In the News
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February 9, 2026
In 1917, the U.S. agreed to respect Denmark’s control of Greenland in exchange for a deal to buy the Danish West Indies in the Caribbean. “We recognized it, so we kind of can’t take that back,” said Julian Arato, professor of law, regarding President Trump’s remarks about seizing Greenland. “The law would be crucial in figuring out the aftermath. But it doesn’t mean the law would stop the disaster.”
The New York Times -
February 6, 2026
“They are systematically going after evidence-based sound science. It’s an agency gone rogue,” said Adam Finkel, adjunct clinical professor of environmental health sciences, on the EPA’s plans to defund research on toxic hazards to children, revise rules for evaluating chemical risks of toxic substances, weaken restrictions on methylene chloride, reduce routine vaccine recommendations and remove fluoride from drinking water.
The Guardian (U.K.) -
February 6, 2026
“The Black community is not monolithic, and there is diversity in attitudes, values, political ideology and beliefs around racial allegiance. Black celebrities should have the freedom to express their beliefs … Members of the Black community also have the freedom to respond, critique and hold them accountable to the community,” wrote Kevin Cokley, professor of psychology, on the backlash against Nicki Minaj, Snoop Dogg and Stephen A. Smith for perceived “racial betrayal.”
Psychology Today -
February 6, 2026
“We didn’t find that people who received the guaranteed income payment were any more or less likely to experience things like having trouble paying for their utilities or having them disconnected, experiencing food insecurity,” said Kristin Seefeldt, associate professor of social work and director of Poverty Solutions, whose study found a mixed impact on Ann Arbor’s guaranteed basic income pilot program for entrepreneurs with low-to-moderate income.
WDIV Detroit -
February 5, 2026
In a major step into the future of energy, Alec Thomas, professor of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences, and colleagues have captured the most detailed view yet of the shockwaves that help trigger nuclear fusion: “We wanted to demonstrate that the X-rays produced by extremely intense lasers have unique properties that allow us to capture a ‘movie’ of the extremely fast motion of plasma.”
The Cool Down -
February 5, 2026
“UTIs are one of the most common reasons why American patients are prescribed antibiotics, and we’re seeing more resistant bacteria than ever,” said Jennifer Meddings, professor of internal medicine and pediatrics, who helped develop a national guide to help clinicians decide when to test and when to treat suspected urinary tract infections.
U.S. News & World Report -
February 5, 2026
“Career and technical education pathways that have the strongest outcomes are ones where there’s a very clear pathway for students after their time in a high school CTE program,” said Walter Ecton, assistant professor of education. “The strongest CTE programs are also marrying both technical skills together with academic skills. (And) are really engaged in rigorous reading and writing and math, and students are getting robust training in those critical skills.”
EducationWeek -
February 4, 2026
“More people are traveling by plane each year, and there’s more pressure to fly in all weather conditions. Our technology can help airplanes, drones, cars and trucks be as safe and efficient as possible,” said Nilton Renno, professor of climate and space sciences and engineering and of aerospace engineering, who helped develop sensors that could give pilots and drivers early warnings about dangerous ice.
Interesting Engineering -
February 4, 2026
President Trump has promised to contribute $1,000 into new investment accounts for babies born during his current term, regardless of family income. “The advantage is that it does allow for multiple streams of assets to flow into it,” said William Elliott, professor of social work, which means it allows the potential for additional contributions from philanthropy, employers, state governments and even families themselves.
Marketplace -
February 4, 2026
“The relaxation of the one-child policy did not create a fertility recovery. What it did create was intensified labor market discrimination for women,” said Yun Zhou, assistant professor of sociology, who believes that instead of encouraging women to give birth, China’s generous maternity leave— which can last up to a year — is making it much more difficult for women to get and maintain jobs because of fears that they might leave their jobs to start a family.
The Washington Post
