In the News

  1. December 2, 2022
    • Lori Ploutz-Snyder

    Exercise like an astronaut and you might avoid the unhealthy effects of sitting too much, says Lori Ploutz-Snyder, dean of the School of Kinesiology, whose research suggests that the right mix of scientifically tested exercises can stave off undesirable physical consequences from being weightless on the space station — or inactive for long hours on Earth: “Exercise is quite potent in these conditions.”

    The Washington Post
  2. December 2, 2022
    • Kenneth Lowande

    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
  3. December 1, 2022
    • Monica Carvalho

    “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
  4. December 1, 2022
    • Photo of Shelie Miller

    “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
  5. December 1, 2022
    • Headshot of Aubree Gordon

    “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
  6. November 30, 2022
    • Galit Levi Dunietz

    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
  7. November 30, 2022
    • Pauline Jones

    “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
  8. November 30, 2022
    • Myles Durkee

    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
  9. November 22, 2022
    • Santa J. Ono

    “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
  10. November 22, 2022
    • Photo of Erin Bonar

    “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