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Miami Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Most Miamians live paycheck to paycheck. This researcher has some ideas to help
For all the change constantly happening in and around the Magic City, many Miamians feel stuck. More than half of Miami-Dade's population lives paycheck to paycheck. They're spinning their wheels, moving from one day to the next, hoping they avoid the health emergency, job loss, car accident or hurricane that would push them over the financial cliff. They're surviving, but not thriving. Milestones like homeownership that once felt attainable are out of reach. Now, it's a matter of making rent. That dynamic is playing out across the country. It's amplified in South Florida. Post-pandemic, the region saw a flood of outside money drive up local income inequality and, with it, prices — especially for housing. Meanwhile, locals' paychecks haven't kept pace. They're struggling to save, struggling to invest — in stocks or businesses or themselves — and struggling to get ahead. Heather Cameron is the Michael B. Kaufman professor of practice in social entrepreneurship at Washington University in St. Louis. She just received nearly $1 million in grant money to figure out how to improve economic mobility in American cities. The Miami Herald sat down with her recently to find out more. Below is an edited version of a 40-minute interview with Cameron. It touches on why it's harder to get ahead today than it was decades ago, the value of money, a different way to think about housing, and what can be done to make life healthier and more affordable for everyone. The Herald encourages readers to listen to the full interview here: How do you define economic mobility? Economic mobility is basically just the changing of your economic status over time. It's a key part of the American Dream; the idea that kids can do better than their parents, that we're all improving as a society, and also that if you're born a child into poverty, you don't necessarily have to stay there. How mobile do you think the United States is today? The Federal Reserve System has noticed that, for the last 30 or 40 years, economic mobility is stagnating in the United States. Why is this happening? It's because of the way our economy has changed dramatically since the 1970s. What are some of those changes? After World War II, there were huge investments and growth in the American economy, and most of the money flowing in the economy was actually being used for what we would call productive things. It was industrial capitalism. People made investments into factories. The factories grew bigger. They made more stuff. They got profits from that. Then, the economy moved more into what we call financial services. The banking system, the insurance system and real estate took over more and more of the economy, and people could make money just by basically owning stuff, not by making stuff, and by charging other people to use it. Over the last 30 years, people who own assets, whether that be stocks and bonds or real estate, they've been getting a much better return on owning that stuff than people who work. And that leads to income concentrations at the top and at the bottom, and it makes it very hard for the people at the bottom to jump up, because the ladder is expanding. So your research will examine community wealth building. What is that? Community wealth building is the idea that, if a community controls more of its assets, and more of the money that's generated in the community stays there, then it will do better. What are some examples of community wealth building strategies you think could be successful or have been successful? Community banks. That's a publicly owned or community-driven bank, and its goal isn't just maximizing profits. They're covering their costs, but they're focusing on investing in local businesses and the needs of residents. So, for example, standing up kindergartens or grocery stores in neighborhoods that need them. Another strategy is making workers 'worker-owners.' How does that work? Right now, there's this huge transfer of wealth happening because so many baby boomers who built up businesses are retiring and realizing that there aren't necessarily people who want to buy their business. And so [some of my research is] going to be looking in Kansas City for different businesses where owners are wanting to retire. They don't want to see their businesses sold for scrap, but rather to be sold to their workers. Then the workers will have the opportunity to build assets through owning part of the business. We'll also focus on so-called 'anchor institutions' — universities, health centers, large employers in the area, organizations that are committed to that city — and come up with strategies for them to be able to buy more of the goods and services they need locally and keep that money flowing in the local community. Housing is a big issue here in Miami. Most people here are 'rent-burdened' and struggle to make ends meet. Some of your research will focus on strategies to make housing more affordable and attainable. Tell me about them. Normally when you buy a house, you're not just buying the house. You're buying the land underneath it. Because of that, the price is obviously a heck of a lot more than if you were only buying the use of the building. Shared equity models are basically a way for low-income people — who don't have the assets available to put down a big down payment but who do have the money to make monthly rent payments — to have stable housing. Community groups, like nonprofits, would do something called a 'community land trust,' which is basically a way to avoid gentrification. Locals who want to stay where they are but who can't afford to buy the houses, or who are having the houses bought out from under them, can come together and say, 'Hey, we should protect our neighborhood by turning it into a community land trust.' People are able to buy into [the housing on that land], but the amount of upside that they get on their investment in a house on that land is capped. The advantage is that they can get a house and have all the nice things about being in a house and having a nice neighborhood. But, because it's not floating on the free market, the amount of upside they get is capped, because they would sell [the house] back to the group they bought it from. The goal is to make it easier for people to get access to housing. And so the way they do that is to keep it permanently affordable and off the private market. So, if I understand correctly: nonprofits and/or individuals in a community form a land trust. That trust buys a plot of land. Let's say the trust, which is governed by a community board, decides to construct a building on that land. People buy units in that building, or a house on that land, but there's a limit to how much they can resell them for, and that keeps the housing affordable? Right. There'll be rules about what your income has to be in order to buy in. We can get more people into high quality, stable housing, if the goal is not just capital appreciation on the house. Especially in Miami, housing is often purchased explicitly for its appreciative value. People want the value of their homes to go up as much as possible, which goes against the concept you just outlined. So how have people received this idea? To make our economy work better for people requires people to think differently about what money is for and what the economy is for and what housing is for. There's a lot of people who are currently renting in a very insecure way, spending more than a third of their income on rent, which causes problems for their families, for their kids, which causes extra stress. If you told those people, who are hard-working and who have access to money to pay rent, 'you could buy this studio apartment that you're living in. You'll be part of a housing community where there are rules, but you'll help shape those rules. You'll have stability — what you pay isn't going to change in an unexpected way just because the landlord said so,' they would jump at that. And if they have extra money, then great, put it in the stock market. That's where we should be investing money. In the American economy. That would be my argument as an entrepreneur. Let's go build stuff to make more profit. Let's go create more innovations. Not just, I buy a house, you buy a house, we trade and we 'make' money. Housing can be seen not just as a speculative investment, but as something we need to have safe and healthy neighborhoods. We don't want people changing homes three times in one school year. We don't want neighborhoods that are broken down because the neighbors don't trust or know each other. We want places that are clean and healthy and walkable and good for families. Where people can build up as they go, rather than needing to have a whole bunch of money just to jump in and then be afraid that if they miss one payment, it'll be taken by a bank — which doesn't work to help them keep their home but is interested in selling it to the next guy. Practically speaking, how do these cooperative projects get off the ground? Who makes them happen? Lots of different people. There are banks and investment funds that do mission-driven finance. But even the big hedge funds are talking about the value of shared ownership and employee ownership as a way to unlock value for American companies, to get more people in the owner's box, getting them committed to improving companies because they're owners. In terms of the housing stuff: Generally, neighborhood organizations work with city governments or philanthropic organizations to stabilize neighborhoods and create opportunities for people to get into homes while avoiding gentrification. They come together to get a loan against the value of the land, and then they put houses or multi-family units on [the land]. Then, they're able to service that loan in perpetuity by the payments of the people who live there. Lots of banks have worked to help create these community land trusts because they see the value in stable neighborhoods for the greater community. And people are starting to do this in commercial real estate, too. There's a project in Portland where a community development fund bought a mall in a low-income area and turned it into a place where local small businesses could have their stores. People in the neighborhood and surrounding zip codes had the opportunity to buy into the community fund, and now they get a share of those rents. It's a question of how you get the money together. Their model was a whole bunch of people paying a small amount, plus initial startup money. It's just smarter ways of putting money to work. These things don't really require a huge amount of money. It's more technical know-how and willingness to learn from these examples, which are all over the United States, but not yet enough. We can do even more. That's a great place to wrap up. Dr. Cameron, thank you so much for joining us. My pleasure. I wish you and your readers prosperity in 2025. This story was produced with financial support from supporters including The Green Family Foundation Trust and Ken O'Keefe, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
5 best study techniques to help kids retain more in less time
Many children today are drowning in homework, tuition, and endless revision sessions. There's a common belief that studying more means learning more. But science says otherwise. In fact, research from educational psychology and cognitive science shows that learning can be made faster, more enjoyable, and longer-lasting with a few smart tweaks. It's not always about the number of hours put in, it's about how those hours are used. Here are 5 study techniques that are not only rooted in real research but also proven to help children remember more in less time. Retrieval practice Studies from cognitive scientists like Dr. Henry Roediger at Washington University show that retrieval practice, the act of recalling information without looking, significantly boosts memory. This means after learning something new, a child should try to recall it without peeking into the textbook. Flashcards, mini quizzes, or even explaining what was just studied to a toy or a sibling can do wonders. It forces the brain to retrieve information, strengthening the memory trace. Spaced repetition A technique known as spaced repetition fights this forgetfulness. Backed by research from Hermann Ebbinghaus , this method spreads revision over several days, allowing the brain to re-encounter the information just before it is about to be forgotten. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it legal? How to get Internet without paying a subscription? Techno Mag Learn More Undo A quick five-minute review on Day 1, followed by the same on Day 3 and Day 6, cements the concept deeply. Interleaving Interleaving is a technique where different types of problems or subjects are mixed during study sessions. For instance, a 30-minute study slot can be divided into 10 minutes of science, 10 of history, and 10 of maths, all rotated in a cycle. This forces the brain to adapt, switch context, and build better connections between ideas. Research shows that interleaving strengthens problem-solving skills and long-term understanding, especially useful in subjects like maths and science. Dual coding According to cognitive psychologist Allan Paivio , dual coding, using both text and visuals together, engages more areas of the brain. For example, when a child learns about the solar system, pairing the definitions with hand-drawn diagrams or videos helps the brain store the data in multiple formats. Even doodling a flowchart or sketching a comic strip from a history lesson can lead to deeper learning. The trick is to see what's being read. The protégé effect This is known as the protégé effect. When children teach what they learn, they pay more attention, organize information more clearly, and retain it longer. Whether it's teaching a younger sibling how multiplication works, or pretending to be a teacher and using a toy classroom setup, the act of teaching transforms passive knowledge into active understanding.
Business Journals
14-07-2025
- Science
- Business Journals
St. Louis misses out on $160M NSF grant for neuroscience hub, but Neuro360 coalition persists
BioSTL President and CEO Donn Rubin and St Louis Mayor Cara Spencer at a Neuro360 event at Washington University's Charles F. Knight Executive Education & Conference Center on April 23.
Los Angeles Times
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Restaurant gift cards make the perfect wedding present. Just ask this L.A. couple
The average wedding registry is filled with blenders, dishware and sets of fancy glasses and knives. Bride-to-be Liv Dansky didn't need any more kitchen equipment. As a seasoned recipe developer, food writer and kitchen gear reviewer, her collection of appliances rivaled the most well-stocked test kitchens in the country. When it came time to marry her longtime boyfriend, she knew they didn't want, or need, a traditional wedding registry. She and Jeffrey Rosenthal met at Washington University in St. Louis. He was from Manhattan Beach. She was from Denver. Their relationship blossomed as the two ate around their new city, trying as many restaurants as they could on a college kid's budget. 'Exploring restaurants and food are my love language,' says Dansky. 'I love trying new restaurants, and so does he.' With her heart set on a career in food, Dansky spent a year abroad at Le Cordon Bleu in London. Rosenthal continued his medical studies, and Dansky eventually landed a job in the test kitchen of Food & Wine and Southern Living magazines in Birmingham, Ala. She spent her days shopping for groceries, assisting with food styling on shoots and testing and developing recipes. When the two decided to marry and move to Los Angeles, they knew how they wanted to discover their new home together. 'Food has just been my entire life,' says Dansky. 'I decided that it would be fun to get gift cards to restaurants in Los Angeles because it's a really great way to get to know a city,' she says. Her Los Angeles bridal shower took place in a back room at Mercado La Paloma with food from Gilberto Cetina's Holbox on the tables. And the invitation included a special request for guests in the form of a poem: As you may know, Liv and Jeff love to eatExploring food in L.A. will be such a treat From Salt & Straw to Sugarfish Even In-N-Out is so delishSo instead of gifting them a new Crock-PotPerhaps a gift card to a restaurant that's hot!Although a registry is the typical dealI bet they would love to try your favorite meal. The guests delivered. Dansky and Rosenthal received dozens of gift cards to restaurants all over the city. There were classics like Dan Tana's and Musso & Frank, award-winning restaurants like République and Bavel. The selection ranged from Pink's Hot Dogs to the crisp, white-tablecloth-covered tables at Nancy Silverton's Osteria Mozza. 'It was so fun,' says Dansky. 'Jeff's aunt really took it to heart and she got us a ton of gift cards to places we probably would have never gone to like Dan Tana's and Philippe's.' Rosenthal's aunt arranged the gift cards in a binder with specific instructions for the newlyweds. They could use the the cards for a date night at least once a month. And for each meal, she included two blank note cards. 'How about writing about the food and your favorite dish,' she wrote. 'Possibly write about another restaurant that you want to try that has the same chef.' She told the couple to keep the note cards a secret and share the memories with each other the following year. Dansky and Rosenthal found themselves all over Los Angeles. They obsessed over Margarita Manzke's baguette at République, ordered with both butter and pan drippings. Though Rosenthal has spent a fair amount of time in the South, she couldn't get enough of the shrimp and grits at Keith Corbin's Alta Adams in West Adams and the cornbread at Hatchet Hall in Culver City. She's still dreaming about an orange meringue dessert from Funke in Beverly Hills and a plate of crispy rice with squid ink she ordered as a special at Crudo e Nudo in Santa Monica. They spent the day in Pasadena after a meal at Union, an excellent Italian restaurant in Old Pasadena. 'I had never been to Pasadena, so it was fun to get to explore new parts of the city,' Dansky says. 'I mostly just want to eat out, and we don't really do a lot of other things. I would have spent all this money eating at these restaurants, so it saved us quite a bit.' With restaurants and food vendors across the city still struggling to recover from the Hollywood strikes, January fires and the immigration raids and demonstrations, the gift cards were also a way to help Los Angeles restaurants. Gift certificates offer immediate revenue and often lead to repeat customers and diners spending more than the total value of the cards. Dansky says she and Rosenthal have already returned to some of the restaurants they discovered through the certificates multiple times. They're now budding regulars at Hatchet Hall. After a year and a half of eating their way through the city, they still have a few gift cards left. Lobster rolls at Brooke Williamson's Playa Provisions, French dips at Philippe the Original and sandwiches at Johnnie's Pastrami in Culver City will all be future date nights. 'I lived in a lot of cool places, but in L.A., anything you want is accessible,' Dansky says. 'On the weekends, we can spend the entire day running around, eating and exploring new neighborhoods. It's the best way to get to know a city.'
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Sleeping pill might reduce Alzheimer's protein level in the brain: Study
Alzheimer's disease is a condition that continues to puzzle scientists. While we still don't know exactly what causes it, research is uncovering strong links between poor sleep and the risk of developing Alzheimer's. In fact, sleep disturbances may appear years before memory loss and cognitive decline set in. A new study published in 2023 shows that improving sleep, even with the help of sleeping pills, might reduce the build-up of proteins in the brain associated with Alzheimer's. While it's too early to say sleeping pills are the answer, this study adds to growing evidence that good sleep isn't just restful, it may be protective. How sleeping pills can help combat Alzheimer's disease A team of researchers from Washington University in St. Louis conducted a study in 2023 to explore the link between sleep and Alzheimer's at the molecular level. They discovered that suvorexant, a common sleeping pill, may help reduce the buildup of toxic proteins in the brain associated with Alzheimer's During sleep, the brain has a natural process to clear out waste, including toxic proteins. Sleeping pills might help enhance this process, leading to a reduction in protein buildup. This could potentially slow down or even prevent the progression of Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that sleeping pills could help improve this cleaning process, potentially reducing the risk of Alzheimer's. Why this matters for Alzheimer's prevention This study supports the growing idea that better sleep could help protect the brain against Alzheimer's. Since amyloid and tau build-up can begin years before symptoms, improving sleep early may be one way to slow or reduce risk. But experts like Dr. Brendan Lucey, who led the study, are careful to point out that it's still too early to recommend sleeping pills like suvorexant as a preventative treatment for Alzheimer's. The research is promising. The risks of relying on sleeping pills While sleeping pills can help people fall asleep, they're not always the best solution in the long run. Dependence: It's easy to become reliant on them for sleep. Poor sleep quality : Some pills lead to lighter sleep rather than deep, restorative rest. Temporary effects: As shown in the study, the reduction in harmful proteins didn't last long. Earlier research by Lucey's team also found that people who got less deep, slow-wave sleep had higher levels of amyloid-beta and tau. So, the quality of sleep is just as important as the quantity. What you can do to support brain health Even if sleeping pills aren't the answer, there are still many safe, healthy ways to improve your sleep and potentially protect your brain: Stick to a regular sleep schedule Avoid screens and heavy meals before bed Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet Treat underlying sleep issues like sleep apnea Exercise regularly but not too close to bedtime Also read | Harvard Health warns: Gum disease might be linked to heart disease; know its risk factors and prevention
