March 29 – April 4,
2014
News Clips:
For most adolescents,
popularity increases risk of getting bullied
Summary: Recent study
finds that many victims of bullying do not fit into the stereotypical idea of
vulnerable targets. These victims are at an increased risk, because they are
popular. In these cases, social status competition comes into play.
New screening tool to
diagnose common sleep problem in children
Summary: A new
pediatric growth curve has been developed to track neck circumference in boys
and girls between the ages of 6 and 17. Neck circumference has been shown to be
related to the development of obstructive sleep apnea in adults.
Early intervention
reduces aggressive behavior in adulthood
Summary: Researchers
explored the reduction in aggressive behavior 8 years after Fast Track
intervention in African American males. Fast Track is an intervention offered
for children between Kindergarten and 10th grade and includes tutoring,
peer coaching, home and family visits, and social-emotional learning lessons
with friends.
Schools have limited
success in reducing bullying, new analysis finds
Summary: Study points
out the different strategies being utilized by schools to work to eliminate
bullying and note that while comprehensive programs are the most successful,
they are also the most time-consuming and costly. There is a need to find an
appropriate solution that does not monopolize resources, but is also
successful.
Universal syllables:
Some innate preferences shape the sound of words from birth
Summary: Study
provides evidence to support the claim that there are some preferences in the
sound of words that can be found across languages. Utilizing a non-invasive
technique, researchers observed newborn brain activation while newborns heard
“preferred” sounds. Results suggest that newborns have an innate ability to distinguish
words from non-words regardless of the language.
Run When You're 25
For A Sharper Brain When You're 45
Summary: Recent
longitudinal study followed teenagers and young adults for 25 years to assess
the relationship between exercise and cognition. Researchers found that the
teenagers and young adults that performed better on treadmill tests also tended
to perform better on memory and problem solving tests in middle age.
Brain games
Summary: Author
explores the continuing debate about the effectiveness and usefulness of brain
training games.
Brainiac Says We'll
All Be Part of the 'Brain-Net' Someday
Summary: Author
interviews Michio Kaku, who explains the future possibilities of neuroscience
thanks to advances in our understanding of physics. The “brain-net” refers to
the connection of people directly from brain-to-brain in order to share and
experience emotions, memories, and sensations.
What makes teens
terrible: Scientists find brain 'disconnect' causes emotional outbursts and bad
behaviour
Summary: Study found
that an enhanced limbic system and greater disconnection from brain regions in
teenage girls. These differences in the teenage brain may contribute to the
difference in how mid-adolescents process trustworthiness and also greater
risk-taking.
Noisy brain signals:
How the schizophrenic brain misinterprets the world
Summary: Researchers
find that people with Schizophrenia may suffer from impaired corollary
discharge and difficulty localizing visual stimuli. These problems may be
useful in making predictions about patient symptoms and severity.
Drawing conclusions:
Children's drawings during abuse investigations
Summary: Recent study
suggests that child victims of abuse are empowered by the opportunity to draw
about their adverse experiences. These illustrations also allow children to
provide more detailed descriptions.
Young motorists lack
self control
Summary: Researchers
examine brain activity of young drivers while they play a car racing video
game. Findings provide key distinctions in brain activity between high risk and
risk adverse young drivers. Risk-willingness can be linked to learning and
education, as we are stimulated to overcome mental challenges.
Empowering parents to
inspire first-generation college-goers
Summary: Researchers
tested the efficacy of a new program to engage first generation college goers
and their parents. Students attended sessions three days a week, exploring
college websites, visiting college campuses and learning about college entrance
requirements. There were also family information meetings and parents received
weekly activity packets.
The Emotional
Blindness of Alexithymia
Summary: The article
explores potential ways to strengthen the self-experience and understanding of
others for those that suffer from Alexithymia. Alexithymia is the inability to
recognize emotions and their subtleties and textures.
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