.

The findings provide new insights into what could cause eczema in children and how environmental factors may influence genetic risk, experts say.

The study did not look at the effect of dog exposure in the treatment of existing eczema, and experts caution that introducing a dog may make symptoms worse in some children.

Eczema is an itchy skin disorder caused by a combination of genetic and environmental effects, but little is known about how the two interact.

The international study team, led by scientists from the Universities of Edinburgh and Bristol, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and Helmholtz Munich, examined data from almost 300,000 people to investigate whether those who are prone to developing eczema might respond differently to environmental factors.

Researchers tested for interactions between the 24 most significant eczema-associated genetic variants and 18 early life environmental factors during the mother’s pregnancy and the child’s first year of life.

An initial analysis of more than 25,000 individuals suggested there may be a relationship between seven environmental factors – dog ownership, elder sibling, cat ownership, breastfeeding, smoking, antibiotic use and washing practices – and at least one established genetic variant for eczema.

They then tried to replicate their findings in a larger group of almost 255,000 people. The strongest interaction found was between a region of DNA code that increased the risk of eczema, but in children or babies whose families owned a pet dog, that risk disappeared.

The variation in genetic code was located near a gene for interleukin-7 receptor (IL-7R) – a protein involved in immune cell function and inflammation.

Lab tests confirmed that in human skin cells with the genetic variant, molecular signals from a dog that could trigger allergy instead worked to suppress skin inflammation.

The findings suggest that the IL-7R protein may provide a potential target for future treatment or prevention of eczema, experts say.

The study also pointed to a similar effect among young children with older siblings, but further studies are needed to confirm the link. Scientists suggest that exposure to a variety of bacteria at an early age, through contact with dogs and other children, could be behind the protective effect.

Populations used in the study were limited to those from a white European background. Research involving a more diverse group of people is needed to better understand interactions between genetic and environmental factors linked to eczema in other ancestral groups, the team say.

The study is published in the journal Allergy: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/all.16605 [URL will become active after embargo lifts]. The international research team included scientists from the UK, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, United States, Ireland, France, Sweden, Australia, Italy and Kuwait.

Professor Sara Brown, from the University of Edinburgh’s Institute of Genetics and Cancer, said: “The most difficult questions I’m asked by parents in clinic are about why their child has eczema, and how they can help. We know that genetic make-up affects a child’s risk of developing eczema and previous studies have shown that owning a pet dog may be protective, but this is the first study to show how this may occur at a molecular level. More work is needed, but our findings mean we have a chance to intervene in the rise of allergic disease, to protect future generations.”

Dr Marie Standl, from Helmholtz Munich, said “This study sheds light on why some children develop eczema in response to environmental exposures while others don’t. Not every preventive measure works for everyone – and that’s precisely why gene–environment studies are crucial. They help us move toward more personalized, effective prevention strategies.”

Journal

Allergy

Method of Research

Observational study

Can early exposure to dogs lessen genetic susceptibility to eczema?

Wiley

New research published in Allergy indicates that certain environmental exposures may affect a child’s risk of developing atopic eczema, a condition characterized by dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. In other words, although some people may be genetically predisposed to eczema, certain environmental factors may increase or decrease that risk.

For the study, investigators analyzed data from 16 European studies to test for interactions between the 24 most significant eczema-associated genetic variants and 18 early-life environmental factors. They applied their findings to an additional 10 studies and used lab modelling tests to assess their results.

The first analysis (including 25,339 individuals) showed suggestive evidence for interaction between 7 environmental factors (antibiotic use, cat ownership, dog ownership, breastfeeding, elder sibling, smoking, and washing practices) and at least one established genetic variant for eczema, with 14 interactions in total.

In the additional analysis (254,532 individuals), dog exposure interacted with a particular genetic risk variant on chromosome 5, near the gene that codes for the interleukin-7 receptor, a protein involved in immune cell function. Lab modelling tests showed that this variant affects expression of interleukin-7 receptor in human skin cells and that dog exposure modifies the genetic effect of this variant on the development of eczema, essentially providing a protective effect by suppressing skin inflammation.

Additional studies are needed to explore these lab findings and the other potential interactions identified in the first analysis.

“Our research aims to answer some of the most difficult questions that I am asked in clinic: ‘Why does my child have eczema?’ and ‘What can I do to help protect my baby?’ We know that genetic make-up affects a child’s risk of developing eczema and previous studies have shown that owning a pet dog may be protective, but this is the first study to show how this may occur at a molecular level,” said corresponding author Sara J. Brown, MD, PhD, FRCPE, of the University of Edinburgh. “More work is needed, but our findings mean we have a chance to intervene in the rise of allergic disease, to protect future generations.”

URL upon publication: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/all.16605

About the Journal
Allergy, the official journal of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, aims to advance, impact and communicate all aspects of the discipline of Allergy/Immunology, including educational, basic, translational and clinical research, and to maintain contact between basic and clinical Allergy/Immunology.

Journal

Allergy

DOI

10.1111/all.16605

Article Title

Gene-environment interaction affects risk of atopic eczema: population and in vitro studies Running title Gene-environment interactions in atopic eczema

Article Publication Date

4-Jun-2025

Would you hand over your health data if it meant better care?

University of South Australia

Despite growing concerns about data privacy, new research from the University of South Australia shows that most people are happy to hand over their health information if it could help improve their care.

In a new global study, UniSA researchers found that 94% of people who use wearable activity trackers – such as Fitbits, Garmins, as well as Samsung or Apple Watches – are open to sharing data with their healthcare providers.

Of these respondents, 47% of people had already discussed their data with their healthcare provider, and 43% of people had already shared it. Only 26% of people voiced concerns.

It’s a timely finding with demand for personalised healthcare on the rise. The World Economic Forum reports that personalised health care has reduced administration costs, hospital admissions and long hospital stays by 5-10%.

The international wearable activity tracker market is also increasing. Currently valued at approximately USD 63 billion it is projected to reach USD 352 billion by 2033. Estimates suggest that 39% of US adults and 36% of Australian adults own a smartwatch.

UniSA researcher, Dr Ty Ferguson says the fact that people are open to sharing their personal health data with health providers could pave the way for more personalised care.

“Every day we hear about privacy risks and data breaches, so it’s reasonable to assume that data sharing might raise issues,” Dr Ferguson says.

“But in reality, the opposite is true – people are overwhelmingly willing to share health data from their smartwatches, as long as it’s with trusted health professionals such as doctors or physiotherapists.

“This was even more prevalent among people with chronic health conditions.

“By sharing personalised health data – such as sleep patterns, physical activity, or heart rate – healthcare providers can gain deeper insights about each patient’s needs, potentially offering smarter, more responsive, and better-quality care.”

Globally, 31% of adults and 80% of teenagers do not meet the recommended physical activity guidelines, increasing their risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. Poor diet and insufficient sleep are also widespread, with one in eight people living with obesity, and nearly half (48%) of all Australian adults reporting at least 2 sleep-related problems.

Treating preventable non-communicable diseases is expected to cost nearly US$ 300 billion globally by 2030.

Co-researcher and post-doctoral researcher, UniSA’s Kimberley Szeto says these figures highlight the urgent need for healthcare systems to better support healthy lifestyle behaviour.

“Being inactive, not getting enough quality sleep, and poor diet, are all preventable behaviours that can contribute to a higher risk of chronic disease,” Szeto says.

“Wearable activity trackers are a popular, relatively low-cost tool, that help people monitor their daily habits and better understand how this can impact their overall wellbeing.

“If people are open to sharing this information with their health providers, they could potentially receive health support that is specifically targeted to their own condition and health behaviours.

“While the positives are clear, challenges remain, from ensuring the reliability and validity of wearable activity data, and costs for data integration, to improving data security, and training for healthcare providers.

“Personalised healthcare is the way of the future; when we have the data and the desire to share it, it’s only a matter of time before we see progression.”

The University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide are joining forces to become Australia’s new major university – Adelaide University. Building on the strengths, legacies and resources of two leading universities, Adelaide University will deliver globally relevant research at scale, innovative, industry-informed teaching and an outstanding student experience. Adelaide University will open its doors in January 2026. Find out more on the Adelaide University website.

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Journal

Healthcare

DOI

10.3390/healthcare13111215

Method of Research

Survey

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

User Experiences and Attitudes Toward Sharing Wearable Activity Tracker Data with Healthcare Providers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Phage therapy at a turning point: Global experts converge in Berlin to shape the future of antimicrobial medicine

Mitochondria-Microbiota Task Force

image:
Targeting Phage Therapy Agenda
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Credit: International Society of Microbiota

As antibiotic resistance reaches critical levels worldwide, the 8th World Congress on Targeting Phage Therapy (June 10–11, 2025) returns to Berlin, bringing together over 75 international speakers and contributors from 27 countries. The congress offers the most comprehensive scientific and clinical update on phage therapy—a once-overlooked solution now at the forefront of next-generation medicine.

Phage Therapy 2025 covers the full translational pipeline: from phage–bacteria interactions and biofilm disruption to regulatory frameworks, GMP manufacturing, and clinical case studies across human and veterinary medicine.

Highlights from the 2025 Program

Keynote Address: “Phage Therapy 2030: Getting from Here to There” by Prof. Robert T. Schooley (University of California San Diego)
Breakthrough Clinical Cases: Personalized phage therapy in cystic fibrosis, prosthetic joint infections, and critical MDR cases from Australia, Canada, and Georgia
Phages in Oncology: Groundbreaking applications in tumor targeting and immunomodulation from teams in Italy and Slovenia
One Health in Action: Presentations from Spain, Poland, and Japan on phage use in livestock, food safety, and veterinary infections
Session 5 – From Bench to Market: Regulatory innovation, GMP production pipelines, and commercialization insights from leading European CDMOs and biotech firms

Emerging Themes and Hot Topics in Phage Therapy 2025

Precision Phage Engineering

Researchers are now developing genetically customized phages with enhanced specificity, immune evasion mechanisms, and synthetic delivery modules—ushering in a new era of personalized and programmable therapies.

Phage–Microbiota Interactions

Phages are gaining recognition not only as antimicrobial agents but as key modulators of the gut microbiome, with therapeutic implications in chronic inflammation, metabolic disorders, and immune regulation.

Phage–Antibiotic Synergy

Rather than serving as alternatives, phages and antibiotics are proving to be complementary tools. Several studies demonstrated how phages can re-sensitize resistant bacteria, dismantle biofilms, and extend antibiotic lifespan.

Regulatory & GMP Acceleration

From compassionate use protocols to full GMP production, the congress emphasized rapid progress in aligning legal frameworks, production standards, and clinical accessibility.

Next-Gen Preclinical Models

Innovative models, including the ex vivo pig lung system for cystic fibrosis, are revolutionizing how phage efficacy and safety are validated prior to human use.

Global Harmonization

Speakers emphasized the urgent need for international coordination on phage libraries, production protocols, and regulatory pathways.

Phages Beyond Infections

Talks explored novel uses of phages in cancer immunotherapy, vaccine delivery, and systemic immune modulation.

Driving Innovation: JAFRAL and Cellexus

Two strategic industry leaders showcased the technologies that are making phage therapy commercially viable:

• JAFRAL (Slovenia) is a leading Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) for GMP-grade bacteriophage production. With experience supporting over 12 clinical trials globally, JAFRAL delivers scalable manufacturing solutions for human and veterinary therapeutics, food, and agriculture. JAFRAL’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities are equipped to deliver GMP-compliant and non-GMP bacteriophage products with batch capacities of up to 200 liters, fully aligned with FDA, EMA and TGA regulatory standards. The company provides end-to-end services—from process and analytical method development to large-scale production—tailored to meet the stringent demands of both clinical and commercial use. The company offers diverse formulation capabilities, including liquid formulations, spray drying, and lyophilization, ensuring flexible and customized solutions for a wide range of therapeutic and industrial applications.

• Cellexus (United Kingdom) presented the CellMaker system—currently the only single-use, purely airlift bioreactor on the market. Designed for phage and viral production, CellMaker enables scalable, shear-free bioprocessing compliant with GMP standards, bridging the gap between research and industrial application. The CellMaker range of revolutionary, single-use airlift bioreactor systems simplify, accelerate and improve cell culture and fermentation processes with a system expertly designed for the life sciences and pharmaceutical industries.

Concluding Remarks

In closing, Prof. Christian Willy remarked:
“Phage therapy is no longer an experimental tool—it is becoming an essential component of post-antibiotic medicine. What we do now will define its accessibility and legitimacy in clinical care for decades.”

As resistance to conventional antibiotics continues to grow, Targeting Phage Therapy 2025 sends a clear message: the future of infectious disease treatment is not just bacterial—it’s viral.

For More information: www.phagetherapy-site.com

For Press Access, Interview Requests, or Conference Media Kit:

Email: contact@phagetherapy-site.com

Website: www.phagetherapy-site.com

SEE

Wednesday, June 04, 2025

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Highlights from the 2025 Program

Emerging Themes and Hot Topics in Phage Therapy 2025

Precision Phage Engineering

Phage–Microbiota Interactions

Phage–Antibiotic Synergy

Regulatory & GMP Acceleration

Next-Gen Preclinical Models

Global Harmonization

Phages Beyond Infections

Driving Innovation: JAFRAL and Cellexus

Concluding Remarks

https://plawiuk.blogspot.com/search?q=PHAGES

https://plawiuk.blogspot.com/search?q=BIOPHAGES

https://plawiuk.blogspot.com/search?q=PHAGE

https://plawiuk.blogspot.com/search?q=BACTERIOPHAGE