science wire

U-M experts available to discuss Canadian earthquake felt in Michigan today
ANN ARBOR-Earthquakes Canada reported that a magnitude 5.2 earthquake occurred at 9:43 a.m. ET today northwest of Ottawa, Canada, and was followed 10 minutes later by an aftershock of magnitude 4.1.

Kids, especially boys, perceive sadness of depressed parents
ANN ARBOR-Children of depressed parents pick up on their parents' sadness-whether mom or dad realizes their mood or not. A new University of Michigan study indicates that children who have at least one parent suffering from depression are very skilled at picking up on facial cues. Boys living in this environment are highly sensitive to facial expressions of sadness, said Nestor Lopez-Duran, assistant professor of psychology and one the study's authors.

U-M anthropologist named 2013 National Geographic Emerging Explorer
Vivianne Schnitzer, U-M News Service, (734) 763-0368, vsh [a] umich (p) edu or Caroline Braun, National Geographic, (202) 862-8281, cbraun [a] ngs (p) org ANN ARBOR-Jason De León, assistant

U-M conference: Future of liberal arts at research universities
EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT DATE: May 22-24, 2013 EVENT: At a time when the value of the liberal arts is under much debate, more than 50 deans at large research universities around the country wil

A new laser paradigm: An electrically injected polariton laser
ANN ARBOR-Engineering researchers at the University of Michigan have demonstrated a paradigm-shifting "polariton" laser that's fueled not by light, but by electricity.

U-M launches new center to transform mobility
Francine Romine, (734) 763-4668, fromine [a] umich (p) edu or David Lampe, (734) 647-7768, drlampe [a] umich (p) edu or Bernie DeGroat (734) 647-1847, bernied [a] umich (p) edu ANN ARBOR-The

Nano-breakthrough: Solving the case of the herringbone crystal
ANN ARBOR-Leading nanoscientists created beautiful, tiled patterns with flat nanocrystals, but they were left with a mystery: Why did some sets of crystals arrange themselves in an alternating, herringbone style? To find out, they turned to experts in computer simulation at the University of Michigan and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

U-M professors win prestigious fellowships in the humanities
ANN ARBOR-Six professors from the University of Michigan's College of Literature. and the Arts are among 88 faculty members nationwide awarded fellowships by the American Council of Learned Societies.

Smoking declines after U-M campus ban
ANN ARBOR-A campus survey reveals a reduction in tobacco use by faculty and staff members roughly a year after the University of Michigan banned smoking on the grounds of its three campuses.

U-M pioneers hybrid online, on-campus class in survey methods
ANN ARBOR-This June, the University of Michigan Summer Institute in Survey Research Techniques will offer an innovative class combining online education with traditional classroom instruction.

U-M names Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellows
ANN ARBOR-The Knight-Wallace Fellows program at the University of Michigan has named 12 American and eight international journalists for the academic year 2013-2014.

Inaugural Wallenberg Fellow to study conservation practice in Kenya
ANN ARBOR-The first-ever University of Michigan $25,000 Raoul Wallenberg Fellowship was awarded to a graduating senior for his plan to study conservation governance in Kenya.

Live and Learn: Most GenXers are continuing their education
ANN ARBOR-More than one in every 10 members of Generation X are enrolled in classes to continue their formal educations, according to a new University of Michigan study.

Food commercials excite teen brains
ANN ARBOR-Watching TV commercials of people munching on hot, crispy French fries or sugar-laden cereal resonates more with teens than advertisements about cell phone plans or the latest car.

Improving materials that convert heat to electricity and vice-versa
ANN ARBOR-Thermoelectric materials can be used to turn waste heat into electricity or to provide refrigeration without any liquid coolants, and a research team from the University of Michigan has fou

Statewide tech startup program begins
ANN ARBOR-A new technology acceleration program will bring together university and community innovators from across the state to help them explore business opportunities around their technologies.

U-M scholars hit the road to explore Michigan’s knowledge economy
ANN ARBOR-The Michigan Road Scholars' 14th annual "seminar on wheels" kicks off May 6 as 30 University of Michigan faculty and staff embark on a five-day journey across the state from Detroit to the Upper Peninsula and Grand Rapids to Bay City.

Fuel economy in the U.S. drops from recent high
ANN ARBOR-Fuel economy of new vehicles sold in the U.S. slipped last month for the first time this year, say researchers at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.

Blowing the whistle on bad behavior takes more than guts
ANN ARBOR-Our work environments play a bigger role than previously thought when it comes to reporting unethical behavior, according to University of Michigan researcher. "Our findings contradict conventional wisdom that the personal characteristics of an employee drive his or her decision to speak up," said David Mayer, assistant professor of management and organizations at U-M's Ross School of Business.

Consumer confidence withstands Boston bombing
Diane Swanbrow, (734) 647-9069, swanbrow [a] umich (p) edu or Surveys of Consumers, (734) 763-5224 or Thomson Reuters PR Hotline, (646) 223-7222, ext.1 ANN ARBOR-The overall level of consume

Oakland’s economic resurgence continues
ANN ARBOR-On the heels of its strongest two-year job growth in almost 20 years, Oakland County's economy will add nearly 42,000 jobs through 2015, say University of Michigan economists.

Dramatic changes in global attitudes toward domestic violence
ANN ARBOR-Global attitudes about domestic violence have changed dramatically since 2000, according to a new University of Michigan study that analyzes data from 26 lowand middle-income countries.

Asthma initiative has impact on health care use
ANN ARBOR-Children living in areas where there was wide-ranging and active support for improving outcomes for their chronic asthma were hospitalized less and made fewer visits to the emergency room, when compared with those in other communities. The need for costly health care services was reduced in six low-income communities that had participated in a special initiative to improve pediatric asthma control, led by faculty and staff at the Center for Managing Chronic Disease at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

Mindfulness therapy might help veterans with combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder
New study from University of Michigan, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System shows group mindfulness activities have positive effect on PTSD symptoms ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Mindfulness exercises that include meditation, stretching, and acceptance of thoughts and emotions might help veterans with combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder find relief from their symptoms.

Experts propose strategies to reduce, end tobacco use
ANN ARBOR-What would it take to end tobacco use once and for all? This is the question several scholars, scientists and policy experts address in a provocative series of articles on various strategi

The bigger the group, the smaller the chance of interracial friendship
ANN ARBOR-The larger the group, the smaller the chance of forming interracial friendships, a new University of Michigan study shows.

Weather data scrutiny spurs government efficiency
ANN ARBOR-When the National Weather Service data indicates the temperature reached 75 degrees on a given day, can you believe it? Researchers from the University of Michigan found that the government agency's data became more accurate in the 24 cities where the Chicago Mercantile Exchange began selling weather derivative contracts.

Unpleasant thoughts are easy to retrieve, but hard to believe
ANN ARBOR-People feel happy about their future even after imagining the many bad events that might occur, a new University of Michigan study found.

What do tax policy experts think about U.S. tax policy?
ANN ARBOR-Large majorities of tax policy experts in the U.S. favor a graduated personal income tax, taxing long-term capital gains as ordinary income, a net income tax on corporations and extending the retail sales tax to services.

Self-medication in animals much more widespread than believed
ANN ARBOR-It's been known for decades that animals such as chimpanzees seek out medicinal herbs to treat their diseases.

Gender equity gap still exists in Olympic leadership opportunities
ANN ARBOR-Despite attempts to support the inclusion of greater numbers of women on the international sporting scene, few women hold leadership roles in the international and U.S. Olympic and Paralympic organizations.

U-M professor: Implications loom large in human gene patent case before U.S. Supreme Court
MEDIA ADVISORY ANN ARBOR-A human gene patenting case before the U.S. Supreme Court next week could have major implications for biotechnology research and the public interest in the nation's patent system, according to a University of Michigan expert.

New software could alleviate wireless traffic
ANN ARBOR-The explosive popularity of wireless devices-from WiFi laptops to Bluetooth headsets to ZigBee sensor nodes-is increasingly clogging the airwaves, resulting in dropped calls, wasted bandwidth and botched connections.

New way to clear cholesterol from the blood
ANN ARBOR-Researchers at the University of Michigan have identified a new potential therapeutic target for lowering cholesterol that could be an alternative or complementary therapy to statins.

Gov. Snyder to discuss autonomous vehicles at Robotics Day
Nicole Casal Moore, (734) 647-7087 or (734) 709-1651, ncmoore [a] umich (p) edu or Alissa Roath, NCMS, (734) 995-3457 or (248) 563-2875, alissar [a] ncms (p) org MEDIA ADVISORY DATE: 9

Nuclear safety experts available to discuss Fukushima leaks
MEDIA ADVISORY ANN ARBOR-Leaks in underground storage pits at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant have released an estimated 32,000 gallons of radioactive water, previously used to cool the reactor cores.

Advancing secure communications: A better single-photon emitter for quantum cryptography
ANN ARBOR-In a development that could make the advanced form of secure known as quantum cryptography more practical, University of Michigan researchers have demonstrated a simpler, more efficient single-photon emitter that can be made using traditional semiconductor processing techniques. Single-photon emitters release one particle of light, or photon, at a time, as opposed to devices like lasers that release a stream of them.

University of Michigan experts available to discuss latest avian flu
ANN ARBOR-As new cases of Avian flu, H7N9, are reported in China, the University of Michigan School of Public Health has several experts available to discuss various aspects of influenza including di

Kresge Foundation CEO will address climate change in U-M talk
EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT DATE: 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, 2013 EVENT: Rip Rapson, president and CEO of the Kresge Foundation, will deliver a free, public lecture on "The Fierce Urgency of N

Lift weights to lower blood sugar? White muscle helps keep blood glucose levels under control
ANN ARBOR-Researchers in the Life Sciences Institute at the University of Michigan have challenged a long-held belief that whitening of skeletal muscle in diabetes is harmful. In fact, the white muscle that increases with resistance training, age and diabetes helps keep blood sugar in check, the researchers showed.

Fuel economy of new vehicles at all-time high
ANN ARBOR-Fuel economy of new vehicles sold in the United States is at its highest level ever, say researchers at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.

No debate about it: U-M team finds success in ’Elite Eight’
ANN ARBOR-The University of Michigan's men's basketball team is reaping national praise for its upcoming Final Four appearance, but another U-M team recently achieved its own success by making it int

TedXUofM convention aims to fill heads and hearts with ideas
ANN ARBOR-More than 1,200 people are expected to pack the Power Center on Friday for "Untapped," the fourth annual TEDxUofM ideas convention.

Cells culled from adults may grow human bone
ANN ARBOR-Preparations are underway for the first known human trial to use embryonic-like stem cells collected from adult cells to grow bone.

’Mean Girls’ at college: Social whirl derails many, study finds
ANN ARBOR-You're not done with high school when you go to college, according to a new study of student culture.

Record-breaking 2011 Lake Erie algae bloom may be sign of things to come
ANN ARBOR-The largest harmful algae bloom in Lake Erie's recorded history was likely caused by the confluence of changing farming practices and weather conditions that are expected to become more common in the future due to climate change.

Soils in newly forested areas store substantial carbon that could help offset climate change
ANN ARBOR-Surface appearances can be so misleading: In most forests, the amount of carbon held in soils is substantially greater than the amount contained in the trees themselves. If you're a land manager trying to assess the potential of forests to offset carbon emissions and climate change by soaking up atmospheric carbon and storing it, what's going on beneath the surface is critical.

Consumer confidence continues to improve in March
Diane Swanbrow, (734) 647-9069, swanbrow [a] umich (p) edu or Surveys of Consumers, (734) 763-5224 or Thomson Reuters PR Hotline, (646) 223-7222, ext.1 ANN ARBOR-Consumer confidence continued

Light may recast copper as chemical industry ’holy grail’
ANN ARBOR-Wouldn't it be convenient if you could reverse the rusting of your car by shining a bright light on it?

Sun Belt cities demand less energy than northern counterparts
ANN ARBOR-Much has been made of the increasing energy demands of the warmest regions of the U.S., but cooling down actually requires less energy than heating up, says a University of Michigan researcher.

Better than X-rays: A more powerful terahertz imaging system
ANN ARBOR-Low-energy terahertz radiation could potentially enable doctors to see deep into tissues without the damaging effects of X-rays, or allow security guards to identify chemicals in a package without opening it. But it's been difficult for engineers to make powerful enough systems to accomplish these promising applications.

Sexual agreements among gay couples show promise for HIV prevention
ANN ARBOR-The majority of gay men in relationships say they establish a "sexual agreement" with their partner, primarily to prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, according to a University of Michigan study. Sexual agreements show promise for HIV prevention, but the down side is that only 57 percent of couples actually concur that they have agreements, says Jason Mitchell, assistant professor at the U-M School of Nursing.

Share and share alike? Not for young kids, who endorse sharing but end up hoarding
ANN ARBOR-Children as young as 3 years old understand they should share with others, but they fail to follow this rule until age 7 or 8, according to a new University of Michigan study. "There is abundant evidence that children are aware of fairness standards at a young age, yet young children often allocate resources unfairly when they stand to benefit," said Craig Smith, a U-M postdoctoral psychology researcher and the study's lead author.

U-M regents appoint two to fill vice provost positions

Laurie McCauley, expert in skeletal biology, appointed dean of the U-M School of Dentistry

Measuring mercury: common test may overestimate exposure from dental amalgam fillings
ANN ARBOR-A common test used to determine mercury exposure from dental amalgam fillings may significantly overestimate the amount of the toxic metal released from fillings, according to University of Michigan researchers. Scientists agree that dental amalgam fillings slowly release mercury vapor into the mouth.

U-M experts available to discuss newly chosen Pope Francis I from Argentina
ANN ARBOR-The University of Michigan has faculty available to comment on Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina selected as the new pope of the Catholic Church.

U-M experts can discuss President Obama’s energy agenda
ANN ARBOR-President Obama is expected to talk about his second-term energy agenda tomorrow during his speech at Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, Ill.

Changes in U.S. population coming sooner than expected
ANN ARBOR-A major cultural and geographic divide is emerging between Americans under age 35 and over 50, according to University of Michigan demographer William Frey.

Going beyond the ’Arab Street’: U-M surveys opinions in the Middle East
ANN ARBOR-The "Arab street" is a popular cliché used to describe what people are thinking in the Middle East.

Local leaders: In residents we trust
ANN ARBOR-Local government leaders in Michigan are more likely to trust their residents than their residents are to trust local governments, according to a University of Michigan survey.

Species hiding in plain view
ANN ARBOR-Cryptic comments seem to have an ambiguous, obscure or hidden meaning. In biology, cryptic species are outwardly indistinguishable groups whose differences are hidden inside their genes. Two University of Michigan marine biologists have identified three cryptic species of tiny clams, long believed to be members of the same species, which have been hiding in plain view along the rocky shores of southern Australia for millions of years.

Transforming Learning for a Third Century funds its first projects
ANN ARBOR-The University of Michigan's Third Century Initiative has awarded $825,000 to two dozen projects designed to enhance action-based, experiential learning for students.

More tech startups in Michigan is the goal of new statewide entrepreneurship program
ANN ARBOR-A new entrepreneurial training program for inventors in Michigan aims to fast-track technologies to market and boost the economic impact of research conducted in the state.

Fuel economy remains at all-time high
ANN ARBOR-For the second month in a row, fuel economy of new vehicles sold in the United States remains at a record high, say researchers at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.

University of Michigan receives $50 million from Zell Family Foundation, led by alumna Helen Zell, for Creative Writing Program
Largest donation in history of U-M's College of Literature. and the Arts Nationally recognized program producing award-winning authors ANN ARBOR-Chicago philanthropist Helen Zell donated $50 million to the University of Michigan College of Literature.

U-M partners with Israeli university on renewable energy
ANN ARBOR-The University of Michigan and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel will forge a research partnership to collaborate on developing renewable technologies.

Fukushima anniversary: Nuclear experts available
ANN ARBOR-Two years after a devastating earthquake and tsunami struck Japan on March 11, 2011, triggering partial meltdowns in three nuclear reactors at Fukushima Daiichi, decommissioning of the damaged reactors is still in its early stages and recovery is slow in the region around the plant.

U-M first university to participate in innovative Race Card Project
ANN ARBOR-In the last three years, thousands of people across the U.S. have participated in the Race Card Project, an innovative social-issue undertaking created by award-winning journalist Michele Norris.

Fuel economy up, but consumption up even more
ANN ARBOR-Although vehicle fuel economy has improved 40 percent since 1970, the total amount of fuel used has increased by more than half, says a University of Michigan researcher.

CEOs with close ties to their top executives are more likely to commit fraud
ANN ARBOR-Corporate fraud dominates financial news, yet few studies have looked at whether chief executive officers who appoint their own top lieutenants are more inclined to act illegally, according to University of Michigan researchers. U-M business E. Han Kim and law school Vikramaditya Khanna found that the more top executives the CEO appointed, the higher the probability of fraud.

Stressed-out tadpoles grow larger tails to escape predators
ANN ARBOR-When people or animals are thrust into threatening situations such as combat or attack by a predator, stress hormones are released to help prepare the organism to defend itself or to rapidly escape from danger-the so-called fight-or-flight response. Now University of Michigan researchers have demonstrated for the first time that stress hormones are also responsible for altering the body shape of developing animals, in this case the humble tadpole, so they are better equipped to survive predator attacks.

Two-thirds of Americans now believe global warming is real
ANN ARBOR-An increasing number of Americans indicate that there is evidence of global warming, with 67 percent now expressing a belief that the planet has warmed over the past four decades, according to a University of Michigan survey.

Survivors of Japanese quake suffer violence, exploitation
ANN ARBOR-Although she lives alone, the Japanese woman keeps a large pair of men's shoes near her front door-part of her strategy to scare away stalkers.

U-Michigan professors available to address China issues
MEDIA ADVISORY ANN ARBOR-China's top leaders will gather in Beijing on Tuesday for the National People's Congress.

Early warning system provides four-month forecast of malaria epidemics in northwest India
ANN ARBOR-Sea surface temperatures in the tropical South Atlantic Ocean can be used to accurately forecast, by up to four months, malaria epidemics thousands of miles away in northwestern India, a University of Michigan theoretical ecologist and her colleagues have found.

A better bone marrow transplant: Preventing graft-versus-host disease
ANN ARBOR-Bone marrow transplant is a key treatment for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and other blood disorders.

Healthy intervention reduces depression for pregnant Latinas
ANN ARBOR-Latina women in a diabetes-prevention program show fewer signs of depression during pregnancy and in early postpartum, a University of Michigan study indicates. Untreated depression can negatively affect both mothers and children. Research indicates that sometimes minority women-when compared to their white counterparts-don't seek help for their depression.

Mars travel expert: Aerospace engineer can discuss challenges
MEDIA ADVISORY ANN ARBOR-A University of Michigan aerospace engineer who studies advanced thrusters is available to discuss the challenges of getting humans to Mars.

U-M experts can discuss sequester impasse, outcomes
ANN ARBOR-Unless Congress comes to an agreement, major federal spending cuts will happen March 1. The University of Michigan has experts available to discuss how the budget sequester will affect the country on various issues.

Reap what you sow? When it comes to exercise, benefits may differ
ANN ARBOR-Researchers at the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology have received a $1 million grant to study how exercise and other therapies might work differently in lean and obese individuals. Greg Cartee, U-M professor of movement science, and his colleagues at the Muscle Biology Laboratory hope to clarify the link between insulin, exercise and sugar uptake by studying how lean and obese rats respond to exercise.

Cut it out: U-M experts can discuss sequester impasse, outcomes
ANN ARBOR-Unless Congress comes to an agreement, major federal spending cuts will happen March 1. The University of Michigan has experts available to discuss how the budget sequester will affect the country on various issues.

When it comes to exercise, benefits may differ
ANN ARBOR-Researchers at the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology have received a $1 million grant to study how exercise and other therapies might work differently in lean and obese individuals. Greg Cartee, U-M professor of movement science, and his colleagues at the Muscle Biology Laboratory hope to clarify the link between insulin, exercise and sugar uptake by studying how lean and obese rats respond to exercise.

U-M Planet Blue Ambassadors: More than 1,000 certified
ANN ARBOR-In just one month, more than 1,000 University of Michigan faculty, staff and students have become certified as "Planet Blue Ambassadors," receiving training on effective ways to reduce environmental impact and to lead sustainability efforts on campus and beyond.

Lead exposure negatively impacts MEAP scores of Detroit schoolchildren
ANN ARBOR-Lead exposure in early childhood has been linked to lower performance on state achievement tests for many Detroit Public School students in several grades, researchers from the University of Michigan School of Public Health and colleagues report. The researchers also found lower scores for children who had been exposed to lead at levels below the federal threshold.

VP Forrest: U-M research funding up, but sequestration threatens budget
ANN ARBOR-Federal sequestration spending cuts could cost the University of Michigan research budget up to $40 million this year, harming graduate students, research scientists and others whose jobs d

Steady job growth will continue for Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair and Shiawassee counties
ANN ARBOR-The seven-county region of Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair and Shiawassee will gain more than 76,000 jobs this year through 2015, say University of Michigan economists.

GDP predicts auto sales worldwide
ANN ARBOR-Personal income, interest rates and the price of gas all influence auto sales, but a country's gross domestic product alone is a good indicator of new sales, says a researcher at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.

U-Michigan experts available to discuss Russian meteor
ANN ARBOR-Several University of Michigan experts are available to discuss the meteor that exploded in the sky over Russia today, causing a shock wave that blew out countless windows and reportedly injured hundreds of people with flying glass.

U-Michigan celebrates three Sloan Fellowships for research
ANN ARBOR-Three University of Michigan professors are among the 126 early-career scientists and scholars from the United States and Canada selected as 2013 Alfred P. Sloan research fellows.

Stay cool and live longer?
ANN ARBOR-Scientists have known for nearly a century that cold-blooded animals, such as worms, flies and fish all live longer in cold environments, but have not known exactly why. Researchers at the University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute have identified a genetic program that promotes longevity of roundworms in cold environments-and this genetic program also exists in warm-blooded animals, including humans.

U-M environmental scientist Joel Blum wins 2013 Patterson Award for research on mercury
ANN ARBOR-University of Michigan environmental scientist Joel D. Blum has been awarded the 2013 Clair C. Patterson Award from the Geochemical Society for the development and application of

U-M experts available to discuss world’s emerging technologies
ANN ARBOR-The World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on Emerging Technologies has released what it calls the "10 most promising technology trends that can help deliver sustainable growth in fu

U-M expert can discuss infection prevention in moms, babies
ANN ARBOR-During Prenatal Infection Prevention Awareness Month in February, University of Michigan nursing Lisa Kane Low is available to discuss issues related to pregnancy.

U-M experts available to discuss North Korea’s third nuclear test
ANN ARBOR-University of Michigan experts are available to discuss the scientific, legal and political issues involving in North Korea's third nuclear test. They include: Sara Pozzi , associate professor of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences, can address the significance of the test and how close it brings North Korea to delivering a nuclear weapon at long range.

Modern growing methods may be culprit of ’coffee rust’ fungal outbreak
ANN ARBOR-A shift away from traditional coffee-growing techniques may be increasing the severity of an outbreak of 'coffee rust' fungus that has swept through plantations in Central America and Mexico, according to a University of Michigan ecologist who studies the disease.

U-M experts available to discuss Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation
ANN ARBOR-Pope Benedict XVI's sudden resignation at month's end due to age and declining health has stunned Catholics and others worldwide.

Babies are born earlier and smaller when males are scarce
ANN ARBOR-In communities where Dad is more likely to be missing from the picture, more babies are born prematurely and of lower weight, according to a University of Michigan researcher.

Sunlight stimulates release of climate-warming gas from melting Arctic permafrost
ANN ARBOR-Ancient carbon trapped in Arctic permafrost is extremely sensitive to sunlight and, if exposed to the surface when long-frozen soils melt and collapse, can release climate-warming carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere much faster than previously thought. University of Michigan ecologist and aquatic biogeochemist George Kling and his colleagues studied places in Arctic Alaska where permafrost is melting and is causing the overlying land surface to collapse, forming erosional holes and landslides and exposing long-buried soils to sunlight.

U-M experts can discuss the State of the Union address
ANN ARBOR-President Obama is likely to discuss immigration, climate change, the economy and other issues during Tuesday's annual State of the Union address.

U-M expert to help Gallup review political polling methods
Michael Traugott ANN ARBOR-University of Michigan Michael Traugott, a nationally recognized expert in political communication and polls, is assisting the Gallup Organization with reviewing its survey methodology used in political polling.

Turning repulsive feelings into desires
ANN ARBOR-Hunger, thirst, stress and drugs can create a change in the brain that transforms a repulsive feeling into a strong positive "wanting," a new University of Michigan study indicates. The research used salt appetite to show how powerful natural mechanisms of brain desires can instantly transform a cue that always predicted a repulsive Dead Sea Salt solution into an eagerly wanted beacon or motivational magnet.

Road safety in megacities: Bikers, pedestrians beware
ANN ARBOR-Rapid growth of large cities throughout the world is having enormous impact on traffic safety in urban areas, say researchers at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.

Syria’s civil war Will the U.S., Turkey join the fight?
As the civil war in Syria grinds on, refugees flood into crowded camps. Washington remains cautious about intervening militarily.

Next-gen e-readers: Improved ’peacock’ technology could lock in color for high-res displays
ANN ARBOR-Iridescence, or sheen that shifts color depending on your viewing angle, is pretty in peacock feathers. But it's been a nuisance for engineers trying to mimic the birds' unique color mechanism to make high-resolution, reflective, color display screens. Now, researchers at the University of Michigan have found a way to lock in so-called structural color, which is made with texture rather than chemicals.

Fuel economy now at all-time high
ANN ARBOR-Fuel economy of new vehicles sold in the United States reached a record-high 24.5 mpg last month, say researchers at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.

Trouble ahead: Fewer have retirement funds, more raid them
ANN ARBOR-The proportion of working Americans with pensions of any kind has steadily decreased since 2001, according to a University of Michigan analysis that suggests trouble ahead for U.S. seniors.

U-M will host National Climate Assessment town hall

Early breast cancer diagnosis, survival rates low in rural India
ANN ARBOR-Women in developed countries survive roughly 10 years longer after a breast cancer diagnosis compared to women in poor-to-middle-income countries, a new University of Michigan study suggests.

Payroll tax hike narrows January gains in consumer confidence
Diane Swanbrow, (734) 647-9069, swanbrow [a] umich (p) edu or Surveys of Consumers, (734) 763-5224 or Thomson Reuters PR Hotline, (646) 223-7222, ext.1 ANN ARBOR-Consumer confidence began to

Get your buzzers ready: 2013 Great Lakes Bowl is February 9
EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT DATE: 8:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013 EVENT: The 2013 Great Lakes Bowl brings together 16 teams from high schools and junior high schools in Michigan and Ohio to compete for a spot at the National Ocean Sciences Bowl.

Social networking: Gen Xers connect online as often as they socialize in person
ANN ARBOR-Young adults in Generation X are as likely to connect with friends, family and co-workers online as they are in person, according to a University of Michigan study. In a typical month, adults in their late 30s report that they engaged in about 75 face-to-face or conversations, compared to about 74 electronic contracts through personal emails or social media.

U-Michigan experts available to discuss Super Bowl topics
ANN ARBOR-University of Michigan experts are available to discuss topics related to the Super Bowl, such as television advertising, family relationships and concussions.

Effort to enforce HIV ’health threat’ law raises questions
ANN ARBOR-Michigan health officials are using HIV surveillance technologies to assist in enforcing a "health threat" law that makes it illegal for HIV-positive people to have sex without disclosing their status. A new University of Michigan study reveals that health officials employ the state's names reporting database, alongside partner services referrals, for law enforcement purposes.

Martha Pollack selected as next U-Michigan provost
ANN ARBOR-Martha E. Pollack, who has served as the University of Michigan's vice provost for academic and budgetary affairs, today was selected as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs by President Mary Sue Coleman.

Many heterosexual college males say ’That’s so gay,’ but why?
ANN ARBOR-"That's so gay" is a popular expression on campuses nationwide among heterosexual students, especially young men. But why do they say it? A new University of Michigan study sheds light on this question. "That's so gay," although not necessarily said to harm lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) students, can create a hostile environment, say U-M researchers.

Report highlights U-M’s sustainability achievements
ANN ARBOR-The University of Michigan shows immense growth and engagement in sustainability education, research and operations, according to a new report designed to track and measure progress.

U-Michigan experts available to talk about norovirus
ANN ARBOR-The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says a new strain of norovirus has reached the United States from Australia.

Liquid metal makes silicon crystals at record low temperatures
ANN ARBOR-A new way of making crystalline silicon, developed by U-M researchers, could make this crucial ingredient of computers and solar cells much cheaper and greener. Silicon dioxide, or sand, makes up about 40 percent of the earth's crust, but the industrial method for converting sand into crystalline silicon is expensive and has a major environmental impact due to the extreme processing conditions.

High school jobs: Impact differs for whites and minorities
ANN ARBOR-African-American and Hispanic students are less likely than whites to work part-time in high school, according to a University of Michigan study.

U-M Library receives $1.25 million Mellon Grant for conservation
ANN ARBOR-The University of Michigan Library has received a $1.25 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to create an endowed Conservation Librarian position.

Jerome Johnston directs ISR Research Center for Group Dynamics
ANN ARBOR-Jerome Johnston has been appointed director of the Research Center for Group Dynamics, part of the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research.

Internet banging: Gangs use social media to trade insults, threats
ANN ARBOR-Gangs now occupy two spaces: the streets and the Internet.

Climate change to profoundly affect the Midwest, new report says
ANN ARBOR-Climate change will lead to more frequent and more intense Midwest heat waves while degrading air and water quality and threatening public health.

First Wikipedian in residence hired at presidential library
ANN ARBOR-The nation's first Wikipedian in residence at a presidential library has set up shop at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library at the University of Michigan, where he will work to make collections available for virtual visitors.

U-M experts available to discuss President Obama’s second term, inauguration
ANN ARBOR-President Obama begins his second term next week with Inauguration Day. University of Michigan experts can discuss some of the issues on the president's agenda during the next four years.

First Wikipedian in Residence interns at presidential library
ANN ARBOR-The nation's first Wikipedian in residence at a presidential library has set up shop at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library at the University of Michigan, where he will work to make collections available for virtual visitors.

Soot has greater climate impact than previously thought
ANN ARBOR-Black carbon, or soot, is the second largest human-caused contributor to global warming, according to a landmark study published today that involves a University of Michigan researcher. Behind only carbon dioxide in terms of its influence on the climate, the impacts of black carbon have been greatly underestimated, the researchers say.

Institute of Medicine report details strategy for monitoring safety of childhood immunization schedule
ANN ARBOR-A review of the available evidence underscores the safety of the federal childhood immunization schedule, according to a report released today by the Institute of Medicine. University of Michigan population ecologist Pejman Rohani served on the 13-person committee that wrote the report.