To suss out who’s sick, humans rely on senses at a distance

ANN ARBOR—If you’re sharing close quarters with someone during flu season, how would you know they are sick, even in cases where they may not know themselves?  A new global study led by a University of Michigan researcher found that people worldwide—when choosing among their five senses—agree that sight and hearing are the most useful senses, followed… Continue reading To suss out who’s sick, humans rely on senses at a distance

‘It takes a village’: Community-led approach can reduce youth suicide risk

ANN ARBOR—Empowering everyday community members to lead suicide prevention efforts—by promoting wellness, strengthening relationships and implementing tailored actions—can significantly reduce the risk among youth. Instead of relying solely on crisis-based mental health services, a new University of Michigan study offers a promising solution by demonstrating how community-driven approaches, skill-building and local collaboration have tackled Alaska… Continue reading ‘It takes a village’: Community-led approach can reduce youth suicide risk

National Academy of Sciences elects Phoebe Ellsworth

The National Academy of Sciences recently announced the election of 120 members and 30 international members, including two from the University of Michigan– Phoebe Ellsworth and Scott Page— in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Ellsworth, a professor of both psychology and law at the University of Michigan and an affiliate… Continue reading National Academy of Sciences elects Phoebe Ellsworth

Antonucci, Dunning Join American Academy of Arts and Sciences

ANN ARBOR— Toni Antonucci and David Dunning, both affiliates of the Research Center for Group Dynamics at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research (ISR), were among the five distinguished University of Michigan professors chosen for the 2025 class of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. “These new members’ accomplishments speak volumes about… Continue reading Antonucci, Dunning Join American Academy of Arts and Sciences

5 U-M faculty join American Academy of Arts and Sciences

ANN ARBOR—Five University of Michigan professors distinguished in psychology, history, life sciences, public policy and sociology are among the nearly 250 scholars chosen for the 2025 class of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. “These new members’ accomplishments speak volumes about the human capacity for discovery, creativity, leadership and persistence,” academy President Laurie Patton said.… Continue reading 5 U-M faculty join American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Sunscreen, clothes and caves may have helped Homo sapiens survive 41,000 years ago

Ancient Homo sapiens may have benefited from sunscreen, tailored clothes and the use of caves during the shifting of the magnetic North Pole over Europe about 41,000 years ago, new University of Michigan research shows. Study: Wandering of the Auroral Oval 41,000 Years Ago (DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adq7275) These technologies could have protected Homo sapiens living in Europe from… Continue reading Sunscreen, clothes and caves may have helped Homo sapiens survive 41,000 years ago

How do interactions with the police affect communities?

Contact: Jon Meerdink ([email protected]) ANN ARBOR — Interactions with institutions shape our lives. From banks to universities to countless aspects of every level of government, institutional control and regulation affects how we work, live, and do business. How do we measure these interactions? What effects do they have? Who is held to account for the… Continue reading How do interactions with the police affect communities?

U-M Team Wins Third in Challenge to Improve Data on Youth Suicide

ANN ARBOR – UM-ATLAS, a team of University of Michigan faculty and students studying U.S. suicide risk over the lifespan, has won third prize in a recent Driven Data challenge to improve the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS), the nation’s most comprehensive registry of suicide mortality. The NVDRS is a key resource for researchers… Continue reading U-M Team Wins Third in Challenge to Improve Data on Youth Suicide

The loneliness paradox: Being alone may not be so bad

Research discusses why the way we talk about solitude might be making us lonelier ANN ARBOR—In an era of hyperconnectivity, loneliness has been declared a global epidemic with significant consequences for mental and physical health. Public health campaigns and media discussions have long sought to combat this crisis—but could they be making it worse? New… Continue reading The loneliness paradox: Being alone may not be so bad

From Portraits to Policy: A Profile of Artist-Researcher Angel Zhong

Across the work of Guiying (Angel) Zhong – a portrait artist, activist, and social science researcher–  common themes emerge: Mending what is broken; filling the cracks in what is missing; expressing truth that can elude words. Zhong (she/they), one of the nine Junior Professional Researchers who joined the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research… Continue reading From Portraits to Policy: A Profile of Artist-Researcher Angel Zhong