Too much screen time? U-M pioneers digital wellness program for youths
Addiction, cyberbullying, eating disorders, anxiety, and other mental health issues caused by problematic digital practices and an increase in screen time are some of the themes of a new and unique U-M interprofessional Peer-to-Peer Digital Wellness class.
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Hiss-toric first: U-M museum’s 70,000 snake specimens form world’s largest research collection
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.
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Space weather disrupts nocturnal bird migration, study finds
Birds and other animals rely on Earth’s magnetic field for long-distance navigation during seasonal migrations. U-M researchers are now learning how periodic disruptions of the planet’s magnetic field, caused by solar flares and other energetic outbursts, affect the reliability of those biological navigation systems.
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Tumor-destroying sound waves receive FDA approval for liver treatment in humans
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.
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New $81M NIH grant will help US answer urgent need for better dementia care
National Dementia Workforce Study will survey those who work in homes, hospitals, clinics, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes, yielding data to improve care and inform policy.
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Are you there, AI? It’s me, God
As artificial intelligence apps such as ChatGPT have proliferated, so have chatbots with a religious bent. In this video and Q&A, Webb Keane, U-M professor of anthropology, shares his thoughts about so-called “godbots,” and the danger of giving moral authority to artificial intelligence.
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Study: Average teen received more than 200 app notifications a day
A report explores tween and teen relationships with phones, offering families guidance to promote healthier technology habits. The top three most popular social platforms among 11- to-12-year-olds were TikTok, Snapchat, and gaming platform Discord.
Columns
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President's Message
From this day forward: ‘Vision 2034’
As U-M plans for the next decade, we prioritize the safety of our present-day campus community. -
Editor's Blog
Something old, something new
Who's ready for an excellent adventure? Just keep an eye peeled for the (virtual) hot lava. -
Climate Blue
Order from disorder
Ricky Rood explains the organizing principles behind weather, which is how we feel climate. -
Health Yourself
Getting a leg up on sciatica and piriformis syndrome
Victor Katch compares and contrasts sciatica and piriformis syndrome and explains how to ease that pain in your butt.
The Art Show
Founded in 1990 with a single theatre workshop, the Prison Creative Arts Project (PCAP) is a program of U-M’s Residential College. Courses serve as gateways for undergraduate participation in prison arts workshops and provide academic training in issues surrounding incarceration and practical skills in the arts. The program’s Annual Exhibition of Artists in Michigan Prisons (“the art show”) is one of the largest exhibits of artwork by incarcerated artists in the world. The annual exhibition, free to the public, is presented with support from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council. It runs through April 2 at the Duderstadt Gallery. (Click on the images to enlarge. Images are courtesy of PCAP.) Learn more about PCAP.