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Madison Elementary School students celebrate earth science with ‘The Grand Falloon’

This slideshow requires JavaScript.RAHWAY, NJ — Madison Elementary School students recently had the pleasure of experiencing an engaging and educational performance by “The Grand Falloon,” a group of seasoned entertainers with a rich background in Broadway, film, television and the Big Apple Circus. This special event took place on Tuesday, Jan. 14, and brought the K-6 Earth Science curriculum to life, with a focus on the critical topic of sustainability.
Through captivating performances, The Grand Falloon highlighted the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling as practical ways to protect the planet. The program offered a perfect blend of laughter and learning, as students and staff enjoyed a fun-filled yet impactful experience.
“Our students left inspired and equipped with practical ways they can contribute to a sustainable future for our Earth,” said Principal Dion Patterson and Vice Principal Doris “Dee” Jones.
Events such as this underscore Madison Elementary School’s commitment to providing innovative and meaningful learning opportunities that go beyond the classroom, helping students to understand their role in addressing global issues.
Photos Courtesy of Kenneth Betros

Scientists show how common sleep aid disrupts brain’s natural cleaning process

Scientists have discovered that rhythmic oscillations of a specific neurotransmitter play a vital role in clearing toxic proteins from the brain during non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep. These oscillations drive the glymphatic system by powering the coordinated movement of cerebrospinal fluid and blood. However, the commonly prescribed sleep aid zolpidem (commonly marketed as Ambien) disrupts this process, potentially impairing the brain’s ability to clear waste. The findings have been published in the journal Cell.The glymphatic system is a network in the brain responsible for clearing waste products, such as amyloid and tau proteins, which are associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Unlike other organs, the brain lacks traditional lymphatic vessels for waste removal. Instead, it relies on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to flush out toxins through specialized spaces surrounding blood vessels.“When we started this study, we already knew that the glymphatic system is vital for cleaning the brain, that it relies on brain fluid (CSF) flushing through the brain, and that it is activated during sleep. However, we did not know how sleep was driving the removal of waste from the brain,” explained Natalie Hauglund, the first author of the study and currently a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Oxford.The researchers conducted a series of experiments on mice to observe the glymphatic system in action during sleep.The first set of experiments focused on how norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that regulates arousal and blood vessel constriction, interacts with cerebral blood flow and CSF movement during sleep. Using “flow fiber photometry,” a technique that allows real-time tracking of norepinephrine levels, blood flow, and CSF dynamics, the researchers found that norepinephrine levels exhibited slow, rhythmic oscillations during non-REM sleep.These oscillations coincided with synchronized cycles of blood vessel constriction and relaxation (vasomotion), which created a pumping mechanism to drive CSF through the brain. Importantly, these oscillations were absent during wakefulness and disrupted during REM sleep, suggesting that non-REM sleep provides a unique state for optimal glymphatic activity.To confirm that norepinephrine oscillations were directly driving vasomotion, Hauglund and her colleagues used optogenetics to manipulate the locus coeruleus, a brain region responsible for norepinephrine release. By stimulating or inhibiting this region, they demonstrated that norepinephrine release tightly controlled blood vessel dynamics and, by extension, CSF flow.To directly test whether vasomotion acts as a “pump” for CSF flow, the researchers conducted optogenetic experiments targeting smooth muscle cells in blood vessels. By using light to stimulate rhythmic constriction and relaxation of these vessels in naturally sleeping mice, they artificially increased the frequency of vasomotion.The stimulation enhanced CSF flow and glymphatic clearance in brain regions near the site of vascular manipulation, providing direct evidence that cycles of arterial constriction and dilation drive glymphatic activity. This experiment confirmed that vasomotion plays a central role in the glymphatic system.“We discovered that what drives the CSF flow through the brain, and thereby the brain cleaning during sleep, is a slow pumping mechanism created by synchronous constriction and dilation of the blood vessels in the brain,” Hauglund told PsyPost. “This is controlled by a signaling molecule called norepinephrine, which is released in the brain roughly every 50 seconds, creating slow oscillations in norepinephrine levels during sleep.”Another experiment investigated how natural sleep microarchitecture, particularly the frequency of brief awakenings called micro-arousals, influenced glymphatic activity. Using EEG and EMG recordings to monitor brain activity and sleep states, the researchers correlated the frequency of micro-arousals with glymphatic clearance efficiency.Mice with more frequent micro-arousals during non-REM sleep exhibited greater glymphatic clearance of tracer molecules. This finding supported the idea that norepinephrine oscillations and the associated vascular dynamics, which often coincide with micro-arousals, play a pivotal role in driving CSF flow.Interestingly, while micro-arousals were associated with increased glymphatic activity, they were not the sole determinant of clearance. The researchers concluded that the oscillatory release of norepinephrine during non-REM sleep acts as the primary driver of CSF flow, with micro-arousals serving as a secondary, parallel process.“Our study showed that the frequency of micro-arousals, tiny awakenings that happen throughout the night without being perceived by the sleeper, correlates positively with glymphatic flow,” Hauglund explained. “This may seem surprising, as micro-arousals are often viewed as a sign of fragmented sleep.”“However, more and more evidence indicates that micro-arousals are a natural part of healthy sleep and may have important functions for the beneficial effects of sleep. The reason for the correlation between glymphatic flow and micro-arousals is that the norepinephrine waves that control the ‘pump’ driving the CSF flow also induce micro-arousals.”To investigate the effects of zolpidem on sleep architecture and glymphatic activity, the researchers administered the drug to a group of mice and monitored norepinephrine levels, blood vessel dynamics, and CSF flow. Although zolpidem helped the mice fall asleep more quickly, it significantly disrupted the infraslow oscillations in norepinephrine levels and blood vessel vasomotion that are critical for glymphatic clearance.Using EEG recordings, the researchers also observed that zolpidem-treated mice had more frequent micro-arousals but with diminished norepinephrine peaks. As a result, the natural synchronization of blood flow and CSF movement was impaired.When the researchers measured glymphatic clearance by injecting a fluorescent tracer into the CSF, they found that zolpidem-treated mice exhibited reduced tracer inflow and clearance compared to control mice. This indicated that while zolpidem induced sleep, it interfered with the restorative processes of natural sleep, specifically the brain’s ability to clear harmful waste products through the glymphatic system.“We found that the sleep aid zolpidem disrupted the norepinephrine oscillations and thereby reduced the fluid flow,” Hauglund told PsyPost. “This suggests that the sleep you get while using sleep medication is not as beneficial as regular sleep in terms of restorative processes, such as brain cleaning.”The experiments were conducted in mice, which, while biologically similar in some respects, do not fully replicate human sleep architecture or physiology. However, Hauglund noted that “results from human studies indicate that the same mechanism exists. For example, MRI scans of people sleeping inside a scanner have shown that slow oscillations in blood volume and CSF volume are present in the brain during sleep.”Future research could investigate how factors such as aging, vascular health, and neurodegenerative diseases impact the system’s efficiency. Exploring potential interventions to enhance glymphatic clearance—whether through pharmacological agents, lifestyle modifications, or non-invasive therapies—would also be valuable.“Many questions are still waiting to be answered,” Hauglund said. “For example, is will be important to see how different disease states affect the CSF pumping, and if there are ways to enhance the ‘pump’ in order to boost the removal of waste from the brain.”The study, “Norepinephrine-mediated slow vasomotion drives glymphatic clearance during sleep,” was authored by Natalie L. Hauglund, Mie Andersen, Klaudia Tokarska, Tessa Radovanovic, Celia Kjaerby, Frederikke L. Sørensen, Zuzanna Bojarowska, Verena Untiet, Sheyla B. Ballestero, Mie G. Kolmos, Pia Weikop, Hajime Hirase, and Maiken Nedergaard.

Digital Detoxing: Science-backed strategies to unplug effectively

Turn to science to reclaim focus, and re-establish connection with the offline world

Published Date – 26 January 2025, 07:38 PM

By Viiveck Verma
The ping of notifications often punctuates the rhythms of our lives. The impulse to check a message or refresh a feed is as automatic as breathing. This dependency on digital devices has sparked necessary concern lately, about its impact on our mental, emotional, and even physical health. Digital detox, taking intentional breaks from screens has moved from trend to necessity, but unplugging effectively requires more than simply shutting down our devices. One can turn to science for more nuanced strategies to help reclaim focus, foster well-being, and re-establish our connection with the offline world.

The constant allure of digital devices is not random. Dopamine, the brain’s reward neurotransmitter, spikes whenever we anticipate social interactions, a phenomenon well-studied in relation to social media and messaging platforms. This surge keeps us returning for more, and hence we often find ourselves scrolling away time for far longer than intended. Platforms are designed with this response in mind; the endless scroll, the unpredictability of notifications, and likes to create a reward loop that keeps our attention fixated. Research in neuroscience confirms that our smartphones hijack the same reward pathways that fuel addictive behaviours. The result of this hyper-engagement isn’t just wasted time but also potential long-term changes to our brains. Studies by the National Institutes of Health found that high screen time correlates with thinning of the brain’s cortex, an area involved with critical thinking and decision-making. For adults, excessive digital use has been linked to reduced grey matter in the prefrontal cortex, impacting emotional regulation, empathy, and impulse control.
Constant Connectivity
Beyond brain structure, the psychological toll of digital overuse is significant. A 2018 study by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that constant connectivity contributes to heightened stress, anxiety, and even symptoms of depression. Social media, for instance, can foster feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth, especially when exposure to carefully curated, idealised and utopic portrayals of others’ lives becomes relentless. Digital detoxing can help mitigate these effects, offering a break from social comparison and the constant information influx. The rise in mental health concerns among teenagers, who spend more time on screens than any other age group, has brought a renewed urgency to this issue. Findings from a study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health show that teens who engage in more than three hours of screen time daily are more likely to experience mental health issues, a trend that has prompted some schools to introduce digital hygiene programmes. While the benefits of a digital detox are clear, the challenge lies in the how. Research-backed strategies can offer structure and purpose to the process, making it easier to stick to healthier habits and see tangible results in one’s health.
Digital Fasting
The easiest way to begin a detox journey would be by creating clear boundaries, like designated no-phone zones, a proven way to limit device use. A Stanford University paper suggests setting screen boundaries in specific environments, like the bedroom or dining room, to help reduce overall screen time and encourage a more mindful approach to device use. These boundaries can also extend to time, with the one-hour rule suggesting no screen usage an hour before bed. Not only does this habit reduce screen time, but it also minimises the blue light exposure known to disrupt sleep cycles. The 20-20-20 rule, recommended by optometrists and supported by eye health studies, involves taking a break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This simple technique helps combat digital eye strain, a common issue for those who work or study on screens and reduces the physical stress that prolonged screen time can place on the eyes and neck. As part of a broader digital detox, the 20-20-20 rule can serve as a gentle nudge to step away regularly. The science of green time versus screen time encourages more time spent in nature to reduce cortisol levels, lower blood pressure, and improve mood. This is commonly also termed as nature therapy.
Studies by the National Institutes of Health found that high screen time correlates with thinning of the brain’s cortex, an area involved with critical thinking and decision-making
Japan’s Chiba University found that individuals who spent just 15 minutes in a forest experienced measurable reductions in stress and an increase in calmness. Nature therapy is the best antidote to digital immersion, providing a tangible, restorative experience that resets our focus and attention. The phenomenon of digital fasting is also gaining traction, particularly for those looking to reset their habits without quitting cold turkey. The University of California conducted an interesting study to show that workers who practised tech-free hours were able to improve their focus and productivity over time. Scheduling tech-free hours, quite like the no-phone zone method, can demarcate portions of time to experience digital detox in a manageable, realistic way.
Popularised by author Cal Newport, digital minimalism encourages prioritising digital tools that align with our values and eliminate those that do not. Research published in Computers in Human Behaviour found that individuals who actively chose to reduce their social media presence reported lower stress and greater satisfaction with their daily routines. Engaging only in meaningful digital activities can be transformative, shifting the focus from quantity to quality.
Social Benefits
A widespread shift toward digital mindfulness could yield broader social benefits as well. Excessive screen time does not just impact individuals but creates a social environment where people feel less present and connected, making people feel alone even in the busiest crowds. In professional settings, digital burnout impacts productivity and job satisfaction, leading to higher attrition rates. Cultivating an environment that values offline time can enrich social interactions, boost productivity, and foster a greater sense of community, especially in workplaces and schools. There is an argument that digital detoxing on a large scale could serve as a public health intervention. Just as society has Apractices like mindfulness and exercise as pillars of health, digital wellness may be the next frontier.
As beneficial as digital detoxing may be, the goal should not be to vilify technology. Rather, it’s about finding balance. Technology, after all, offers undeniable conveniences and opportunities, from connecting with loved ones to accessing vast information pools. But the key is sustainable use, harnessing technology to serve us without letting it overtake us. Digital detoxing presents a counter-narrative to our world of screens. It offers an opportunity to reconnect, not just with others but with ourselves. By embracing a mindful, balanced approach to technology, we can enjoy the best of both worlds, the vast possibilities of digital and the grounding peace of the analogue.

(The author is founder & CEO, Upsurge Global, co-founder, Global Carbon Warriors, and Adjunct Professor, EThames College)

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Scientist Testing Spider-Man-Style Web Shooters He Accidentally Made in Lab

“A material that mimics superpowers is always a very, very good thing.”With Great PowerTufts University biotech researcher Marco Lo Presti made an astonishing discovery while investigating how silk and dopamine allow mussels to stick to rocky surfaces.”While using acetone to clean the glassware of this silk and dopamine substance,” he told Wired, “I noticed it was undergoing a transition into a solid format, into a web-looking material, into something that looked like a fiber.”Lo Presti and his colleagues immediately got to work, investigating whether the sticky fibers could be turned into a “remote adhesive.”The result is an astonishingly “Spider Man”-like silk that can be shot not unlike the superhero’s wrist-mounted web shooters, as detailed in a paper published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials last year.While it won’t allow an adult person to swing from skyscraper to skyscraper any time soon, the results speak for themselves. Footage of the team’s experiments shows strands of the material being dripped onto a number of objects from several inches above, forming a solid connection in a matter of seconds and allowing the object to be carried away.The researcher’s collaborator, Tufts engineering professor Fiorenzo Omenetto, recalled being caught off guard by the accidental discovery.”You explore and you play and you sort of connect the dots,” he told Wired. “Part of the play that is very underestimated is where you say ‘Hey, wait a second, is this like a Spider-Man thing?’ And you brush it off at first, but a material that mimics superpowers is always a very, very good thing.”Comes Great ResponsibilityIntriguingly, Lo Presti explained that no spider has the ability to “shoot a stream of solution, which turns into a fiber and does the remote capturing of a distant object.”In other words, the discovery appears to be entirely new, despite initially being inspired by nature.The fibers also have an impressive tensile strength.”We can now catch an object up to 30 or 35 centimeters away, and lift an object of around 15 to 20 grams,” Lo Presti told Wired.But scaling it up could prove difficult.”Everybody wants to know if we’re going to be able to swing from buildings,” Omenetto added, stopping short of hazarding a guess as to when or if that’s possible.”I mean you could probably lift a very heavy object, but that’s one of the big questions — what can you lift? Can you remotely drag something?” he added. “Silk is very, very strong, it’s very tough, it can lift incredible weights but this is silk in its natural form whether it’s from the spider or the silkworm.”More on the silk shooters: Researchers Create Real-Life “Spider-Man” Web-Slinging TechShare This Article