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UrduThe “once-in-a-decade” storm that devastated the Pacific Northwest last week caused widespread outages, damage, and at least two deaths. Data shows the storms are becoming more common. Could climate change be a key driver?
Category: Feature Expert
Diamonds and anvils: MSU, UM use high-pressure chemistry in search for quantum materials
Michigan State University chemist Weiwei Xie knows a thing or two about working under pressure. Leveraging extreme forces similar to those found deep within our planet, her lab is pioneering the discovery of novel quantum materials with exciting electronic and magnetic properties.
Teaching AI the Rules of the Brain
As scientists across every field grapple with what AI will mean for their work, physician scientist Michael Halassa, an associate professor of neuroscience at Tufts University School of Medicine, is focused on how it could transform the study of cognitive processing, mental illness, and psychiatric medicine.
Tailbone Pain Awareness Day (Nov. 13): Shedding Light on a Commonly Overlooked Condition
Thousands of people suffer with tailbone pain, often struggling to find an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
Tailbone Pain Awareness Day, created by Patrick Foye, professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS), aims to change that by bringing awareness to this debilitating condition.
Expert available: Potential international trade changes under new Trump administration
University of Georgia School of Law Assistant Professor of Law & Faculty Co-Director of the Dean Rusk International Law Center Desirée LeClercq, who specializes in international labor law and worked in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative during the previous Trump administration, as well as in the International Labor Organization and at the National Labor Relations Board, is available for further commentary at [email protected].
Appealing to voters through podcasts, expert explains advantages
Virginia Tech communication professor Megan Duncan discusses why United States presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris focused on podcasts in their voter outreach, and what benefits such media bring.
What UW political experts will be watching for on Election Day
Before the results of the 2024 election start rolling in, UW News asked three University of Washington professors of political science to discuss what’s on their minds heading into the final hours.
Out of Africa: UT Southwestern cardiologist gets to the heart of Zambia’s No. 1 health threat
On a Thursday morning in Dallas, Fiona Strasserking, M.D., chats with her UT Southwestern colleague while internal medicine residents from the University of Zambia log on to their Zoom call. Rafic Berbarie, M.D., Associate Professor in UTSW’s Division of Cardiology, is today’s guest lecturer and the topic is “Evaluation of Chest Pain.”
MSU expert: What to know about Halloween candy safety
Halloween is a favorite holiday for many adults and especially young children. With traditions ranging from attending fun costume parties to transforming spaces with spooky decorations to trick-or-treating, there’s ample opportunity for kids to find themselves with heaps of candy. So, what should parents know about the health effects of all this candy? Christine Venema is a food safety educator with MSU Extension. Here, she explains what parents should know when it comes to the health concerns around candy and the shelf life of candy.
Ask the expert: Why is immigration reform so contentious?
The issue of immigration reform is one that both Republicans and Democrats have sought to address for years with little success. And many voters are losing their patience with the lack of progress — whether resulting from ineffective bills passed, bills that have failed to pass, or executive orders from presidents. Veronica Tobar Thronson is a clinical professor of law who directs the Immigration Law Clinic at the Michigan State University College of Law. Here, she provides an overview of why there has been a lack of immigration reform and how it has become a leading political issue.
The ‘eyes’ have it: Reasons you should avoid color-changing eye drops
Fads tend to change in the blink of an eye. This year, some people are being drawn to an eye-catching social media trend of using eye drops that promise to lighten or darken your eye color. The reality is that over-the-counter eye drops cannot change your eye color.
Expert offers insights on Hurricane Helene’s lingering impacts on Appalachia
Emily Satterwhite, professor and the director of the Appalachian Studies program in the Department of Religion and Culture, is familiar with the phases of flood recovery efforts. She shares insights on Hurricane Helene’s lasting impacts in Appalachia as well as the best ways to help during the current stage of recovery.
The Vandal Theory Podcast – Season 8, Episode 4: Trailer park transitions
Question: You probably know some of the stereotypes about people who live in trailer parks. Do you think those stereotypes live up to the reality?
The Vandal Theory Podcast – Season 8, Episode 3: Solving mysteries with tree rings
Question: Have you ever counted the rings of a tree?
The Vandal Theory Podcast – Season 8, Episode 2: Literary treasure hunting
Question: What do you think are some of the reasons why an author would prefer to use a pen name over their real one?
The Vandal Theory Podcast – Season 8, Episode 1: Exploring killer yeasts
Question: Have you ever tried baking or brewing with yeast?
The Vandal Theory Podcast – Season 7, Episode 8: Constructing Sustainable Houses
Question: What is the construction industry doing, or what might it do in the future, to make buildings more climate friendly?
The Vandal Theory Podcast – Season 7, Episode 7: Geology on Mars and in Minecraft
Question: Did you ever nerd out about geology as a kid?
The Vandal Theory Podcast – Season 7, Episode 5: Diversity in the Workplace
Question: Can you name types of diversity that could influence a team’s working dynamic?
The Vandal Theory Podcast – Season 7, Episode 6: Education Inequalities and Student Mental Health
Question: What types of things do you imagine are harder for first-generation students to navigate while attending college, versus their peers whose parents also attended?
Switching to Plant Milk? Here’s What You Should Know
Alice H. Lichtenstein, senior scientist at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) at Tufts University and the Stanley N. Gershoff Professor of Nutrition at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, and Diane McKay, assistant professor at the Friedman School, recently shared their advice for people interested in making the switch from dairy milk to plant milk.
Teaching in a polarized political climate
In an increasingly polarized world, tough conversations can pop up virtually anywhere, including the K-12 classroom. When that happens, teachers need to be prepared to serve as moderator so students can have productive and meaningful discussions with each other, says DePaul University professor Hilary Conklin.
Can a UN Meeting Help Save Jaguars?
“The CBD CoP16 in Cali, Colombia is important for the future of jaguars. This magnificent spotted neotropical big cat has already lost more than 50% of its original distribution and the trend in the species’ populations continues to decline. Thus, a significant change must occur to conserve them for the long term.”
Epidemiology researcher leads $1.7M study on Shingrix’s impact on dementia, stroke in nursing homes
Epidemiology professor Daniel Harris is leading research on the link between shingles and dementia in nursing home residents. The $1.7 million study examines the impact of the Shingrix vaccine on dementia risk and other neurological issues among 3.5 million residents.
Benjamin Gwinneth: Uncovering the effects of past climate change
Newly appointed geography professor Benjamin Gwinneth uses innovative geochemical methods, such as measuring fecal molecules, to understand how climate variability shaped ancient populations.
Student debt: An individual and collective burden at English-language universities
Professor Jean François Bissonnette analyzes student debt from a moral economy perspective and explains how it has sparked protests at English-language universities.
Morgane Schambourg: A veterinarian dedicated to advancing equine medicine
UdeM’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine welcomes Morgane Schambourg, a specialist in equine surgery and sports medicine who honed her skills in the United Arab Emirates caring for endurance racehorses.
Q&A: New book shows how innovation inequality fuels America’s political divide
Victor Menaldo, UW professor of political science, co-authored the forthcoming book, “U.S. Innovation Inequality and Trumpism.” The book focuses on how former President Donald Trump — like other populists that came before him — exploits ‘innovation inequality,” or the divide between areas that are more technologically advanced and those that aren’t.
Marc-André Legault: Optimizing drug therapy with bioinformatics
A new professor in the Faculty of Pharmacy, Legault is using innovative techniques in genetics and AI to predict patients’ responses to medication.
How to Steal an Election: New UW course examines democracy’s vulnerability
James Long, University of Washington professor of political science, launched a new course this quarter. “How to Steal an Election” highlights the types of politicians who try to steal elections, and how and what can be done to secure them.
MSU expert: How the 2024 election could impact your grocery bill
The economy is always a hot topic in presidential elections and, this year, food prices have taken center stage. After a period of historically high inflation in 2022, where grocery prices soared by over 11%, the current rise in food costs has slowed to around 2%.
MSU expert: Can schools stop students from praying?
School prayer has been an issue facing school districts for decades. Cases have arisen in the lower courts in which public school educators or students have wanted to pray in various contexts and, as a result, the courts created a reasonably helpful — albeit far from perfect — set of tests and factors to be considered to determine when praying at school is appropriate.
Top experts unite at University of Bristol to tackle gambling harms globally
Leading experts from across the world will join forces in the UK this week in a bid to confront the wide-reaching challenges and curb the devastating effects of gambling.
Diplomacy needed to deescalate war between Israel and Iran’s proxies, expert explains
The one-year anniversary of the Hamas attacks in Israel arrived with no sign of a cease-fire agreement, and multiple signs that the fighting could expand to multiple fronts and go on for years. Virginia Tech global affairs expert Ariel Ahram answered more questions about the expanding conflict and what a solution will require.
How ghost stories came to haunt Halloween, expert explains
Virginia Tech English department instructor Ingrid Johnson, who teaches a course on “Monsters, Madness, and the Macabre,” provides insights into how Halloween and ghost stories became so intertwined, and the influence ghost stories have in pop culture.
Fake Hurricane Helene images go viral, experts discuss the problem and how to counteract
Thousands of well-meaning social media users have been sharing photos supposedly depicting the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s destruction that have turned out to be fake images generated by artificial intelligence (AI). Communication media expert Cayce Myers and digital literacy expert Julia Feerrar discuss the problems these images cause and how to detect them.
Hurricanes causing mortality, major damage: MSU experts can comment
Hurricane season extends through November, and with two big hurricanes already striking the United States, Michigan State University experts can comment on what can precede a hurricane and what damage and repercussions come after hurricanes make landfall.
Why Do We Have an Electoral College? Experts Weigh In.
The president and vice president aren’t elected directly by United States citizens. Rather, they are chosen through the Electoral College. The process has sparked debate for years. How did the Electoral College come to be, and how does it work? Is the process fair? (In 1969, New Jersey representatives of the House attempted to do away with the process.)
Recovery efforts post-Hurricane Helene
A Virginia Tech disaster response expert has actionable recommendations to improve preparedness and community resilience in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s disaster
Experts offer advice for supporting children’s mental health
Prioritizing mental health is not only important for adults, but for children as well. “Stress and anxiety are normal parts of life that we all experience in order to keep us safe,” said Samantha Kempker-Margherio, assistant professor of psychology in Virginia Tech’s College of Science.
Europa Clipper: U-M experts available to comment
The launch window will soon open for NASA’s Europa Clipper, the organization’s latest mission to Jupiter’s system of moons.
A Q&A with Jeffrey Upperman, a national leader in pediatric trauma and disaster preparedness.
Jeffrey Upperman, MD, surgeon-in-chief at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, talks about why the U.S. needs a coordinated initiative to emphasize the impact of disasters on children to improve both future crisis responses and the care of children in the immediate aftermath and as they develop.
Dockworkers strike to disrupt supply chains
A prolonged strike favors the longshore industry employers, allowing them to raise prices and benefit from delays and bottlenecks, according to a University of Miami management science specialist.
WashU Expert: Strike will test U.S. supply chain resiliency
Panos Kouvelis, director of the Boeing Center for Supply Chain Innovation at Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis, discusses the impact of the port workers’ strike on supply chain inventory and prices.
Breast cancer experts & story ideas
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center experts attack breast cancer on multiple fronts to advance cures, reduce racial disparities and save lives. New imaging and surgical techniques help.
Twin Studies Expert Nancy Segal Featured in Netflix Documentary ‘The Accidental Twins’
Nancy Segal, director of the Twin Studies Center at Cal State Fullerton, is featured in the 2024 subtitled documentary “The Accidental Twins.”
Mental health and self-care during election season: MSU experts can comment
MSU experts can comment on the role emotions play during election season and how to take care of yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed by the news.
Alarming Surge: Global Crisis of Childhood Overweight and Obesity
Since 1990, childhood obesity has nearly doubled globally, with the U.S. at the forefront. In Southern Europe, 10-15% of children are obese, while Asia has nearly half of all overweight kids under 5. Nearly 70% of the average U.S. child’s diet consists of ultra-processed foods, which are increasingly consumed by children under 24 months, raising obesity risks and reducing immunological protection. Addressing pediatric obesity requires a multifaceted approach from tackling the influence of social media and advertising on children’s food choices to increasing physical activity.
“We Can Reverse Latino HIV Crisis,” Guilamo-Ramos
Prof. Vincent Guilamo-Ramos, PhD RN Executive Director of the Institute for Policy Solutions (IPS) at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, joined a diverse group of leaders at the White House today to shine the spotlight on the largely invisible HIV crisis in the Latino community.
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Cardiologist Honored by World Children’s Transplant Fund
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles cardiologist Jondavid Menteer, MD, was honored with the World Children’s Transplant Fund “WCTF for the Children Award.” The prestigious award recognized Dr. Menteer for 20 years of dedication and leadership in pediatric heart transplant at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, which is home to the largest heart center for children in the Western U.S.