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UBCO researchers link advertising to uptick in youth vaping

UBCO researchers found that e-cigarette companies leverage various reasons for youth vaping, including stress, curiosity, and social benefits, to recruit teens into using their products. The study suggests that health risks associated with vaping are often overridden by these reasons, making it essential to develop comprehensive strate...

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateAug 11, 2020

COVID-19: The long road to recovery

Researchers identified a pattern of longer-term symptoms in COVID-19 patients, including fatigue, breathlessness, and psychological distress. The study found that some patients experienced symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), highlighting the need for specialist rehabilitation services.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalJournal of Medical Virology·DateAug 6, 2020

Control over work-life boundaries creates crucial buffer to manage after-hours work stress

A study by researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that workers who have greater control over their work and personal lives can create a buffer to manage after-hours work stress. This includes using technological boundary tactics such as turning off work email alerts on smartphones.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Organizational Behavior·DateJun 25, 2020

Using Jenga to explain lithium-ion batteries

A University of Birmingham team has created a hands-on educational tool using Jenga to explain lithium-ion battery operation and characteristics. The game helps students visualize electrochemistry and redox reactions, demonstrating the importance of rate of charge and performance over time.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalJournal of Chemical Education·DateJun 15, 2020

How effective are language learning apps?

A study by Michigan State University found that language learning apps, such as Babbel, can improve oral communication skills and not just grammar and vocabulary acquisition. Students who used the app for longer periods showed greater improvement in their Spanish language knowledge.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalForeign Language Annals·DateJun 9, 2020

Sharing of tacit knowledge is most important aspect of mentorship, study finds

The most successful protégés studied under mentors who demonstrated unique skills in ideating and publishing celebrated research, breaking away from their mentors' lines of research. These mentors were future scientific prizewinners. The study reveals that face-to-face interaction is essential for transferring tacit knowledge.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 2020

Construction of new learning spaces calls for interaction between stakeholders and development of school's operational culture

New modern school spaces need active negotiations between all stakeholders, including teachers and students, to be transformed into learning environments. This process involves cyclic processes of interaction and meaning-making, which can lead to the development of authentic and functional learning environments.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalLearning Environments Research·DateJun 4, 2020

The moral machine

Researchers created an AI system that learns to distinguish between 'right' and 'wrong' based on books, news articles, and religious texts. The machine's moral compass adapts to different eras and societies, revealing subtle differences in moral values.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Artificial Intelligence·DateMay 20, 2020

Arts-based method to detect school bullying

Researchers developed a graphical vignette method to assess bullying episodes in schools, allowing kids to express their opinions freely. The study found that this approach can provide an outlet for schoolchildren to formulate what's important to them personally, promoting openness and cooperation.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalInternational Journal of Qualitative Methods·DateMay 18, 2020

Oink, oink makes the pig

Researchers at TU Dresden discovered that pictures and gestures improve children's memory of English vocabulary, even six months after learning. This finding challenges the assumption that sensorimotor enrichment is more beneficial for kids than sensory-only enrichment.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalEducational Psychology Review·DateMay 13, 2020

Talent is key to school turnarounds

Research by University of Delaware reveals that hiring and retaining effective principals and teachers leads to significant gains in student achievement. Effective teacher retention strategies, such as financial incentives, were found to be persistently effective in reform efforts.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalEducational Evaluation and Policy Analysis·DateMay 8, 2020

Tech not hurting social skills of 'kids these days'

A new study from Ohio State University found that children's social skills have not declined due to increased screen time, with teachers rating both generations similarly. The study also showed that even heavy screen users showed similar development in social skills compared to those with little exposure.

SourceOhio State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Sociology·DateApr 13, 2020

Chemistry education goes online

Experts emphasize the importance of using accessible technology, maintaining short lecture lengths, and adapting exams to online platforms. Online instructors also share strategies for building rapport with students from a distance, including regular email communication and conversational teaching styles.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateApr 1, 2020

Assessing the the global problem of poor sanitation

The Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) has secured a grant to develop data collection techniques for assessing the scale of challenge in safely dealing with sewage waste. On-site sanitation, such as pit latrines, is used by 3.1 billion people worldwide, but few countries keep data on waste treatment, posing major health risks.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalFrontiers in Environmental Science·DateMar 25, 2020

After statewide teacher evaluation reform, low-rated teachers leave struggling schools: Study finds

A recent study by New York University found that statewide teacher evaluation reform is associated with increased turnover of lower-performing instructors, particularly in urban districts and low-performing schools. The research suggests that these reforms can help retain more effective teachers for longer periods.

SourceNew York University·JournalAmerican Educational Research Journal·DateMar 23, 2020

Seductive details inhibit learning

A meta-analysis of 58 studies involving over 7,500 students found that seductive details can lower learning outcome measures. The analysis suggests that students' attention is diverted towards irrelevant information, leading to decreased performance. However, good details can still engage students if they are pertinent to the topic.

SourceWashington State University·JournalEducational Psychology Review·DateMar 19, 2020