In the News
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March 25, 2019
“Wealth cannot purchase innate talent. But it can provide access to elite — and less competitive — sports and activities. … It can provide better coaching, counseling, stronger familial support. As a result, students from wealthy families are much more likely to get into elite colleges — not through cheating, but through the selective back door available primarily to those from wealth,” said Scott Page, professor of complex systems, economics, and political science.
The Washington Post -
March 25, 2019
Under its personal conduct policy, the NFL will likely investigate New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, even if he’s not legally charged with prostitution solicitation at a Florida spa, says Marissa Pollick, lecturer in sport management at the School of Kinesiology: “I would think the NFL would not want to be perceived as rendering special treatment” to Kraft by forgoing an investigation.
CNN -
March 24, 2019
Research by J.J. Prescott and Sonja B. Starr, professors of law, found that people whose criminal records are expunged see an increase in wages and have crime rates considerably lower than those of Michigan’s general adult population: “Our results suggest that expungement is a powerful tool for improving outcomes for people with records, without risk (and possibly with benefits) to public safety.”
The New York Times -
March 24, 2019
“I think that what happens is that the more you use the platforms, the more social comparisons you tend to induce, and that relates to these decrements in how people are feeling,” said Oscar Ybarra, professor of psychology and management and organizations, on the impact social media can have on one’s mental health.
Bustle -
March 24, 2019
“There are many surgeries for which opioids are not necessary but for which they are regularly prescribed. We have undervalued simple, but effective medications, such as acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (e.g., ibuprofen), which can be taken for a few days by the vast majority of patients without concern,” said Chad Brummett, associate professor of anesthesiology and co-director of the Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network.
Reuters -
March 21, 2019
William Chey, professor of gastroenterology and nutritional sciences, and Eric Martens, associate professor of microbiology and immunology, were quoted in a story about fiber, a true superfood that nearly all Americans fail to get enough of in their diet. “Most doctors and people think all fiber is created equal,” Chey said. “But different types of fiber have different properties in the gut, especially as it pertains to the microbiome.”
Vox -
March 21, 2019
Because of Michigan’s auto insurance laws, “legal car ownership is extremely difficult for the vast majority of Detroiters and thousands of low-income Michiganders, erecting a huge barrier in their paths to economic opportunity,” co-wrote Joshua Rivera, data and policy adviser at Poverty Solutions, and Pat Cooney, associate director of the Detroit Partnership on Economic Mobility for Poverty Solutions.
The Detroit Free Press -
March 21, 2019
“The potential eviction of tribal, indigenous households from their traditional lands is an unethical act adversely affecting millions of impoverished people,” wrote Arun Agrawal, professor of environment and sustainability, on a Supreme Court case in India that pits individual household-based rights against communities’ rights to protect and manage their customary forests.
The Washington Post -
March 20, 2019
While many parents recognize the intrinsic benefits of student participation in extracurricular activities, Sarah Clark, associate research scientist in pediatrics, worries many may be deterred if they don’t believe there are other, tangible benefits — like getting into college: “I do think it contributes to some kids not necessarily having the same encouragement and opportunity to engage in some of these things.”
MarketWatch -
March 20, 2019
Phoebe Ellsworth, professor emerita of law and psychology, says people who still support the death penalty are less fervent about it now: “It used to be that people who supported the death penalty would always check strongly agree or very much approve of it. Now, even the supporters are closer to the middle than they used to be. Those extreme values aren’t being endorsed anymore.”
TIME
