How Michigan planted its flag on Greenland — or tried to
When U-M researcher William Herbert Hobbs traveled to Greenland in the 1920s, he set off on a spree with a map and a pencil, planting Michigan-connected names on practically any feature of the landscape that caught his eye.
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The biological roots of post-traumatic stress disorder
U-M researchers have found that PTSD, the severe anxiety disorder that can follow traumatic events, is not just a psychological problem. “Traumatic events can get under your skin and literally alter your biology,” says researcher Monica Uddin, whose team found that trauma seems to change gene expression, altering the immune system.
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Light twists rigid structures in unexpected nanotech finding
In findings that took the experimenters three years to believe, U-M engineers and their collaborators have demonstrated that light itself can twist ribbons of nanoparticles. Matter readily bends and twists light. That’s the mechanism behind optical lenses and polarizing 3-D movie glasses. But the opposite effect—light bending matter—has rarely been observed.
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Get up and go
Sea lilies can break off their own stalks and ‘crawl’ away from sea urchins that try to eat them. The remarkable survival strategy is an example of how an ‘arms race’ between predators and prey can guide the evolution of species.
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U-M researchers solve a molecular mystery in muscle
The muscle-building abilities of hormones known as insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are legendary. But key details about how IGFs work on muscle cells have been lacking. Now, researchers have cleared up a longstanding mystery about the workings of IGFs. The team’s findings could lead to new treatments for muscle-wasting diseases and new ways of preventing the muscle loss that accompanies aging.
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U-M law clinic frees another innocent man
The Law School’s Innocence Clinic secures the freedom of a man falsely imprisoned for murder since 2001.
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An archaeological mystery in a half-ton lead coffin
In the ruins of a city that was once Rome’s neighbor, archaeologists last summer found a 1,000-pound lead coffin. Who or what is inside is still a mystery, said U-M’s Nicola Terrenato, who leads the largest American dig in Italy in the past 50 years. “We’re very excited about this find. Romans as a rule were not buried in coffins to begin with and when they did use coffins, they were mostly wooden. There are only a handful of other examples from Italy of lead coffins from this age.”
Columns
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President's Message
Navigating proposed policy changes
U-M leadership is working with university peers to craft a sector-wide strategy to engage constructively with the federal government. -
Editor's Blog
Finders, keepers
Keep your eyes peeled, people. The universe delivers wisdom in the most random 'found' objects. -
Climate Blue
Landscape management versus climate change: A false choice
Now is the time to develop approaches to building that respect the landscape and the changing climate that shapes it. -
Health Yourself
Do you have a rare disease?
After discovering that one of his friends is allergic to water, Victor Katch takes a deep dive into rare diseases.
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MGo Blue podcasts
Explore the Michigan Athletics series "In the Trenches," "On the Block," and "Conqu'ring Heroes." -
Michigan Ross Podcasts
Check out the series "Business and Society," "Business Beyond Usual," "Working for the Weekend," and "Down to Business." -
Michigan Medicine Podcasts
Hear audio series, news, and stories about the future of health care.
A march toward madness — the NCAA kind
The Dusty May era of the University of Michigan men’s basketball team opened the regular season with a victory at home on Nov. 4, defeating Cleveland State 101-53. It was a great beginning to what is shaping up to be a thrilling season. Enjoy these highlights so far — and let’s forget that loss to MSU for a moment — as the team forges a hopeful path toward the annual March Madness tournament. (Captions were sourced from mgoblue.com.)
