In the News
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December 2, 2022
Legislative changes prompted by the diverse new Democratic leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives could still be years away, but it’s a crucial first step, says Kenneth Lowande, assistant professor of political science and public policy: “I’d say that really what this is is the groundwork for something bigger.”
Time -
December 1, 2022
“We now know that, although flowers diversified in the dinosaur era, they took longer to come to dominate the forest, and that evolutionary opportunity arose for them, thanks to the ecological catastrophe unleashed” by the meteorite that hit the Yucatan Peninsula 66 million years ago, said Monica Carvalho, assistant professor of earth and environmental sciences and assistant curator of the Museum of Paleontology.
Knowable Magazine -
December 1, 2022
“From an energy perspective, that’s a pretty bad idea,” said Shelie Miller, professor of environment and sustainability, about the air-conditioning systems installed at Qatar’s World Cup stadiums. “There’s a reason that we close our windows when we run our air conditioners. If we really are trying to obtain a sustainable future, the cooling of open-air stadiums is not how we get there.”
Scientific American -
December 1, 2022
“Understanding the dynamics of how viruses surge and plunge helps explain why so many people, especially young children, are sick right now — or will be this winter. But as a society, we don’t have to be at the mercy of the dominant virus in a given season … The knowledge gained from the COVID-19 pandemic could help lower the toll of respiratory viruses for good,” co-wrote Aubree Gordon, associate professor of epidemiology.
The New York Times -
November 30, 2022
Transgender youth are five times more likely to have insomnia and three times more likely to to have sleep apnea than other young people, according to research by Galit Levi Dunietz and Ronald Gavidia Romero, both assistant professors of neurology. “Given this higher prevalence of sleep disorders in relation to cisgender youth, clinicians should consider screening and testing this population for such disorders,” Gavidia said.
U.S. News & World Report -
November 30, 2022
“When German Chancellor Olaf Schulz announced that Germany would supply Ukraine with weapons, the public supported him overwhelmingly. But as the war has dragged on, Germans have become more hesitant about being involved militarily,” co-wrote Pauline Jones, professor of political science, whose research indicates a deep cultural aversion by Germans toward military intervention since World War II.
The Washington Post -
November 30, 2022
People often perceive mispronunciations of their name as subtle insults, put-downs or invalidations, says Myles Durkee, assistant professor of psychology. And whether intentional or completely accidental, those types of microaggressions can affect a person’s mental health: “They are stressors. Cumulatively, they have a much larger effect on individuals that can lead to negative correlations with mental health over time.”
CNBC -
November 22, 2022
“Ultimately, we need to disrupt how we think about climate change. It’s not merely for climate scientists and politicians to solve. We all have to be part of the solution. And the University of Michigan cannot, will not work in a vacuum,” said President Santa J. Ono, announcing that U-M will partner with Delta Air Lines to “improve the use of sustainable aviation fuel.”
Bridge Michigan -
November 22, 2022
“What is interesting about ayahuasca is the perception that some events typically classified in the medical field as adverse effects … are actually desired or seen as essential to have a healing experience,” said Erin Bonar, associate professor of psychiatry, on research that suggests the health and spiritual benefits of the powerful psychoactive drug outweigh any temporary pain or discomfort related to its use.
HealthDay -
November 22, 2022
“Maybe you find it relaxing to hear the sounds of the sea, so if you listen to brown noise that sounds like waves crashing, and it helps you, that’s great. … However, there’s no strong evidence that listening to brown noise reduces stress,” said Anahita Mehta, assistant professor of otolaryngology, about the low, deep tones that have gained popularity in helping to improve sleep, concentration and relaxation.
U.S. News & World Report
