Author: studyblog

Key points: When my son Hunter was in fifth grade, his teacher told me he was struggling with reading comprehension. I nodded politely and moved on. I was in denial. Hunter was exceptionally bright. He could build things, solve problems, and visualize systems before they existed. Reading just seemed slower for him. I assumed he would catch up. He didn’t. In sixth grade, his teacher gently explained that the gap was widening. Words were getting longer. Sentences were more complex. Hunter wasn’t decoding quickly enough to keep pace with middle school’s demands. For the first time, I understood this wasn’t…

Neurosciences July 22, 2026 Brian Lundstrom, M.D., Ph.D., neurologist and physician-scientist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota The brain relies on carefully coordinated electrical signals to control everything from movement and memory to thought and emotion. When those signals become too active or poorly regulated, they can contribute to neurological disorders such as epilepsy. Researchers are working to better understand these abnormal patterns of brain activity and develop new ways to measure and safely influence them without surgery.  Brian Lundstrom, M.D., Ph.D., is a Mayo Clinic neurologist and physician-scientist whose research focuses on cortical excitability — how active or responsive…

Orthopedics/Sports ByJulie Ferris-Tillman, Ph.D. July 22, 2026 For millions of people, cartilage damage can lead to chronic pain, limited mobility and require difficult decisions about surgery. Unlike bone, cartilage has little ability to heal itself, leaving many patients with treatment plans that require multiple procedures, lengthy rehabilitation or, eventually, joint replacement. But what if damaged cartilage could be encouraged to repair itself?  In this episode of “Tomorrow’s Cure,” orthopedic researchers from Mayo Clinic and Mass General Brigham discuss RECLAIM, an investigational regenerative medicine approach designed to help restore damaged cartilage. The approach uses a patient’s own cartilage cells combined with…

Key points: Every school leader I know has a version of the same moment: You pull up a student’s attendance record expecting to find a discipline problem, and instead you find a family going through a crisis none of us would wish on anyone. A parent who lost a job. A kid being bullied in ways no adult ever caught. A housing situation that isn’t stable from one month to the next. The absences were never really the story. They were just the part we happened to be measuring. That realization has shaped a lot of how we think about…

One year ago, Craig Scherer made history. He received a lung transplant and a second chance at life. Craig Scherer blowing out his birthday candles in 2025 and 2026, one year after his transplant. On May 30, 2025, the Fountain Hills resident became the first patient to receive a lung transplant through Mayo Clinic’s new Lung Transplant Program. Craig had been living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a progressive lung condition that affects more than 16 million Americans. Although treatments can help manage symptoms, the disease has no cure and gradually makes breathing more difficult over time.  Craig walking…

One year ago, Craig Scherer made history. He received a lung transplant and a second chance at life. Craig Scherer blowing out his birthday candles in 2025 and 2026, one year after his transplant. On May 30, 2025, the Fountain Hills resident became the first patient to receive a lung transplant through Mayo Clinic’s new Lung Transplant Program. Craig had been living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a progressive lung condition that affects more than 16 million Americans. Although treatments can help manage symptoms, the disease has no cure and gradually makes breathing more difficult over time.  Craig walking…

Key points: Districts nationwide are grappling with increased special education demands amid persistent staff shortages and compliance pressures. At the intersection of technology and student support, Maura Connor, chief operating officer of Better Speech, is leading the launch of Streamline, an AI-powered special education management platform designed to ease administrative burdens and enhance service delivery. In this Q&A, Connor discusses the realistic, responsible ways AI can empower educators, optimize workflows, and foster stronger connections between schools and families. 1. Many districts are experiencing an increase in special education caseloads while struggling with staff shortages and retention. From your perspective, where…

Key points: Do you think you’re creative? Try this: List as many uses for a paperclip as you can in two minutes. Most people imagine a standard size metal or plastic clip.  But consider that the “paperclip” could be made out of wood, gold, microprocessors, money, or anything you can imagine. The “paperclip” can be the size of a car or even the size of the Earth. Therefore, the possible number of things you could use a  “paperclip” for are infinite. We often self-impose limits to our thinking. Too often, professional development (PD) is defined through a fairly narrow lens. But what does…

Key points: I know what it feels like to stand in front of a classroom that does not have enough. Not enough computers. Not enough up-to-date software and technical tools. Not enough resources to give every student the experience they deserve. When students notice these gaps, they notice more than the missing tools. They begin to question whether their education and, by extension, their potential really matters. That doubt can quietly drain their confidence. This is why dependable resources are not simply a bonus in education. They are a lifeline. In my role leading the Scholastic Esports Academy in the…

Key points: For decades, curriculum, pedagogy, and technology have evolved to meet the changing needs of students. But in many schools, the classroom environment itself hasn’t kept pace. Classic layouts that typically feature rows of desks, limited flexibility, and a single focal point can often make it harder for educators to support the dynamic ways students learn today. Classrooms are more than places to sit–when curated intentionally, they can become powerful tools for learning. These spaces can either constrain or amplify great teaching. By reimagining how classrooms are designed and used, schools can create environments that foster engagement, reduce stress,…