This study addresses the critical gap in epidemiological data on antenatal depression in China, a condition that profoundly impacts maternal and infant health. Conducted as a cross-sectional survey from December 2019 to March 2023, the research enrolled 100,200 pregnant women across 27 hospitals in 11 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous areas. Late-pregnancy depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). This survey reveals that the overall prevalence of possible depression (EPDS >9) was 25.8%, and probable depression (EPDS >12) was 11.4%, with significant regional variation (highest in North China, lowest in East China). Young maternal age, low education levels, low family income, unemployment, living alone, unmarried/divorced status, unintended pregnancy, multiple pregnancy, insufficient social support, tobacco/alcohol use, and poor sleep quality were identified as risk factors for antenatal depression. Notably, family support, particularly from partners, emerges as a pivotal intervention target for reducing antenatal depression risk.

In medicine permanent magnets demonstrate unique advantages in terms of field strength, tunability of field and gradient distributions, and practical implementation. The findings highlight the critical role of spatial magnetic field characteristics in optimizing the interaction of magnetic fields with biological tissues and cells, thereby improving the efficacy of magnetic medical technologies. The insights derived from this study emphasize the transformative potential of permanent magnet systems in shaping the future of both magnetic surgery and therapeutic applications in medicine.

Bethesda, MD (July 29, 2025) — A new international study confirmed a significant post-pandemic rise in disorders of gut-brain interaction, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia, according to the paper published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

A researcher at Osaka Metropolitan University investigated the active travel effects of an mHealth app that incentivizes daily walking. The results revealed that the mHealth app’s incentives to exchange train tickets increased users’ daily walking steps by 626.2 steps/day for five months.