Think Out Loud

Air pollution can impact adolescent brain development, OHSU study finds

A new study [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935125025861?ref=pdf_download&fr=RR-2&rr=9ae4ff452d323416] from Oregon Health & Science University found that air pollution can impact adolescent brain development. The analysis indicated that exposure to common air pollutants is associated with accelerated cortical thinning [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27449323/] in areas of the brain responsible for language, mood regulation and socioemotional processing. Researchers observed changes even in children who were exposed to pollution at levels the Environmental Protection Agency considers safe.    Calvin Jara is an otolaryngology resident at OHSU and the study’s lead author. He joins us with more details about how these changes could affect children’s physical and emotional health.

After promising results, a pilot program giving cash to homeless youth enters its second phase

The Oregon Department of Human Services recently evaluated the first phase of a pilot program that gives $1,000 a month to youth experiencing homelessness. So far, the direct cash transfer program is producing promising results, including significant reductions in youth homelessness and improved mental health outcomes for participants. Now, early into its second phase, the program is riding the tailwinds of the first.    Matt Rasmussen is the program manager for the Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program at the OD HS. He joins us to talk about the successes and challenges of the first pilot phase and aspirations for the second. Gabi Huffman, a youth consultant and former recipient of direct cash transfers, also joins us to share her experience with the program.

University of Washington collaborates on study using AI to reduce political polarization on social media

By many measures, political polarization in the U.S. has grown in recent years. It’s reflected in recent surveys which show record high numbers [https://news.gallup.com/poll/655190/political-parties-historically-polarized-ideologically.aspx]of Americans who identify as conservative or liberal, or the stark differences [https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/12/04/as-democrats-anger-spikes-americans-feelings-about-the-federal-government-grow-more-polarized/] between Republicans’ and Democrats’ current feelings toward the federal government.     Social media can exacerbate this polarization, especially when algorithms social media companies use feed content that not only aligns with a user’s political views but also attacks the opposing party’s candidates or values. But what if you could bypass that algorithm to make posts that expressed partisan animosity or antidemocratic content less prominent?     Martin Saveski is an assistant professor in the University of Washington’s School of Information who recently explored these questions with researchers at Stanford University and Northeastern University. The scientists developed a tool that used AI to quickly scan social media posts that contained antidemocratic views or political animus, such as support for jailing political opponents. Saveski and his team used this tool in a study [https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adu5584] with Republicans and Democrats that reordered the participants’ feeds on the social media site X so that antidemocratic or politically hostile content appeared higher or lower on their feeds for seven days during last year’s U.S. presidential election.    Saveski joins us to share the study’s results and the implications of giving users greater control over their social media algorithms.

Oregon program aimed at helping people get jobs after prison may come to an end

The WorkSource Oregon Reentry program helps people incarcerated in the state work on resumes, map out career goals and even connect with future employers. The program is funded by a roughly $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor and from the state, but those funds are set to expire this year. A bill in the Oregon legislature earlier this year would have funded the program, but failed to become law. Danielle Dawson is a collaborative investigative reporter for InvestigateWest [https://www.investigatewest.org/budget-cuts-threaten-oregon-program-helping-people-get-jobs-after-prison/]and worked on this story with Wesley Vaughan for Bolts. Dawson joins us to share more on the impact this program has had and its future.

University of Washington study reveals financial impacts of surgery

A recent study from the University of Washington School of Medicine reveals a national snapshot of the ways Americans are vulnerable to financial insecurity after undergoing medical procedures.    Surveys showed that about 38% of people who undergo surgery in the United States report experiencing financial hardship after surgery – meaning they have incurred medical debt and have difficulty paying medical bills, or they delay medical care for fear of cost.    John Scott is a trauma surgeon and researcher who studies health policy at the University of Washington. He joins us to discuss his findings.