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New Book Challenges Screen Time as Primary Cause of Youth Anxiety, Citing School System Pressures

New Book Challenges Screen Time as Primary Cause of Youth Anxiety, Citing School System Pressures

A new book by Peter Gray, a veteran researcher of children’s play and well-being, argues that the U.S. school system, rather than excessive screen time, is the primary driver of anxiety and depression among young people. Gray, a research professor in psychology and neuroscience at Boston College, contends in 'Restoring Childhood: How to Set Kids Free in the Age of Anxiety' that the Common Core Curriculum, implemented around 2009, transformed American schools into high-pressure environments. He suggests that the emphasis on standardized test scores and college preparation has created a stress-inducing atmosphere where students are constantly evaluated, leading to significant mental health challenges. Gray points to research indicating that school is the leading source of anxiety and stress for school-aged children, and that youth self-harm rates spike during the school year, not during summer breaks when screen time might be higher.

US judge blocks Trump limits on duration of visas for foreign students and journalists

US judge blocks Trump limits on duration of visas for foreign students and journalists

By Nate Raymond BOSTON, Sept 14 (Reuters) - A federal judge on Monday blocked U.S. President Donald Trump's administration from implementing a new rule that would limit how long foreign students and journalists can remain in the U.S. without applying for extensions. U.S. District Judge F.

Harvard Researchers Transform Industrial Knits into Smart Textiles with Integrated Switches

Harvard Researchers Transform Industrial Knits into Smart Textiles with Integrated Switches

Researchers at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, led by Dr. Kausalya Mahadevan, have developed a method to turn ordinary industrial knits into smart textiles capable of acting as switches. This innovation redefines knitting by transforming it into a scalable platform for nonlinear mechanical metamaterials. The team utilized an industrial technique called 'Plating,' where two different elastic yarns are knitted simultaneously, with one yarn consistently on the top face and the other on the bottom. The slight difference in elasticity between the yarns creates asymmetric residual stress, causing the fabric to spontaneously curl. By arranging these restressed domains into orthogonal stripes, the textile achieves 'multistability,' allowing it to snap and hold between two distinct states, functioning like a soft logic gate. To integrate electronics, a soft conductive yarn, coated with a thin layer of metal, is knitted into the fabric. This allows the fabric itself to complet...

Harvard Report Highlights Dual Nature of AI Companions for Youth Emotional Support

Harvard Report Highlights Dual Nature of AI Companions for Youth Emotional Support

A recent Harvard report has shed light on the growing trend of young people turning to AI companions for emotional support. The report, titled "Six Reasons Young People Told Us They Go To AI For Emotional Support," identifies both significant risks and remarkably mature use cases associated with this technology. While the report acknowledges the potential for AI companions to provide valuable emotional assistance, it also underscores the inherent dangers and challenges that arise from such interactions. The increasing reliance on AI for emotional needs among youth is a topic that many educational institutions and individuals are not adequately addressing, despite its potential for substantial societal impact. The report suggests that schools should actively engage in discussions about this phenomenon to better prepare young people for the evolving landscape of AI interaction.

Community Colleges Enhance Learning Environments with 'Zen Spaces' and Accessibility Upgrades

Community Colleges Enhance Learning Environments with 'Zen Spaces' and Accessibility Upgrades

U.S. community colleges are actively transforming their library spaces into modern learning commons, incorporating 'zen spaces' and accessibility features to better support diverse student needs. Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC) in Montana recently won a national excellence award for its renovated Broussard Family Library, which now includes a redesigned recording setup, a makerspace with laser engravers and 3D printers, and expanded public services. Similarly, Black Hawk College (BHC) in Illinois secured a $10,000 grant from the American Library Association to make its spaces more accommodating for neurodiverse students, planning upgrades like soundproof pods, adjustable lighting, and tools for relaxation. Oakton College in Illinois also transformed its Des Plaines campus library into a learning commons, integrating tutoring, technology support, and student services into a 'one-stop shop.' These initiatives aim to create more inviting and functional environments, moving away from traditional, rigi...

Bengals Tuesday Trenches: 1-0 and ready for Houston

Bengals Tuesday Trenches: 1-0 and ready for Houston

After sinking some pirates, the Bengals are off to Houston to face…. people from Texas?

Nashville Tennessean

Tennessee proves election security and access can coexist | Opinion

Tennessee proves election security and access can coexist | Opinion

Tennessee has led the nation in election integrity for five years. Here is why the state model works for voters.

New York Jets Flight Connections 09/15/26

New York Jets Flight Connections 09/15/26

Your daily links to the New York Jets

The Knoxville News-Sentinel

This is what Tennessee teachers love and hate about their jobs

This is what Tennessee teachers love and hate about their jobs

Nearly 6,000 educators were surveyed by the national K-12 news outlet last fall to understand how teachers are feeling. Here's what they said.

The Commercial Appeal

Two Memphis children's hospitals landed high on annual national rankings

Two Memphis children's hospitals landed high on annual national rankings

Also in public health news, the CDC says the U.S. is facing a worse tick- and mosquito-borne illness season than it has in almost a decade.

Nashville Tennessean

GOP convention showcases 'Conservatives in Name Only' | Opinion

GOP convention showcases 'Conservatives in Name Only' | Opinion

At GOP midterm convention, VP Vance asked voters to not give the country to the left. He ignored the party's ideological betrayals.

Arkansas State University and Local Company Partner to Launch Protein Bar for Student Aid

Arkansas State University and Local Company Partner to Launch Protein Bar for Student Aid

Arkansas State University (A-State) has announced a collaboration with a local Jonesboro company to produce a new protein snack. The primary objective of this partnership is to generate benefits for students in need. This initiative aims to provide support to students facing financial or other challenges, leveraging a commercial product to create a positive social impact within the university community. The specific details regarding the protein bar's distribution, the local company involved, and the exact mechanisms for how the proceeds will benefit students were not fully detailed in the initial announcement, but the core purpose is clearly defined as student aid.