While the major share of media attention has focused on third-party online social networks such as Facebook, many companies have made the choice to build their own social networks. It’s well worth the investment, say U-M researchers, who find that such networks increase profits and loyalty not only online but in brick-and-mortar stores as well.

The university could inject up to $25 million during the next decade into select venture-funded U-M startups—new companies built around inventions born in faculty members’ labs.

World population is expected to pass seven billion this year. Can the earth handle it? U-M economist David Lam looks at the successes of the last 50 years and the trends for the future—and comes away optimistic.

U-M president Mary Sue Coleman explains how the university is responding to state budget crisis with hundreds of millions of dollars in cuts.

Plus: U-M focuses on quality, affordability, cost control with historic reduction in state funds

The economic damage of auto job losses is much worse than previously measured, says a U-M study. A Q-and-A on the layoff ripple effect.

U-M professor and poet Khaled Mattawa describes life under the “homicidal clown” Moammar Kadafi, and his hopes for his native Libya.

A startup company built on the inventions of graduate students in UM-Dearborn Prof. Pravansu Mohanty won the 2011 Clean Energy Prize.

U-M assistant professor Mark Clague talks about the challenges facing the symphony orchestra and how to make it more economically viable.

University of Michigan startup companies took home the $500,000 grand prize and the $150,000 first runner-up prize on Saturday at one of the nation’s largest business plan competitions. Two other U-M-created companies received cash awards as well.