Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Learning about struggles of famous scientists may help students succeed in science

A new study published by the American Psychological Association found that learning about the personal and intellectual struggles of famous scientists can improve high school students' science grades. Students who read about the scientists' failures had significantly improved their grades, with low-achievers benefiting the most.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Educational Psychology·DateFeb 11, 2016

Penn Nursing research: Exceptional care requires patient-driven education

Research from Penn Nursing and colleagues finds that parents with low health literacy need learner-driven education, while those with adequate literacy want flexible teaching. The study's findings suggest that healthcare providers should assess patient health literacy and use creative communication methods to improve patient outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalJournal of Health Communication·DateDec 17, 2015

How fresh is your maple syrup?

Trees draw on stored carbon reserves when springtime sap begins to flow, integrating sugars from multiple growing seasons. This finding suggests that maple syrup production depends on long-term nutrient storage rather than just the last season.

SourceWiley·JournalNew Phytologist·DateDec 7, 2015

Teaching parents about the importance of breakfast has benefits for both parent and child

A new study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that both online and in-person group education are effective in helping parents reduce breakfast-skipping and improve other breakfast-related nutritional knowledge and behaviors. The study involved 590 WIC participants, with both groups showing improve...

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·DateDec 3, 2015

Cataract surgery lessens patients' dizziness

After routine cataract surgery, older people experience significantly less dizziness due to improved vision. However, wearing multifocal glasses after surgery may negate this benefit, particularly for those with frailty or frequent spectacle changes.

SourceWiley·JournalOphthalmic and Physiological Optics·DateNov 24, 2015

Supermarkets/mom and pops battle in emerging markets: INFORMS journal Marketing Science

A study of early-stage supermarket adoption in India finds that the lower middle class is driving growth and will drive demand for modern grocery retail. Supermarkets are more popular among upper and middle-middle classes, while mom-and-pop 'kirana' stores appeal to lower-income shoppers who value credit and home delivery services.

Helping students stick with MOOCs

Researchers developed a dropout-prediction model that uses data from one course offering to predict stopout in the next. The model achieved fairly accurate predictions and showed promise, particularly when incorporating additional variables like weekend study habits. Ongoing work aims to refine the model for improved accuracy.

License plate decals don't seem to curb learner driver crash rates

Research published in Injury Prevention found that license plate decals did not reduce crash rates among young drivers with learner permits in New Jersey. The study analyzed data from January 2006 to June 2012 and found no association between decal provision and crash rates, citing high compliance with passenger restrictions

SourceBMJ Group·JournalInjury Prevention·DateJun 29, 2015

Science of learning can help parents, developers grade educational apps

A comprehensive new report integrates research from psychological science, linguistics, and neuroscience to provide an evidence-based guide for evaluating the quality of educational apps. The report presents four principles that can help distinguish between apps with true educational value and those that masquerade as such.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science in the Public Interest·DateApr 20, 2015

Online students give instructors higher marks if they think instructors are men

A recent study by NC State University found that online students tend to evaluate male instructors more favorably than female instructors, regardless of the instructor's actual gender. The researchers discovered a significant bias against women, with students who believed they were taught by men receiving higher ratings on various traits.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalInnovative Higher Education·DateDec 9, 2014

No cookie-cutter divorces, so what info should online co-parenting classes offer?

A University of Illinois researcher recommends online co-parenting classes be tailored to individual family needs, addressing emotional support and conflict resolution. The course should also cover less discussed topics like introducing a new partner to children and sex education, and provide resources for parents with limited vocabulary.

Vocal fry hurts women in the labor market

A study by University of Miami researcher Casey Klofstad found that vocal fry is perceived negatively, particularly in labor market contexts, affecting women's hiring prospects. Women who use vocal fry are seen as less attractive, competent, educated, trustworthy, and ultimately less hirable than those with normal speech.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 28, 2014

Are living liver donors at risk from life-threatening 'near-miss' events?

A recent study published in Liver Transplantation found that living liver donors experience a 0.2% mortality rate and life-threatening 'near-miss' events. Centers with more experience performing live donor procedures had lower rates of complications, suggesting the need for comprehensive information and education for donors.

SourceWiley·JournalLiver Transplantation·DateApr 25, 2013

Online learning: It's different

Harvard researchers found that students who took short tests between online lecture segments had reduced mind-wandering, tripled note-taking, and improved material retention. The testing act as an incentive for students to pay closer attention.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 4, 2013