Cdr. William Mayes is helping rebuild Iraq’s electrical infrastructure.

On average, women outlive men, and at any given age men have higher mortality rates. But why? U-M researcher Daniel Kruger’s new study shows that it’s the result of an evolutionary gambit: men often risk everything for the chance to reproduce.

The University of Michigan has been named part of an energy hub using advanced capabilities of the world’s most powerful computers to make significant leaps forward in nuclear reactor design and engineering. U-M will receive up to $8.5 million for its work in the Consortium for Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors (CASL).

The projects have been included in the National Science Foundation’s “Sensational 60” list of scientific discoveries or advances that have had a major impact on Americans. They include studies on elections and the economy as well as crucial medical advances.

“When we talk to local officials across the state, we find that most of them feel that the stimulus has not helped improve their local economies so far, and is unlikely to help them in the future,” said U-M’s Brian Jacob.

The University of Michigan has self-imposed sanctions in its football program for violating NCAA rules.The sanctions—which relate to quality-control staff and practice and training time—follow a cooperative investigation with the NCAA and are detailed in a response to a Notice of Allegations the institution received Feb. 22, 2010. The response also outlines actions already taken Read more

Here’s a throwback to good old American automotive muscle. The U-M racing team set an all-time record for acceleration by a collegiate team, and placed second overall, at the SAE Collegiate Design Series. Includes video.

U-M engineering professor Jessy Grizzle and his students have built a robot that can successfully navigate uneven surfaces—a critical talent for robots to handle movement over most of the planet’s surface. Includes video.

Miss USA is a UM-Dearborn alumna; secrets of a happy marriage; U-M leadership grows in nuclear energy; alumni raise money for Mott Children’s Hospital; U-M’s “Lost” legacy; and more.