Latest news from Florida Atlantic University on News en-us Copyright 2024 News 115 31 / /images/newswise-logo-rss.gif /articles/arslan-munir-ph-d-pioneer-in-smart-technologies-joins-fau-engineering/?sc=rsin /articles/arslan-munir-ph-d-pioneer-in-smart-technologies-joins-fau-engineering/?sc=rsin Thu, 21 Nov 2024 08:30:06 EST The FAU College of Engineering and Computer Science recently welcomed Arslan Munir, Ph.D., an internationally renowned expert, researcher and pioneer in advanced computing and smart technologies who has made numerous contributions to the fields of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and intelligent systems. Florida Atlantic University /articles/virtual-reality-could-be-gamechanger-in-police-civilian-crisis-encounters/?sc=rsin /articles/virtual-reality-could-be-gamechanger-in-police-civilian-crisis-encounters/?sc=rsin Wed, 20 Nov 2024 08:30:33 EST Traditional police training lacks practical tools for handling mental health crises, leaving officers underprepared. New research provides a promising avenue for addressing this gap using VR training by immersing officers in realistic scenarios. Florida Atlantic University /articles/stem-teachers-in-high-need-schools-resilient-despite-rising-demand-dwindling-supply/?sc=rsin /articles/stem-teachers-in-high-need-schools-resilient-despite-rising-demand-dwindling-supply/?sc=rsin Tue, 19 Nov 2024 11:15:39 EST Researchers examined the characteristics and qualifications of the STEM teacher workforce in high-need schools in the U.S. and how they have evolved over nearly 30 years of national workforce surveys. The study primarily used high-poverty schools as the lens for examining differences in STEM teacher qualifications and characteristics over time. Florida Atlantic University /articles/alcohol-related-deaths-in-the-u-s-more-than-double-from-1999-to-2020/?sc=rsin /articles/alcohol-related-deaths-in-the-u-s-more-than-double-from-1999-to-2020/?sc=rsin Mon, 18 Nov 2024 08:30:14 EST Alcohol-related deaths in the U.S. nearly doubled from 1999 to 2020. The sharpest spike occurred among 25-34-year-olds (nearly fourfold), while individuals aged 55-64 had the highest rates. Men consistently had higher rates but women saw the largest proportional rise, with deaths increasing 2.5 times. Asian and Pacific Islander communities experienced the steepest ethnic increase, while the Midwest saw the greatest regional rise (2.5 times), followed by the Northeast, West, and South. Florida Atlantic University /articles/fau-engineers-win-nsf-grant-to-develop-one-of-a-kind-school-of-ai-bio-robotic-fish/?sc=rsin /articles/fau-engineers-win-nsf-grant-to-develop-one-of-a-kind-school-of-ai-bio-robotic-fish/?sc=rsin Tue, 12 Nov 2024 12:00:15 EST A school of bio-robotic fish with advanced sensors will create a versatile network capable of maneuvers and station-keeping beyond current vehicles both in shallow coastal areas and in deep ocean environments. Florida Atlantic University /articles/fau-poll-presidential-race-tightens-across-key-battlegrounds-of-michigan-pennsylvania-and-wisconsin/?sc=rsin /articles/fau-poll-presidential-race-tightens-across-key-battlegrounds-of-michigan-pennsylvania-and-wisconsin/?sc=rsin Mon, 04 Nov 2024 11:30:12 EST The latest polls from the FAU/MainStreet Research reveal a highly competitive landscape in the battleground states of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, with both the presidential and U.S. Senate races showing narrow Democratic leads. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Democratic Senate candidates hold slight edges, but with numbers within the margin of error, these races could swing either way in the final stretch. Florida Atlantic University /articles/fau-awarded-doe-grant-to-test-ocean-current-energy-offshore-palm-beach-county/?sc=rsin /articles/fau-awarded-doe-grant-to-test-ocean-current-energy-offshore-palm-beach-county/?sc=rsin Tue, 29 Oct 2024 08:30:55 EST FAU's Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center (SNMREC) has received an $800,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to advance ocean energy technologies. Collaborating with various experts and organizations, SNMREC will conduct a pioneering feasibility study for an ocean current test facility off Palm Beach County, marking a first in leveraging top marine energy expertise. The project's end goal is to improve the nation's competitiveness in marine energy technology, encourage domestic manufacturing, and create jobs while helping to achieve the nation's energy goals. Florida Atlantic University /articles/dramatic-drop-in-marijuana-use-among-u-s-youth-over-a-decade-2011-to-2021/?sc=rsin /articles/dramatic-drop-in-marijuana-use-among-u-s-youth-over-a-decade-2011-to-2021/?sc=rsin Mon, 28 Oct 2024 08:30:36 EST Among 88,183 U.S. high school students, marijuana use declined from 23.1% in 2011 to 15.8% in 2021, with first-time use before age 13 dropping from 8.1% to 4.9%. In 2021, use was highest among 12th graders (22.4%) and 11th graders (18.7%). Notably, girls (17.8%) surpassed boys (13.6%) in reported use in 2021, reversing past trends. While Asian, Hispanic, and white adolescents saw declines, Black adolescents had a higher usage rate of 20.5% in 2021, indicating ongoing racial disparities. Florida Atlantic University /articles/new-parasite-discovered-amid-decline-of-california-s-unique-channel-island-fox/?sc=rsin /articles/new-parasite-discovered-amid-decline-of-california-s-unique-channel-island-fox/?sc=rsin Wed, 23 Oct 2024 08:30:27 EST In the 1990s, the San Miguel Island fox nearly went extinct, with numbers dropping to just 15. A recovery program increased their population by 2010, but from 2014 to 2018, it fell to 30% of its peak due to a new acanthocephalan parasite, exacerbated by a prolonged drought. A collaborative research effort employed morphological and molecular methods, alongside necropsy records, to identify the parasite and assess its health impacts on the foxes. Florida Atlantic University /articles/dangers-of-the-metaverse-and-vr-for-u-s-youth-revealed-in-new-research/?sc=rsin /articles/dangers-of-the-metaverse-and-vr-for-u-s-youth-revealed-in-new-research/?sc=rsin Tue, 22 Oct 2024 08:30:51 EST Research of online victimization in the metaverse is sorely lacking. A new study examined harm in the metaverse among a sample of 5,005 U.S. teens aged 13 to 17. Findings show a significant percentage of youth reported harm in these spaces, including hate speech, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, grooming behaviors (predators building trust with minors), and unwanted exposure to violent or sexual content. The study also revealed notable gender differences in experiences. Florida Atlantic University /articles/alaska-s-iliamna-lake-harbor-seals-genetically-isolated-from-entire-pacific-ocean/?sc=rsin /articles/alaska-s-iliamna-lake-harbor-seals-genetically-isolated-from-entire-pacific-ocean/?sc=rsin Wed, 16 Oct 2024 10:05:37 EST Alaska's Iliamna Lake harbor seals have been difficult to study because of their remoteness. They weren't even identified as harbor seals until 2013. Now, a new genetic study has found significant differences, indicating that the Iliamna seals may represent a unique, endemic form of harbor seal. Findings suggest they may be evolutionarily, reproductively, and demographically distinct from other Pacific harbor seal populations sampled across the Pacific, including Japan, the Commander Islands, other parts of Alaska, and California. Florida Atlantic University /articles/political-candidates-who-fight-climate-change-stand-to-benefit-in-election/?sc=rsin /articles/political-candidates-who-fight-climate-change-stand-to-benefit-in-election/?sc=rsin Tue, 15 Oct 2024 08:30:30 EST Nearly 52% of Floridians favor candidates who reduce climate impacts. About 68% believe the state should take more action on climate issues and and 67% feel the federal government should as well. Notably, 88% acknowledge climate change is occurring. About 75% of respondents advocate for a diversified energy mix to include more electricity produced by renewable sources. Nearly 73% of respondents worry about home energy expenses and nearly 58% are concerned about being able to afford and maintain homeowners' insurance due to climate change. Florida Atlantic University /articles/fau-researchers-confront-new-u-s-and-global-challenges-in-vaccinations-of-adults/?sc=rsin /articles/fau-researchers-confront-new-u-s-and-global-challenges-in-vaccinations-of-adults/?sc=rsin Mon, 07 Oct 2024 08:30:10 EST Over the past decade, decreasing vaccination rates now threaten the huge beneficial impacts of vaccinations in the U.S. and globally. Researchers discuss the multifactorial barriers including increasing vaccine hesitancy and new clinical and public health challenges in vaccinations of U.S. adults. Florida Atlantic University /articles/fau-awarded-10m-to-train-people-with-disabilities-for-in-demand-tech-jobs/?sc=rsin /articles/fau-awarded-10m-to-train-people-with-disabilities-for-in-demand-tech-jobs/?sc=rsin Thu, 03 Oct 2024 08:30:55 EST The project will offer career counseling, work-readiness skills training, and customized-training leading to a certificate in cybersecurity, cloud computing solutions, and computer-aided design and 3D printing. The project will assist individuals with disabilities nationwide to acquire certified skills needed for entry into high quality technology sectors and can serve as a model for similar initiatives. Florida Atlantic University /articles/feet-first-ai-reveals-how-infants-connect-with-their-world/?sc=rsin /articles/feet-first-ai-reveals-how-infants-connect-with-their-world/?sc=rsin Tue, 01 Oct 2024 08:30:42 EST Researchers explored how infants act purposefully by attaching a colorful mobile to their foot and tracking movements with a Vicon 3D motion capture system. The study tested AI's ability to detect changes in infant movement patterns. Findings showed that AI techniques, especially the deep learning model 2D-CapsNet, effectively classified different stages of behavior. Notably, foot movements varied significantly. Looking at how AI classification accuracy changes for each baby gives researchers a new way to understand when and how they start to engage with the world. Florida Atlantic University /articles/alarming-surge-global-crisis-of-childhood-overweight-and-obesity/?sc=rsin /articles/alarming-surge-global-crisis-of-childhood-overweight-and-obesity/?sc=rsin Thu, 26 Sep 2024 08:30:28 EST Since 1990, childhood obesity has nearly doubled globally, with the U.S. at the forefront. In Southern Europe, 10-15% of children are obese, while Asia has nearly half of all overweight kids under 5. Nearly 70% of the average U.S. child's diet consists of ultra-processed foods, which are increasingly consumed by children under 24 months, raising obesity risks and reducing immunological protection. Addressing pediatric obesity requires a multifaceted approach from tackling the influence of social media and advertising on children's food choices to increasing physical activity. Florida Atlantic University /articles/florida-atlantic-university-parkinson-s-expert-available/?sc=rsin /articles/florida-atlantic-university-parkinson-s-expert-available/?sc=rsin Wed, 25 Sep 2024 23:05:38 EST Florida Atlantic University /articles/deeper-corals-may-help-shallow-reefs-recover-in-the-florida-keys/?sc=rsin /articles/deeper-corals-may-help-shallow-reefs-recover-in-the-florida-keys/?sc=rsin Mon, 23 Sep 2024 08:30:36 EST Using blushing coral star and genomic DNA analyses, researchers have uncovered vital links between coral populations at varying depths. They identified four distinct genetic lineages, finding strong connectivity between shallow and mesophotic populations. Importantly, mesophotic reefs emerged as crucial reproductive sources, particularly in the Lower and Upper Keys. Corals from these deeper zones hold significant potential to replenish and restore the declining shallow reefs in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Florida Atlantic University /articles/faumainstreet-usa-poll-harris-edges-trump-but-democracy-tariff-doubts-linger/?sc=rsin /articles/faumainstreet-usa-poll-harris-edges-trump-but-democracy-tariff-doubts-linger/?sc=rsin Thu, 19 Sep 2024 12:30:05 EST A new national poll shows U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris with a narrow lead over former U.S. President Donald Trump. The poll also uncovers complex voter attitudes toward democracy, economic policies, and the impact of celebrity endorsements. Florida Atlantic University /articles/play-it-forward-lasting-effects-of-pretend-play-in-early-childhood/?sc=rsin /articles/play-it-forward-lasting-effects-of-pretend-play-in-early-childhood/?sc=rsin Thu, 19 Sep 2024 10:30:40 EST As the school year revs up, a renowned child developmental psychologist highlights the robust benefits of pretend play on cognitive, social, and emotional development in children and cautions how "learning through play" has changed with the demands of contemporary society. Given natural selection's shaping of childhood for the acquisition and refinement of species-adapted social-cognitive skills - much through pretend play - he says it's unfortunate that modern culture is ignoring the evolved wisdom of how best to educate young children. Florida Atlantic University