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The success of the Life-Saving Lullabies project

The Life-Saving Lullabies project, funded by UK Arts and Humanities Research Council, investigated the potential of song as a novel public health education intervention to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality. The project's successes demonstrate a model of best practice in community-led maternal and infant health interventions.

SourceUniversity of Huddersfield·TypeNews article·DateNov 25, 2021

How school attendance data could play crucial role in targeting mental health support for pupils

Researchers found that pupils with mental and neurodevelopmental disorders or who self-harm are more likely to miss school, indicating potential indicators of current or future poor mental health. The study highlights the importance of integrated school-based and healthcare strategies to support young people's engagement with education.

SourceSwansea University·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateNov 24, 2021

Immune cell receptor and ligand regulation: A therapeutic avenue for inflammatory diseases

A study by Tokyo University of Science researchers identifies a novel regulatory axis targeting dendritic cell activity, suppressing autoimmune disease symptoms and bone loss. They discovered DCIR binds to glycoproteins on macrophages and osteoclasts, reducing inflammation and immune responses.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 24, 2021

Private education in lower-income countries is having limited impact on learning

A study of over 560,000 children in India, Pakistan, Kenya, and Uganda found that private education made little difference in learning outcomes, with gains largely attributed to more advantaged backgrounds. The researchers suggest that private schools may be drawing support away from state education without significantly improving stan...

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalComparative Education Review·DateNov 22, 2021

Are political parties getting in the way of our health?

Historical state-level analysis finds that increased party competition leads to higher spending on infrastructure, human capital, literacy, earnings, and longevity. States with more party competition tend to have lower infant mortality, higher life expectancy, and greater social well-being.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalAmerican Political Science Review·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 22, 2021

Finnish parents want assessment that supports and motivates learning

A new study from the University of Eastern Finland reveals that Finnish parents regard assessment as primarily a tool for supporting pupils' learning and growth. They hope for diverse forms of assessment, including numerical evaluations, to motivate children and facilitate comparison. The researchers propose that schools engage in clos...

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalStudies In Educational Evaluation·DateNov 11, 2021

Netflix’s Sex Education lives up to its name – and challenges perceptions about teens and porn

The study analyzes how Sex Education fills the gap in sex education for teenagers, offering a more nuanced understanding of their needs. The show represents sex education as a conversation between teens, parents, and experts, challenging traditional gatekeeper ideas about adult protection.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalInformation Communication & Society·TypeLiterature review·DateNov 11, 2021

COVID-19 lockdowns deepened struggle for work-family balance

A new study by McGill University researchers found that COVID-19 lockdowns disproportionately affected graduate students' mental health, particularly among women. Women reported more stress related to remote teaching and caregiving responsibilities, leading to increased depressive symptoms.

SourceMcGill University·JournalPreventive Medicine Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 10, 2021

Harnessing Thor’s Hammer -- How forensic science is unlocking the mysteries of fatal lightning strikes

Researchers developed a tool to investigate cause of death when skeletonised remains are recovered, providing a breakthrough in forensic lightning pathology. The study identified unique markers of lightning damage deep within the human skeleton, allowing for recognition of lightning strikes even when only dry bone survives.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalForensic Science International Synergy·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 3, 2021

Study: In much of the US, virtual school did not lower COVID-19 case rates in surrounding communities

A nationwide study of 895 US school districts found that opening schools for in-person learning did not increase COVID-19 case rates in surrounding communities, except in the South. The researchers controlled for local policies and community mobility data to analyze the impact of schools on community spread.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalNature Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateNov 3, 2021

Social media is reshaping British universities’ value systems in a scramble for likes and shares

Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that universities are increasingly using social media metrics to claim impact in research, despite this being a 'naïve and problematic' grasp of the concept. This is linked to institutional isomorphism, where organisations imitate each other's approaches to uncertain goals.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPostdigital Science and Education·DateNov 3, 2021

Davis receives dissertation funding from NSF

Elizabeth Davis, a doctoral candidate at George Mason University, has received $25,000 in NSF grant funding to study the national emergence of newcomer schools. Her research aims to fill a gap in understanding how these schools align with immigration patterns and demographics, as well as their impact on student outcomes.

Some colleges are mammals, others are cities

The study found that institutions are optimized for their function, with community colleges being more efficient due to their smaller size. As prestigious research universities grew in size, tuition increased, faculty salaries increased, and research production dramatically increased. Despite this, completion rates remained the same.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 1, 2021

Hollings collaborates on two studies showing how to boost immunotherapy effectiveness for patients with oral-cavity squamous cell carcinoma

Researchers from MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Winship Cancer Institute discovered that pre-surgical anti-PD-1 immunotherapy is safe and effective for OCSCC patients. The studies identified potential molecular biomarkers in blood and tumors to predict treatment response.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalCell Reports Medicine·DateOct 29, 2021

Jewish autistic pupils thrive as bilingual learners, after communities reject advice “not to teach Hebrew”

A University of Cambridge study found that Jewish autistic children who learn Hebrew as a second language benefit from their cultural identity and community involvement. Parents and teachers rejected outdated professional advice, instead teaching pupils Hebrew to enhance their spiritual and family life.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·DateOct 27, 2021

How political partisanship governed in-person schooling during pandemic

A study from Michigan State University found that partisan politics played a significant role in local decisions about in-person schooling during the pandemic. In heavily Democratic counties, schools were nearly three times more likely to open fully remote, while Republican counties were nearly 1.8 times more likely to offer in-person ...

SourceMichigan State University·JournalEducational Researcher·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 20, 2021

Cognitive study shows lack of bilingual education adversely affects English language learners' writing skills

A University of Kansas study examined three key cognitive functions in teaching writing to Hispanic English learners, revealing word retrieval skills, verbal language skills, and working memory are crucial for success. The research highlights the negative effects of a lack of bilingual education on these students' writing abilities.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalJournal of Educational Psychology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 13, 2021

Why do muffins rise in the oven? Researcher wins NSF award to develop phenomenon-based science courses for elementary teachers

Northern Arizona University researcher Marti Canipe has developed a three-year project to create science courses for undergraduate elementary education majors using phenomenon-based instruction methods. The courses will focus on real-life phenomena and engage students in scientific practices, leading to deeper understanding of science ...

Income inequality can harm children’s achievement in maths – but not reading, 27-year study suggests

A 27-year study suggests that income inequality is linked to lower maths scores among US children, with even richer students experiencing negative effects. The study found that states with higher income gaps saw poorer maths results, while reading grades were not associated with income inequality. Policymakers may need to consider redu...

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalEducational Review·DateOct 5, 2021

Science backs nature as key to children’s health

A massive review of nearly 300 studies found strong associations between greenspaces near homes and schools and improved physical activity and mental health outcomes in kids. Exposure to nature, particularly for disadvantaged populations, offers greater health benefits by counteracting poverty's toxic effects.

SourceWashington State University·JournalPEDIATRICS·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 29, 2021

Future prosperity in China is unlikely to be hindered by population aging

A new study published in PNAS suggests that China's declining birth rate and aging population may not negatively impact future prosperity. The researchers found that higher education levels among women can lead to increased labor force participation, potentially offsetting the negative effects of population aging.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 27, 2021

Dr. Sofia Sheikh awarded National Science Foundation Fellowship for Research & Education at the SETI Institute’s Allen Telescope Array

Dr. Sofia Sheikh has been awarded a Mathematical and Physical Sciences Ascending Postdoctoral Research Fellowship to focus on fast radio bursts and develop improved technosignature detection methods. She will also mentor underrepresented students in physics and astronomy, leveraging the Allen Telescope Array's unique qualities.

Students’ certainty about belonging and their performance in a STEM course reinforce each other – for better or worse

A new study from the University of Utah finds that students' uncertainty about belonging in a STEM course reinforces each other, affecting midterm scores and persistence in the field. Women students experience higher belonging uncertainty than men, despite similar academic preparation.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalJournal of Chemical Education·TypeObservational study·DateSep 20, 2021

Atmosphere and caring teachers at special schools more important to parents of children with SEN than educational standards, study shows

A study found that parents prioritize atmosphere and teacher approach over academic standards when selecting a special school for their child. High-quality inclusive education provision means a sense of belonging, social acceptance, and individualized curriculum. Only a minority reported experiencing 'hard choice' due to limited options.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEuropean Journal of Special Needs Education·TypeSurvey·DateSep 15, 2021

More effective partnerships between medics and dance professionals needed to discover the benefits of dance to health, report finds

Researchers found that dance impacts health in key areas, including sense of identity, belonging, and self-worth. They call for more collaboration with dancers and co-research with participants to better capture the benefits of dance on its own terms.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalInternational Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 15, 2021

Dartmouth receives $3 million NSF grant to expand PhD innovation programs and advance sensor technology entrepreneurship

Dartmouth has received a $3 million NSF grant to increase its PhD Innovation Programs by 50% and develop new multidisciplinary pathways for STEM graduate students focused on entrepreneurship and research translation. The funding will support 19 additional graduate students and enhance the development of sensor technology applications.