  Psychology and the Vermont landscape Although only small parts of a tree canopy can be seen in road puddles, and only small parts of the river are visible through gaps in the wooden slats of a covered bridge, the mind constructs a full image based on the concept of primate vision — which a researcher applied to Vermont rural landscapes in a recent article. Amodal completion (“seeing” a whole shape when parts of it are covered by something else), anorthoscopic perception (visions that do not directly follow from what is sensed) and spatiotemporal integration (visual persistence; to see something even after it has disappeared) are described through a Vermont lens.  Vaccine hesitancy Researchers examined different messaging strategies to reduce vaccine hesitancy using data based in part on parent’s behavior related to immunization vaccines in newborns. The study found that neither a message promoting immunization as a social norm nor a message correcting common misperceptions about vaccines was measurably more effective than a standard public health message aimed at improving parents’ attitudes toward vaccines, and reminding of regular vaccine deadlines. Vermont has a lot of empty houses As policy makers struggle to address the state’s housing crisis, census data crunched by the NYT and Lending Tree indicate Vermont leads the nation in vacant homes — homes that are owned by people with permanent homes elsewhere. Vermont and Maine top the charts with 23% vacancy rates, Oregon and Washington have the lowest rates at 8%. Read more here in the New York Times. See also recent Seven Days series on the state’s housing crisis. (U.S. Census definition and explanation of vacancy rates here).   Farmers uncertain about the future A just published report from researchers in UVM’s extension service shows most medium and large farm operations in Vermont are uncertain about the future of their businesses over the next five years. The report, released late February, analyzed survey responses from more than 60 farms in the state. Along with findings related to economics, the report found that these farms primarily struggle with addressing silage leachate and feed storage when trying to comply with water quality regulations and found that most of the farms have adopted conservation practices. Personality traits & the pandemic New research examines how personality traits were associated with adjustment to the COVID pandemic in college students. Using a phone-based app, students completed daily ratings of mood, perceived stress levels, and engagement in a number of health promotion activities. The study found that mood and wellness indices generally declined during the COVID period, although stress levels actually decreased. Students with higher levels of extraversion saw mood decreases while those with lower extraversion saw slight increases in mood.  Vermont’s LGBT population also getting older Vermont’s population is one of the oldest on average in the U.S. so it is not a surprise that 11 percent of Vermont’s LGBT population is age 65 or older — seventh-highest rate in the nation — according to a new state-by-state report. The report, published by UCLA School of Law’s Williams Institute, offers in-depth demographic data on LGBT populations for each state. Vermont has the seventh largest LGBT population in the country, according to the survey. Compared to other states, LGBT Vermonters have relatively better socio-economic statuses than in other states. The state has the third-lowest percentage of LGBT residents without health insurance, and the state ranks in the bottom third for percentage of LGBT residents who are unemployed. Community Journalism Training The Center for Research on Vermont is teaming up with the Community News Service to offer citizen journalism trainings with the goal of providing citizens the tools, skills and support to write local news stories. There is no charge other than a commitment to sometimes write stories for local news outlets that meet journalistic standards. REGISTER HERE.  Vermont Adopts More Effective Breast Cancer Biopsy Method Examining the records of 9,000 diagnostic procedures for breast cancer in Vermont in the last 20 years, researchers have found that the use of minimally-invasive breast biopsy in potential cases—which is performed with a needle and is considered the standard of care for breast cancer— has increased over time and is above 90% in the state. Since MIBB is more accurate than surgical excision, the data represent an increase in the quality of care over time, the researchers found. Amphibians on the move With the warmer weather Vermont’s amphibians and reptiles are on the move as are a large group of volunteers documenting and categorizing different species for the Vermont Amphibian/Reptile Atlas. Results are presented town by town and species by species in the Atlas. See also the Vermont Center for Ecostudies.  Self-harm and suicide A recent study examined relationships between self-harm and suicide amongst adolescents in Vermont. Self-harm presents an important lifetime risk factor for suicide, with approximately 50-60% of people who die by suicide having a history of deliberate self-harm. The study specifically examined the profile of adolescents attempting suicide through self-poisoning in Vermont and then conducted a focus group with primary care doctors to envision how the data could inform interventions to prevent suicides in this age group in the state.  Catalyst for Change A new book chronicles the impacts of the Lintilhac Foundation in Vermont – a Shelburne based foundation that has donated millions of dollars to various projects throughout the state since its founding. The book tells the story of Claire Lintilhac and then some of the many projects the foundation has been involved in, including the Stowe Bike Path, the UVM Midwife/Birthing Center, journalism and democracy projects like VTDigger, Lake Champlain research and the campaign to close Vermont Yankee. For the Love of Rutland A new documentary chronicles the contested debate in Rutland to bring refugees to Syria to the city. See review here in Seven Days. Watch the trailer here.  Vermont Events Postmodern Jukebox at the Flynn – March 22 Gallery Reception & Talk with Kathryn Shriver – March 23 Mud Season Special – Color! With Cynthia Rosen – March 26 BCA Family Art Saturday – March 26 ANY THOUGHTS? POST THEM HERE!  Vermont Dept of Health Weekly Data Summaries COVID Testing |