A recent doctoral thesis shows that learning is also something that needs to be learned and taught

Estonian Research Council

In his thesis, entitled "Teachers' and students' knowledge of learning strategies and how to teach them in the classroom", Granström investigated the methods used in Estonian schools to make learning more effective and the extent of their use. "Teachers were found to employ a variety of learning strategies and to value deeper learning strategies more than superficial ones, but their knowledge of them is sometimes incomplete,” he summarises the findings of his study. “There is also a lack of knowledge of how to teach and link learning strategies to learning.”

At the same time, his research shows that students value strategies that support shallow rather than deep learning, which can be difficult to understand, as immediate results are harder to perceive and teachers tend not to explain the advantages of one method or another. "In order for students to move towards the use of more sophisticated learning strategies that support deep learning, teachers should consciously support the development of students' knowledge of learning strategies and encourage their independent use,” Granström finds.

The more rapidly the world around us changes, the more topical this issue becomes, because knowing how to plan learning more effectively and to learn independently is important not only in school, but also later in life. "In a society where flexibility of knowledge is of great importance, and adaptation and the independent acquisition of knowledge is a lifelong process, poor knowledge of learning can become an obstacle to adapting to change," the researcher notes.

"If a teacher can adequately explain and demonstrate to their students the advantages of different learning strategies and how to use them independently, as well as guiding the students to use them, this will have a positive impact on students' motivation to learn."

In order to ensure that teachers are able to use learning strategies when planning lessons, and to explain them to pupils, Granström recommends that teacher training and school development programmes place more emphasis on introducing them: teachers need to be taught how to use learning strategies starting with students in Grade 1.

Mikk Granstöm defended his PhD thesis "Teachers' and students' knowledge of learning strategies and their teaching in the classroom" on 17 September. The thesis was supervised by Professors Eve Kikas and Eve Eisenschmidt of Tallinn University and opposed by Associate Professor Pirko Tõugu of the University of Tartu and Professor Markku Hannula of the University of Helsinki.

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Subject of Research

People

 

The survival rate for avalanche burials has increased by ten percent since 1994

An analysis of 40 years of avalanche data highlights the importance of rescues undertaken by companions

Eurac Research

Modern avalanche transceivers, shovels and probes are now standard in ski touring. Along with a rise in the uptake of avalanche courses and increasingly efficient rescue teams, quicker detection and rescue of buried victims has also improved. The result: increased survival rates in avalanche burials over the past four decades. “Up until 1990, 43.5 percent of buried victims survived; now, it’s 53.5 percent,” explains Simon Rauch, the study’s lead author and an emergency physician at Eurac Research. “We analyzed data from 1981 to 2020 and compared it with a 1994 Nature study that covered a ten-year period.”

The new analysis also shows that the survival probability for long-term burials (over 130 minutes) has increased from 2.6 percent to 7.3 percent. The average rescue time has dropped from 45 minutes to 25 minutes. Rescue time decreased from 15 to 10 minutes in cases when a companion was present, while organized rescue times fell from 153 to 90 minutes. However, the phase where survival probability exceeds 90 percent has shortened from 18 to just 10 minutes.

“In 1994, we divided the survival curve into different phases and discovered that the first phase, when survival rate is very high, lasted up to 18 minutes. This became a global reference point in mountain rescue, but it now needs to be modified,” says Hermann Brugger of Eurac Research, author of the original 1994 study and co-author of the current one.

There are only hypotheses for the drastic reduction in this time window. “It could be that due to climate change and other factors, snow density has increased. The denser the snow, the less air it contains, making it harder to breathe under the snow.”  Rauch suggests. However, this theory has yet to be confirmed by data. “Time is the critical factor, and ten minutes is not long. Therefore, it’s essential to understand that the survival chances in an avalanche burial are three times higher when excursion companions are able to dig out the victims, rather than when organized rescue teams are involved.” Rauch emphasizes.

The study also highlights preventive measures such as avalanche warning services, training for ski tourers, and advancements in location and rescue techniques, along with improved emergency medical care, have significantly reduced the mortality rate for avalanche victims in recent decades.

WSL, the Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research provided the data for the study, with biostatistician Markus Falk contributing a statistical analysis using a complex model.

The results of the study by Eurac Research and WSL: the Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research were published in the renowned JAMA Network Open

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Journal

JAMA

DOI

10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.35253 

Method of Research

Literature review

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Avalanche Survival Rates in Switzerland, 1981-2020

Article Publication Date

25-Sep-2024

 

Recording the cats in the hats

Canadian scientists knit little wool caps to contain electrodes that cats normally shake off when being tested for chronic pain.

University of Montreal

 

image: 

Fée, an abandoned cat with chronic osteoarthritis, was one of 11 who wore specially knitted caps for tests at Université de Montréal's veterinary school.

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Credit: Aliénor Delsart / Université de Montréal

In a world first, veterinary scientists at Université de Montréal have found a way to scan the brains of cats while they’re awake, using electrodes concealed under specially knitted wool caps.

When being tested for chronic pain from common conditions like osteoarthritis, awake cats tend to shake off and chew the wired electrodes placed on their heads to produce electroencephalograms (EEGs).

To prevent that, cats are normally sedated through the procedure.

Now, in a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience Methods, researchers led by Éric Troncy and Aude Castel of UdeM’s Groupe de recherche en pharmacologie animale du Québec report a new technique to keep the electrodes in place: by placing them in crocheted beanies.

In all, 11 adult cats with osteoarthritis were tested.

After assessing their stress and pain through stimuli passed through the electrodes, the scientists then went about exposing the cats to soothing stimuli such as coloured lights and comforting smells, as a way to ease their suffering.

‘New avenues opened’

The study – which is already beginning to make headlines around the world in publications such as New Scientist – “opens new avenues for investigating feline chronic pain and its potential modulation through sensory interventions,” the study concludes.

Next up: a national and international blitz to make the work even better known.

Co-author Aliénor Delsart, a Ph.D. student, recently presented preliminary results of the UdeM team’s work on several applications of the EEG assessments – in particular, pain sensitization – to the Royal Society of Medicine, in London, England.

“We now plan to obtain NSERC - Alliance funding, in partnership with private companies, to enable us to establish a genuine EEG signature for chronic pain, and many other applications that will enable us to automate chronic pain detection in the future,” said Troncy.

One example: a collaboration with UdeM computational psychiatry professor and CHU Sainte-Justine researcher Guillaume Dumas to test the synchronicity of cerebral waves between cats (and also dogs) and their owners.

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DOI

10.1016/j.jneumeth.2024.110254 

Method of Research

Observational study

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

Non-invasive electroencephalography in awake cats: Feasibility and application to sensory processing in chronic pain

 

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

Washington State University

 

image: 

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.

 

view more 

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

 

image: 

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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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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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