New research from Baylor College of Medicine indicates a positive effect of chewing gum on academic performance in teenagers.The study examined whether chewing Wrigley sugar-free gum can lead to better academic performance in a “real life” classroom setting. Major findings include:

The researchers found that students who chewed gum showed an increase in standardized math test scores and their final grades were better compared to those who didn’t chew gum.

Students who chewed gum had a significantly greater increase in their standardized math test scores after 14 weeks of chewing gum in math class and while doing homework compared to those who did not chew gum. Chewing gum was associated with a three percent increase in standardized math test scores, a small but statistically significant change.

Students who chewed gum had final grades that were significantly better than those who didn’t chew gum.

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Have you ever felt outnumbered? Like there are just not that many people like you around? We’ve all felt outnumbered in one situation or another and walking into a situation in which you sense the possibility of being ostracized or isolated can be quite threatening.

One group that may experience this kind of threat is women who participate in math, science, and engineering (MSE) settings- settings in which the gender ratio is approximately 3 men to every 1 woman. [continue reading…]