New continuous reaction process can help turn plant waste into sustainable aviation fuel

Washington State University

 

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Joshua Heyne, director of the WSU Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Laboratory, and research assistant Conor Faulhaber, examine swelling results from a material compatibility test related to sustainable fuels.

 

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Credit: WSU

RICHLAND, Wash. —Washington State University scientists successfully tested a new way to produce sustainable jet fuel from lignin-based agricultural waste.

Published in the journal Fuel Processing Technology, the team’s research demonstrated a continuous process that directly converts lignin polymers, one of the chief components of plant cells, into a form of jet fuel that could help improve performance of sustainably produced aviation fuels.

“Our achievement takes this technology one step closer to real-world use by providing data that lets us better gauge its feasibility for commercial aviation,” said lead scientist Bin Yang, professor in WSU’s Department of Biological Systems Engineering.

A class of structural molecules that make plants tough and woody, lignin is derived from corn stover—the stalks, cobs and leaves left after harvest—and other agricultural byproducts.

The team developed a process called “simultaneous depolymerization and hydrodeoxygenation,” which breaks down the lignin polymer and at the same time removes oxygen to create lignin-based jet fuel.  At their Richland facility, the scientists introduced dissolved lignin polymer into a continuous hydrotreating reactor to produce the fuel.

Global consumption of aviation fuel reached an all-time high of nearly 100 billion gallons in 2019, and demand is expected to increase in the coming decades. Sustainable aviation fuels derived from plant-based biomass could help minimize aviation’s carbon footprint, reduce contrails and meet international carbon neutrality goals.

Lignin-based jet fuel could make sustainable fuels cleaner and more easily usable in jet engines. Thanks to their density, efficiency, and seal-swelling characteristics, hydrocarbons catalyzed from lignin could effectively replace fossil fuel-derived compounds called aromatics. Associated with contrails and climate impacts, aromatics remain in use because they enhance fuel density and help swell O-rings in metal-to-metal joints.

This research marked the team’s first successful test of a continuous process, which is more feasible for commercial production. The project also used a less processed, less expensive form of lignin derived from corn stover, dubbed “technical lignin,” contrasting similar research using extracted lignin bio-oil.

The team’s findings suggest lignin is a promising source of aromatic-replacing cycloalkanes and other useful fuel compounds.

“The aviation enterprise is looking to generate 100% renewable aviation fuel,” said Josh Heyne, research team member and co-director of the WSU-PNNL Bioproducts Institute. “Lignin-based jet fuel complements existing technologies by, for example, increasing the density of fuel blends.”

Offering reduced emissions, lignin-based fuel could ultimately make sustainable aviation fuels fully “drop-in” capable, meaning they can be used with all existing engines, infrastructure and aircraft like existing fossil-derived aviation fuel.

“We’re working to create an effective, commercially relevant technology for a complementary blend component that can achieve the 100% drop-in goal,” Heyne said.

The research was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Advanced Refining Technologies LLC.

The team is now working to refine their process for better efficiency and reduced costs.

• Read the journal article, “A Simultaneous Depolymerization and Hydrodeoxygenation Process to Produce Lignin-Based Jet Fuel in Continuous Flow Reactor,” at the Science Direct website.

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Journal

Fuel Processing Technology

DOI

10.1016/j.fuproc.2024.108129 

Article Title

A simultaneous depolymerization and hydrodeoxygenation process to produce lignin-based jet fuel in continuous flow reactor

Article Publication Date

26-Sep-2024

Chinese NGOs’ engagement in trans-boundary renewable energy technology transfer

Tsinghua University Press

 

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The roles of NGOs in the cross-border transfer of renewable energy have been ordered according to their level of involvement, ranging from weaker to stronger, and the complexity of their tasks, ranging from easier to more execution-oriented.

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Credit: Energy and Climate Management, Tsinghua University Press

Effective adoption of renewable energy technologies (RETs) is essential for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. As a leader in RETs, China has been pivotal in advancing trans-boundary technology transfer. Since launching the Green Belt and Road Initiative in 2017, China has expanded its renewable energy network to the global South by increasing climate finance and accelerating technology transfer. However, numerous challenges remain, including political, financial, legal, environmental, and cultural barriers.

 

To address these issues, Chinese Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have started to engage in RET transfers, collaborating with tech enterprises, recipient country governments, local communities, and other stakeholders. Researchers from Renmin University of China analyzed the roles of Chinese NGOs in this process through three case studies. Their findings were published in Energy and Climate Management on August 30, 2024.

 

“We aim to balance the studies on the roles of NGOs in trans-boundary technology transfer, as previous research has primarily focused on NGOs in the West. The engagement of Chinese domestic NGOs in trans-boundary renewable energy technology transfer is a recent phenomenon, accompanying the advancement of Chinese technologies and supplying capacities in this field, thus making it an emerging field of inquiry. This study is one of the early birds in this field, hopefully it will inspire future studies,” said Professor Lei Zhang, corresponding author of the paper, associate professor from the School of Ecology & Environment at Renmin University of China.

 

The team examined three distinct Chinese NGOs: Institution G, a comprehensive NGO that implements technology transfer pilot projects; Institution L, a think tank specializing in industry research and policy advocacy; and Institution M, a bridge organization that empowers local NGOs and fosters cooperation between social organizations and enterprises. These cases were chosen to represent different types of Chinese NGOs involved in trans-boundary RET transfers.

 

The team used rigorous methods to analyze the three cases, including semi-structured interviews with NGO experts and renewable energy firm representatives, supplemented by secondary data analysis from reports, articles, and documents. Researchers found that the combination of globalization, informatization, and the institutional push for green and low-carbon transformations driven by environmental and climate crises has led to a new grid-based technology transfer model involving multiple players. Within this framework, Chinese NGOs play various critical roles, such as coordinating stakeholders, offering technical assistance and policy guidance, creating technology information exchange platforms, monitoring the environmental and social responsibilities of overseas enterprises, conducting pilot projects, and providing professional advice to support renewable energy investments and financing.

 

Despite their growing importance, the involvement of Chinese NGOs in climate technology transfer remains limited. Their participation in trans-boundary RET transfers is still in its early stages and faces several challenges, including limited global integration, insufficient policy and institutional support, a lack of professional expertise, and inadequate funding.

 

The research team discovered the new roles of domestic NGOs engaged in RET transfer and expected the paper to inform policy and practice, enabling NGOs to take on a more engaged and impactful role in global environmental governance and promoting the inclusive growth of host countries. Professor Lei Zhang said, “Building on previous studies on NGOs and technology transfer, we explored how the uniqueness in terms of Chinese domestic NGOs and the policy context in which they operate would contribute to the knowledge pool. Standing between the North and the South, Chinese NGOs do play a dual role, yet face dual challenges. We trust that this study will shed light on the potentials and concerns of these NGOs through in-depth case studies.”

 

Other contributors include Anqi Zhu and Xu Pan from the School of Ecology & Environment, and Professor Minpeng Chen from the School of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, both at Renmin University of China.

 

This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China [2018YFA0606503].

 

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About Energy and Climate Management

Managing the changing climate and energy transition are two closely related scientific and policy challenges of our society. Energy and Climate Management is an open access, peer-reviewed scholarly, policy-oriented academic journal dedicated to publishing interdisciplinary scientific papers on cutting-edge research on contemporary energy and climate management analysis. The Journal is exclusively available via SciOpen and aims to incentivize a meaningful dialogue between academics, think tanks, and public authorities worldwide. Contributions are welcomed covering areas related to energy and climate management, especially policy, economics, governance, and finance. Online submission portal available at https://mc03.manuscriptcentral.com/jecm.

About SciOpen 

SciOpen is an open access resource of scientific and technical content published by Tsinghua University Press and its publishing partners. SciOpen provides end-to-end services across manuscript submission, peer review, content hosting, analytics, identity management, and expert advice to ensure each journal’s development. By digitalizing the publishing process, SciOpen widens the reach, deepens the impact, and accelerates the exchange of ideas.

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Journal

Energy and Climate Management

DOI

10.26599/ECM.2024.9400009 

Article Title

Chinese NGOs’ engagement in trans-boundary renewable energy technology transfer

 

Social media used to facilitate sexual assault in children: new research

Social media offers benefits for teens but also can be used as a tool by predators online, according to research presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics 2024 National Conference & Exhibition

American Academy of Pediatrics

ORLANDO, Fla.— About 7% of more than 1,000 teens who disclosed sexual abuse at a California hospital reported that social media was used to facilitate the assault, according to research presented during the American Academy of Pediatrics 2024 National Conference & Exhibition.

The retrospective study, “Social Media Facilitated Sexual Assault in Children,” found that, when accounting only for victims whose perpetrators were not related to them, an even higher percentage – 12%-- reported that social media facilitated sexual assault. The authors will present their preliminary findings during the conference at the Orlando Convention Center Sept. 27-Oct. 1.

“Adolescents are increasingly living their lives in digital spaces,” said Miguel Cano, MD, a child abuse pediatrician and author of the research. “Although there are benefits to the use of social media such as connecting with people and keeping in touch with family and friends across the globe, there are many well documented dangers as well.”

The researchers evaluated children 10 to 18 years of age who disclosed sexual abuse at Rady Children’s Hospital Chadwick Center for Children and Families between 2018 and 2023. They defined “social media facilitated sexual assault” as occurring when social media is used for communication between a victim and perpetrator that leads to sexual assault.

Dangers include meeting strangers online or being subjected to various forms of maltreatment including emotional abuse, cyber bullying, harassment, threats, exposure to sexual content, and being victims of online sexual abuse, according to the author.

Another emerging risk is “meeting” strangers virtually and then planning to meet face to face, which can often result in dangerous situations, and can at times unfortunately result in sexual abuse, according to the abstract.

Instagram and Snapchat were the two most commonly reported social media platforms used, however, multiple platforms were reported. The average age of patients was 13 years old, and 89% were female. The patient was related to the perpetrator 60% of the time. About 80% of perpetrators were adult men.

“With few oversights and regulations, parents, pediatricians, and anyone who cares for children need to understand this danger and need better tools and resources to help keep children safe from predators on social media,” Dr. Cano said.

Study author Dr. Cano, is scheduled to present his research, which is below, from 1:50-2pm on 10/27/24. 

Please note: only the abstract is being presented at the meeting. In some cases, the researcher may have more data available to share with media, or may be preparing a longer article for submission to a journal. 

 

# # #

 

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org. Reporters can access the meeting program and other relevant meeting information through the AAP meeting website at http://www.aapexperience.org/

 

ABSTRACT

Program Name: 2024 AAP National Conference-Abstracts

Submission Type: Council on Child Abuse and Neglect

Abstract Title: Social Media Facilitated Sexual Assaults in Children

Natalie Laub and Miguel Cano

San Diego, CA, United States

With the popularity of social media (SM) amongst children and adolescents, the dangers of online platforms are becoming more evident, including meeting sexual predators. Social media facilitated sexual assault (SMFSA) occurs when social media facilitates communication between a victim and perpetrator that leads to a sexual assault. While prior literature suggests technology can play a role in facilitating sexual assaults, there is no specific literature on the prevalence of child sexual abuse victims who report meeting their perpetrator via social media platforms such as Instagram. Thus our objectives were to 1) identify the prevalence of child sexual abuse victims who disclosed meeting their perpetrator on social media, and 2) identify which SM platforms were reported most frequently.

This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of children 10 to 18 years of age who disclosed sexual abuse at Rady Children’s Hospital Chadwick Center for Children and Families between 2018-2023. Data was collected in RedCAP and analyzed via Stata using descriptive statistics and Chi Squared/Fisher’s exact

Of the 1062 patients included, the mean age was 13 years (SD 1.9), 89% were female, 36% White, and 19% Hispanic. The patient was related to alleged perpetrator 60% of the time. 80% of perpetrators were adult men. In the total population 7% reported SM was used to facilitate the sexual assault. When accounting only for victims with non-related perpetrators, there was a statistically significant increase in SMFSA at 12% (P value < 0.0001). Snapchat followed by Instagram were the most common platforms used. There was no statistical significance in acquisition of sexually transmitted disease or physical injury between the two groups.

Social media platforms are being used to facilitate sexual assault in children between the ages of 10-18 years. Instagram and Snapchat are the two most common reported social media platforms. Further research is needed to understand how to keep children safe from predators on social media.

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Dangerous practice ‘chroming’ featured in videos on social media platform popular among youth

Researchers to present their analysis of TikTok videos showing inhalants use during American Academy of Pediatrics 2024 National Conference & Exhibition

Reports and Proceedings

American Academy of Pediatrics

ORLANDO, Fla.— A resurgence of youth seeking a high from “chroming” -- the act of inhaling toxic fumes from household items such as nail polish or permanent markers—could be due to videos featuring the practice on the popular social media platform, TikTok, according to new research presented during the American Academy of Pediatrics 2024 National Conference & Exhibition.

The abstract, “Chroming Crisis: An Analysis of Chroming Related Content on TikTok,” examines chroming-related content on TikTok in order to educate pediatricians on teen usage. Researchers will present their findings at the Orange County Convention Center during the AAP conference Sept. 27-Oct. 1.

“What is particularly concerning about chroming is that it uses everyday household items that are easily accessible to teens,” said Keerthi Krishna, research assistant at Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center and first author. “The covert nature of these items means that parents and teachers are less likely to detect the behavior, significantly increasing the risk of repeated usage and addiction among adolescents.”

Chroming, also called “huffing,” typically produces a short euphoric state which creates a high potential for repeated usage and addiction. Inhalant abuse can lead to dizziness, brain damage, and even death. 

The authors analyzed 109 videos on chroming that together had gained more than 25 million views.  They collected data on: 1) perceived creator gender; 2) video creator age; 3) meme information; 4) item used; 5) repeated usage. Creator age and repeated usage was either self-reported, or estimated by the coders. A meme was defined as any post that emulates a circulating audio or visual format trend.

Of the videos analyzed, permanent markers (31%, n=34) were the most common chroming item, followed by air duster (17%, n=19), nail polish (12%, n=13), paint thinner (11%, n=12), gasoline (n=12), spray deodorant (n=12), and hair spray (6%, n=7).

More than half of the videos referenced repeated usage or addiction. 

The authors conclude that parents and pediatricians need to be aware of this trend and its dangers, and social media companies should do more to prevent the spread of such harmful content.

Study author Rachel Kim, is scheduled to present the research, which is below, on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 5:15-6:15 pm ET during Session H2020. 

In addition, Rachel Kim will be among highlighted abstract authors who will give brief presentations and be available for interviews during a press conference from 12-1:30 pm on Saturday in the National Conference Press Room, W208 AB. During the meeting, you may reach AAP media relations staff at 407-685-5401.

Please note: only the abstract is being presented at the meeting. In some cases, the researcher may have more data available to share with media, or may be preparing a longer article for submission to a journal. 

 

# # #

 

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org. Reporters can access the meeting program and other relevant meeting information through the AAP meeting website at http://www.aapexperience.org/

 

ABSTRACT

Program Name: 2024 AAP National Conference-Abstracts

Submission Type: Council on Adolescents and Young Adults

Abstract Title: Chroming Crisis: An Analysis of Chroming Related Content on TikTok

Shruthi Krishna

Lake Success, NY, United States

“Chroming”, also known as “huffing,” is the act of inhaling toxic fumes from household items such as nail polish remover, permanent markers, and/or aerosol deodorant. Chroming typically produces a short euphoric state which creates a high potential for repeated usage and addiction. Inhalant abuse can lead to dizziness, brain damage, and even death. While chroming isn't a new activity for adolescents, it has resurged with the help of social media apps. TikTok is one such social media platform with children aged 10-19 as its largest user demographic. This study examines chroming-related content on TikTok in order to educate pediatricians on teen usage.

The top TikTok videos labeled with #huffing and #chroming were analyzed (n=400). The following data was collected: 1) perceived creator gender; 2) video creator age; 3) meme information; 4) item used; 5) repeated usage. Creator age and repeated usage was either self-reported, or estimated by the coders. A meme was defined as any post that emulates a circulating audio or visual format trend. Descriptive analysis was conducted in R.

A total of 109 videos (25,705,679 views) met inclusion criteria. The age range of video creators were 39% (n=43) minors, 26% (n=28) college aged, 22% (n=24) young adults, and 13% (n=14) anonymous. 50% (n=54) of creators had a perceived gender of female, while 31% (n=31) were male and 19% (n=21) were anonymous. Markers (31%, n=34) were the most common chroming item, followed by air duster (17%, n=19), nail polish (12%, n=13), paint thinner (11%, n=12), gasoline (n=12), spray deodorant (n=12), and hair spray (6%, n=7) (Table 1). Of the 109 videos, 70% (n=77) were memes; common memes included the phrase “in X years when the [chroming item] catches up to me” (n=17), and a towel and deodorant visual (n=10) (Table 1). Fifty-two percent (n=57) of videos referenced repeated usage or addiction.

Our findings underscore the urgent need for increased moderation efforts from social media platforms like TikTok to stop the dissemination of chroming content. A concerning amount of video creators were minors, highlighting the vulnerability of children engaging in harmful behaviors. Chroming items are often common household items, making them readily accessible and cheap, with a high potential for addiction and severe health consequences. Further, the high prevalence of chroming memes perpetuates its normalization among youth, which may lead individuals to view chroming as a "safer" and socially acceptable alternative to traditional drugs. Thus, there is a strong need for pediatricians to discuss the dangers of chroming with caregivers and patients.

Table 1: Examples of Chroming TikToks

 

Anti-bullying, sexual harassment resources increase in US schools but gaps remain

Researchers describe the situation as urgent 

American Academy of Pediatrics

 

ORLANDO, Fla. — While violence prevention education has increased in U.S. schools, only 1 in 10 schools today require violence prevention discussions in class, according to research presented during the American Academy of Pediatrics 2024 National Conference & Exhibition at the Orange County Convention Center.

Chloe Gao, MD/PhD Candidate and lead research author on “Implementation of Educational Programming and Policies to Prevent Bullying, Sexual Harassment, and Violence in US Schools, 2008-2020,” studied data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from principals and health education teachers regarding efforts their schools made to prevent bullying, sexual harassment and violence.

“Bullying, sexual harassment, and violence can create hostile school environments that negatively impact students’ academic performance, health, and developmental outcomes,” Gao said. “Some students drop out of school in order to avoid these situations, a choice that impacts them for the rest of their lives.”

Two in 3 schools in the U.S. reported at least one violent incident from 2021-2022.

A total of 2,718 schools were included in the data where Gao found 2 out of 5 schools didn’t provide families with information on bullying and sexual harassment. Data further showed that the availability of anti-bullying and sexual harassment educational materials remained low, ranging from 56.2% in 2008 to 61.4% in 2020.

With children spending most of their time in school, the setting provides a unique chance for anti-bullying and harassment education. Despite this, Gao said gaps linger as program quality and availability varies from state to state.

Teen girls were particularly impacted with data showing the percentage of teen girls reporting sexual violence increased from 15% in 2017 to 18% in 2021.

Gao said the need is urgent for improved anti-bullying and sexual harassment measures, stating schools should be looking into how to best improve policies already in place and implementing them across the board. 

“School is supposed to be a safe place for all. A place children can learn, grow, and play no matter what circumstance they come from,” Gao said. “We need to make sure that we are engaging schools in the fight against youth bullying, sexual harassment, and violence.”

Study author Chloe Gao is scheduled to present the research, which is below, from noon- 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, during a session for the Council on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention.

 

Please note: only the abstract is being presented at the meeting. In some cases, the researcher may have more data available to share with media, or may be preparing a longer article for submission to a journal.   

 

# # #  

 

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org. Reporters can access the meeting program and other relevant meeting information through the AAP meeting website at http://www.aapexperience.org/ 

 

ABSTRACT 

 

Program Name: 2024 AAP National Conference-Abstracts

Submission Type: Council on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention

Abstract Title: Implementation of Educational Programming and Policies to Prevent Bullying, Sexual Harassment, and Violence in US Schools, 2008-2020

Chloe Gao

Boston, MA, United States

Bullying, sexual harassment, and violence can create hostile school environments that negatively impact students’ learning, mental health, and well-being. However, little is known about the extent to which policies and curricula related to the prevention of bullying, sexual harassment, and violence have been implemented across middle and high schools in the US, and how this has changed over time. The overall purpose of the study was to examine trends in policies and curricula related to the prevention of bullying, sexual harassment, and violence across middle and high schools in the US from 2008 to 2020.

Data were collected from seven cycles (2008-2020) of the School Health Profiles (SHP), a national surveillance system operated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The survey involves two self-administered questionnaires for the principal and lead health education teacher at randomly sampled schools that serve students from grades 6-12 across the US, covering 44-50 states during the study period. Initially, descriptive statistics were compiled, including percentages (%) and counts (n) of schools that had implemented various efforts to prevent bullying, sexual harassment, and violence. Data from states with a participation rate of 70% or higher for each survey year were adjusted through weighting to

accurately reflect the characteristics of schools within those states. In instances where states conducted sampling, adjustments were made to the data through weighting to compensate for the probabilities of school selection and instances of non-response. Weighted prevalence estimates were then calculated for schools with programs, policies, and curricula related to preventing bullying, sexual harassment, and violence.

A total of 2718 schools were included in the analytic sample. The inclusion of unintentional injury and violence prevention (safety) measures into assessment tools related to schools’ policies, activities, and programs remained low and unchanged (ranging from 36.6% in 2010 to 40.1% in 2020). Education materials to increase knowledge about preventing student bullying and sexual harassment, including electronic aggression, also remained relatively low (ranging from 62.7% in 2014 to 65.0% in 2020). Furthermore, the extent to which teachers received professional development related to violence prevention remained stable between 56.2% in 2008 to 61.4% in 2020.

Programs, policies, and curricula related to bullying, sexual harassment, and violence in schools remained low and stagnant between 2008 to 2020. Given the rise in school-based violence in recent years, there is an urgent need to scale up preventive interventions, while improving current monitoring practices related to program implementation and quality.

 

Children’s emergency department visits for heat-related illnesses increased 170% over past decade

Research from two large children’s hospitals presented during American Academy of Pediatrics 2024 National Conference & Exhibition

American Academy of Pediatrics

ORLANDO, Fla.—The number of children who sought treatment at emergency departments for heat-related illnesses increased by 170% from 2012-2023 at two large children’s hospitals, according to research presented during the American Academy of Pediatrics 2024 National Conference & Exhibition in Orlando, FL.

The study abstract, “Trends and Outcomes of Heat-Related Illnesses at a Tertiary Children’s Hospital System in the Southern United States, 2012-2023,” examines recent trends, demographics, and outcomes in children with heat-related illness.

 The AAP conference takes place at the Orange County Convention Center from Sept. 27-Oct. 1.

“As pediatricians, we see firsthand how excessive heat affects children’s health,” said Taylor Merritt, MD.  “The significant rise in heat-related illnesses over the past decade underscores a growing public health concern that warrants further attention and action."

Summer months with higher peak temperatures were associated with higher heat-related emergency department volume, the abstract states.

In all, researchers analyzed 542 heat-related emergency department encounters. Aggregate heat-related encounters, as a proportion of total emergency department encounters, increased by 170% from 2012 (4.3 per 10,000) to 2023 (11.6 per 10,000). Of all heat-related encounters, 418 (77%) had heat-specific diagnoses, and 131 (24%) had a diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis, a muscle-breakdown often caused by heat stress or prolonged exertion.

When examining the groups separately, most encounters with heat-specific diagnoses, like heat exhaustion and heat stroke, resulted in discharge from the emergency department without need for admission (96%). However, most of the rhabdomyolysis encounters resulted in hospital admission (63%).

Children presenting with heat-specific concerns were younger and more likely to be Hispanic, use government-based insurance, and live in an area with a lower Child Opportunity Index score, according to the abstract.

 “As extreme summer temperatures become more frequent due to a changing climate, we’re seeing a rise in heat-related illnesses, particularly in vulnerable groups like children,” Dr. Merritt said.

Study author Taylor Merritt, MD, is scheduled to present the abstract, which is below, between 11:20 a.m.-11:25 a.m. at the Session (H3004) Council on Environmental Health and Climate Change. 

In addition, Dr. Merritt will be among highlighted abstract authors who will give brief presentations and be available for interviews during a press conference at noon-1:30 p.m. ET in the National Conference Press Room, W208 AB. During the meeting, you may reach AAP media relations staff at 407-685-5401.

Please note: Only the abstract is being presented at the meeting. In some cases, the researcher may have more data available to share with media, or may be preparing a longer article for submission to a journal. 

 

# # #

 

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org. Reporters can access the meeting program and other relevant meeting information through the AAP meeting website at http://www.aapexperience.org/

 

ABSTRACT

Program Name: 2024 AAP National Conference-Abstracts

Submission Type: Council on Environmental Health and Climate Change

Abstract Title: Trends and outcomes of heat-related illnesses at a tertiary children’s hospital system in the southern United States, 2012-2023

Taylor Merritt

Dallas, TX, United States

As extreme summer temperatures become more frequent due to a changing climate, there is an increased risk of heat-related morbidity and mortality, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children. Heat-related illnesses represent a clinical spectrum of disorders ranging from heat cramps to heat stroke and may be complicated by end-organ injury such as rhabdomyolysis. Pediatric data on trends and outcomes of heat-related illness are lacking. This study aims to examine trends in heat-related illness over time and describe differences in patient characteristics and outcomes for children with "heat-specific" diagnoses compared to rhabdomyolysis.

We conducted a retrospective study at a pediatric health care system with two large children’s hospitals to identify Emergency Department (ED) encounters with a heat-related ED diagnosis during warm months (May through September) from 2012 to 2023. We included ED diagnoses corresponding to “excessive natural heat” (ICD-10 X30) and “effects of heat and light” (T67) (“heat-specific” diagnoses) and rhabdomyolysis (M62.82). We analyzed aggregate heat-related monthly ED encounters over time (Mann-Kendall) and association with maximum temperature (Pearson correlation). We described differences in “heat-specific” vs rhabdomyolysis encounters using Chi-square.

There were 542 heat-related ED encounters. Aggregate heat-related encounters, as a proportion of total ED encounters, increased by 170% from 2012 (4.3 per 10,000) to 2023 (11.6 per 10,000) (p=.01). Summer months with higher peak temperatures were associated with higher heat-related ED volume (r=0.66, p<.001) (Figure 1). Of all heat-related encounters, 418 (77%) had heat-specific diagnoses, and 131 (24%) had a rhabdomyolysis diagnosis. Compared to the rhabdomyolysis group, the heat-specific group was younger, more likely to be Hispanic, use government-based insurance, and live in an area with a lower Child Opportunity Index score. Most heat-specific encounters resulted in an ED discharge (96%), while most rhabdomyolysis encounters resulted in hospital admission (63%) (Table 1).

Heat-related illness ED volume is associated with higher temperature and is increasing over time. Rhabdomyolysis, compared to other heat-related illnesses, is associated with different patient characteristics, lower frequency, and higher severity. Given the rise in healthcare utilization from heat-related illness, it is essential for all pediatricians to understand the health implications of our changing climate.

Figure 1. Trends in Heat-Related Encounters Over Time and Association with Temperature During Warm Months (May-September), 2012-2023

 

Table 1. Demographics and Outcomes of Heat-Related Encounters, Stratified by Diagnosis Group

 

New research identifies strong link between childhood opportunities and educational attainment and earnings as a young adult

American Educational Research Association

Washington, September 26, 2024—The number of educational opportunities that children accrue at home, in early education and care, at school, in afterschool programs, and in their communities as they grow up are strongly linked to their educational attainment and earnings in early adulthood, according to new research. The results indicate that the large opportunity gaps between low- and high-income households from birth through the end of high school largely explain differences in educational and income achievement between students from different backgrounds.

These findings come from a 26-year longitudinal study published in Educational Researcher, a peer-reviewed journal from the American Educational Research Association. The research was conducted by Eric Dearing (Boston College), Andres S. Bustamante (University of California–Irvine), Henrik D. Zachrisson (University of Oslo), and Deborah Lowe Vandell (University of California–Irvine). Their study is the first to directly document opportunities and opportunity gaps as they accrue across early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence in multiple key areas of child development.

Video: Co-author Eric Dearing discusses findings and implications of the study

Using a 12-point index of opportunities, the authors found that about two thirds of children from low-income households experience no more than one opportunity between birth and high school. Most high-income youth experience six or more opportunities.

The strength of the relationship between opportunities and early adult outcomes was strongest for low-income children. Moving from zero to four opportunities increased the odds of low-income children graduating from a four-year college from about 10 percent to 50 percent and increased annual salaries by about $10,000 per year.

“For the first time, we are able to directly measure how large opportunity gaps are and how seriously they impact outcomes of low- and high-income students,” said study co-author Eric Dearing, a professor at Boston College and executive director of the Mary E. Walsh Center for Thriving Children. “These gaps are very large and appear to be a primary explanation for large gaps in attainment for children born into low- versus high-income households.”

The authors found that the opportunity gap was a more powerful predictor of educational attainment than early childhood poverty.

The study was part of the National Institutes of Health’s NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development, in which 814 children from low-, middle-, and high-income families were followed from birth through age 26 with frequent gold standard measurements of their developmental contexts and experiences from early childhood through adolescence, between 1991 and 2017.

For educational institutions and their leaders, Dearing stressed that educational initiatives that tackle children’s lives inside and outside of the classroom offer uniquely powerful chances to narrow cumulative opportunity gaps.

“Beyond what schools are able to do, narrowing gaps in attainment will likely require comprehensive public policies that offer systemic changes to the children’s chances of educational opportunities,” Dearing said.

Study citation: Dearing, E., Bustamante, A. S., Zachrisson, H. D., & Vandell, D. L. (2024). Accumulation of opportunities predicts the educational attainment and adulthood earnings of children born into low- versus higher-income households. Educational Researcher. Prepublished September 26, 2024. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X241283456

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About AERA
The American Educational Research Association (AERA) is the largest national interdisciplinary research association devoted to the scientific study of education and learning. Founded in 1916, AERA advances knowledge about education, encourages scholarly inquiry related to education, and promotes the use of research to improve education and serve the public good. Find AERA on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky.

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Journal

Educational Researcher

DOI

10.3102/0013189X241283456 

Article Title

Accumulation of Opportunities Predicts the Educational Attainment and Adulthood Earnings of Children Born into Low- Versus Higher-Income Households

Article Publication Date

26-Sep-2024

Period poverty research finds 1 in 3 teens lack access to menstruation products

An abstract presented during the American Academy of Pediatrics 2024 National Conference & Exhibition measures measure the prevalence of period poverty in a pediatric emergency department

American Academy of Pediatrics

ORLANDO, Fla.—  One in three adolescents who have visited a pediatric emergency department report difficulties in accessing menstruation products, according to research presented during the American Academy of Pediatrics 2024 National Conference & Exhibition at the Orange County Convention Center from Sept. 27-Oct. 1.

Staff Scientist Meleah Boyle, PhD MPH, co-senior author of the study, said addressing period poverty, as the issue has been called, is a growing area of research in the United States

“Our study highlights the widespread nature of period poverty and the need for broad actions – both locally and nationally – to increase the affordability and accessibility of these products for youth,” Boyle said.

Menstrual equity means that every person who menstruates should have equal access to affordable and quality menstrual products. Unfortunately, many people do not have access to these necessary products. In the study, researchers found that 30% of adolescents do not have the products they need with no differences based on measures of socioeconomic status, such as insurance and community opportunity, or individual differences, such as race and ethnicity.

Prior research estimates that of those who menstruate, 11.9 million struggle to find access to menstrual products. This lack of access can lead to absences from school and/or work as well as negative health outcomes such as urinary tract infections and bacterial vaginosis.

Boyle said the research highlights the need for public health programs and policy changes to ensure youth have access to the products they need to avoid negative impacts on their health and engagement.

“Ensuring access to healthy and appropriate menstrual health products should be a public health priority,” Boyle said.

Study co-author Riya Metha is scheduled to present the research from 5:15-6:15 pm ET Saturday, Sept. 28

In addition, Monika Goyal, MD, MSCE, co-senior author, will be among highlighted abstract authors who will give brief presentations and be available for interviews during a press conference from noon-1:30 pm ET Saturday, Sept. 28 in the National Conference Press Room, W208 AB. During the meeting, you may reach AAP media relations staff at 407-685-5401.

Please note: only the abstract is being presented at the meeting. In some cases, the researcher may have more data available to share with media, or may be preparing a longer article for submission to a journal.   

 

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org. Reporters can access the meeting program and other relevant meeting information through the AAP meeting website at http://www.aapexperience.org/ 

 

ABSTRACT 

 

Program Name: 2024 AAP National Conference-Abstracts

Submission Type: Council on Adolescents and Young Adults

Abstract Title: Prevalence of Period Poverty in a Pediatric Emergency Department

# of Newsworthy Nominations: 2

Gia Badolato

Washington DC, DC, United States

Period poverty, defined as insufficient access to menstrual hygiene products and menstrual education, impacts 11.9 million females, including 25% of adolescents in the United States. Period poverty may contribute to health issues, such as urinary tract infections and bacterial vaginosis, as well as absences from school/work, which may disrupt education. The objective of this study was to measure the prevalence of period poverty in our pediatric emergency department (ED) and to evaluate the association between period poverty and Child Opportunity Index (COI).

This was a secondary analysis of data collected via the Teen Heath Screen, an adolescent (ages 13-21 years)-completed electronic survey designed to improve sexually transmitted infection detection in the ED. Participants who responded yes to either of the following questions were coded as experiencing period poverty: 1) “If you have had a period during the past 12 months, did you ever have to use something other than a pad or tampon, such as cloths, rags, tissues, or toilet paper or if you have had a period during the past 12 months?” or 2) “Did you need menstrual products but not have the money to buy them?”. Home address was geocoded and linked with COI, a multidimensional neighborhood measure of childhood opportunity based on census tract. The prevalence of period poverty was calculated, and multivariable logistic regression models were used to measure the association of period poverty with COI. Secondary analyses included measuring association of period poverty with insurance status, and race and ethnicity.

There are currently 678 participants meeting inclusion criteria in this ongoing study. Participants had a mean age of 15.9 (+/- 2.1) years and were predominantly non-Hispanic (NH) Black (n=479, 70.6%), publicly insured (494, 72.9%), and living in an area with very low COI (n=507, 74.8%). , More than one-third of all participants (n=236; 34.8%) experienced period poverty during the past 12 months. In separate multivariable models adjusted for age, there were no difference in prevalence of period poverty by COI, insurance status, or race and ethnicity. (Table 1)

One in three study participants reported experiencing period poverty in the past 12 months, with no differences by COI, insurance status, or race and ethnicity. Further research is needed to understand the true breadth of the period poverty among adolescents. To address this inequity, the provision of free menstrual hygiene products should be available in ED bathrooms and during all health care visits. Further, given the widespread prevalence of this need, policy initiatives to make menstrual hygiene products more affordable (e.g. removing tax on menstrual products) and accessible (e.g. providing free menstrual hygiene products in public spaces like schools) should be undertaken.

Association between Period Poverty and Selected Characteristics

Large variation in how girls grow after their first period

University of Gothenburg

 

image: 

Jenni Gårdstedt Berghog and Anton Holmgren, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg.

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Credit: Phot by University of Gothenburg

There is unexpectedly large variation in height growth in girls after their first period. Every second girl grows either more or less in length than the 6-8 centimeters that is considered standard. This has been shown in a study conducted at the University of Gothenburg.

The aim of the study, published in the journal Frontiers in Pediatrics, was to investigate how the timing of the first menstruation is related to the subsequent height growth in girls and the factors behind it.

The study included 793 healthy women in the Gothenburg region and Halland in southwest Sweden who were followed from birth, through childhood, puberty and into adulthood. Data were extracted from surveys of participants, interview questionnaires and registry data. Data on parental height are also included.

The average age of first period was 13.0 years with an age range from 8.2 to 17.2 years. After their first period, the girls grew an average of 8.0 centimeters and a median of 7.0 centimeters, which were expected levels.

One in two outside the chart

However, the range was strikingly wide: from 0.2 to 31.1 centimeters in height growth. Of the participants, only one in two grew 6-8 centimeters, which is often considered normal height growth after the first period.

The study reinforces the idea that early onset of menstruation is followed by greater height growth and vice versa. The onset of menstruation before the age of 12 was followed by a growth in the median of almost 13 centimeters. For study participants who had their first period after just over 14 years of age, the corresponding growth was about 3 centimeters.

“This variation in growth after menstruation and to final height is much greater than previous studies have shown. The variations depend very much on when they get their period. There is a huge difference between those who get their period early and those who get it later,” says Jenni Gårdstedt Berghog, a Doctor at the women's healthcare clinic at Halland Hospital in Halmstad and one of the lead authors.

The study confirms that childhood BMI also plays a role. Both low childhood BMI and tall parents can separately be associated with later menstrual onset. A high childhood BMI, which in itself drives height growth in the child, is followed by earlier onset of menstruation - and shorter final length. Everything is measured at group level and variations are very large. 

Unexpectedly large variations

The principal investigator of the study is Anton Holmgren, a Pediatric Researcher at Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, a Pediatrician at Halland Hospital in Halmstad, and active within Research and Development in Region Halland.

“There is a widespread belief that girls grow 6-8 centimeters after their first period, which even medical students are taught,” he says. “With this study, we show that there is a huge variation and that those who enter puberty early and get their first period early grow significantly more than previously thought, and that those who are late in getting their first period do not grow that much more.” 

“Increasing knowledge in this area is good even if it is not linked to any disease. How you grow, when puberty occurs and whether one becomes tall or short, it is something that all people have a relation to,” concludes Anton Holmgren.

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Journal

Frontiers in Pediatrics

DOI

10.3389/fped.2024.1438042 

Method of Research

Observational study

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Timing of menarche and pubertal growth patterns using the QEPS growth model

Article Publication Date