The shocking death of Robert ‘Tractor’ Traylor; a professor’s startup company could transform electric vehicles; U-M ranked #4 by Rate My Professor; alums Davis and White triumph (again) in ice dancing; the Innocence Clinic fights to free another prisoner; plus career advice and more.

The hottest stars in the universe spin so fast that they get a bit squished at their poles and dimmer around their middle. A 90-year-old theory predicts the extent of this phenomenon—but a new U-M study shows that theory has major flaws. “It is surprising to me that von Zeipel’s law has been adopted in astronomy for such a long time,” says researcher Xiao Che.

It’s allergy season. Doctors from the Michigan Sinus Center offer tips for keeping your symptoms in check.

U-M researchers found that schools located in areas with the state’s highest industrial air pollution levels had the lowest attendance rates—an indicator of poor health—as well as the highest proportions of students who failed to meet state educational testing standards.

Runners: ready to get back on the road, or build up for a race? U-M women’s cross country coach Mike McGuire offers tips for faster, safer recreational running.

How does a performer lift herself to world-class status? And how can she help students create real art? Geri Allen, inheritor of Detroit’s great piano traditions and one of the world’s great pianists, offers the secrets to her students at U-M.

How the strange but brilliant Augustus Woodward created the University of Michigan…sort of.

Brilliant ideas and ruthless competition at 600 words per minute: Behind the scenes of the Michigan debate team’s dramatic push for a national championship.

Michigan Today’s new language columnist remembers her mentor and predecessor, Richard W. Bailey.