The authors survey teenagers within the United States regarding the effect of social media use on sleep quality and attention span.
Read More...Gender differences in social media, sleep, and cognition in U.S. teens
The authors survey teenagers within the United States regarding the effect of social media use on sleep quality and attention span.
Read More...Penalty kick success is unaffected by direction: Insights from right-footed world-class soccer players
Predictive modeling of cardiovascular disease using exercise-based electrocardiography
The authors looked factors that could lead to earlier diagnosis of cardiovascular disease thereby improving patient outcomes. They found that advances in imaging and electrocardiography contribute to earlier detection of cardiovascular disease.
Read More...Associations between fentanyl usage and social media use among U.S. teens
Here the authors aimed to understand factors influencing adolescent fentanyl exposure, hypothesizing a positive association between social media usage, socioeconomic factors, and fentanyl abuse among U.S. teens. Their analysis of the Monitoring the Future dataset revealed that a history of suspension and use of marijuana or alcohol were linked to higher fentanyl use, and while not statistically significant, a notable positive correlation between social media use and fentanyl frequency was observed.
Read More...The impact of environmental noise on the cognitive functions and mental workload of high school students
Authors examine the impact of environmental noise on cognitive processes in teenagers, focusing on five different noise conditions: two types of noise (aircraft and construction) at two different decibel levels (30 dBA and 60 dBA) and a quiet condition.
Read More...Nanotexturing as a method to reduce dust accumulation on solar panels
Dust accumulation on solar panels can reduce electricity output by 20–50%, posing a major challenge for solar energy collection. Instead of altering panel design, we explored a simpler approach by modifying surface energy through nanotexturing, predicting that hydrophobic surfaces would repel both water and dust. This study found that treating glass and silicone surfaces with potassium hydroxide (KOH) for 13 and 10 minutes, respectively, created optimal nanotextures (445 nm for glass, 205 nm for silicone), significantly reducing dirt accumulation and improving solar energy capture.
Read More...Solubility of graphite and the efficacy of using its dissolved form as a conductive paste
This study explored the use of graphite's conductivity for circuit boards by creating a conductive paste through exfoliation with organic solvents and sonication. The combination of acetone and sonication was found to be the most effective, producing a high-conductivity paste with desirable properties such as a low boiling point. While not a replacement for wires, this conductive paste has potential applications in electronics and infrastructure, provided that key engineering challenges are addressed.
Read More...Converting SiO2 wafers to hydrophobic using chlorotrimethylsilane
Semiconductors are the center of the fourth industrial revolution as they are key components for all electronics. Exposed wafers made of silicon (Si), which can easily oxidize, convert to silicon dioxide (SiO2). The surface of SiO2 wafers consists of many Si-OH bonds, allowing them to easily bond with water, resulting in a “wet” or hydrophilic condition. We sought to determine a way to modify the surface of SiO2 wafers to become hydrophobic to ensure safe wet cleaning.
Read More...Substance Abuse Transmission-Impact of Parental Exposure to Nicotine/Alcohol on Regenerated Planaria Offspring
The global mental health crisis has led to increased substance abuse among youth. Prescription drug abuse causes approximately 115 American deaths daily. Understanding intergenerational transmission of substance abuse is complex due to lengthy human studies and socioeconomic variables. Recent FDA guidelines mandate abuse liability testing for neuro-active drugs but overlook intergenerational transfer. Brown planaria, due to their nervous system development similarities with mammals, offer a novel model.
Read More...Are Asian foods healthier than Western foods: Evidence collected from St. Louis area grocery stores
The authors compare nutritional content of foods found in Western versus Asian grocery stores to determine whether one cultural diet is healthier than the other.
Read More...