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U.S. health departments experience workforce shortages and struggle to reach adequate staffing levels in public health

A new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health reveals that US health departments struggle with workforce shortages and inadequate staffing levels. The main barriers to addressing this issue are insufficient funding, a shortage of people with public health training, and lengthy hiring processes.

Few tenure-track jobs for engineering PhDs

Engineering PhD graduates have a low chance of securing a tenure-track faculty position, with an average annual likelihood of 12.4%. Alternative career tracks in government and industry are recommended to match student expectations with the realities of the job market.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateMay 7, 2024

Eye-opener: Pupils enlarge when people focus on tasks

A recent study published in Attention, Perception & Psychophysics found a correlation between pupil dilation and working memory. Researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington discovered that individuals with better working memory had larger pupil dilations during tasks, indicating improved focus and attention.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalAttention Perception & Psychophysics·TypeObservational study·DateApr 22, 2024

International graduate and postdoctoral trainees in biomedicine are struggling with career confidence, study says

A new study found that international and female trainees reported lower career-self-efficacy across the national sample. The study highlights how immigration status intersects with individuals' perceptions of their own capabilities, influencing their career trajectories and opportunities for advancement.

What drives students to take up teaching? New study explores aspirations and challenges faced by prospective teachers in Japan

A new study in Japan explores the motivations of undergraduate students pursuing a teaching career, finding that positive school experiences and intrinsic value are major drivers. The research also highlights the challenges faced by aspiring teachers, including demanding skills and social pressures.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalInternational Journal of Educational Research Open·TypeSurvey·DateMar 7, 2024

University of Cincinnati cocaine research disrupts traditional theory

New research at UC disrupts conventional wisdom that people take cocaine for positive reinforcement, suggesting a pharmacological equation behind the behavior. The study suggests low doses produce reinforcing effects, while high doses have rate-limiting effects, revealing a shift in understanding of cocaine self-administration.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 14, 2023

German Research Foundation renews funding for Research Training Group "Gene Regulation in Evolution" at Mainz University

The German Research Foundation has renewed funding for the Research Training Group 'Gene Regulation in Evolution' at Mainz University, focusing on the role of gene regulation in adaptation and evolution. The program will recruit 13 new doctoral students and continue to support interdisciplinary research and personal development.

The little things matter: Chemists develop new sensor for microvolume pH detection

Researchers at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University have developed a sensitive and robust pH sensor that can detect pH variation in just a few microliters of samples. The new sensor uses novel materials and methods to overcome the current method's limitations, which are not sensitive enough or fragile for commercial-scale use.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalMicrochimica Acta·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 3, 2023

Gender disparities limit chances for women PhD students training to be new inventors

Female STEM doctoral students are less likely to become new inventors compared to their male counterparts during PhD training. Faculty advisors play a critical role in training new inventors, with top inventor faculty members increasing the probability of filing the first patent by 23%. The research highlights a 'leaky pipeline' of fem...

SourceMIT Sloan School of Management·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 28, 2023

Sick of sports? WVU study shows flu deaths rise when pro sports teams move into cities

A WVU study found that U.S. cities with new professional sports teams saw increased influenza mortality rates, with the NHL teams causing the largest increase. The researchers analyzed data from 122 cities and controlled for factors like population and temperature to find a significant correlation between team arrival and flu deaths.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalSports Economics Review·DateAug 4, 2023

New research explores durability of 2D hybrid materials

Researchers investigated the fatigue behavior of 2D hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites (HOIPs), discovering they can survive over one billion cycles, outperforming most polymers under similar loading conditions. The study provides insights into designing and engineering these materials for long-term mechanical durability.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalAdvanced Science·DateJul 25, 2023

Supportive communities can help increase breastfeeding rates for moms, MU study finds

A new study from the University of Missouri-Columbia found that supportive communities and education about breastfeeding health benefits can boost breastfeeding rates, particularly in rural areas where it is less common. The study also showed that reduced stigma surrounding breastfeeding occurred with increased community exposure.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalPublic Health Nursing·TypeSurvey·DateJul 3, 2023

Older bats do suffer from hearing loss

A new study at Tel Aviv University found that older bats do indeed suffer from age-related hearing loss, but at a relatively slow rate compared to humans. The researchers believe that bats have developed special adaptations to cope with their noisy environment, which could provide insights into human hearing loss.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalLife Science Alliance·DateJun 18, 2023

Education on under-prescribed drug helps reduce cravings for those with alcohol use disorder, MU study finds

A MU study found that providing educational information about naltrexone to healthcare professionals increases patient prescriptions for the drug. The study resulted in a 36% increase in patients leaving the facility with a prescription for naltrexone, suggesting better-informed decisions by healthcare professionals.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 13, 2023

Teachers who struggle to cope with stress report far lower job satisfaction, MU study finds

A new study found that teachers who struggle to cope with stress report far lower job satisfaction compared to those who manage their pressure effectively. The research highlights the importance of identifying and adopting healthy coping mechanisms to prevent teacher burnout, which contributes to many teachers leaving the profession.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalPsychology in the Schools·TypeSurvey·DateApr 10, 2023

LSU Health New Orleans study suggests interprofessional team training could prove effective in AUD prevention & treatment

A new LSU Health New Orleans study suggests that single, focused Interprofessional Education-based exercises can significantly decrease stigma associated with alcohol use and improve knowledge and confidence in screening for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). The exercise led to substantial improvements in student understanding of AUD risks, ...

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalBMC Medical Education·TypeSurvey·DateMar 21, 2023

University of Illinois researchers present new theory of convection for understanding fast charging of batteries

Researchers from the University of Illinois have developed a new theory that explains how convection occurs inside reactive porous media, shedding light on mass and heat transfer principles. The theory introduces a spectral Sherwood number and extends Newton's law of cooling for convection heat transfer to transient conditions.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalJournal of Power Sources·DateMar 21, 2023

New paper offers best practices for LGBTQ+ field scientists and mentors

A new paper provides evidence-based strategies to create safer experiences for marginalized gender and sexual identities in ecological field research. The authors recommend comprehensive protocols, safety plans, inclusive housing policies, and affirming healthcare to attract and retain a diverse workforce.