ESTI's goal is to provide you with accurate information on science, technology, and health. Happy reading!
In this Issue
MythBusters: Boys Are Better Than Girls in Math
Neuro News: Implications of COVID-19 on the Brain
Tech News: Fighting Robocalls
This Month in Science: Climate Change & Extreme Heatwaves in 2021
Health: F.D.A. Investigates Approval of New Alzheimer’s Drug
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MythBusters
False: Boys Are Better Than Girls in Math
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There has been a long-held belief that boys are better in math than girls. This belief has climbed all the way to people believing that men are better accountants, engineers, scientists. However, this is a myth. And this myth has left women and girls feeling insecure and self-conscious about their performance in these fields and hindering their career choices. Another word for this is stereotype threat. According to Spencer et al. 1998, a stereotype threat is the fear of being judged negatively based on situations where a general bias is held negatively. Based on this, girls’ performance in math can be hindered due to anxiety because of stereotype threat.
In a study conducted by Herbert J. & Stipek D. (2005), they looked at students in low-income households from the grades 3rd to 5th, the results showed that on average girls rated their math skills lower than boys did, but there was no actual difference in the grades. Additionally, based on previous research, it was also confirmed that children’s awareness of gender stereotypes (e.g., boys being better than girls in math) began in elementary school.
Previous research has found a strong connection between what parents think their children’s skills are to how their children perform. It is suggested that children’s perception about their own skills and performance is influenced by their parents. Therefore, if parents hold beliefs in stereotypes, it is more likely that children will internalize that.
For more information, check out this article.
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Neuro News
Implications of COVID-19 on the Brain
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Since the start of the pandemic, the symptoms associated with COVID-19 have increased and even have lasting effects on patients. Several of the symptoms associated also have an impact on brain function. There are two main functions that COVID-19 interacts with that negatively impact the brain: (1) reducing blood flow to the brain, and (2) triggering the immune system to attack itself.
New evidence shows COVID-19 attacking pericytes, cells found on small blood vessels. When attacking pericytes, this results in the blocking of the receptors which constrict those blood vessels. This ultimately results in reducing blood flow to the brain, which can lead to strokes and many other neurological issues.
Additionally, there has been growing evidence showing patients’ immune systems attacking itself when encountering COVID-19. It has been suggested that the body overreacts and produces autoantibodies which then bind to brain cells and lead to damage.
With the cases of COVID-19 growing once again, it’s important that everyone continues getting vaccinated. The Delta variant poses a real threat to both the vaccinated and unvaccinated. However, people who are dying from COVID-19 remain to be those who are unvaccinated. For more information about how vaccines work, check out our site.
For more information, check out this article.
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Tech News
Fighting Robocalls
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Robocalls have been terrorizing people since the beginning of the telephone. But as the years go by, they become more sophisticated and result in people losing thousands of dollars. Scammers have begun to spoof numbers so that it appears the call is coming locally or from the government – making it more likely that you pick up the phone.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which regulates communication, has put into effect a new technology called Stir/Shaken. This new technology is designed to create a digital tracker which authenticates the phone number from the start of the call to the end. Any numbers not registered with the FCC by September 28th will be refused by phone companies from completing their phone calls.
For added protection against robocalls, you can register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry. Additionally, you can report scam phone numbers to the FCC here.
For more information, check out this article.
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This Month in Science
Climate Change & Extreme Heatwaves in 2021
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Between June 25th and July 1st, the western region of North America experienced a record heatwave, resulting in the deaths of over 500 people and 180 wildfires. The heatwave even affected big cities such as Portland, OR, Seattle, WA, and Vancouver, CA.
Scientists working with the World Weather Attribution (WWA) project rushed to analyze if climate change had contributed to the intensity of the heatwave. Their results show that it’s an undisputed fact that this heatwave was human caused by climate change. However, it has not been proven if climate change is causing local heat extremes to become more frequent. If this is the case, then it’s heatwaves are more likely to occur in the near future.
Climate change is real and happening as we speak. We must all do our parts to save our planet and ensure our planet remains inhabitable for ourselves and all the living creatures on this planet.
For more information, check out this article.
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Health
F.D.A Investigates Approval of New Alzheimer’s Drug
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In June, the Food and Drug Administration (F.D.A.) approved a new Alzheimer’s drug, Aduhelm, despite criticism from scientists and independent advisors.
Aduhelm was created by the company Biogen. This new drug is supposed to be effective in delaying the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease. However, according to the data, scientists claim that the drug is not effective, and highlights the unusual approval process the drug went through with the F.D.A. For instance, agents from the F.D.A. joined Biogen in presenting the data to the F.D.A.’s independent advisors. Despite the advisors’ criticism, the F.D.A. continued to approve the drug.
The F.D.A. will now conduct an investigation into the approval process of Aduhelm, but they have now changed their recommendation from all Alzheimer’s patients receiving the drug to only those with mild cognitive problems.
Every year more and more people get diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementia-related diseases. For more information on how you can reduce your risk, contact us at ESTI (973-353-2706)!
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