Rental Assistance, Adults and Second Languages, Urban Forestry

Rent Assistance for Families with Kids at Decade Low Guest: Doug Rice, Senior Policy Analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Even as the economy improves, homelessness among school-aged children is at an all-time high in the United States. Part of the problem is that rents are getting more and more expensive all across the country. Another important factor is the government rent subsidy program sometimes known as “Section 8.” New analysis from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities shows a steep drop in the number of families with children getting government help to pay the rent over the last decade. Adults and Learning a Second Language Guest: Chantel Prat, PhD, Professor of Psychology at the University of Washington Some people just seem to have a way with languages. I know people who speak three or four and talk about plans to learn a new one like it’s a big hike they’re preparing for and will master with a few months of hard work. What’s their secret? Urban Foresters Guest: Rob Northup, Urban Forester of Hillsborough County with the University of Florida In big cities full of concrete and steel, a row of trees or a pocket park can have a soothing effect on fast paced urban life, but that’s not all they do. City planners from Oregon to Florida are beginning to realize the real economic benefits urban trees provide including reducing healthcare costs. It turns out that the spruces and sycamores shading a boutique or lining a parkway filter toxins from the air, lower air conditioning bills, reduce asthma and even birth defects. “Urban Foresters,” a new career resulting from these realizations, are emerging to take care of the trees we already have, and make plans to take advantage of this green recourse in future city projects. Second Skin Guest: Amir Nashat, PhD, CEO of Olivo Labs Walk down the aisle of any drug store and you’ll see dozens of eye creams promising to get rid of those puffy dark bags under your eyes. For a higher price, there’s botox or surgery to restoring firm, youthful skin. Scientists at MIT have landed on a remedy that just might work even better – and no surgery is required. They call it “Second Skin.” Using Smartphones to Study Sleep Guest: Olivia Walch, PhD Student at the University of Michigan and Developer of Entrain There’s a strong chance you’re running on fumes right now because a third of adults in America are sleep deprived, according to the CDC. Sleeping less than seven hours per day is associated with an increased risk of developing chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and frequent mental distress. Insomnia, hectic schedules or pesky kids keeping you up at all hours can make those precious 7 hours frustratingly elusive. Biology and culture also play a role. That’s the most interesting finding from a worldwide study of sleep patterns in 100 different countries conducted by mathematicians at the University of Michigan. Word’s Awaiting Guest: Rachel Wadham, Host of “Worlds Awaiting” on BYUradio  We welcome back Rachel Wadham as we talk about fostering a love of reading in children and some of her favorite children’s poets.