In the News
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December 8, 2025
Naomi Levin, associate professor of earth and environmental sciences, helped discover that bones from the foot of an ancient human ancestor found in Ethiopia belong to a hominin species that walked differently and ate a different plant-based diet than another hominin species that lived at the same time: “It’s exciting that we can now associate these different ways of moving around on two feet with different diets. We can link different morphological adaptations with different behaviors.”
The Hindu (India) -
December 5, 2025
“We are the most cooperative, pro-social species ever in the world … (but) we have created a situation where we’re often extremely intolerant towards each other,” said Brian Stewart, associate professor of anthropology. “I’m not saying we have to completely do away with a capitalist system, but if we keep having this bottom-line-driven corporate culture that just sucks every possible resource out of the earth … then we’re not listening to the evolutionary success story that we were.”
Orkan Media (podcast) -
December 5, 2025
Jessica Roche, managing director of the Institute of Firearm Injury Prevention, said a significant amount of gun violence in Washtenaw County comes from stolen firearms: “Educational campaigns in our county on secure storage and how to limit an unauthorized person having access to your firearm could help with that.”
WEMU Radio -
December 5, 2025
“Weak and desperate autocrats are often much more dangerous and damaging than strong and popular ones. The risk of stirring up violence and inviting active military involvement in American cities is getting bigger rather than smaller as Trump’s popularity sinks,” said Dan Slater, professor of political science and faculty associate at the Institute for Social Research.
Huff Post -
December 4, 2025
“Anniversaries like this are really an opportunity for us to both reflect into the past and think about the achievements that happened during the past history of the school,” said Jacques Nör, dean of the School of Dentistry on its 150th anniversary. “At the end of the day, it’s not the building, it’s not the facilities, it’s not the equipment, it’s the people. The people at this school are what makes us No. 1.”
MLive -
December 4, 2025
“One of the biggest factors that prevents nursing programs across the nation from accepting all the applicants is a faculty shortage. I think that’s where the crux of this really needs to be thought about. Because in order to be a nurse educator, you have to have graduate education. Ultimately, it contributes to the workforce shortage,” said Cynthia McCurren, dean of UM-Flint’s School of Nursing, about the Trump administration’s cutting of nursing from a list of professional degrees.
WNEM Saginaw/Flint -
December 4, 2025
“You wouldn’t have that information lying around outside on your lawn or posted to the outside of your apartment door. So it’s good practice to just lock it down and make sure this can’t be accessed unless you’re actually engaging in a transaction that requires creditworthiness,” said Florian Schaub, associate professor of information, who believes everyone should have a credit freeze in place to protect the sensitive data found in a credit report.
U.S. News & World Report -
December 3, 2025
A recent report of lightning crackles on Mars — not jagged, high-voltage bolts like those on Earth, but more like the shock you feel when you scuff your feet on the carpet and then touch a metal doorknob — is not the first. Sixteen years ago, Christopher Ruf and Nilton Renno, professors of climate and space sciences and engineering, reported electrical discharges on Mars. “It’s nice to see that our 2009 results are receiving some confirmation,” Ruf said.
The New York Times -
December 3, 2025
Lack of access to transportation makes it difficult to see a doctor or fill prescriptions, said sociologist Alexandra Murphy, assistant research scientist at Poverty Solutions: “The more transportation insecure you are, the more you experience poor mental and physical health. … Transportation is vital for people to get to grocery stores where they can get fresh food and go to parks where they feel safe. It’s important for people’s ability to get employment, which is good for their mental health and physical health.”
Planet Detroit -
December 3, 2025
“It is very worrisome because the focus of these companies is to make a profit — not necessarily to make sure students are learning and academically growing, and that the software really truly benefits them and doesn’t harm them,” said Liz Kolb, clinical professor of education, about the vast number of tutoring and literacy services products marketed by educational technology companies.
Detroit Free Press
