Stories from Cologne · Germany

A German professor from TU Munich stated that children with developmental disorders exhibit high screen consumption, citing studies from his department. He described these connections as drastic but acknowledged that the cause-and-effect relationship remains unclear, likening it to the classic chicken-and-egg problem. WDR 5 reported on a child diagnosed with a developmental disorder that leads to high screen time. This excessive screen use, characterized by intense fixation on content, resembles addictive behavior. The constant stimulation from smartphones distracts children from real social interaction and learning. If not addressed before school age, developmental delays could become permanent intellectual disabilities.

The reactor technology from Rolls-Royce SMR is described as standard light water reactors, similar to Siemens reactors used in Germany. The Nirglier Futures Institute is intended to help connect the new SMR site to the region and train local employees and young scientists. The technology itself is considered uninteresting to nuclear researchers.

Doctors are increasingly seeing children suspected of having autism, but these suspicions are often not confirmed. Unlike children with digital autism, these children perceive their environment, albeit in a unique way. Children with digital autism appear to have no perception of their surroundings and do not react to stimuli.

The economic viability of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) is questioned due to the need for immense production quantities to justify mass production entry. Technological independence is a key goal amidst geopolitical competition, but a competitive SMR concept originating from an EU country is not foreseen.

Fragments of an American P-39 Airacobra fighter aircraft have been discovered in Russia. The discovery was mentioned without further context regarding the location or significance of the find.

Proponents of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) argue that mass production of reactor modules will lead to cost savings. However, model calculations from TU Berlin suggest that immense production volumes are necessary for mass production to become economically viable. Current assumptions about SMR benefits are based on limited data, and they may be more expensive than high-capacity power plants or renewable energy sources with storage.

Music can be a contraindication for surgery, according to a joint project by UKE Music University and Medical School Hamburg.

Researchers are exploring the potential of healing soundscapes within hospital environments, where the ambient noise is often unpleasant, even in operating rooms. The surgical team is highly focused, and everything is proceeding smoothly, but the auditory environment is notably different. Thomas Samboll from the ALD Knowledge Team is exploring this area, focusing on protein interventions in surgery at the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf. Surgeon Eike Sebastian Debus has experimented with 'Healing Sounds' during surgeries. He noted that the sounds immediately affected him upon entering the operating room. Debus believes sound can alter the atmosphere of a space and influence the state of people within it. Acoustic environments in operating rooms can positively influence patient well-being.

A German educator suggests that curricula should immediately incorporate topics with practical relevance for students' future lives. The educator believes focusing on essential arithmetic skills, such as percentages, is. This perspective said the importance of practical application over abstract concepts in education. Tanja Holstein, managing director of the Stiftung Rechnen, discussed making math lessons more appealing. She said the need for experimentation and space to try new approaches. Holstein stated that many new methods cannot be implemented because they require trying them out. The German state of North Rhine-Westphalia is exploring ways to make mathematics education more appealing and implement new teaching methods. WDR 5 in Cologne discussed how to make mathematics education more attractive.

Neurowissenschaftlerin Marin Urna erklärt, dass Menschen Geschichten und Gesichter lieben, da dies unser Gehirn anspricht. Diese Resonanz ist stärker bei einzelnen Individuen oder kleinen Gruppen als bei großen Zahlenmengen. Dieses Prinzip gilt auch für Spendenaktionen und menschliche Katastrophen.