Neuro Clips December 5, 2014

November 17 – December 5, 2014

Neuro Clips:

Strong neighborhoods, parenting can bridge 'achievement gap'

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/12/141204090958.htm

Summary: In a recent study of urban youth aspirations, researchers examined the relationship to factors such as parental relationships and neighborhood environment. Based on youth questionnaire responses, researchers found strong correlations between future aspirations, positive parental relationships, and safe home environments. These findings may have implications for violence prevention programs and interventions that facilitate parental involvement.

Girls, boys affected differently by witnessing parental violence

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/12/141202161327.htm

Summary: Researchers explored the link between exposure to parental partner violence and behavior problems at the start of preschool as well as the beginning of kindergarten. On average, children were exposed to an average of 17 instances of partner violence ages 3-4 and an average of 13 times ages 5-7. Additionally, boys demonstrated higher likelihood to display aggression sating in preschool as well as poorer social skills. These findings may have implications for future interventions and social development instruction.

Minute movements of autistic children and their parents provide clue to severity of disorder

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/12/141201163012.htm

Summary: In a recent study of movement, researchers measured fluctuations in the speed of movements (peripheral spikes) in adults and children with autism compared to parents of children with autism and healthy adults. The results suggest that individuals with autism have more random p-spike patterns. The implications of these findings may be useful in assessing the severity of autism. 

Teens with a history of TBI are nearly 4 times more likely to have used crystal meth

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141126185146.htm

Summary: An Ontario school survey examined substance in teens grades 9 – 12. The researchers discovered that teens with a self-reported history of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) were more likely to have used crystal meth in the past 12 months. They were also more likely to use a number of other drugs, including, but not limited to sedatives, ecstasy, cocaine, LSD, opioids, and non-prescribed ADHD drugs. These findings have implications for prevention and intervention programs for victims of traumatic brain injury. 

Diagnosing deafness early will help teenagers' reading development

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141125205706.htm

Summary: A recent study compared reading development in deaf teenagers who were screened at an early age versus deaf teens who were not. Teenagers who were screened at birth displayed higher levels of reading development. These findings suggest the importance of early screening and have policy and practice implications for screening programs. 

How fake brain science has supported gender segregation in schools

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2014/12/single_sex_classroom_research_fake_brain_science_supports_gender_segregation.html

Summary: Author explores the ethics and implications of gender segregation in schools supported by brain-based gender differences. The author argues that this practice establishes unequal instruction for boys and girls. The author also suggests that these practices are misguided and based on pseudoscience. The author points out issues that should be considered by curriculum designer, administrators, and teachers concerned about incorporating brain-based learning into the classroom. 

What Harry Potter Can Teach Us About Neuroscience

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/02/what-harry-potter-can-tel_n_6248804.html

Summary: Researchers at Carnegie Mellon explore brain activity while study participants reading passages from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The fMRI images revealed activation in the region of the brain associated with processing other people’s intentions. These findings support previous studies that have found reading fiction to be associated with increased empathy and the ability to make moral decisions. Implications of these findings may relate to literature classroom instruction or the promotion of reading fiction for leisure. 

Neuroscience Improves Early Childhood Education Quality

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ellen-galinsky/neuroscience-improves-ear_b_6171502.html

Summary: Article explores the feasibility and potential benefits of a preschool and kindergarten curriculum that targets executive function processes and skills. The Tools of the Mind curriculum is comprehensive and the initial results indicate that the program may improve academic performance. These findings potentially have implications for efforts to reduce achievement gaps.