In the News
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November 21, 2024
“One needs to have expectations that are realistic, and understand that this is new technology. We’re still learning how it works, why it works, when it works, when it doesn’t work, what kind of support it needs,” said Jane Huggins, director of the U-M Direct Brain Interface Laboratory, about brain-computer interfaces that have been used in mapping the inner workings of the brain and augmenting human cognition and motor skills.
Digital Trends -
November 21, 2024
Pranav Malhotra, assistant professor of communication and media, says it’s popular to blame social media technologies for society’s ills, but that attitude often absolves consumers from taking a deeper look into what is happening socially and culturally: “I think one of the reasons why it is dangerous to lay the blame exclusively on algorithms is it actually ends up kind of reinforcing a power that these tech companies have.”
Michigan Public -
November 21, 2024
“I am at a complete loss. Everyone is just kind of astounded,” said Susan D. Page, professor of practice in international diplomacy and law, and former United Nations official in Haiti — a nation rocked by so much violence and political infighting that the Federal Aviation Administration has barred U.S. aircraft from flying under 10,000 feet in Haitian airspace to avoid being shot at by gangs.
The New York Times -
November 20, 2024
“What we’re beginning to see is a significant test by Donald Trump of just how far he can go. He’s already beginning to push the boundaries of the power of the president, especially in an era where he may have a more friendly set of courts,” said Barry Rabe, professor of public policy and environment, who believes Trump’s pick to head the EPA could launch “a frontal assault on the agency, trying to drive people out.”
Deutsche Welle (Germany) -
November 20, 2024
“The fact that it’s a CIA person here shows again that every day there are tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of people in the intelligence community and the military that have access to the most sensitive intelligence information this government has,” said Javed Ali, associate professor of practice of public policy, after a CIA official was charged with leaking classified documents about an Israeli strike on Iran.
USA Today -
November 20, 2024
“People want to trust the science but are not always sure they can trust the scientists” to put personal biases aside when using their influence, said Arthur Lupia, professor of political science and interim vice president for research and innovation. “It’s one thing to discover something — it’s another thing to explain it effectively. For science to have public value, we actually have to do both of those things.”
Nature -
November 19, 2024
“While this study shows that plumes will be impacted, it is not at all clear that the effects seen in these plumes will carry over to larger spatial scales where climate might be impacted,” said Joyce Penner, professor emerita of climate and space sciences and engineering, on research that found unique plumes of ice clouds near dozens of metal and cement factories, paper mills and power plants worldwide.
The Washington Post -
November 19, 2024
Elon Musk’s involvement in the federal government “creates the appearance of corruption, and increases the chances that such corruption will take place. It increases the risk that policy will be made and implemented to satisfy the desires of the richest man in the world rather than the American public,” said Don Moynihan, professor of public policy.
Newsweek -
November 19, 2024
“Infant mortality among Black women and infants is consistently higher than for white women, but I am disappointed that despite increased awareness and efforts to reduce the disparities, we are not seeing any progress in reducing the infant mortality rate among this population,” said Robin Jacob, research professor at the Institute for Social Research and School of Education.
ABC News -
November 18, 2024
Max Vanatta, doctoral student in environment and sustainability, and colleagues found that small modular nuclear reactors are in a good position to satisfy U.S. energy demands by 2050. “Nuclear has been able to provide heat before, but typically at really low temperatures just because of their designs. But some of these new designs can provide much higher temperatures and clean energy,” he said.
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