In the News
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August 19, 2020
While most K-12 school districts will institute some form of remote learning this fall, much of the technology that connects students and teachers isn’t optimized for people with disabilities, says Liz Kolb, clinical associate professor of education: “It’s still not the same as having a teacher or a support person sitting next to you and working through things together with you, or helping you turn the pages of a book.”
Marketplace -
August 19, 2020
Earl Lewis, founding director of the Center for Social Solutions, and Alford Young, the center’s associate director, say Black gun owners are perceived differently than whites who own firearms. “There is a general discomfort with armed Black people,” said Young. “I’ve had several conversations with Black police officers who say the last thing I’m going to do is pull my gun out in plain clothes. Without that uniform on, they become victims of being perceived as a threatening Black person with a gun.”
Detroit Free Press -
August 19, 2020
“I think the core problem that bothers many of us is it’s unclear why this change was made. The system as we knew it worked very well and did inform us in the height of the pandemic. We see no real reason to change it and certainly no good appears to have come from it,” said Vineet Chopra, associate professor of internal medicine, on the Trump administration’s decision to change how hospitals report COVID-19 data.
CNN -
August 19, 2020
“The safest communities are not those with the most police or metal detectors or surveillance technology. Quite the opposite. They’re the ones with the most resources. They’re the ones with excellent schools and excellent amenities and intergenerational wealth,” said Amanda Alexander, senior research scholar at the Law School and founder/executive at the Detroit Justice Center.
WDET Radio (Detroit) -
August 19, 2020
“While some research suggests that kids may be low in some nutrients as a result of picky eating, overall most of them do just fine — they aren’t underweight or suffering from reduced growth or any serious negative health consequences,” said Megan Pesch, assistant professor of pediatrics. “It’s OK to not force kids to eat something they don’t want to.”
The Washington Post -
August 12, 2020
“Biodiversity of the Amazon does not end where the eyes meet. It’s not just the beautiful plants and the exotic animals. There’s so much more life there and I think it has to be taken into consideration when we talk about conservation of the Amazon,” said Rosa Vásquez Espinoza, doctoral student in chemical biology, who is studying the medicinal properties of microbes flowing in a sacred boiling river in the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest.
Science Friday -
August 12, 2020
“It is worrying that we haven’t seen any aid application expansion, and particularly that the gaps based on race or school income level have widened. FAFSA and TIP completion rates would need to be even higher than normal to keep up with the challenges created by the pandemic,” said Kevin Stange, associate professor of public policy, whose research found no increases in Michigan in students filling out Michigan’s largest state scholarship program for low-income students.
Inside Higher Education -
August 12, 2020
“All of these companies have other products, as well as opioids, that are used for medically necessary purposes. So the goal is not necessarily to put these pharmacies, these manufacturers, these distributors out of business altogether,” said Rebecca Haffajee, assistant professor of health management and policy, on the many drug companies on the front lines of the COVID-19 response facing lawsuits for their role in the opioid epidemic.
National Public Radio -
August 12, 2020
“America is poised to invest billions of dollars to remain the leader in artificial intelligence as well as quantum computing. … This is why it is important to invest in fixing the systemic inequalities that have sidelined Black people from contributing to AI and from having a hand in the products that will undoubtedly impact everyone,” wrote Chad Jenkins, professor of electrical engineering and computer science, and associate director of the Michigan Robotics Institute.
VentureBeat -
August 12, 2020
“I think the days of really large parties, big house parties where everyone’s crowded, I don’t think those are going to happen as much,” said Preeti Malani, U-M’s chief health officer and professor of internal medicine and infectious diseases. “At the same time, these are young adults who have social needs. That’s a part of their well being, too, and they do need to be interacting with other people.”
CNBC
