Physiology

The facts about smoking and the practicality of stopping – Kenya Broadcasting Corporation

The World Health Organisation estimates there to be 1.1 billion smokers on planet earth, 80% of whom live in low and middle income countries. Up to 50% of those exposed to tobacco smoke die as a result of the habit and the harm is all the more vivid when one considers that deaths are at a rate of 8 million people annually.

This is equivalent to wiping out the sum of the populations of Nairobi, Kampala and Mombasa annually. More than an eighth of these deaths are amongst people who choose not to smoke but inhale second-hand smoke from people smoking around them. The list of health conditions associated with the habit is long and includes 14 different cancers, long term and irreversible lung conditions, cardiovascular illnesses, impotence and infertility, and diseases affecting bone health. Not to mention smoking increases the risk of contracting COVID-19.

But what exactly causes such an intense addiction to smoking? The mechanisms behind addiction are complex and involve both the physiology of the central nervous system, and psychology. Most career smokers will attest to multiple failed attempts to quit through their lifetimes.

Just know that it is never too late to stop smoking and the earlier you quit the better. In fact the benefits of quitting kick in within twenty minutes of putting out a cigarette. They range from immediate important physiological benefits to reversal of heart attack and stroke risks to normal levels within five to fifteen years of quitting. Studies have shown that people diagnosed with lung cancer have better outcomes when going into cancer therapy if they quit, and have a higher success rate at sustaining cessation.

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How about you seek professional help such as a support program to help quit? It may be easier than going it alone.Whichever route a person decides to take, the biggest player in the process is the quitter. The will to quit is a key and necessary ingredient. For the smokers who are not ready to quit, the first step is always to understand the health and economic harm caused by the habit, on both oneself and ones family, and the benefits of quitting.

Do not let previous failed attempts of quitting get you down; however numerous and spectacular. Each failed attempt is filled with lessons on what to do differently. Incremental targets are useful. This means quitting for a day, then trying for two days, then three and so forth to the point where there is too much to lose by smoking that one cigarette. Seeking inspiration from successful quitters is a useful tactic, and there are always important lessons on what works, and what does not. It is not uncommon that stress, anxiety and fear burden a quitter, especially when ponders the onerous task ahead.

Yoga and meditation, adopting alternative relaxation techniques and surrounding oneself with friends who cherish and support the quit process will aid you immensely. Adopting a healthy lifestyle with exercise and healthy diet usually helps condition the mind overall positivity.

Set a quit date weeks ahead and inform those around you of the date and ask for their support and understanding. This includes family, colleagues and friends. Of course remove any tobacco products from your surroundings.

The first few days and weeks are the hardest as it always is when breaking any habit. You will experience withdrawal symptoms in the form of coughs, headaches, cravings and weight gain from an increased appetite. Some people experience a volatile mood, difficulty concentrating, poor sleep and even symptoms that mimic the flu. Note that these symptoms rarely last longer than a month.

Good luck.

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The facts about smoking and the practicality of stopping - Kenya Broadcasting Corporation

Physiology

Nearly 600 and Counting US Health Workers Have Died Of COVID-19 – Lake County Record-Bee

Nearly 600 front-line health care workers appear to have died of COVID-19, according to Lost on the Frontline, a project launched by The Guardian and KHN that aims to count, verify and memorialize every health care worker who dies during the pandemic.

The tally includes doctors, nurses and paramedics, as well as crucial health care support staff such as hospital janitors, administrators and nursing home workers, who have put their own lives at risk during the pandemic to help care for others. Lost on the Frontline has now published the names and obituaries for more than 100 workers.

A majority of those documented were identified as people of color, mostly African American and Asian/Pacific Islander. Profiles of more victims, and an updated count, will be added to our news sites twice weekly going forward.

There is no other comprehensive accounting of U.S. health care workers deaths. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has counted 368 COVID deaths among health care workers, but acknowledges its tally is an undercount. The CDC does not identify individuals.

The Guardian and KHN are building an interactive, public-facing database that will also track factors such as race and ethnicity, age, profession, location and whether the workers had adequate access to protective gear. The database to be released this summer will offer insight into the workings and failings of the U.S. health care system during the pandemic.

In addition to tracking deaths, Lost on the Frontline reports on the challenges health care workers are facing during the pandemic. Many were forced to reuse masks countless times amid widespread equipment shortages. Others had only trash bags for protection. Some deaths have been met with employers silence or denials that they were infected at work.

The number released so far reflects the 586 names currently in the Lost on the Frontline internal database, which have been collected from family members, friends and colleagues of the deceased, health workers unions, media reports, unions, among other sources. Reporters at KHN and The Guardian are independently confirming each death by contacting family members, employers, medical examiners and others before publishing names and obituaries on our sites. More than a dozen journalists across two newsrooms as well as student journalists are involved in the project.

Many of the health care workers included here studied physiology and anatomy for years. They steeled themselves against the long hours theyd endure. Emergency medical technicians raced by ambulance to help. Others did the cleanup, maintenance, security or transportation jobs needed to keep operations running smoothly.

They undertook their work with passion and dedication. They were also beloved spouses, parents, friends, military veterans and community activists.

None started 2020 knowing that simply showing up to work would expose them to a virus that would kill them.

This project aims to capture the human stories, compassion and heroism behind the statistics. Among those lost were Dr. Priya Khanna, a nephrologist, who continued to review her patients charts until she was put on a ventilator. Her father, a retired surgeon, succumbed to the disease just days after his daughter.

Susana Pabatao, one of thousands of Philippine health providers in the United States, became a nurse in her late 40s. Susana died just days after her husband, Alfredo, who was also infected with COVID-19.

Dr. James Goodrich, a renowned pediatric neurosurgeon, acclaimed for separating conjoined twins, was also remembered as a renaissance man who collected antique medical books, loved fine wines and played the didgeridoo.

Some of the first to die faced troubling conditions at work. Rose Harrison, 60, a registered nurse, wore no mask while taking care of a COVID-19 patient at an Alabama nursing home, according to her daughter. She felt pressured to work until the day she was hospitalized. The nursing home did not respond to requests for comment.

Thomas Soto, 59, a Brooklyn radiology clerk faced delays in accessing protective gear, including a mask, even as the hospital where he worked was overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients, his son said. The hospital did not respond to requests for comment.

The Lost on the Frontline team is documenting other worrying trends. Health care workers across the U.S. said failures in communication left them unaware they were working alongside people infected with the virus. And occupational safety experts raised alarms about CDC guidance permitting workers treating COVID patients to wear surgical masks which are far less protective than N95 masks.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the federal agency responsible for protecting workers, has launched dozens of fatality investigations into health workers deaths. But recent agency memos raise doubts that many employers will be held responsible for negligence.

As public health guidelines have largely prevented traditional gatherings of mourners, survivors have found new ways to honor the dead: In Manhattan, a medical resident played a violin tribute for a fallen co-worker; a nurses union placed 88 pairs of shoes outside the White House commemorating those who had died among their ranks; fire departments have lined up trucks for funeral processions and held last call ceremonies for EMTs.

The Lost on the Frontline death toll includes only health care workers who were potentially exposed while caring for or supporting COVID-19 patients. It does not, for example, include retired doctors who died from the virus but were not working during the pandemic.

The number of reported deaths is expected to grow. But as reporters work to confirm each case, individual deaths may not meet our criteria for inclusion and, therefore, may be removed from our count.

You can read the first 100 profiles here online at https://khn.org/news/lost-on-the-frontline-health-care-worker-death-toll-covid19-coronavirus/. And if you know of a health care worker who died of COVID-19, please share their story with us.

Christina Jewett: ChristinaJ@kff.org, @by_cjewett

Melissa Bailey: @mmbaily

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Nearly 600 and Counting US Health Workers Have Died Of COVID-19 - Lake County Record-Bee

Neuroscience

Massive Growth in Neuroscience Market 2020 Focusing on Growth, Demand & Scope by 2026| GE Healthcare , Siemens Healthineers , Noldus Information…

Neuroscience Market research is an intelligence report with meticulous efforts undertaken to study the right and valuable information. The data which has been looked upon is done considering both, the existing top players and the upcoming competitors. Business strategies of the key players and the new entering market industries are studied in detail. Well explained SWOT analysis, revenue share and contact information are shared in this report analysis.

Neuroscience Market is growing at a High CAGR during the forecast period 2020-2026. The increasing interest of the individuals in this industry is that the major reason for the expansion of this market.

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Key Players Profiled in This Report:

GE Healthcare , Siemens Healthineers , Noldus Information Technology , Mightex Bioscience , Thomas RECORDING GmbH , Blackrock Microsystems , Tucker-Davis Technologies , Plexon , Phoenix Technology Group , NeuroNexus , Alpha Omega

The key questions answered in this report:

Various factors are responsible for the markets growth trajectory, which are studied at length in the report. In addition, the report lists down the restraints that are posing threat to the global Neuroscience market. It also gauges the bargaining power of suppliers and buyers, threat from new entrants and product substitute, and the degree of competition prevailing in the market. The influence of the latest government guidelines is also analyzed in detail in the report. It studies the Neuroscience markets trajectory between forecast periods.

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Table of Contents:

Global Neuroscience Market Research Report

Chapter 1 Neuroscience Market Overview

Chapter 2 Global Economic Impact on Industry

Chapter 3 Global Market Competition by Manufacturers

Chapter 4 Global Production, Revenue (Value) by Region

Chapter 5 Global Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions

Chapter 6 Global Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type

Chapter 7 Global Market Analysis by Application

Chapter 8 Manufacturing Cost Analysis

Chapter 9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers

Chapter 10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders

Chapter 11 Market Effect Factors Analysis

Chapter 12 Global Neuroscience Market Forecast

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Massive Growth in Neuroscience Market 2020 Focusing on Growth, Demand & Scope by 2026| GE Healthcare , Siemens Healthineers , Noldus Information...

Neuroscience

Neuroscience explains why youre having trouble concentrating during the pandemic – AlterNet

Batrice Pudelko, Universit TLUQ

Fear, anxiety, worry, lack of motivation and difficulty concentrating students cite all sorts of reasons for opposing distance learning. But are these excuses or real concerns? What does science say?

At the beginning of the pandemic, when universities and CEGEPs, Qubecs junior colleges, were putting in place scenarios to continue teaching at a distance, students expressed their opposition by noting that the context was not conducive to learning.

Teachers also felt that the students were simply not willing to continue learning in such conditions. A variety of negative emotions were reported in opinion columns, letters and surveys. A petition was even circulated calling for a suspension of the winter session, which Education Minister Jean-Franois Roberge refused.

Students are not the only ones who have difficulty concentrating on intellectual tasks. In a column published in La Presse, Chantal Guy says that like many of her colleagues, she cant devote herself to in-depth reading.

After a few pages, my mind wanders and just wants to go check out Dr. Arrudas damn curve, Guy wrote, referring to Horacio Arruda, the provinces public health director. In short: Its not the time thats lacking in reading, its the concentration, she said. People dont have the head for that.

Why do students feel they dont have the ability for studies? Recent advances in cognitive science provide insights into the links between negative emotions and cognition in tasks that require sustained intellectual investment.

The heart has its reasons which reason knows not. This sentence from 17th-century philosopher Blaise Pascal sums up well the way in which western science has long separated the emotions of the hot universe from those of the cold universe in human rationality.

Walter Cannons physiological research has provided a first explanation of how emotions, especially negative emotions, take over our minds. He showed that emotion is a physiological warning system in the body, activating several structures below the cerebral cortex.

One of these structures, the amygdala, is now proving to be particularly important. The amygdala is rapidly activated in the face of threatening stimuli and allows us to learn to be wary of them. Faced with what could be a snake hidden among the branches, an animal will awaken its senses, alert its muscles and react quickly, without having the luxury of analyzing whether the slender shape is a snake or a stick.

For example, the emotions aroused by the sight of a snake in the grass or an untrustworthy political figure can capture our attention in spite of ourselves.In humans, the amygdala activates quickly and automatically in response to social stimuli loaded with negative emotions. Neuroscience research shows that people are not only highly sensitive to the emotional charge of their perceptions but they are also unable to ignore it.

One might object that for many people, fortunately, COVID-19 does not pose the same kind of threat as a snake encountered in the undergrowth. Our social systems provide us with protections that are previously unimaginable and we are much better prepared to deal with crisis situations.

And, learning situations established by educational institutions whether in-person classes or online classes always require that students focus their attention and consciously control their thoughts. As teachers know from experience, a great challenge while leading any lesson is keeping the attention of all students by ensuring that they remain focused on the activity at hand.

The cognitive psychologist Daniel Kahneman, a Nobel Prize winner in 2002, was among the first to propose that attention is a limited cognitive resource and that some cognitive processes require more attention than others. This is particularly the case for activities involving the conscious control of cognitive processes (such as reading or writing academic papers), involving what Kahneman calls System 2 thinking. That requires attention and mental energy.

In working memory, attention acts as a supervisor of cognitive resource allocation and a controller of action execution. The brain circuits associated with working memory and executive functions are those of the prefrontal cortex.Limited attention capacity is also at the heart of the theories proposing that conscious and controlled cognitive processes are carried out in working memory, which is compared to a mental space capable of processing a limited amount of new information.

Researchers have long believed that the processing of emotions through the amygdala does not depend on the attention resources of working memory. However, evidence is accumulating in favour of the opposite hypothesis, indicating that the circuits connecting the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex play an important role in discriminating between relevant and irrelevant information for the current activity.

For example, emotional stimuli were found to interfere with the performance of a working memory task especially since they were not very relevant to the task. Furthermore, as the cognitive load associated with the task increased (for example, when the task required more cognitive resources), the interference of emotional stimuli not relevant to the task also increased. Thus, it would appear that the more a task requires cognitive effort and concentration, the more easily we are distracted.

Much of the extensive research on anxiety by psychologist Michael Eysenck and colleagues supports this view. They show that people who are anxious prefer to focus their attention on stimuli associated with the threat, unrelated to the task at hand. These stimuli may be internal (worrisome thoughts) or external (images perceived as threatening).

This is also the case with worry as the repeated experience of seemingly uncontrollable thoughts about possible negative events. Both anxiety and worry eat up the attention and cognitive resources of working memory, resulting in decreased cognitive performance, especially for complex tasks.

Other research indicates that feelings of mental fatigue increase when performing a task while trying not to respond to outside demands. It has been suggested that mental fatigue is a particular emotion that tells us that our mental resources are being depleted.

Overall, this research suggests that we are depleting our attention resources to avoid paying attention to irrelevant, but emotionally charged information! It is now better understood why it is so difficult and exhausting to avoid checking ones email while reading a scientific text, to switch from email to Facebook and from Facebook to COVID-19 news coverage, when we are concerned about the curve or death toll in seniors homes.

Research in cognitive sciences today confirms what we know intuitively: studying requires attention, time and availability of mind. This research shows that cognitive and emotional processes are so intertwined in the brain that, for some researchers, such as Antonio Damasio, no thought is possible without emotion.

Not surprisingly, then, in a context full of messages about the dangers of the pandemic, students find it difficult to focus sustainably on their studies and most seem to lack quality time for reading or writing.

Batrice Pudelko, Professeure en psychologie de lducation, Universit TLUQ

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Neuroscience explains why youre having trouble concentrating during the pandemic - AlterNet

Neuroscience

Neuroscience Market 2024 Expected to reach Highest CAGR including major key players GE Healthcare, Siemens Healthineers, Noldus Information…

Due to the pandemic, we have included a special section on the Impact of COVID 19 on the NeuroscienceMarket which would mention How the Covid-19 is Affecting the Industry, Market Trends and Potential Opportunities in the COVID-19 Landscape, Key Regions and Proposal for Neuroscience Market Players to battle Covid-19 Impact.

The NeuroscienceMarket report is one of the most comprehensive and important data about business strategies, qualitative and quantitative analysis of Global Market. It offers detailed research and analysis of key aspects of the Neuroscience market. The market analysts authoring this report have provided in-depth information on leading growth drivers, restraints, challenges, trends, and opportunities to offer a complete analysis of the Neuroscience market.

Top Leading players covered in the Neuroscience market report: GE Healthcare, Siemens Healthineers, Noldus Information Technology, Mightex Bioscience, Thomas RECORDING GmbH, Blackrock Microsystems, Tucker-Davis Technologies, Plexon, Phoenix Technology Group, NeuroNexus, Alpha Omega and More

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The report offers clear guidelines for players to cement a position of strength in the global Neuroscience market. It prepares them to face future challenges and take advantage of lucrative opportunities by providing a broad analysis of market conditions. the global Neuroscience market will showcase a steadyCAGR in the forecast year 2020 to 2024.

Product Type SegmentationWhole Brain ImagingNeuro-MicroscopyElectrophysiology TechnologiesNeuro-Cellular ManipulationStereotaxic Surgeries

Industry SegmentationHospitalsDiagnostic LaboratoriesResearch InstitutesOther

Our Complimentary Sample Neuroscience market Report Accommodate a Brief Introduction of the research report, TOC, List of Tables and Figures, Competitive Landscape and Geographic Segmentation, Innovation and Future Developments Based on Research Methodology.

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Regions Covered in the Global Neuroscience Market: The Middle East and Africa (GCC Countries and Egypt) North America (the United States, Mexico, and Canada) South America (Brazil etc.) Europe (Turkey, Germany, Russia UK, Italy, France, etc.) Asia-Pacific (Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Japan, Philippines, Korea, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Australia)

Years Considered to Estimate the Neuroscience Market Size:History Year: 2015-2019Base Year: 2019Estimated Year: 2020Forecast Year: 2020-2024

Highlights of the Report: Accurate market size and CAGR forecasts for the period 2019-2024 Identification and in-depth assessment of growth opportunities in key segments and regions Detailed company profiling of top players of the global Neuroscience market Exhaustive research on innovation and other trends of the global Neuroscience market Reliable industry value chain and supply chain analysis Comprehensive analysis of important growth drivers, restraints, challenges, and growth prospects

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Neuroscience Market 2024 Expected to reach Highest CAGR including major key players GE Healthcare, Siemens Healthineers, Noldus Information...

Neuroscience

Shawnee state graduate receives bachelor’s and high school degrees through College Credit Plus – Pike County News Watchman

One of the youngest graduates from Shawnee State University received her degree during the Spring 2020 Commencement May 16.

Abby Keith, 17, finished the academic year earning both her high school diploma and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

I am fortunate to have a family who have been nothing but supportive of my academic endeavors, Keith said. My mother drove me to class every day for four years until I was old enough to get my license.

Beginning in Shawnee States College Credit Plus program just after finishing seventh grade, the 12-year-old embraced the opportunity for students to begin college studies early. At SSU, last year more than 650 students were enrolled in classes through the program while still taking their middle school or high school courses.

The tuition is paid through the students school district and state reimbursement in the program. Students are able to get a head start on required courses and, with certain qualifications, even continue to more specialized courses as they work with a College Credit Plus advisor toward their academic goals.

"Abby's achievement is amazing," said Amanda Means, SSU Assistant Director of Recruitment and Transfer.

"The four-year degree she has earned early, the head start on joining the workforce, and the cost savings are what makes the CCP program an amazing opportunity for Ohio students who qualify and work hard.

Keith continued to take classes at Shawnee State University while earning her degree from Western Brown High School in Mt. Orab.

Abby was a very good student, Dr. Kyle Vick, SSU psychology professor, said. She would ask good questions in and after class, and always turned in excellent work. I wish her the best in her future endeavors.

With a focus on science and a keen interest in neurology, Keith was able to pursue all the courses to build a foundation toward a career in neuroscience. She has been accepted into the neuroscience graduate program at Drexel University in Philadelphia, where she plans to work on helping others facing daunting challenges.

Currently, research is focused on neurological issues, such as addiction and traumatic brain injury, Keith said. Neuroscience combines my shared love of biology and psychology, and my hope is to do something great in the world.

Keith is grateful for the support she received both at home and school during her academic journey so far.

Being able to achieve this accomplishment at my age means so much to me, she said.

Continued here:
Shawnee state graduate receives bachelor's and high school degrees through College Credit Plus - Pike County News Watchman

Neuroscience

Researchers use virtual reality displays to test people’s visual awareness of color – News-Medical.Net

Color awareness has long been a puzzle for researchers in neuroscience and psychology, who debate over how many color observers really perceive.

A study from Dartmouth in collaboration with Amherst College finds that people are aware of surprisingly limited color in their peripheral vision; much of our sense of a colorful visual world is likely constructed by our brain.

The findings are published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

To test people's visual awareness of color during naturalistic viewing, the researchers used head-mounted virtual reality displays installed with eye-trackers to immerse participants in a 360-degree real-world environment.

The virtual environments included tours of historic sites, a street dance performance, a symphony rehearsal, and more, where observers could explore their surroundings simply by turning their heads.

With the eye-tracking tool, researchers knew exactly where an observer was looking at all times in the scene and could make systematic changes to the visual environment so that only the areas where the person was looking were in color.

The rest of the scene in the periphery was desaturated so that it had no color and was just in black and white. After a series of trials, observers were asked a series of questions to gauge if they noticed the lack of color in their periphery.

A supplemental video from the study illustrates how the peripheral color was removed from various scenes.

In your visual field, your periphery extends approximately 210 degrees, which is similar to if your arms are stretched out on your left and right.

The study's results showed that most people's color awareness is limited to a small area around the dead center of their visual field. When the researchers removed most color in the periphery, most people did not notice.

In the most extreme case, almost a third of observers did not notice when less than five percent of the entire visual field was presented in color (radius of 10 degrees visual angle).

Participants were astonished to find out later that they hadn't noticed the desaturated periphery after they were shown the changes that were made to a virtual scene that they had just explored.

A second study tasked the participants to identify when color was desaturated in the periphery. The results were similar in that most people failed to notice when the peripheral color had been removed.

A large number of people participated in the two studies, which featured nearly 180 participants in total.

"We were amazed by how oblivious participants were when color was removed from up to 95 percent of their visual world," said senior author, Caroline Robertson, an assistant professor of psychological and brain sciences at Dartmouth.

Our results show that our intuitive sense of a rich, colorful visual world is largely incorrect. Our brain is likely filling-in much of our perceptual experience."

Caroline Robertson, Senior Author and Assistant Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College

Previous studies evaluating the limitations of visual awareness often relied on participants staring at video content on computer screens directly in front of them.

By leveraging the virtual reality experience, this research approach is novel, as the 360-degree environment is more similar to the way people experience the real-world.

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Researchers use virtual reality displays to test people's visual awareness of color - News-Medical.Net

Neuroscience

ST Math Expands Statewide in Partnership with the One8 Foundation and MA DESE – GlobeNewswire

JiJi invites Mass Math students to join the Summer Challenge.

Boston, Mass., June 09, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The One8 Foundation, Mass STEM Hub, MIND Research Institute, and Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MA DESE) have partnered to provide access to ST Math, a leading conceptual math program, in grades K-6 for Massachusetts schools. This 2020 Mass Math Initiative will keep meaningful learning happening over the summer and through the 2020-21 school year.

ST Math is a visual instructional program that leverages the brain's innate spatial-temporal reasoning ability to solve mathematical problems. ST Maths unique, patented approach provides students with equitable access to learning the states math standards through challenging puzzles, non-routine problem solving, and informative feedback.

Nearly 200 schools from 38 different districts including Boston Public Schools, Cambridge Public Schools, Lynn Public Schools, Peabody Public Schools, Pittsfield Public Schools, and Worcester Public Schools applied to be considered for the program.

The 2020 Mass Math Initiative was developed, in large part, to help mitigate both summer learning loss and the COVID slide, a term used to describe the potential impact of school closures on learning and achievement. According to a report published in April 2020 by NWEA, student progress in math is at greatest potential for risk by a COVID slide, and students could return to school in the fall with less than 50% of the learning gains and in some grades, nearly a full year behind what we would observe in normal conditions. Students use of ST Math can help reverse that trajectory.

In just two short years, we have been amazed at the impact we are seeing in Massachusetts with ST Math, said Brett Woudenberg, CEO of MIND Research Institute, the nonprofit neuroscience and education organization behind ST Math. The One8 Foundations support of MIND, with ST Math and beyond, has been vital to creating deeper, more conceptual mathematical learning in a diverse group of students and teachers. We are grateful for their expanded partnership and thankful to be able to provide ST Math statewide.

The One8 Foundation began funding the ST Math Massachusetts Program in 2017 with an initial cohort of 54 Massachusetts schools. Over the past two years, the program grew to encompass 165 schools, totalling approximately 55,000 students. One8 Foundation has provided additional support for the quality implementation of ST Math for schools receiving grants through Mass STEM Hub, their school implementation team. Todays announcement further expands this highly effective conceptual math program to more elementary schools across the state.

Educators are working hard to adapt to the need for effective online learning options, said Joanna Jacobson, President of the One8 Foundation. We have supported the scale of ST Math for elementary schools in the state over the last two years because of the demonstrated student results and because children love to play these math games keeping them engaged in their learning. Helping more schools quickly deploy ST Math is an important initiative.

Students will be encouraged to play ST Math over the summer and complete puzzles alongside JiJi, ST Maths penguin mascot. In an effort to encourage as much participation as possible, the Summer Challenge will include prizes and celebrations throughout the summer beginning the week of June 15th. Prizes will be awarded to classrooms and educators who demonstrate progress, perseverance, and usage. Massachusetts Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Jeffrey Riley will also publicly celebrate specific program milestones throughout the summer.

Were glad to see ST Math become an option for additional Massachusetts schools this summer, especially as we all look for ways to maintain student learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, Commissioner Riley said. I am grateful to One8 Foundation, Mass STEM Hub and MIND Research Institute for making this opportunity available.

About MIND Research InstituteMIND Research Institute is a neuroscience and education social impact organization dedicated to ensuring that all students are mathematically equipped to solve the worlds most challenging problems. MIND is the creator of ST Math, a PreK-8 visual instructional program that leverages the brain's innate spatial-temporal reasoning ability to solve mathematical problems. Its unique, patented approach provides students with equitable access to learning through challenging puzzles, non-routine problem solving, and informative feedback. MIND has also developed programs under MathMINDs to provide students, teachers and families dynamic ways to actively engage with math, and to close the experience gap for all learners. MathMINDs includes Family Nights, the national K-12 Game-a-thon and MathMINDs Games. For more information, visit mindresearch.org.

About One8 FoundationThe One8 Foundation propels and supports outstanding leaders with compelling ideas that deliver scaled, sustainable social impact. Education is a priority area of strategic giving for the One8 Foundation, with a focus on preparing students for a rapidly changing high-tech world through applied learning and STEM education. To learn more, visit one8.org.

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ST Math Expands Statewide in Partnership with the One8 Foundation and MA DESE - GlobeNewswire

Neuroscience

Potential Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Motor Neuron Diseases Treatment Market Report 2020 Key Companies NIH, UCL Institute of Neurology,…

Rising number of corona virus cases has impacted numerous lives and led to numerous fatalities, and has affected the overall economic structure globally. The Motor Neuron Diseases Treatment has analyzed and published the latest report on the global Motor Neuron Diseases Treatment market. Change in the market has affected the global platform. Along with the Motor Neuron Diseases Treatment market, numerous other markets are also facing similar situations. This has led to the downfall of numerous businesses, because of the widespread increase of the number of cases across the globe.href=mailto:nicolas.shaw@cognitivemarketresearch.com>nicolas.shaw@cognitivemarketresearch.com or call us on +1-312-376-8303.

Request Free Sample Copy of Motor Neuron Diseases Treatment Market Research Report@ https://www.cognitivemarketresearch.com/medical-devicesconsumables/motor-neuron-diseases-treatment-market-report

The major players in the Motor Neuron Diseases Treatment market are NIH, UCL Institute of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute, The University of Melbourne, The University of Sheffield, OZBiosciences, The University of Queensland, MND Australia . Some of the players have adopted new strategies to sustain their position in the Motor Neuron Diseases Treatment market. A detailed research study is done on the each of the segments, and is provided in Motor Neuron Diseases Treatment market report. Based on the performance of the Motor Neuron Diseases Treatment market in various regions, a detailed study of the Motor Neuron Diseases Treatment market is also analyzed and covered in the study.

Report Scope:Some of the key types analyzed in this report are as follows: Riluzole, Nusinersen, Physical Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Others

Some of the key applications as follow: Multidisciplinary Clinics, Hospitals, Social Work Facilities, Others

Following are the major key players: NIH, UCL Institute of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute, The University of Melbourne, The University of Sheffield, OZBiosciences, The University of Queensland, MND Australia

An in-depth analysis of the Motor Neuron Diseases Treatment market is covered and included in the research study. The study covers an updated and a detailed analysis of the Motor Neuron Diseases Treatment market. It also provides the statistical information of the Motor Neuron Diseases Treatment market. The study of the report consists of the detailed definition of the market or the overview of the Motor Neuron Diseases Treatment market. Furthermore, it also provides detailed information for the target audience dealing with or operating in this market is explained in the next section of the report.

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Potential Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Motor Neuron Diseases Treatment Market Report 2020 Key Companies NIH, UCL Institute of Neurology,...

Neuroscience

How to make good decisions when you’re paralyzed by the stress of protests and the pandemic – KCRA Sacramento

Do you find it tough to make decisions these days? What used to be no-brainers, stopping at the grocery for bread and milk, making a pit stop at the gas station or meeting friends for dinner and drinks are now fraught with dangers.Are people wearing masks at the grocery and keeping their carts at a proper distance of 6 feet? Did you bring gloves or hand sanitizer for the gas pump? Will the restaurant have outdoor socially distant seating and just how does one eat with a mask?And now we're fighting back tears and struggling with rage over the killing of George Floyd, the unarmed and handcuffed black man in Minneapolis who died after gasping "I can't breathe" as a white police officer pressed a knee into his neck."It's crazy times, with protests and a pandemic and things at every level appearing untrustworthy," said biochemist Bita Moghaddam, who chairs the behavioral neuroscience department in the school of medicine at Oregon Health and Science University.Moghaddam, who studies how anxiety affects the brain, said it's no wonder our stressed, overworked brains can't spit out a decision. We have become victims of "analysis paralysis.""We don't know exactly what's going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month," Daphna Shohamy, who is a professor of psychology at Columbia University, told CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta in a recent podcast.And we're all forced to make decisions in that state of uncertainty and to just rely on what we do know, which is not good enough," said Shohamy, who studies the cognitive neuroscience of learning, memory and decision-making."I notice it myself all the time," Gupta said in the podcast. "As simple as choosing a tie in the morning, what I'm going to have for lunch, whether I'm going to go for a run or a bike ride."Those were decisions that usually took me just a few seconds, and now sometimes I just find myself struggling," he said.How the brain makes decisionsThe headquarters for our decision-making capabilities is the prefrontal cortex, which controls our higher-level executive functions. Those include focusing our attention, creating and organizing thoughts, setting goals, planning actions and putting a stop to impulsive thoughts and behaviors.Under normal or mild stress conditions, the brain uses "working memory" to regulate our mood and actions from the top down. Working memory marries recent events with memories from long-term storage about what we learned from any experience, and it uses this to make decisions about how we should act, think and feel based on our experiences. And, of course, it helps us anticipate and predict possible consequences from our actions."The brain is constantly estimating risk," Moghaddam said."I'm hungry. I'm going to get up and drive to a pizzeria to grab some pizza. But driving involves risk because you could get into an accident," she said. "If you're suffering from anxiety disorders, you may say, 'No, I'm not going to even risk getting in the car because I couldn't relax.' If you're drunk, then the risk is even higher. And it becomes a computation game."It takes the first quarter of life for the decision-making area of the brain to fully mature in humans. Car rental companies recognize that fact and won't rent to anyone under 25.Other key milestones, such as a driver's license at age 16, voting at 18 and drinking at 21 occur when the brain's ability to make good decisions isn't fully baked.The prefrontal cortex is also the area of the brain that is most sensitive to stress. Even mild stress can cause "rapid and dramatic loss of prefrontal cognitive abilities," while prolonged stress can actually change the brain, according to Amy Arnsten, a professor of neuroscience and psychology at Yale School of Medicine.When we are stressed all the time, certain neurotransmitters go awry, flooding the brain with chemicals that change the structure and functioning of the prefrontal cortex and the fight-or-flight emotion and memory centers of the brain. Working memory suffers, and our ability to make quick or well-thought-out decisions declines."In general, decision-making slows down," Moghaddam said. "You could argue it's better for our survival. You learned driving when it's icy is dangerous, you shouldn't be drinking and driving, and you've learned that this virus could kill you."The combo of stress with increased risk is making it much harder to make decisions during the pandemic."If you think about going to the grocery store right now, there's a fair amount of planning consciously or subconsciously what times will be less crowded, do I really need to go, and should I go," Moghaddam said. "Most of us didn't think of going to a grocery store as a dangerous thing before, yet now it has become an anxiety-provoking process."What to do next?Give your brain a break from its constant risk calculations.Try to take 10 to 15 minutes to close your eyes and meditate, pushing all of your worries and decisions to the side during that time.You can see physical changes in the brain in a short time, said psychology and psychiatry professor Richard Davidson, founder and director of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin - Madison.Davidson did a randomized controlled trial of people who've never meditated before. Using direct measures of brain function and structure, he found it only took 30 minutes a day of meditation practice over the course of two weeks to produce a measurable change in the brain.There are other anxiety-busting activities that can help. Practice good sleep hygiene to improve your sleep quality, one of the best things you can do to ease stress and boost your mood.Studies show exercising at a moderate but not high intensity for 15 to 30 minutes at least three times a week does wonders for stress. Try rhythmic exercises, such as running, swimming, cycling and walking, to get your blood pumping in major muscle groups.Something as simple as taking deep, slow breaths can do amazing things to our brain and therefore our stress and anxiety, said Dr. Cynthia Ackrill, an editor for Contentment magazine, produced by the American Institute of Stress."When you physiologically calm yourself, you actually change your brainwaves," Ackrill said.Yoga, tai chi and qi gong are spiritual disciplines, designed to meld body and mind. A yoga lifestyle incorporates physical postures, breath regulation and mindfulness through the practice of meditation. Brain scans of people using tai chi and qi gong find increased alpha, beta and theta brain wave activity, suggesting increased relaxation and attentiveness.And finally, stop criticizing your brain for its indecisiveness."Why are we so worried about being paralyzed?" Moghaddam asked. "It's normal for a brain to take its time to make a decision. The brain is actually doing its job."

Do you find it tough to make decisions these days? What used to be no-brainers, stopping at the grocery for bread and milk, making a pit stop at the gas station or meeting friends for dinner and drinks are now fraught with dangers.

Are people wearing masks at the grocery and keeping their carts at a proper distance of 6 feet? Did you bring gloves or hand sanitizer for the gas pump? Will the restaurant have outdoor socially distant seating and just how does one eat with a mask?

And now we're fighting back tears and struggling with rage over the killing of George Floyd, the unarmed and handcuffed black man in Minneapolis who died after gasping "I can't breathe" as a white police officer pressed a knee into his neck.

"It's crazy times, with protests and a pandemic and things at every level appearing untrustworthy," said biochemist Bita Moghaddam, who chairs the behavioral neuroscience department in the school of medicine at Oregon Health and Science University.

Moghaddam, who studies how anxiety affects the brain, said it's no wonder our stressed, overworked brains can't spit out a decision. We have become victims of "analysis paralysis."

"We don't know exactly what's going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month," Daphna Shohamy, who is a professor of psychology at Columbia University, told CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta in a recent podcast.

And we're all forced to make decisions in that state of uncertainty and to just rely on what we do know, which is not good enough," said Shohamy, who studies the cognitive neuroscience of learning, memory and decision-making.

"I notice it myself all the time," Gupta said in the podcast. "As simple as choosing a tie in the morning, what I'm going to have for lunch, whether I'm going to go for a run or a bike ride.

"Those were decisions that usually took me just a few seconds, and now sometimes I just find myself struggling," he said.

The headquarters for our decision-making capabilities is the prefrontal cortex, which controls our higher-level executive functions. Those include focusing our attention, creating and organizing thoughts, setting goals, planning actions and putting a stop to impulsive thoughts and behaviors.

Under normal or mild stress conditions, the brain uses "working memory" to regulate our mood and actions from the top down. Working memory marries recent events with memories from long-term storage about what we learned from any experience, and it uses this to make decisions about how we should act, think and feel based on our experiences. And, of course, it helps us anticipate and predict possible consequences from our actions.

"The brain is constantly estimating risk," Moghaddam said.

"I'm hungry. I'm going to get up and drive to a pizzeria to grab some pizza. But driving involves risk because you could get into an accident," she said. "If you're suffering from anxiety disorders, you may say, 'No, I'm not going to even risk getting in the car because I couldn't relax.' If you're drunk, then the risk is even higher. And it becomes a computation game."

It takes the first quarter of life for the decision-making area of the brain to fully mature in humans. Car rental companies recognize that fact and won't rent to anyone under 25.

Other key milestones, such as a driver's license at age 16, voting at 18 and drinking at 21 occur when the brain's ability to make good decisions isn't fully baked.

The prefrontal cortex is also the area of the brain that is most sensitive to stress. Even mild stress can cause "rapid and dramatic loss of prefrontal cognitive abilities," while prolonged stress can actually change the brain, according to Amy Arnsten, a professor of neuroscience and psychology at Yale School of Medicine.

When we are stressed all the time, certain neurotransmitters go awry, flooding the brain with chemicals that change the structure and functioning of the prefrontal cortex and the fight-or-flight emotion and memory centers of the brain. Working memory suffers, and our ability to make quick or well-thought-out decisions declines.

"In general, decision-making slows down," Moghaddam said. "You could argue it's better for our survival. You learned driving when it's icy is dangerous, you shouldn't be drinking and driving, and you've learned that this virus could kill you."

The combo of stress with increased risk is making it much harder to make decisions during the pandemic.

"If you think about going to the grocery store right now, there's a fair amount of planning consciously or subconsciously what times will be less crowded, do I really need to go, and should I go," Moghaddam said. "Most of us didn't think of going to a grocery store as a dangerous thing before, yet now it has become an anxiety-provoking process."

Give your brain a break from its constant risk calculations.

Try to take 10 to 15 minutes to close your eyes and meditate, pushing all of your worries and decisions to the side during that time.

You can see physical changes in the brain in a short time, said psychology and psychiatry professor Richard Davidson, founder and director of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin - Madison.

Davidson did a randomized controlled trial of people who've never meditated before. Using direct measures of brain function and structure, he found it only took 30 minutes a day of meditation practice over the course of two weeks to produce a measurable change in the brain.

There are other anxiety-busting activities that can help. Practice good sleep hygiene to improve your sleep quality, one of the best things you can do to ease stress and boost your mood.

Studies show exercising at a moderate but not high intensity for 15 to 30 minutes at least three times a week does wonders for stress. Try rhythmic exercises, such as running, swimming, cycling and walking, to get your blood pumping in major muscle groups.

Something as simple as taking deep, slow breaths can do amazing things to our brain and therefore our stress and anxiety, said Dr. Cynthia Ackrill, an editor for Contentment magazine, produced by the American Institute of Stress.

"When you physiologically calm yourself, you actually change your brainwaves," Ackrill said.

Yoga, tai chi and qi gong are spiritual disciplines, designed to meld body and mind. A yoga lifestyle incorporates physical postures, breath regulation and mindfulness through the practice of meditation. Brain scans of people using tai chi and qi gong find increased alpha, beta and theta brain wave activity, suggesting increased relaxation and attentiveness.

And finally, stop criticizing your brain for its indecisiveness.

"Why are we so worried about being paralyzed?" Moghaddam asked. "It's normal for a brain to take its time to make a decision. The brain is actually doing its job."

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How to make good decisions when you're paralyzed by the stress of protests and the pandemic - KCRA Sacramento