Parent Previews: Scorch Trials

Guest: Duane Jeffery, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Biology and Evolution at BYU  Homo naledi is the name given to a new species of human ancestor discovered deep in a cave not far from Johannesburg, South Africa. It’s among the most remarkable collections of hominid fossils ever uncovered. A team of slightly-built scientists shimmied through passages less-than-a-foot in diameter to collect 1,550 fossil fragments making up at least 15 individual skeletons.  And as with most amazing scientific discoveries, there are now more questions in need of answers. Where does Homo naledi fit in the human family tree?

Guest: Rajesh Kumar, M.D., Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Radiological Sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles  Our brains need sleep. That’s no secret. New research is showing exactly why. A study published in the Journal of Neuroimaging recently found that sleep apnea actually damages the brain.  Back-to-School Jitters Guest: Dr. Theodote Pontikes, M.D., Pediatric Psychiatrist at Loyola University  For many, the first weeks of school are packed with excitement, new clothes, and the promise of new friends. And then there are the back-to-school jitters, which seem to persist from elementary school right up through college.  Dr. Theodote Pontikes says anxiety is one of the most common mental health challenges for children.

Guest: Jack Buckley, Senior Vice President of College Board’s Research Department  SAT scores have dropped to the lowest level in a decade. That’s obviously bad news for college-bound kids sweating through the test – and for the schools attempting to prepare them for success after graduation. Are the kids less-prepared, or have changes in the SAT itself led to the decline? Just for reference, if you’re one of those who took the SAT and still remember your score – the average for the Class of 2015 was 1490 out of a maximum 2400.

Guests: Chris Mattson, Ph.D., Professor of Mechanical Engineering at BYU; Spencer Rogers, Technology Transfer Office at BYU  BYU mechanical engineering professor Chris Mattson and his students have come up with one improvement to the standard Leatherman. And while they’re at it, they’ve improved on the standard drill, too.