Two studies suggest a strong link between troubled family life, poor sleep and developmental setbacks – and also give a hint that prevention scientists might benefit from brushing up their Shakespeare.

Philadelphia researchers argue that so extreme has been the emotional climate generated by the US administration's preoccupation with a war on terror that investigation is warranted into the effects on young people of what they call “secondhand terrorism”.

Choose the right “operating system” when introducing prevention programs and your worries that faithful implementation and local ownership are mutually exclusive might just fade away.