How Michigan planted its flag on Greenland — or tried to

Explorers, circa 1920s, aboard a ship en route to Greenland.

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.

  1. New building design withstands earthquake simulation

    U-M researchers simulated an off-the-charts earthquake in a laboratory to test their new technique for bracing high-rise concrete buildings. Their technique passed the test, withstanding more movement than an earthquake would typically demand. watch

  2. U-M researcher's idea may soon simplify financial aid process

    Parents of students considering college are now struggling with a federal form that is longer and more grueling than the IRS Form 1040. But that could soon change, thanks to the work of a U-M researcher. Susan Dynarski’s plan was embraced by both the Obama and McCain campaigns and could become reality as officials work to simplify the financial aid process.

  3. Students help to bring the Internet to rural Africa

    Residents of rural Kenya now have e-mail accounts and Internet access thanks in part to the work of U-M engineering students.

  4. What's so funny?

    Did you hear the one about the academic researchers who got together with cartoonists and Daily Show writers to try to figure out how humor works? It sounds like a quick way to strangle comedy, but U-M is at the forefront of the not-quite-a-trend toward humor studies.

    Plus: Got something funny to say? Tell your (clean!) jokes on our letters page.

  5. Biography of a heroine

    The U-M Museum of Art opens its gorgeous new wing on March 28, and you can tour it in the slideshow above. Here we remember the sculpture that started it all. Acquired in 1861, and still one of UMMA’s most beloved artworks, ‘Nydia’ was the product of a hometown boy who made it big in the art world.

  6. Number of fast-food restaurants associated with stroke risk

    U-M physicians have discovered a connection between the number of fast-food joints in a neighborhood and the rate of stroke. It’s not known yet whether the restaurants are a cause of stroke, or just a marker of an unhealthy area.

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.)

  • Close call

    In his return to Columbus Feb. 16, Roddy Gayle Jr. scored nine points and pulled down eight rebounds to beat Ohio State 86-83. With the game tied at 80 with less than two minutes to go, Gayle gave Michigan an 82-80 lead. The Wolverines’ win over the Buckeyes marked its 20th victory of the season, the 32nd time in program history the Wolverines have reached 20-plus wins and the first time since the 2020-21 season. (Image credit: Rick Osentoski, Michigan Photography.)

    Michigan basketball player Roddy Gayle Jr. outperforms an OSU opponent for victory against the Buckeyes in Feb. 2025

  • Take that, Purdue

    Leading by four points with under a minute to play on Feb. 11, Rubin Jones slammed home a missed layup, giving Michigan a 73-67 lead with 39 seconds to go. Despite two three-point baskets from Purdue, Danny Wolf made two free throws to close out the game, securing the win. (Image credit: Andrew Mascharka, Michigan Photography.)

    Michigan basketball player No. 15 Rubin Jones celebrates slamming home a missed layup against Purdue.

  • A point per minute

    The Wolverines defeated Oregon behind five double-figure scorers and 25 points off turnovers in the annual Breast Cancer Awareness game on Feb. 5. Will Tschetter led the way with 17 points in only 17 minutes. (Image credit: Andrew Mascharka, Michigan Photography.)

    Michigan basketball player No. 42 Will Tschetter scores against Oregon.

  • And they called it the streak

    Tre Donaldson led U-M to victory against Penn State on Jan. 27 with 21 points, seven assists, and four steals. Meanwhile, the Wolverines showcased a deep bench, with nine players contributing to the scoring effort. With this victory, Michigan hit 10-0 at home, the program’s longest home winning streak since the 2020-21 season. (Image credit: Daryl Marshke, Michigan Photography.)

    Michigan basketball player No. 3, Tre Donaldson, reacts to No. 42, Will Tschetter, in a game agains Penn State.

  • Team highs

    Vladislav Goldin’s 31 points led U-M to an 80-76 win in overtime against Northwestern on Jan. 19. It was his second game with 30 or more points. Goldin led all scorers in the matchup, including a career-high 10 free throw makes on 10-for-12 shooting from the line. (Image credit: Christina Merrill,  Michigan Photography.)

    Vladislav Goldin and Roddy Gayle Jr. celebrate a sweet score against Northwestern.

  • Welcome to the Big Ten, Cali

    Career highs took Michigan to a 94-75 victory against UCLA on Jan. 8. Vladislav Goldin led all scorers for a career-high of 36 points. Tre Donaldson scored 20 points, six three-pointers, and seven assists (a tie for his career best). Donaldson came through in the clutch, hitting two crucial three-pointers while Goldin and Danny Wolf were on the bench with four fouls each. (Image credit: Katelyn Mulcahy, Michigan Photography.)

    Michigan basketball player No. 50 Vladislav Goldin in a victory over UCLA.

  • California, here we come

    On Jan. 4, the Wolverines used a pair of 10-0 runs late in the second half to defeat USC 85-74 at the Galen Center. Danny Wolf led all players with a 21-point, 13-rebound double-double along with seven assists and six blocks. The game marked the start of Michigan’s first trip to the West Coast to battle USC and UCLA as conference opponents. (Image credit: Katelyn Mulcahy, Michigan Photography.)

     

    Michigan basketball player No. 1 Danny Wolf drops a ball in the basket in a victory against USC.

  • Dusting Western Kentucky

    Dec. 29 was a bad day for Western Kentucky, who lost to the Wolverines 112-64. U-M outscored the Hilltoppers 13-6 in the first four minutes and had 72 points by the first media timeout. At the 6:05 mark, Danny Wolf’s three-pointer gave Michigan 19 for the game, tying a program record. (Image credit Andrew Mascharka, Michigan Photography.)

    Michigan basketball team gathers around Coach Dusty May on the sidelines at Crisler Arena.

  • Oh, you’re a holiday

    At the annual Holiday Game at Crisler Dec. 7, the Wolverines defeated Iowa 85-83. The nailbiter was tied 83-83 with 16 seconds to go when Roddy Gayle Jr. drove to the right side of the hoop for an attempted layup. Goaltending was called on a shot block to give Michigan the lead with 4.6 seconds to go. Iowa’s three-point attempt at the buzzer was no good, giving Michigan the win. (Image credit: Jaime Crawford, Michigan Photography.)

    Michigan basketball player Roddy Gayle is surrounded by Iowa basketball players as he seeks to make a basket.