Using a national survey of 88,183 adolescents in grades nine to 12, findings show 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, in 2021, girls (17.8%) surpassed boys (13.6%) in reported use, reversing previous trends. While Asian, Hispanic, and white adolescents saw significant declines, Black adolescents reported a higher usage rate of 20.5% in 2021, revealing ongoing racial disparities in marijuana use.

In earthquake-prone areas like Japan, there is a need for better prediction of soil stability to mitigate liquefaction risks. Towards this end, researchers have used machine learning models, including artificial neural networks and bagging techniques, to create accurate 3D maps of bearing layers using data from 433 locations in Setagaya, Tokyo. This approach can identify stable construction sites, enhance disaster planning, and contribute to safer urban development, making cities more resilient to liquefaction risks.

Cultured meat is grown from animal muscle cells, and animal serum is required to promote the growth of these cells. However, the use of serum poses significant challenges because of its high cost and associated ethical concerns. Now, researchers have developed a system where growth factor-secreting liver cells and photosynthetic microorganisms can be grown together to create a low cost, environmentally friendly medium to grow muscle cells without the use of animal serum.

In 2022, U.S. high school students Calcea Johnson and Ne'Kiya Jackson astonished teachers when they discovered a new way to prove Pythagoras’ theorem using trigonometry after entering a competition at their local high school. As a result, both students were awarded keys to the city of New Orleans, and even received personal praise from Michelle Obama.

The Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Nursing), is a major host of the prestigious International Nursing Education Conference 2024, held at the Singapore Expo over four days from 27 to 30 October 2024. The occasion marks the first time this major international conference is being held in Asia and reflects NUS Nursing’s commitment to transforming nursing education through the innovative use of digital technology.