In the News
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March 31, 2026
“The data center industry as an ecosystem is pretty big,” said Xiaofan Liang, assistant professor of urban and regional planning. “(It) has such a big infrastructure need that trickles down in many different ways. Now we need expanded utility infrastructure, grid, fiber, water, all these things. Construction of these infrastructure … could increase local employment.”
PBS Wisconsin -
March 31, 2026
“While most people who (have) these thoughts don’t act on them, the number is so high that the small proportion who do act turns into tens of thousands of fatal and nonfatal firearm injuries each year,” said Brian Hicks, professor of psychiatry, whose research found that 7% of Americans (about 19.4 million people) have thought about shooting someone.
U.S. News & World Report -
March 30, 2026
“We’re not only looking at waste and logistics and energy use, but we’re really looking to see … sustainable practices within production and how we can offer them solutions for that,” said Sarah Oliver, associate professor of theatre and drama, who, along with Shelie Miller, professor of sustainable systems, and graduate students, are looking for ways the Detroit Opera House can use less resources and be better for the environment, without compromising artistic quality.
Michigan Public -
March 30, 2026
“Right now, we have lax policies that harm residents, and our taxpayers pay huge sums to clean up toxic messes. On top of that, taxpayers often cover the health care and social services costs for people who were harmed. What if we took a different approach, one where we invested our public dollars in preventing environmental disasters and other harms from happening in the first place?” said Paul Fleming, associate professor of health behavior and health equity.
Bridge Michigan -
March 30, 2026
Gaslighting can be described as “crazy-making,” said Paige Sweet, associate professor of sociology: It’s like “watching something happen and then being told that’s not what’s happening … You feel that the thing is your fault or you’re bad for thinking that what’s happening is happening — making you mistrust yourself as a kind of witness to the world.”
National Public Radio -
March 27, 2026
Keeping e-waste, such as old laptops, mobile phones and earbuds, out of landfills is important because the devices contain materials that can harm the environment. “The way that we’re creating and using and disposing of these devices has generated this completely unsustainable waste stream,” said Rick Neitzel, professor of environmental health sciences. “And there’s no signs of that abating at all. In fact, the trend continues to accelerate.”
The Associated Press -
March 27, 2026
“Years ago it was air conditioner growth. More recently, we’ve talked about electric vehicle growth. Now we’re talking about data center growth. They all present similar problems, but different problems,” said Johanna Mathieu, associate professor of electrical engineering and computer science. “Some data center companies are thinking about building generation … so they can supply some of the load. And that helps because it solves some of these bottleneck challenges with respect to the grid.”
USA Today -
March 27, 2026
“Language is the most visible aspect, but these children also interpret systems, institutional codes and power hierarchies,” said Roberto Carlos, assistant professor of political science, about kids who serve as information brokers for their immigrant parents. “I worry that someone might … think these families don’t need institutional support because ‘the children can handle it.’ The fact that they develop extraordinary skills doesn’t mean they aren’t carrying stress. We can do better as a society.”
CNN -
March 26, 2026
Editor’s note: The following item is being re-run after containing an incorrect story link:
“In the new vehicle market, EVs are usually more expensive. But 70% of all vehicle purchases are used, and used EVs have the lowest cost of ownership across vehicle classes,” said Maxwell Woody, research assistant at the Center for Sustainable Systems. CSS co-director Greg Keoleian said, “It’s not the most positive news if you’re in the market for a new EV, knowing that your resale value may be impacted by the faster depreciation. But if you’re in the market for a used vehicle, it’s very positive news.”
The Cool Down -
March 26, 2026
“These areas are more likely to feature compact land uses with access to health care, food stores, public transport and physical activity infrastructure like sidewalks, bike facilities and parks,” said Cathy Antonakos, senior research specialist in kinesiology, whose research suggests that living in a more developed area may actually lower the chance of having a first-time stroke.
Earth.com
