Groundbreaking research from Stanford University reveals innovative solutions to health and geological challenges. A team has identified the potential of African catfish as a natural method to reduce disease spread, while another group has created the first global map of mantle earthquakes. Additionally, a study on math learning disabilities offers insights into how students with these challenges approach problem-solving.
Catfish as a Natural Solution to Schistosomiasis
Stanford professor of oceans and earth systems, Giulio De Leo, is leading an initiative to combat schistosomiasis, a debilitating disease prevalent among rice farmers in Senegal. This disease, transmitted through water, can cause severe health issues including rashes, flu-like symptoms, and long-term digestive or neurological problems. The transmission occurs when individuals come into contact with water infested with the parasite, which burrows into the skin and lays eggs in the intestines and liver.
To tackle this issue, De Leo and his team have focused on reducing freshwater snail populations in rice fields, as these snails serve as hosts for the schistosomiasis parasite. Funded by the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability’s Sustainability Accelerator, the researchers have introduced African catfish into these environments. The catfish, native to the region, are expected to eat the snails, thereby decreasing the risk of disease.
Initial findings indicate a positive impact: lower snail populations, increased rice yields, and enhanced incomes for farmers. Local organizations are collaborating with the research team to strengthen agricultural practices and improve rice paddy management. As De Leo noted, “With the guidance of our partners in Senegal, we’re demonstrating a proof of concept to scale adoption.”
Illuminating Earthquake Risks with New Mapping
In a separate study, researchers from the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability have developed the first global map detailing earthquakes in the Earth’s mantle. This map, created using data from over 46,000 earthquakes recorded since 1990, offers new insights into the behavior of rare mantle earthquakes. Only 459 of these earthquakes were identified as mantle events, highlighting the limited data available due to a scarcity of sensors in remote locations.
According to Shiqi “Axel” Wang, a Ph.D. student in geophysics and a contributor to the study, understanding mantle earthquakes could reveal connections to more frequent earthquakes occurring in the Earth’s crust. “Continental mantle earthquakes might be part of an inherently interconnected earthquake cycle, both from the crust and also the upper mantle,” Wang explained. The research aims to enhance understanding of seismic risks associated with these deeper earthquakes.
Insights into Math Learning Disabilities
Research published in the Journal of Neuroscience on February 9, 2023, sheds light on the cognitive processes of students with math learning disabilities. The study analyzed 87 children in the second and third grades, of whom 34 were classified as having a math learning disability, defined as scoring in the bottom quarter on standardized tests.
The findings reveal that these students engage different brain regions when tackling math problems, even when they arrive at the same answers as their peers. Notably, they show varying activity levels in areas responsible for focused attention and error-checking. Senior author Vinod Menon, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, emphasized the importance of targeting both basic number sense and metacognitive processes in educational interventions. “Our findings suggest that interventions should target not only basic number sense, but also metacognitive processes, like performance monitoring,” he stated.
This research could empower educators and parents to better support children with math learning disabilities by focusing on building essential cognitive skills.
Through these diverse studies, Stanford researchers are contributing valuable knowledge that addresses both human health and natural phenomena, paving the way for future innovations and strategies.
