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Feb 13, 2023 (The Expresswire) -- Network Troubleshooting Software Market Size 2023-2029 | New Report (122 Pages) | In This Reports Network Troubleshooting Software Market and its business scene, significant issues, answers for relieving the upgrading risk, methodologies, future lookout, and possibilities, Other than the standard design reports, Top Network Troubleshooting Software Companies (Pingman Tools, Martello Technologies, Obkio, Tarlogic Security, Splunk, SolarWinds Network Management, Integrated Research, Spiceworks, ThousandEyes, Cisco, InfoVista, Domotz, SolarWinds MSP, Flowmon Networks, Savvius, SolarWinds, NetBrain Technologies, LiveAction, Riverbed Technologies, Sinefa, ManageEngine) with the best facts and figures, definitions, SWOT and PESTAL analysis, expert opinions and the latest trends around the world.

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Headquartered near Chicago, CompTIA is a nonprofit trade association made up of more than 2,000 member organizations and 3,000 business partners. Although the organization focuses on educating and certifying IT professionals, CompTIA also figures prominently in philanthropy and public policy advocacy.

CompTIA certification program overview

CompTIA’s vendor-neutral certification program is one of the best recognized in the IT industry. Since CompTIA developed its A+ credential in 1993, it has issued more than two million certifications.

In early 2018, CompTIA introduced its CompTIA Infrastructure Career Pathway. While you’ll still see the same familiar certifications that form the bedrock of the CompTIA certification portfolio, this new career pathway program more closely aligns CompTIA certifications to the real-world skills that IT professionals need to ensure success when managing and supporting IT infrastructures.

CompTIA certifications are grouped by skill set. Currently, CompTIA certs fall info four areas: Core, Infrastructure, Cybersecurity and Additional Professional certifications.

• Core Certifications: Designed to build core foundational skills, CompTIA offers four Core certifications: IT Fundamentals+ (a pre-career certification focused on IT foundation framework), CompTIA A+ (focused on user support and device connectivity), CompTIA Network+ (targeting core system connections with endpoint devices), and CompTIA Security+ (focused on entry level cybersecurity skills).
• Infrastructure Certifications: Designed to complement the Network+ credential, you’ll find three Infrastructure certifications: CompTIA Server+ (focused on issues related to server support and administration), CompTIA Cloud+ (covering hybrid cloud, virtual system administration and deploying network storage resources), and CompTIA Linux+ (focused on Linux operating system administration and management).
• Cybersecurity Certifications: CompTIA offers three cybersecurity credentials: CompTIA CySA+ (CySA stands for Cyber Security Analyst, and targets IT security behavioral analysts), CASP+ (CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner; focuses on professionals who design and implement security solutions), and the CompTIA PenTest+ (Penetration testing, targets professionals who conduct penetration and vulnerability testing).
• Additional Professional Certifications: This category includes several credentials which don’t readily fit into any of the foregoing CompTIA career paths, including: CompTIA Project+, CompTIA CTT+ and CompTIA Cloud Essentials.

CompTIA Core Certifications

CompTIA IT Fundamentals+

CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ is ideal for beginners with a basic understanding of PC functionality and compatibility as well as familiarity with technology topics, such as hardware basics, software installation, security risks and prevention, and basic networking. It’s also ideal as a career planning or development tool for individuals beginning their IT careers or those seeking to make a career change. A single test is required to earn the credential. CompTIA launched a new IT Fundamentals+ test (Exam FC0-U61) in September 2018. This new test focuses on computing basics, database use, software development and IT infrastructure. The English version of the prior test (Exam FC0-U510) retires on July 15, 2019. Exams in other languages retire on December 1, 2019.

CompTIA A+

The CompTIA A+ certification has been described as an “entry-level rite of passage for IT technicians,” and for a good reason. This certification is designed for folks seeking a career as a help desk, support, service center or networking technician. It covers PC and laptop hardware, software installation, and configuration of computer and mobile operating systems. A+ also tests a candidate’s understanding of basic networking, troubleshooting and security skills, which serve as a springboard for CompTIA networking or security certifications or those offered by other organizations.

According to CompTIA, more than one million IT professionals hold the A+ certification. The A+ is required for Dell, Intel and HP service technicians and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense. CompTIA released new “Core” exams for the CompTIA A+ credential on January 15, 2019. These new exams provide additional focus on operational procedure competency and baseline security topics. Candidates must pass the Core 1 (exam 220-1001) and Core 2 (Exam 220-1002) exams. The Core 1 test targets virtualization, cloud computing, mobile devices, hardware, networking technology and troubleshooting. The Core 2 exams focuses on installation and configuring operating systems, troubleshooting software, operational procedures and security.

CompTIA Network+

Many IT professionals start with the A+ certification. While the A+ credential is recommended, if you have the experience and don’t feel a need for the A+, you can move directly to the CompTIA Network+ certification. It’s geared toward professionals who have at least nine months of networking experience. A candidate must be familiar with networking technologies, media, topologies, security, installation and configuration, and troubleshooting of common wired and wireless network devices. The Network+ certification is recommended or required by Dell, HP and Intel, and is also an accepted entry-point certification for the Apple Consultants Network. The Network+ credential meets the ISO 17024 standard and just like the A+, it is recognized by the U.S. DoD. A single test is required to earn the certification.

CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Security+ covers network security concepts, threats and vulnerabilities, access control, identity management, cryptography, and much more. Although CompTIA does not impose any prerequisites, the organization recommends that cert candidates obtain the Network+ credential and have at least two years of IT administration experience with a security focus. To obtain the Security+ certification candidates must pass on exam, SY0-501.

Infrastructure Certifications

CompTIA Linux+

The CompTIA Linux+ Powered by LPI certification is aimed at Linux network administrators with at least 12 months of Linux administration experience. Such experience should include installation, package management, GNU and Unix commands, shells, scripting, security and more. The A+ and Network+ certifications are recommended as a preamble to this certification but are not mandatory. Candidates must pass two exams (LX0-103 and LX0-104) to earn this credential. The exams must be taken in order, and candidates must pass test LX0-103 before attempting LX0-104. In 2018, CompTIA began testing a new beta test (XK1-004). The beta test offering ended October 22, 2018. New exams generally follow beta test tests so interested candidates should check the Linux+ web page for updates.

CompTIA Cloud+

As the cloud computing market continues to grow by leaps and bounds, the CompTIA Cloud+ certification has been keeping pace. This certification targets IT professionals with two to three years of experience in storage, networking or data center administration. A single exam, CV0-002, is required. It tests candidates’ knowledge of cloud technologies, hybrid and multicloud solutions, cloud markets, and incorporating cloud-based technology solutions into system operations.

CompTIA Server+

CompTIA Server+ aims at server administrators with 18 to 24 months of experience with server hardware and software technologies, and the A+ certification is recommended. The Server+ credential is recommended or required by HP, Intel and Lenovo for their server technicians. It is also recognized by Microsoft and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). A single exam, SK0-004, is required to achieve this credential.

CompTIA Cybersecurity Certifications

CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)

As cybercrime increases, the requirement for highly skilled information security analysts will continue to increase as well. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports anticipated growth of 28 percent for information security analysts between 2016 and 2026, the fastest rate of growth for all occupations. One of the newer additions to the CompTIA certification portfolio is the Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) certification. The CySA+ credential is specifically designed to meet the ever-growing need for experienced, qualified information security analysts.

CySA+ credential holders are well versed in the use of system threat-detection tools, as well as the use of data and behavioral analytics to secure applications and systems from risks, threats and other vulnerabilities. CySA+ certification holders are not only able to monitor network behavior, but analyze results and create solutions to better protect against advanced persistent threats (APTs), intrusions, malware and the like.

CompTIA describes CySA+ as a bridge cert between the Security+ credential (requiring two years’ experience) and the master-level Advanced Security Practitioner Certification (CASP), which requires 10 years of experience. To earn a CySA+, candidates must pass a performance-based exam.

CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner+ (CASP+)

While CompTIA no longer uses the “master” designation, the highly sought-after CASP+ certification is most certainly a master-level credential. Targeting practitioners, CASP is the only performance-based, hands-on certification currently available from CompTIA. This certification is designed for seasoned IT security professionals who plan, design and implement security solutions in an enterprise environment.

Although this certification doesn’t impose any explicit prerequisites, it’s not a bad idea to earn the Network+ and Security+ certifications before tackling the CASP exam. You should also have 10 years of IT administration experience plus a minimum of five years of technical security experience (thus securing this certification’s place as a “master” credential).

Booz Allen Hamilton, Network Solutions and Verizon Connect, among other companies, require CASP+ certification for certain positions. The U.S. Army and U.S. Navy also accept CASP+ as an industry-based certification required by employees and contractors who perform IT work in DoD data centers. The CASP+ certification requires that candidates pass the CAS-003 exam, which consists of 90 multiple-choice and performance-based questions.

CompTIA PenTest+

The latest additional to the CompTIA certification family is the CompTIA PenTest+. An intermediate-level credential, PenTest+ is designed to complement the CySA+. While CySA+ is defensive in nature (focusing on threat detection and response), the PenTest+ credential is offensive, focusing on using penetration testing to identify and manage network vulnerabilities across multiple spectra.

There are no mandatory prerequisites, but the Network+ and Security+ (or equivalent skills) are highly recommended, along with a minimum of two years of information security experience. Candidates pursuing the cybersecurity career path may take the PenTest+ or CySA+ credential in any order.

The test was released in July 2018, and is focused on communicating and reporting results, analyzing data, conducting penetration testing and scanning, and planning assessments. The test also tests a candidate’s knowledge of legal and compliance requirements.

Additional Professional Certifications

CompTIA Project+

The CompTIA Project+ certification focuses exclusively on project management and is ideal for project managers who are familiar with project lifecycles from planning to completion, who can finish a project on time and under budget. Project managers interested in this certification should have at least one year of project management experience overseeing small- to medium-sized projects. The Project+ credential requires that candidates pass a multiple-choice exam, PK0-004.

CompTIA Cloud Essentials

The CompTIA Cloud Essentials certification is geared toward individuals who understand the business aspects of cloud computing and how to move from in-house to cloud storage. In addition, they should be familiar with the impacts, risks and consequences of implementing a cloud-based solution. A single test is required to earn the credential.

CompTIA CTT+

The CompTIA Certified Technical Trainer (CTT+) certification is perfect for anyone interested in technical training. It covers instructor skills, such as preparation, presentation, communication, facilitation and evaluation, in vendor-neutral fashion. Adobe, Cisco, Dell, IBM, Microsoft and Ricoh all recommend CTT+ to their trainers and accept it in lieu of their own in-house trainer certifications.

Two exams are required for the CTT+ credential: CompTIA CTT+ Essentials (TK0-201) and either CTT+ Classroom Performance Trainer (TK0-202) or CTT+ Virtual Classroom Trainer (TK0-203).

The CTT+ Classroom Performance Trainer and CTT+ Virtual Classroom Trainer are performance-based exams. In this case, you must submit a video or recording of your classroom (or virtual classroom sessions), and complete a form that documents your training preparation, delivery and student evaluations.

In addition to certification levels, CompTIA groups its certifications into several career paths:

• Information security
• Network and cloud technologies
• Hardware, services and infrastructure
• IT management and strategy
• Web and mobile
• Software development
• Training
• Office productivity

The CompTIA Certifications page lets you pick a certification level and/or a career path and then returns a list of certifications to focus on. For example, one of the most popular career paths in IT is network administration. CompTIA’s Network and Cloud Technologies career path offers numerous certifications that can help you advance your network administration career, such as IT Fundamentals+, A+ and Network+ (Core certs), along with Cloud+ and Linux+ (Infrastructure certifications) and Cloud Essentials.

Those interested in network security (one of the fastest growing fields in IT) should consider the certifications in CompTIA’s Information Security career path. This includes all four of the Core credentials (IT Fundamentals, A+, Network+ and Security+) along with all cybersecurity certifications (CySA+, PenTest+ and CASP+).

CompTIA provides a comprehensive IT certification roadmap that encompasses certifications from CompTIA as well as a variety of other organizations, including Cisco, EC-Council, Microsoft, (ISC)², ISACA, Mile2 and more.

Because CompTIA credentials do not focus on a single skill (such as networking or virtualization), CompTIA credential holders may find themselves in a variety of job roles depending on their experience, skill levels and areas of interest. Here are just a few of the possible careers that CompTIA credential holders may find themselves engaged in:

• A+: Typically, A+ credential holders find work in support roles, such as support administrators, support technicians or support specialists.
• Network+: Network+ professionals primarily work in network-related roles, such as network analysts, administrators or support specialists. Credential holders may also work as network engineers, field technicians or network help desk technicians.
• CySA+ Security Analyst: Common roles for professionals interested in cybersecurity, information security and risk analysis may engage in roles that include security engineers, cybersecurity analysts or specialists, threat or vulnerability analysts, or analysts for security operations centers (SOCs).
• Security+: Security spans a variety of jobs, such as network, system or security administrators, security managers, certified or administrators, and security consultants.
• Server+: Roles for server professionals include storage and server administrators, as well as server support or IT/server technicians.
• Linux+: Linux professionals often work in roles such as Linux database administrators, network administrators or web administrators.
• Cloud+/Cloud Essentials: Cloud+ credential holders typically work as cloud specialists, developers or system and network administrators. Cloud Essentials professionals tend to work in areas related to cloud technical sales or business development.
• CASP+: Common roles for CASP+ credential holders include cybersecurity specialists, InfoSec specialists, information security professionals and security architects.
• Project+: Project+ credential holders typically engage in project leadership roles, such as project managers, coordinators and directors, or team leads.

While the examples above are by no means exhaustive, they provide an overview of some available careers. Your career choices are limited only by your interests, imagination and determination to achieve your personal goals.

CompTIA training and resources

CompTIA provides various and extensive training options, including classroom training, study materials and e-learning. A wide range of CompTIA Authorized Training Provider Partners (CAPPs), such as Global Knowledge, Learning Tree International and more, operate all over the world. Classroom and online/e-learning offerings range in cost from $2,000 to $4,000, depending on the particulars. Visit the CompTIA Training page for more details.

CompTIA works with third parties to offer self-study materials (the search tool is available here). Content that has been through a vetting process is branded with the CompTIA Approved Quality Content (CAQC) logo. Other materials that allow you to study at your own pace, such as audio segments, lesson activities and additional resources, are available through the CompTIA Marketplace.

Finally, every CompTIA A+, Linux+, Network+, Server+, Security+ and IT Fundamentals+ certification candidates must check out CertMaster, CompTIA’s online test prep tool. CertMaster helps you determine which subjects you know well and those you need to brush up on, and suggests training to help you fill in the gaps.

As wireless network and phone technology has improved, customer usage patterns and overall reliance on wireless devices have evolved. Carriers that meet customers’ expectations and provide a satisfying network quality experience are well positioned to Boost customer satisfaction, influence brand advocacy and loyalty, increase monthly spend and maximize sales.

The Solution

The J.D. Power Wireless Network Quality Performance Study^SM measures satisfaction based on recent customer usage activities in three areas that impact network performance: calling, messaging and data connections. Full-service and non-contract wireless carriers may use study data to:

• Measure critical factors that impact customers’ perceptions of network quality performance across key customer segments like contract vs. non-contract, metro vs. rural and device type
• Identify carriers’ areas of strength and weakness overall and by key customer segments
• Track performance on a quarterly basis via performance scorecards

The Benefits

A study subscription provides access to the tools you need to gain a comprehensive, in-depth understanding of how your company is performing and to identify any areas that need improvement.

Deliverables include:

• A management discussion and on-site executive presentation that provide insights into key industry trends and study findings, allowing your company to maximize performance and prioritize improvement initiatives
• Access to competitive data sets, allowing a comparison of your company’s performance against competitors, the industry and the highest performers
• Data analysis via SPSS Data and mTABWeb™ files that allows for segmentation at the national and regional levels as well as the 35 largest metro statistical areas, by specific device type (smartphone vs. traditional handset) and at the brand and model levels
• Net Promoter Score®— an independent measurement of NPS, which includes the brand-level Net Promoter Score® and verbatims, an NPS rank chart and verbatim text analytics 

J.D. Power’s research solutions enable wireless carriers to target those performance activities that have a direct impact on ROI.

Net Promoter System®, Net Promoter Score®, NPS® and the NPS-related emoticons are registered trademarks of Bain & Company, Inc., Fred Reichheld and Satmetrix Systems, Inc.

The MarketWatch News Department was not involved in the creation of this content.

Jan 17, 2023 (The Expresswire) -- "Pre and Post-COVID Research is Covered and Report Customization is Available"

The New Report for Global Network Troubleshooting Tools Market Research Report 2023-2028. It Provides [Report Pages-105] Types [Desktop-Windows, Desktop-MAC OS, Mobile-IOS, Mobile-Abdroid], Application [Service Providers, End Users], Region and Forecast Period.

The MarketWatch News Department was not involved in the creation of this content.

© Provided by MUO

Windows 11 and 10 include various troubleshooting tools you can open via Settings and the Control Panel. There are troubleshooters for fixing Bluetooth, internet, Windows Update, audio, hardware, printer, video, and MS Store app-related errors that arise. Those troubleshooters detect issues and either automatically apply or suggest potential fixes to resolve them.

Adding troubleshooter shortcuts to Windows 11/10 will save you from rummaging through Settings or the Control Panel whenever you need to access them. You can create troubleshooter shortcuts on the Windows 11/10 desktop, taskbar, Start menu, and even context menu with the methods below.

How to a Set Up a Desktop Shortcut for Opening the Troubleshooting Applet

Most users probably go through Settings to bring up troubleshooters. However, Control Panel’s Troubleshooting applet includes more troubleshooters than the Settings app. Adding a desktop shortcut for opening the applet will enable you to access all troubleshooters included within it more quickly.

You can create a Troubleshooting shortcut on the Windows desktop in the following steps:

1. Right-click any part of the desktop area and select New.
2. Click the Shortcut option on the New submenu.
3. Input explorer shell:::{C58C4893-3BE0-4B45-ABB5-A63E4B8C8651} inside the location box, and select the Create Shortcut wizard’s Next option.
4. Erase the default shortcut title, and type Troubleshooting Applet in the text box.
5. Select Finish to add the Troubleshooting Applet desktop shortcut.

Double-click the new desktop shortcut you just added to open the Troubleshooting applet. There you can click Programs, Hardware and Sound, Network and Internet, or System and Security to view and access different categories of troubleshooters. Alternatively, select View all open to bring up a full list of troubleshooters. You can click any troubleshooter there to open it.

The Troubleshooting shortcut will have the same folder library icon as Explorer’s taskbar button. If you would prefer something else, you can change the icon via the shortcut’s properties window. Check out our guide about how to customize icons on Windows for details.

How to Set Up Taskbar and Start Menu Troubleshooting Shortcuts

You can easily convert the Troubleshooting Applet desktop shortcut into a taskbar or Start menu one. To do so in Windows 11, click the Troubleshooting Applet shortcut with the right mouse button and select Show more options. Select Pin to taskbar on the classic menu to stick the same shortcut on the taskbar. Or click Pin to Start to have one for opening the Troubleshooting applet from the pinned area of the Start menu.

Then you may as well remove the desktop shortcut if a taskbar or Start menu one is preferred. Right-click Troubleshooting Applet to select Delete (the trash bin icon in Windows 11).

How to Set Up a Troubleshooting Hotkey

A Troubleshooting desktop shortcut can also become a convenient hotkey in a few quick steps. All you have to do is set a key combination for activating the desktop shortcut. Then you can open the Troubleshooting applet by pressing a Ctrl + Alt key combo. These are the steps for setting up a hotkey that opens the Troubleshooting applet:

1. Create a desktop shortcut for opening the Troubleshooting applet as outlined in the first method.
2. Right-click the Troubleshooting shortcut and select Properties.
3. Click inside the box labeled Shortcut key.
4. Press T (for troubleshooting) to establish a Ctrl + Alt + T key combination.
5. Select Apply to save your new troubleshooting hotkey.
6. Click OK or X to close the Shortcut tab and window.

Now you can access the Troubleshooting applet with a key combo. Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open that applet and access its troubleshooters. That hotkey depends on the desktop shortcut you set it for. So, you’ve got to leave the shortcut on the desktop.

How to Set Up Shortcuts for Opening Specific Troubleshooters

You can also set up shortcuts for opening any specific troubleshooters included within the Troubleshooting Control Panel applet. Each troubleshooter there has a pack ID with which you can set up a desktop shortcut for opening it. You can set up a troubleshooter shortcut in such a way via the Create Shortcut wizard with the following command:

The above command must include an genuine diagnostic_id for the troubleshooter. This MSDT page has a list of troubleshooting pack IDs you can include in that command. These are the diagnostic ID commands for some of the more useful troubleshooters:

msdt.exe /id WindowsUpdateDiagnostic

msdt.exe /id SearchDiagnostic

msdt.exe /id DeviceDiagnostic

msdt.exe /id PrinterDiagnostic

msdt.exe /id NetworkDiagnosticsWeb

msdt.exe /id AudioPlaybackDiagnostic

You can set up a desktop shortcut for a specific troubleshooter much the same as the Troubleshooting applet. Go through the same steps in this guide’s instructions for setting up a desktop shortcut, but input a troubleshooter diagnostic ID command at step three instead. Enter a different name for the shortcut in step four, and select the Finish option.

Double-clicking that desktop shortcut will open whatever troubleshooter you set it to with the diagnostic ID command. Then you can also pin that desktop shortcut to the taskbar or Start menu just the same as the Troubleshooting applet one. Or set up a hotkey for opening the troubleshooting tool as outlined in this guide’s keyboard shortcut instructions.

How to Add a Troubleshooters Submenu to the Context Menu

The right-click context menu is another place you can add Troubleshooting shortcuts in Windows 11/10. You can set up a Troubleshooters submenu on the Windows 11/10 context menu that includes shortcuts for opening different parts of the Troubleshooting applet. To do that, you only need to download and run a premade registry script like this:

1. Open the Add Troubleshooters Context Menu Softpedia page.
2. Select that registry script’s Download Now option.
3. Click the Secure download (US) option.
4. Go into File Explorer (press Win + E to open), and bring up the directory containing the registry script’s ZIP archive.
5. Select to extract the troubleshooters-context-menu.zip archive. Our guide to unzipping ZIP files on Windows includes instructions for extracting these archives.
6. Open the extracted troubleshooters-context-menu folder.
7. Double-click the Add Troubleshooters To Desktop Context Menu.reg file.
8. Click Yes on the prompt that asks for user confirmation to apply the script.

You will now see a new Troubleshooters submenu on your desktop’s context menu. Right-click any space within the desktop wallpaper area and select Show more options on Windows 11’s context menu. Move the cursor over the Troubleshooters submenu to view its shortcuts.

There you can select Classic Troubleshooting applet to bring up the Troubleshooting home screen in the Control Panel. Select All Categories to open the full list of troubleshooters. Or click Programs, Hardware and Sound, Network and Internet, and System Security to view category pages for opening troubleshooters.

The troubleshooters-context-menu folder also includes a script for removing the Troubleshooters submenu. Double-click Remove Troubleshooters From Desktop Context Menu.reg in that folder to run that script. Then select Yes to erase the submenu from the context menu.

Make Some Shortcuts for Accessing Troubleshooters in Windows

So, now you can create Windows shortcuts for opening the Troubleshooting applet and more specific troubleshooters in various ways. You can create a general Troubleshooting Control Panel desktop, taskbar, keyboard, or context menu shortcut for accessing all troubleshooting tools. Or set up shortcuts that supply you more direct access to the specific troubleshooting tools you utilize more regularly.

Children as young as 4 years old show evidence of a network in the brain found in adults that tackles difficult cognitive problems, a new study found.

Emiliano Bruner, a paleoneurologist at the Centro Nacional de Investigación sobre la Evolución Humana (CENIEH), and Tim Schuurman, a doctoral candidate in his research group, have just published a paper in the Journal of Anatomy that employs anatomical network analysis to study the spatial organization of the brain in modern humans, as well as the spatial constraints that influence its evolution and development.

This is the first study to cover all the regions of the brain, including the subcortical ones, in an analysis of these anatomical networks. The results indicate that the internal gyri of the temporal lobes and the lowest parts of the brain are the elements with the most spatial constraints, which would have limited the possibility of major variations over the course of evolution. The study also draws out a division between the upper and lower regions, matching a similar separation of the elements of the braincase, which are freer to vary their morphology in the vault, but more tightly constrained geometrically at the base.

"In primates, the base of the skull is a complex anatomical system that participates in vital biological functions such as posture or chewing, so that it exercises a strong influence over the spatial organization of the brain. By contrast, the vault of the skull is a relatively simple anatomical system, in which the cranial elements are molded principally by the growth of the brain," explains Schuurman.

The objective of this research was to pinpoint key regions in the geometric balance of the brain in modern humans, to identify underlying patterns of spatial organization and understand how these could affect the evolution of cerebral morphology.

Earlier analyses conducted with simpler models had already highlighted a certain geometric complexity in the external surfaces of the temporal lobes. The present study shows that the situation for their deeper regions is also complicated.

"For instance, in the case of the parahippocampal gyrus, a fold of the brain that lies on the lower surface of each brain hemisphere, the constraints imposed on it are due to its great size and elongated shape. Transversal studies in multiple species of extant vertebrates seem to support the idea that the parahippocampal gyrus is one of the most ancient and stable regions in the brain," adds Schuurman.

This model is a starting point for developing comparisons at both the phylogenetic and ontogenetic levels, to reveal limitations upon our brain architecture which could offer alternative insights into different pathological conditions.

Provided by CENIEH

In late 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed, creating the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program (NEVI) to support the creation of a nationwide fast-charging network. There’s much work to do, as a new study from the Great Plains Institute shows a need for more than 1,000 DC fast-charging (DCFC) stations to meet the program’s goals.

The study looked at non-Tesla DCFC stations, of which there are 4,943 in the contiguous 48 states. Among them, only 509 stations meet the requirements laid out under the NEVI program, which include:

• Charging stations must have at least four DCFC ports with CCS connectors and the ability to charge four EVs simultaneously at 150 kW each for a combined capacity of 600 kW or more.
• Stations must be spaced no more than 50 miles apart on designated corridors and located within one mile of the corridor.

Another 1,104 stations are required for there to be a compliant charging location every 50 miles of interstate highway, including a first phase of 1,084 chargers on highways designated as EV alternative fuel corridors and an additional 20 along other corridors. Alternative Fuel Corridors are proposed by states and recognized by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) as part of a network of alternative fuel sources, such as hydrogen, propane, EV charging, and natural gas.

Though the study identifies a need for more charging stations, it notes the possibility that the 4,434 non-compliant chargers could be upgraded to meet requirements. It also identifies 42,212 Level 2 public chargers in the country but did not include them in the data because of their long charging times.

The program set aside $5 billion and puts the buildout of the charging network in the states’ hands. States are expected to use NEVI money to build chargers along the designated corridors before moving on to other highways. The program rules note that a state can propose other non-designated areas, but the designated corridors have to be certified as meeting the two program criteria first. Even with this effort, the study notes that chargers located every 50 miles might not meet demand in high-traffic areas.

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"We found that maintaining mild to moderate alcohol consumption as well as reducing alcohol consumption from a heavy to moderate level were associated with a decreased risk of dementia," said first author Dr. Keun Hye Jeon, an assistant professor at CHA Gumi Medical Center, CHA University in Gumi, South Korea, in an email.

But don't rush to the liquor store, experts say.

"This study was well done and is extremely robust with 4 million subjects, but we should be cautious not to over interpret the findings," said Alzheimer's researcher Dr. Richard Isaacson, a preventive neurologist at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases of Florida. He was not involved in the new study.

Alcohol use can be a risk factor for breast and other cancers, and consuming too much can contribute to digestive problems, heart and liver disease, hypertension, stroke, and a weak immune system over time, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There are red flags for Alzheimer's as well. For example, if a person has one or two copies of the APOE4 gene variant, which raises your risk of developing the mind-wasting disease, drinking is not a good choice, Isaacson said.

"Alcohol has been shown to be harmful for brain outcomes in people with that risk gene — and about 25% of the US population carries one copy of APOE4," he said.

Sizing up alcohol consumption

The connection between alcohol and health is complicated and unclear, experts say.

The new study examined the medical records of people covered by the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), which provides a free health test twice a year to insured South Koreans who are 40 and older. In addition to doing various tests, examiners asked about each person's drinking, smoking and exercise habits.

The study looked at the data collected in 2009 and 2011 and categorized people by their self-reported drinking levels. If a person said they drank less than 15 grams (approximately 0.5 ounces) of alcohol a day, they were considered "mild" drinkers.

In the United States, a standard drink contains 14 grams of alcohol, which is roughly the same as 12 ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits.

If study participants told doctors they drank 15 to 29.9 grams a day — the equivalent of two standards drinks in the US — the researchers categorized them as "moderate" drinkers. And if people said they drank over 30 grams, or three or more drinks a day, researchers considered them "heavy" drinkers.

Researchers also looked at whether people sustained or changed the amount they drank between 2009 and 2011, Jeon said.

"By measuring alcohol consumption at two time points, we were able to study the relationship between reducing, ceasing, maintaining and increasing alcohol consumption and incident dementia," he said.

The team then compared that data to medical records in 2018 — seven or eight years later — to see if anyone studied had been diagnosed with dementia.

After adjusting for age, sex, smoking, exercise level and other demographic factors, researchers found people who said they drank at a mild level over time — about a drink a day — were 21% less likely to develop dementia than people who never drank.

People who said they continued to drink at moderate level, or about two drinks a day, were 17% less likely to develop dementia, the study found.

"One has to be cautious when interpreting studies using medical records. They can be fraught with challenges in how diseases are coded and studied," Isaacson said. "Any anytime you ask people to recall their behaviors, such as drinking, it leaves room for memory errors."

Dangers of increasing drinking over time

The positive pattern did not continue as drinking increased. People who drank heavily — three or more drinks a day — were 8% more likely to be diagnosed with dementia, the study found.

If heavy drinkers reduced their drinking over time to a moderate level, their risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimer's fell by 12%, and the risk of all-cause dementia fell by 8%.

However, people aren't very good at judging how much alcohol they are drinking, Isaacson said.

"People don't really monitor their pours of wine, for example," Isaacson said. "They may think they are drinking a standard-sized glass of wine, but it's really a glass and a half every time. Drink two of those pours and they've had three glasses of wine. That's no longer mild or moderate consumption."

In addition, too many people who think they are moderate drinkers do all of their drinking on weekends. Binge drinking is on the rise worldwide, even among adults, studies show.

"If someone downs five drinks on Saturday and Sunday that's 10 drinks a week so that would qualify as a moderate alcohol intake," Isaacson said. "To me, that is not that is not the same as having a glass of wine five days a week with a meal, which slows consumption."

The new study also found that starting to drink at a mild level was associated with a decreased risk of all-cause dementia and Alzheimer's, "which, to our knowledge, has never been reported in previous studies," the authors wrote.

However, "none of the existing health guidelines recommends starting alcohol drinking," Jeon said, adding that since the study was observational, no cause and effect can be determined.

"Our findings regarding a initiation of mild alcohol consumption cannot be directly translated into clinical recommendations, thereby warranting additional studies to confirm these associations further," Jeon said.

A study published in March 2022 found that just one pint of beer or glass of wine a day can shrink the overall volume of the brain, with the damage increasing as the number of daily drinks rises.

On average, people between 40 and 69 who drank a pint of beer or 6-ounce glass of wine per day for a month had brains that appeared two years older than those who only drank half of a beer, according to that previous study.

"I've never personally suggested someone to start drinking moderate amounts of alcohol if they were abstinent," Isaacson said. "But there's really not a one-size-fits-all approach towards counseling a patient on alcohol consumption."