Latest news with #UniversityoftheBasqueCountry
India Today
02-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
Writing by hand helps kids read and learn better than typing: Study
In a world where schools are increasingly relying on digital tools for teaching, a new study brings us back to the basics: handwriting still matters. A fresh investigation from the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) has found that young children learn to read and write more effectively when they practise writing by hand, rather than typing on a study, published in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, focused on 5 to 6-year-olds -- just the age when children begin to build their reading and writing foundations. It aimed to understand how different teaching methods, especially keyboard-based learning vs handwriting, affect a child's ability to learn letters, sounds, and word HANDWRITING MATTERS IN EARLY EDUCATIONToday's classrooms are full of digital devices, and many kids use educational apps or typing games to practise reading and writing. While these tools are convenient, the study suggests that they might not be the best choice when it comes to early literacy. To test this, researchers selected 50 children and taught them letters from unfamiliar alphabets -- Georgian and Armenian -- as well as invented words called pseudowords. These were chosen to ensure that every child was learning something completely new, with no prior of the children were taught using pencil and paper. The other half used a keyboard. Both groups spent equal time learning and were later tested on their ability to identify, write, and pronounce the new symbols and results showed a clear difference: children who practised by hand performed better, especially when it came to recognising word structures and remembering the sequence of letters. advertisement HAND MOVEMENT PLAYS A BIG ROLE IN MEMORYOne of the key reasons handwriting worked better is due to something called the graphomotor function. This refers to the physical movement involved when we write letters by hand -- tracing shapes, forming lines, and repeating children write on a keyboard, they simply press buttons. But when they write with a pencil, their hands follow the shape of each letter. This movement seems to make a big difference in how well the brain processes and remembers letters and study found that this hand movement boosted memory and helped children understand alphabetic structures more deeply. The kids who typed, on the other hand, had trouble recalling how the letters fit together -- especially when it came to the invented vs KEYBOARD: WHO DID BETTER?In tests, the handwriting group showed stronger skills in all three areas: writing the new letters, pronouncing the made-up words, and recognising both when seen when both groups had been exposed to the same content, the children who practised by hand were quicker to respond and made fewer keyboard learners, in contrast, often struggled with putting letter sequences together correctly, especially with the unfamiliar suggests that typing simply isn't as effective when it comes to helping children absorb new and unfamiliar language WRITING BEATS GUIDED PRACTICEadvertisementInterestingly, the researchers didn't just compare handwriting to keyboard use -- they also looked at different styles of handwriting training. Among the children using pencil and paper, some were asked to trace letters with dotted outlines, while others copied letters freely on blank results showed that children who wrote freely, without guides, actually did better. This supports the idea that variation in hand movement -- like adjusting pressure, stroke, and shape -- helps improve same pattern was tested on screen. Some kids typed in the same font repeatedly, while others used different fonts. But even with font variety, the keyboard-based learning didn't match the effectiveness of TECH BE LIMITED IN EARLY LITERACY?So what does this mean for modern classrooms?While technology can still be a great learning tool, the study strongly suggests that it should not replace handwriting practice, especially in the early years. If children skip the pencil-and-paper phase too soon, they might miss out on the deep learning that comes from shaping letters with their own takeaway is simple: manual writing helps children learn faster and retain more, especially when dealing with new or unfamiliar while typing might look more modern, it's the traditional act of handwriting that builds a stronger base for literacy.
National Geographic
21-04-2025
- Health
- National Geographic
The brain has a secret survival trick to endure a marathon
A study of long-distance runners shows the brain's remarkable ability to adapt—by burning its own fat. A marathon taxes more than just muscles—it pushes the brain to its metabolic limits. New research shows that during extreme endurance events, the brain may burn its own fat for fuel, revealing just how adaptable—and surprising—the mind can be. Photograph by Ben Stansall, AFP/Getty Images Carlos Matute wasn't looking for a scientific breakthrough when he laced up his shoes for a long run. But as the miles ticked by, the neuroscientist from the University of the Basque Country found himself chasing a persistent question: 'How do we make it to the finish line, being conscious, after having our energy stores depleted?' That curiosity led to a surprising possible answer. In a recent study in Nature Metabolism, Matute found that myelin—the fatty insulation wrapped about nerve fibers—provides energy when fuel runs low, such as during a grueling endurance event like a marathon. Some headlines have sensationalized the finding as the brain 'eating itself,' but Matute says the truth is far more nuanced—and promising. Instead, it adds evidence of how the brain adapts and changes, even well into adulthood. Your brain burns fat during a marathon For his study, Matute and colleagues scanned the brains of 10 recreational runners using MRI before and after a marathon, and again two weeks to two months later. In the two days post-marathon, myelin was reduced in 12 of the 100 areas evaluated; the affected areas were involved in motor coordination, sensory integration, and emotion, regions frequently used during running. Two months after the marathon, myelin levels recovered. (This is why running is the ultimate cardiovascular sport.) The team determined the results were not due to dehydration. Instead, it seems that the brain is using myelin, which is mostly lipids or 'brain fat' as Matute calls it, as fuel. 'When there is no glucose coming from the bloodstream, then [the brain] has to use whatever it has at hand,' says Matute. For a neuron, this means myelin. Participants ranged in age from 45 to 73, suggesting that even older brains remain remarkably adaptable. 'Nobody foresaw that this would happen, that the structure of our brain may change so rapidly, in the time which it takes you to run the marathon,' says Matute. Matute doesn't believe the temporary drop in myelin leads to noticeable cognitive changes. He suspects the brain routinely taps into myelin for fuel, just at levels too low to detect—except during extreme events like a marathon. But there's no need to panic, he says. The changes were short-lived—and may even be healthy. 'You exercise everything, including your myelin metabolism,' he says. What running does to your brain Running has long been linked to brain benefits. It boosts mood-regulating chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, which can ease anxiety and depression. That famous 'runner's high,' once chalked up to endorphins, may come from endocannabinoids—the brain's natural version of cannabis. (Here's how to get high on your hormones—naturally.) Aerobic exercise also seems to spur the birth of new neurons in the hippocampus, the brain region critical for memory and learning. Over time, these changes may protect against cognitive decline. Marathon running has been studied less than running in general, but some studies show these trends hold up over 26 miles. One study reported that some regions of the hippocampus were larger in marathon runners than in healthy controls. Astrid Roeh, a physician at the University of Augsburg, found that marathon runners exhibited fewer depressive symptoms than sedentary people over six months and reported the best moods the day after the marathon. (Humans were built for long-distance running.) In another study, Roeh found that marathon running led to changes in the brain's electrical activity, as measured by electroencephalogram (EEG). Like Matute's findings in myelin, these changes were transient. 'The changes in EEG patterns indicate that there are alterations in how neural circuits are functioning and communicating,' she says. This reorganization in response to experience is called neuroplasticity. She hypothesizes that regular physical activity may prime the brain for plasticity. 'If someone is already physically active, then intense challenges like a marathon might have a stronger — or at least more coordinated — neuroplastic effect,' she says. 'The system is ready to respond more effectively.' However, not all brain changes are positive. Marathoners and endurance athletes are particularly prone to overtraining syndrome, says Luana Main, a professor at Deakin University. 'A lot of endurance athletes are still of the mindset that more is always better,' she says. But doing more without sufficient rest, especially when sick or stressed, taxes the body too much. Overtraining syndrome leads to injury and poor performance and can take months or years to recover from. It also affects the brain. 'Changes in mood state are often one of the first changes that occur before you see a decrement in performance,' says Main. Overtrained athletes tend to feel grumpy, overwhelmed, and tired. 'They're just not loving life,' she says. (No time to exercise? Just five minutes still has a big impact.) In a review, Main and her colleagues found that cognitive function, particularly reaction time, was impaired when athletes were overreaching or overtraining. Main says that because cognition is affected, people are more likely to make errors and become injured. Paying attention to these cognitive effects can be helpful. In a different review of the research, Main and colleagues found that subjective measures, such as mood and perceived stress, were more sensitive to increased training loads than objective measures, such as heart rate and oxygen consumption. By tracking reaction times with online games and moods with daily journaling, athletes can know when they may be overdoing it. Avoiding overtraining requires incorporating adequate rest and recovery into training. Main emphasizes that risk is not a reason to avoid exercise; however, the numerous benefits of exercise outweigh the bad. But, for the small part of the population doing huge training loads, 'More is not always better,' she says. 'Sometimes less is more.' Matute agrees. 'For people who worry, 'Should I stop running?' I would say, 'No, never, as long as you train properly.''
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists achieve mind-blowing energy breakthrough with discarded sawdust: 'It is important to further this line of research'
Battery researchers from Spain's University of the Basque Country have combined a couple of different forms of energy storage tech — along with pine sawdust — to create something new. Cue the Frankenstein tropes. The innovation, which has the potential to lower sustainable and intermittent renewable energy storage costs, was detailed by the university's magazine. "In the field of renewable energies, we cannot control the wind, heat, light, etc. that nature offers us. And the energy demand sometimes does not coincide with the energy supply; so resources need to be developed to store that energy produced by renewable systems," Basque researcher Eider Goikolea said in the report. The project involves supercapacitors and lithium-ion technology. Supercapacitors are garnering research attention in labs around the world, even as part of foundations that can store energy. Yarn-like versions that can be incorporated into clothing to power wearable devices are also in development. While supercapacitors can provide a lot of juice, it's only for a short period of time, according to the Basque team. In response, they developed a hybrid device — a supercapacitor with battery-type components in the electrode. It's combination tinkering that might make Mary Shelley proud. "This offers the advantages of both systems: high-power energy can be stored [as in batteries], it can operate at high-power levels and is able to withstand many charge-discharge cycles [like supercapacitors]," Goikolea said in the report. High-carbon pine-mill waste entered the scene during electrode development. The experts were searching for a carbon source, and pine was found to work well. It's an abundant, cost-efficient sawmill byproduct. The process to make the electrode requires a manageable 1,292-degree Fahrenheit heat setting and "economical additives," all per the magazine. "Not all biomass provides the right carbon for this application, but we have shown that very satisfactory results can be obtained from the biomass of the insignis pine," researcher Idoia Ruiz de Larramendi added. By combining the best parts of batteries and supercapacitors, the team could be on the cusp of better storage that provides for greater renewable energy use, which is critical to avoiding worst-case scenarios from our planet's overheating, according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The World Health Organization and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported that air pollution is a factor for nearly everyone on Earth, causing increased risks for severe weather and health concerns. Should the U.S. invest more in battery innovations? Absolutely Depends on the project We're investing enough We should invest less Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The United Nations added that about 29% of the world's electricity is already generated from renewable sources, calling it the "cheapest" electricity option in most parts of the world. A breakthrough sodium-ion battery made in China can energize about 12,000 homes. Tesla's lithium-ion Megapacks are already deployed, as well. At home, you can combine solar panels with a battery, like a Powerwall or another brand. By linking them to a virtual power plant, you can sell some of the excess electricity they store back to the grid. A government research project in the U.S. found that most people save around $700 per year by adding panels, even after expenses. And tax breaks remain available to help cover a large chunk of the cost. What's more, EnergySage is a free service that can help you unlock the most savings and find an installer. In the meantime, the Basque team intends to keep experimenting with their unique combination in Spain, perhaps realizing the hidden power of sawdust. "It is important to further this line of research," the experts said, per the magazine. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists achieve mind-blowing energy breakthrough with discarded sawdust: 'It is important to further this line of research'
Battery researchers from Spain's University of the Basque Country have combined a couple of different forms of energy storage tech — along with pine sawdust — to create something new. Cue the Frankenstein tropes. The innovation, which has the potential to lower sustainable and intermittent renewable energy storage costs, was detailed by the university's magazine. "In the field of renewable energies, we cannot control the wind, heat, light, etc. that nature offers us. And the energy demand sometimes does not coincide with the energy supply; so resources need to be developed to store that energy produced by renewable systems," Basque researcher Eider Goikolea said in the report. The project involves supercapacitors and lithium-ion technology. Supercapacitors are garnering research attention in labs around the world, even as part of foundations that can store energy. Yarn-like versions that can be incorporated into clothing to power wearable devices are also in development. While supercapacitors can provide a lot of juice, it's only for a short period of time, according to the Basque team. In response, they developed a hybrid device — a supercapacitor with battery-type components in the electrode. It's combination tinkering that might make Mary Shelley proud. "This offers the advantages of both systems: high-power energy can be stored [as in batteries], it can operate at high-power levels and is able to withstand many charge-discharge cycles [like supercapacitors]," Goikolea said in the report. High-carbon pine-mill waste entered the scene during electrode development. The experts were searching for a carbon source, and pine was found to work well. It's an abundant, cost-efficient sawmill byproduct. The process to make the electrode requires a manageable 1,292-degree Fahrenheit heat setting and "economical additives," all per the magazine. "Not all biomass provides the right carbon for this application, but we have shown that very satisfactory results can be obtained from the biomass of the insignis pine," researcher Idoia Ruiz de Larramendi added. By combining the best parts of batteries and supercapacitors, the team could be on the cusp of better storage that provides for greater renewable energy use, which is critical to avoiding worst-case scenarios from our planet's overheating, according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The World Health Organization and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported that air pollution is a factor for nearly everyone on Earth, causing increased risks for severe weather and health concerns. Should the U.S. invest more in battery innovations? Absolutely Depends on the project We're investing enough We should invest less Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The United Nations added that about 29% of the world's electricity is already generated from renewable sources, calling it the "cheapest" electricity option in most parts of the world. A breakthrough sodium-ion battery made in China can energize about 12,000 homes. Tesla's lithium-ion Megapacks are already deployed, as well. At home, you can combine solar panels with a battery, like a Powerwall or another brand. By linking them to a virtual power plant, you can sell some of the excess electricity they store back to the grid. A government research project in the U.S. found that most people save around $700 per year by adding panels, even after expenses. And tax breaks remain available to help cover a large chunk of the cost. What's more, EnergySage is a free service that can help you unlock the most savings and find an installer. In the meantime, the Basque team intends to keep experimenting with their unique combination in Spain, perhaps realizing the hidden power of sawdust. "It is important to further this line of research," the experts said, per the magazine. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
