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Children with language disorders may fall victims to false friends, study warns

A study by the University of Exeter warns that children with language disorders are susceptible to making false friends due to a lack of awareness about peers' motives and thoughts. Children consider peers as friends because they play with them, without fully understanding what constitutes a good or bad friend.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalInternational Journal of Language & Communication Disorders·TypeObservational study·DateMar 22, 2024

Explicit socioemotional learning can have a key role in PE lessons, study says

Researchers found that explicitly teaching socioemotional skills in PE lessons can have a key role in supporting students' communication skills, handling stress and accepting failure. This approach can be integrated into everyday teaching to ensure young adolescents enjoy positive outcomes linked to wellbeing and academic success.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPastoral Care in Education·TypeObservational study·DateMar 13, 2024

Maternal health support critical in the development of children born to mothers with pre-existing diabetes

A meta-analysis by Associate Professor Diana Arabiat found that children born to mothers with pre-existing diabetes have lower mental and psychomotor development scores compared to those without previous exposure. This delay in psychomotor development can be related to numerous risk factors, including premature birth or intrauterine gr...

SourceEdith Cowan University·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 12, 2024

Trauma screening may improve mental health service recommendations for children

A new study from Penn State finds that incorporating a trauma screening into child welfare evaluations leads to better identification of traumatic stress reactions and more appropriate service recommendations. The screening, developed by Christian Connell and Jason Lang, has been shown to increase referrals for specific trauma-focused ...

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Traumatic Stress·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 11, 2024

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

To appreciate music, the human brain listens and learns to predict

Researchers at University of California - San Francisco have developed a precise map of what is happening in the brain’s auditory cortex when someone hears a melody. The study found that some aspects of music are entwined with how we understand speech, while other important aspects stand alone. The brain uses two sets of neurons to ass...

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 16, 2024

Migrant and refugee children need early education supports too

Researchers found that childcare workers in informal creche settings need training to better support non-English speaking migrant and refugee children. The study showed that on-site professional learning improved emotional literacies and strategies for supporting these children, resulting in happier outcomes for families.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalEarly Childhood Education Journal·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 13, 2024

Study finds childhood bullying linked to distrust and mental health problems in adolescence

A new study found that young teenagers who develop a strong distrust of others as a result of childhood bullying are substantially more likely to have significant mental health problems as they enter adulthood. Researchers used data from 10,000 children in the UK and found that adolescents who were bullied at age 11 and developed great...

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNature Mental Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 13, 2024

Study IDs ways to better help children experiencing homelessness

Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 47 parents experiencing homelessness to understand accessibility challenges of social-emotional health services for their children. Key findings include the importance of acknowledging parental strengths and positive interactions with support people in promoting child development.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalSocial and Emotional Learning Research Practice and Policy·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 6, 2024

Detention fails to help young lawbreakers avoid further offenses, report shows

A new report from the Association for Psychological Science finds that youth who receive therapy, life-skills training, and other rehabilitative help are less likely to reoffend than those who face legal punishment. The study suggests that minimizing formal processing and expanding diversion programs can improve community safety.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science in the Public Interest·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 23, 2024

Sexual minority young people in Canada more likely to experience harmful police contact

A new study published in the Annals of Epidemiology found that bisexual individuals reported higher levels of police contact and law enforcement harassment in Canada. The study's authors call for greater police training to improve interactions with sexual minority persons and intervention efforts to support them after adverse experiences.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalAnnals of Epidemiology·DateJan 22, 2024

SDG-washing found among Canada's top companies

A study by University of Waterloo researchers found that corporate investing in communities decreased despite an increase in companies committing to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. The results indicate 'SDG-washing', where public pledges aren't translating into socially responsible investments.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalBusiness Strategy & Development·DateJan 17, 2024

How does social attention develop in autistic children?

Research reveals that autistic children develop their own unique visual preferences for social elements, unlike typically developing children who synchronize their attention on social interactions. Early intervention targeting social attention may help guide autistic children onto developmental courses more akin to their peers.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournaleLife·TypeNews article·DateJan 11, 2024

Revolutionizing real-time data processing with edge computing and reservoir technology

Researchers at Tokyo University of Science develop an edge computing device that processes signals in real time using physical reservoir technology, achieving faster data processing and lower computation costs. The device demonstrates enhanced learning capabilities, making it promising for applications in edge computing.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 11, 2024

City living can pose developmental risks

A new study highlights the wide range of urban exposures during early childhood that can influence growth and development, including air and noise pollution, overcrowding, and limited green space. The first 2000 days of life are a critical period for physical, cognitive, social, and emotional health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalPublic Health Research & Practice·TypeLiterature review·DateDec 20, 2023

Inclusive content, peer support, media information literacy can combat health misinformation spread to adolescents on social media

A new commentary in JAMA Pediatrics recommends improving adolescents' media information literacy skills and promoting inclusive content to combat health misinformation spread on social media. This approach aims to harness the potential of social media as a tool for positive connections and mental well-being.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateDec 11, 2023

North Korea and beyond: AI-powered satellite analysis reveals the unseen economic landscape of underdeveloped nations​

A new AI-powered satellite analysis technique reveals the economic conditions of regions with limited data, such as North Korea. The approach combines human input with machine learning to provide detailed economic maps and monitor progress towards Sustainable Development Goals.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalNature Communications·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 7, 2023

Mice pass the mirror test, a classic indicator of self-recognition

Researchers found that mice require significant external sensory cues to recognize changes in their reflection and can detect visual differences, but not tactile ones. The study identified a subset of neurons involved in developing self-image, highlighting the neural mechanisms behind self-recognition in mice.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 5, 2023

Botany must feature more prominently on the school curriculum to promote awareness of climate change, study warns

A recent study warns that children should be taught more about the importance of plants in promoting awareness of climate change and sustainability. The study argues that botany should be a greater focus of educational policy, with teachers receiving support and training to challenge their existing assumptions about plants.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Biological Education·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateDec 1, 2023

Eminent scientists say a child-centric approach is the blueprint to improve communities

Researchers at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute present comprehensive findings from the Abecedarian Project on early childhood education and development. The study, spanning five decades, shows that coordinated education, healthcare, and social services can improve community quality of life and attract businesses.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalMedical Research Archives·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 1, 2023

Predicting the molecular functions of regulatory genetic variants associated with cancer

Researchers discuss a new approach integrating genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, and machine learning methods to identify functional genetic variants and characterize their mode of action in regulating target genes. This method aims to improve understanding of disease etiology and prioritize causative inherited genetic variants.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 20, 2023

Terrorism rather than pandemics more concerning for those with those with authoritarian views, analysis shows

Research by the University of Exeter reveals that those with authoritarian political views are more concerned about terrorism and border control than new health pandemics. This study suggests COVID-19 does not disproportionately affect authoritarian concern for social divisions in British society.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPolitics and the Life Sciences·TypeSurvey·DateNov 16, 2023