When Italy’s Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD 79, it buried the palatial villa of Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus, Julius Caesar’s father-in-law. These black and brittle papyri may look like charred croissants, but U-M classicist Richard Janko believes they contain lost masterpieces of literature, history, and philosophy.

Michigan explores the academic outer limits, introducing extended and virtual reality to the classroom. Its XR studio opens a new chapter on scalable, personalized, and immersive learning technologies. Oh, the places you’ll go!

The U.S. Army has extended its long-running relationship with the U-M Automotive Research Center, reaching a new five-year agreement of up to $100 million to boost work on autonomous vehicle technologies. As automakers explore self-driving cars, the Army-funded center will figure out how to take the tech off-road.

“Histotripsy” is a technique created by U-M engineers and doctors that harnesses soundwaves to attack cancer. It comes with the promise of few, if any side effects, a quick treatment time and, for patient Carrie Kumpel, the hope that it would completely destroy three spots that had formed on her liver.

A U-M study shows accurate AI models improved diagnostic decisions, but biased models led to serious declines. Researchers and policymakers are taking steps to ensure AI models are safe, secure, and trustworthy — and that their use would lead to improved outcomes.

Kate Biberdorf, BS ’08, may be a chemistry professor at the University of Texas at Austin but aspiring scientists and fans know her as’ Kate the Chemist,’ an entertainer and bestselling author. She created the persona as a way of reaching new audiences and inspiring young minds to pursue STEM fields.

The U-M neuroscientist is the eighth faculty member to receive the nation’s highest scientific honor. Her work contributes to the understanding of depression, anxiety, and addiction by delving into the genes, proteins, and cells that help govern human emotions and moods, and responses to pleasure and pain.

The U-M Museum of Zoology recently acquired tens of thousands of scientifically priceless reptile and amphibian specimens, including roughly 30,000 snakes preserved in alcohol-filled glass jars.

Technique developed at U-M provides a noninvasive alternative to surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments for cancer. A human trial underway since 2021 at the Rogel Cancer Center and other locations demonstrates the technology’s ability to meet the testing’s primary effectiveness and safety targets.