New Form of Farming Revolutionizes the Way We Eat

By 2050, the world population will reach almost 10 billion people, at least 66 percent of whom will live in urban areas.Water-scarcity issues are rampant and will only increase, and the ability to feed humanity is a vital issue that must be tackled now.Thankfully, technological innovations are giving hope to addressing this catastrophic problem.Texas-based Mouser Electronics created a program this year called Shaping Smarter Cities that features engineering marvels throughout the world that are helping solve humanity’s most pressing problems.

The company makes electronic components that engineers of any level can purchase online to make the projects of their dreams.In this video, (http://bit.ly/2grhOWD) their celebrity spokesperson, Grant Imahara, visits Tokyo, Japan, where more people live than in the entire state of Illinois — too many mouths to feed for traditional farming to take on alone.

The city presents an ideal testing ground for vertical/urban farming.Mouser shows how a vertical farming facility can efficiently provide fresh food for the densely populated city.The food produced there yields 50-100 times more per square meter than traditional farming. And the indoor setting allows for almost complete control of weather conditions and temperature.

Even the water gets recycled to reduce the drain on resources. The end result? Up to 99 percent in water savings.This video is one of many in Mouser’s Empowering Innovation Together initiative.Since its creation last year, incredible engineering feats have been spearheaded through their electronic components partners — with projects ranging from bringing superhero technology to life to 3D printing a semi-autonomous car with drone technology.The focus of this year’s program is about solving tough problems that impact humanity as a whole.

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Study Suggests Today’s US Students Are Less Efficient Readers

Do today’s students perform better than their peers in 1960? Given the advances in education and technology, it would be natural to assume that the answer is a resounding "yes." But, when it comes to reading efficiency, new research suggests that that’s not the case.The research, published by the International Literacy Association, compares the comprehension-based silent reading efficiency of US students (grades 2-12) in 2011 with data collected in 1960.A key finding was that students fall further behind as they advance through the grades, wrote Alexandra Spichtig,

Ph.D., Chief Research Officer of Reading Plus, and first author of the study.The study showed that today’s second-grade students are comparable to their peers of 50 years ago, but that by the end of high school, students’ comprehension-based silent reading rates average 19 percent slower than the rates of their 1960 peers."What we know — and the data underscore this — is that for many students, the progression to efficient silent reading does not develop naturally.

Many students need structured silent reading instruction," explains Mark Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of Reading Plus, a web-based silent reading program for schools.Some of the benefits of implementing silent reading instruction at home or in school are:* Expanded vocabulary* Improved comprehension* Increased efficiency* Enhanced reading enjoyment* Improved writing skillsExperts agree that without extensive silent reading practice in the classroom or at home, students will continue to struggle and literacy rates will continue to fall short or fall behind."Effective reading instruction must integrate fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension practice tailored to meet each student’s unique needs.

This study demonstrates that as long as structured silent reading practice is neglected in this country, the literacy problem is likely to continue," Taylor adds.While researchers can’t pinpoint reasons for the decline in silent reading efficiency from that of 50 years ago, it stands to reason that those students who engage in structured silent reading practice become more efficient readers and take with them a love of books that lasts far past their high school graduation.For more information

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New Resources Critical for Stroke Recovery

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA), the world’s leading voluntary organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke has developed new stroke rehabilitation tools for healthcare professionals and clinical providers, to help stroke patients achieve the best recovery outcomes and quality of life possible.The tools, which are developed through the AHA/ASA’s Together to End Stroke initiative,

leverage recommendations from the first-ever, AHA/ASA issued Adult Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery Guidelines for healthcare providers, and call for intensive, multidisciplinary treatment.The Healthcare Provider tool-kit includes recommendations in the following areas (and more):* The Rehab Program* Prevention and Medical Management of Comorbidities* Transition in Care and Community InterventionsThe Patient and Caregiver toolkit is also available and includes:* Patient guide to making good rehab decisions, such as what to expect in medical rehab and how to choose the right rehab facility.* Patient quick sheet to rehab planning to ask the right questions at the hospital,

before discharge, for rehab providers and questions family members should be asking.Together to End Stroke, which is nationally sponsored by Kindred Rehabilitation Services, elevates awareness that stroke is largely beatable through high-quality rehabilitation, patient support and implementation of the AHA/ASA’s Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery Guidelines."The science of stroke rehabilitation is advancing rapidly, due to the development of new technology, and stroke outcomes are improving as a result," says Dr. Mitchell Elkind, chair of the American Stroke Association and professor of Neurology and Epidemiology at Columbia University.

Stroke is a leading cause of serious disability. But there’s increasing evidence that rehabilitation can have a big impact on a survivors’ quality of life. In many cases, survivors regain skills and return to independent living. However, many survivors do not receive the appropriate level and amount of rehabilitation services needed to maximize recovery."Stroke is largely preventable, increasingly treatable, and, now more than ever, beatable. With the AHA/ASA and its alliances putting more strategic efforts in place, all of us can provide better care, which can translate into fewer stroke recurrences and less disability in stroke survivors," says Elkind.For more information and to access the free rehabilitation and recovery resources for healthcare

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Fall in Love with Greater Fort Lauderdale

Travelers may think of summer and beach activities when they think of Florida, but Greater Fort Lauderdale takes its relaxing vibe into the fall season.With options for off-season savings, visitors can enjoy a VIP experience for less and make the most of a fall visit to the destination, including deals on fine dining, outdoor activities, and indulgent spa experiences, just before heading into winter.-Food: Greater Fort Lauderdale Restaurant Month is back by popular demand with a new name and improved dining deals. "Crave GFL,"

Greater Fort Lauderdale Restaurant Month, is back by popular demand with a new name and improved dining deals. "Crave GFL," which runs through the month of September with many restaurants extending until October 15, celebrates the distinctive fusion of flavors that Greater Fort Lauderdale has to offer. The promotion includes a series of tasting events, and more than 45 area restaurants offer specially created three course meals priced at $37. celebrates the area’s distinctive fusion of flavors that Greater Fort Lauderdale has to offer.

The promotion includes a series of tasting events, and more than 45 area restaurants offer specially- created three-course meals priced at $37."The natural beauty of our seaside community inspires chefs to create meals that are fresh and palate-pleasing," says Stacy Ritter, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau."Our restaurants and cafes are taking their rightful place not only on the global-cuisine stage, but also among our abundance of visitor attractions," she adds. For more information, visit sunny.org/cravegfl for more details.-Fun:

The Vacation Like A VIP program, offering packages at a number of upscale hotels through October 15, allows visitors to Greater Fort Lauderdale to enjoy a buy-one-get-one free deal on activities, including Everglades airboat rides, visits to Sawgrass Recreation Park and Everglades Holiday Park, scuba diving, snorkeling, and surfing the FlowRider at Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort, along with other water-sport activities and water-taxi tours.Visit sunny.org/vip for additional information.-

Feeling good: Greater Fort Lauderdale’s popular spa promotion is back through October 15.During "Spatember," the promotion includes specialty services for $99 at select spas in the area, with many extending to October 15. Treatments range from organic facials and eye treatments to therapeutic manicures and pedicures, as well as unique hot stone massage sessions.The Spatember deals may be a welcome opportunity "to find some much deserved ‘me time’ to restore the mind, body, and soul without breaking the bank," Ms. Ritter says.Visit sunny.org/spatember for more information.

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