Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
University of Hawaii Manoa: Giant Clams Thrive With Indigenous Management in American Samoa
MANOA, Hawaii, Dec. 23 -- The University of Hawaii Manoa campus issued the following news release:
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Giant clams thrive with Indigenous management in American Samoa
Giant clam populations in American Samoa are far more stable and abundant than previously thought thanks to the help of local villages, according to a new study led by researchers at University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) ToBo Lab. The research found that marine areas managed by local villages consistently supported higher clam densities and larger clam sizes compared to federally designated no-take
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MANOA, Hawaii, Dec. 23 -- The University of Hawaii Manoa campus issued the following news release:
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Giant clams thrive with Indigenous management in American Samoa
Giant clam populations in American Samoa are far more stable and abundant than previously thought thanks to the help of local villages, according to a new study led by researchers at University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) ToBo Lab. The research found that marine areas managed by local villages consistently supported higher clam densities and larger clam sizes compared to federally designated no-takereserves.
"Many expected that giant clam populations would be in sharp decline, especially near populated islands," said Paolo Marra-Biggs, lead author of the study and HIMB PhD student. "Instead, we found that clam abundances have remained relatively stable over the past 30 years, and in some areas have maintained high abundances. The biggest surprise was that village-managed closures outperformed federally protected no-take areas, highlighting the efficacy of cultural stewardship."
The findings carry implications for conservation policy, particularly concerning the current federal process to list giant clams under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The study argues that blanket federal restrictions may not be the best fit for regions where effective Indigenous management systems are already in place.
"The push for ESA listing is supposed to protect giant clams, but our data show that in areas where federal no-take protection already exists, clams populations were among the lowest," said Robert Toonen, senior author of the study and principal investigator of the ToBo Lab. "Instead, areas under traditional Indigenous management had some of the highest densities of giant clams. If giant clams were listed as endangered species, these traditional practices that have maintained high clam densities in the region would become illegal."
Assessing population stability
The research team conducted a territory-wide survey from 2022 to 2024, adding 264 new transects to historical surveys that were initiated in 1994. The resulting data set represents the most complete, multi-decadal compilation of giant clams for American Samoa, assessing population stability across six islands and various management zones.
Collaboration partners for this study include the American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources, the National Park and the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa.
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Original text here: http://www.uhm.hawaii.edu/news/article.php?aId=14310
University of Bristol: Scientists Unravel Mystery of Stripe Patterns in Nature, Which Could in Future Improve Blood Disorder Diagnosis
BRISTOL, England, Dec. 23 (TNSjou) -- The University of Bristol issued the following news release:
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Scientists unravel mystery of stripe patterns in nature, which could in future improve blood disorder diagnosis
Stripe patterns are commonly seen in nature - for instance birds and fish move in coordinated flocks and schools, fingerprints form unique designs, and zebras can be identified by their distinctive stripes.
What influences such pattern formations has long been a source of mystery, but scientists from the University of Bristol and Saarland University in Germany, have shown the answer
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BRISTOL, England, Dec. 23 (TNSjou) -- The University of Bristol issued the following news release:
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Scientists unravel mystery of stripe patterns in nature, which could in future improve blood disorder diagnosis
Stripe patterns are commonly seen in nature - for instance birds and fish move in coordinated flocks and schools, fingerprints form unique designs, and zebras can be identified by their distinctive stripes.
What influences such pattern formations has long been a source of mystery, but scientists from the University of Bristol and Saarland University in Germany, have shown the answermay lie within - in human red blood cells. Their findings could lead to better diagnostics for blood disorders.
The research, published today in the journal PNAS, reveals the stripe patterns which appear when red blood cells are separated in a centrifuge are primarily caused by the cells' own attraction and adhesion to neighbouring cells, contrary to previous belief.
Co-lead author Dr Alexis Darras, Lecturer in Physics at the University of Bristol, said: "It was previously assumed these patterns occurred due to the irregular ageing process and associated water loss of red blood cells during the red blood cell lifespan of around three months.
'But our study challenges this and confirms that the real cause is not water loss, it's cell aggregation. It's a remarkable discovery, which could have far-reaching applications."
When red blood cells are centrifuged in a solution that gets gradually heavier from top to bottom, an irregular pattern appears: the cells gather in red 'stripes' from top to bottom, with white stripes in between where fewer red blood cells are found.
Dr Darras explained: "Younger blood cells, which have just formed, contain more water; older cells contain less. Older cells therefore have a higher density because the remaining hemoglobin is heavier than water. So older cells settle at the bottom during centrifugation, while younger ones accumulate at the top as they are lower density and lighter."
In experiments, the physicists mixed red blood cells into a medium of water, salts, and nanoparticles and centrifuged them.
Co-lead author Felix Maurer, a PhD student at Saarland University said: "Like weather balloons in Earth's thinning atmosphere, red blood cells distribute so that each cell remains at an equilibrium height - the point where its average density equals that of the surrounding medium."
Findings showed that stripe formation was driven by the sheer number of cells.
"The pattern only emerges through the interaction of very many cells. In our experiment, about one billion cells were in a single tube. When the number of cells was reduced, we observed completely different behaviour," Felix added.
"Without aggregation, i.e. cells sticking together, the cells distribute evenly, and no stripes form."
This means the typical stripe pattern is only formed due to many cells clustering in a confined space combined with the pull of gravity.
These new insights could pave the way for new diagnostic approaches to blood disorders, such as sickle cell anemia, where cells deform and their flow and clustering behaviour changes.
Co-lead author Christian Wagner, Professor of Physics at Saarland University, said: "In sickle cell anemia, for example, a different stripe pattern appears and until now, no one could explain why."
Another part of the study addresses how patterns and structures arise in nature. To explore and ultimately explain this, the physicists created a mathematical model based on the so-called Dynamic Density Functional Theory, which is a way to predict how particles move and arrange themselves over time based on their interactions and the space around them.
Prof Wagner said: "A similar equation to the one we developed also describes zebra stripes, bird flocks, and fingerprints. In our case, short-range interactions between individual cells lead to a preferred stripe width and spacing.
"Bird flocks also exhibit collective behaviour, forming patterns based on simple neighborhood rules. A similar idea applies to fingerprint formations. It's amazing to think that specific observations of blood cells in the lab help us better understand fundamental laws of nature."
Paper
'Competing aggregation and iso-density equilibrium lead to band pattern formation in density gradients' by F. Maurer et al. in PNAS (https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2515704122)
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Original text here: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2025/december/scientists-unravel-mystery-of-stripe-patterns-in-nature.html
UW-Madison top 5 in national research ranking for first time since 2014, surpasses $1.93B in research expenditures
MADISON, Wisconsin, Dec. 23 -- The University of Wisconsin posted the following news:
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UW-Madison top 5 in national research ranking for first time since 2014, surpasses $1.93B in research expenditures
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The University of Wisconsin-Madison now ranks 5th in the United States for its university research expenditures, its highest ranking since 2014, according to the National Science Foundation's Higher Education Research and Development Survey.
The annual ranking, released today, Dec. 23, 2025, covers UW-Madison's expenditures, or the amount of funding the university invested in research
... Show Full Article
MADISON, Wisconsin, Dec. 23 -- The University of Wisconsin posted the following news:
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UW-Madison top 5 in national research ranking for first time since 2014, surpasses $1.93B in research expenditures
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The University of Wisconsin-Madison now ranks 5th in the United States for its university research expenditures, its highest ranking since 2014, according to the National Science Foundation's Higher Education Research and Development Survey.
The annual ranking, released today, Dec. 23, 2025, covers UW-Madison's expenditures, or the amount of funding the university invested in researchactivities, during fiscal year 2024 (July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024).
"I'm thrilled we've achieved our highest HERD ranking in more than a decade. While our commitment to life-changing research and discovery can't be fully captured simply in a ranking or a dollar amount, this year's results are made possible by the extraordinary work happening in labs and in the field by so many dedicated faculty members, researchers, postdocs and grad students. They are embracing creativity, driving innovation and advancing knowledge for the public good," says UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin. "The rankings highlight the importance of the decades-long partnership between universities and the federal government to tackle society's greatest challenges, to generate discoveries for the benefit of our state and nation, to fuel the economy and to prepare students for the workforce."
UW had been ranked sixth in fiscal year '23 and eighth in fiscal year '22. A total of 925 universities were ranked by NSF this year. The last time UW-Madison was in the top five was 2014.
Relative to the previous survey year, the university increased its overall expenditures by 11.6 percent, to a record-high $1.93 billion. UW's federal expenditures increased by 13.9 percent, up $114 million, a percentage increase second only behind the University of California San Francisco (of those in the top 10), driven by a 29.4 percent increase in Department of Defense expenditures and a 26 percent increase in USDA spending.
The rankings highlight the importance of the decades-long partnership between universities and the federal government to tackle society's greatest challenges, to generate discoveries for the benefit of our state and nation, to fuel the economy and to prepare students for the workforce.
Chancellor Mnookin
Nearly half of UW-Madison's total research expenditures come from federal awards, from agencies such as the NSF, the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Energy.
"Partnerships remain key to our continuing research success and performance in the annual HERD ranking," says Vice Chancellor for Research Dorota Brzezinska. "While academic research funding at UW-Madison comes primarily from federal government and institutional support, the university also receives critical support from state and local government, industry, and non-profits and foundations, as well as private philanthropy."
The university continues to focus on fostering strong industry partnerships. For example, the UW-Madison Grainger Institute for Engineering brings together researchers and engineers from the university, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy and private companies working in advanced materials, quantum sensing and artificial intelligence for a variety of applications, including semiconductor advances.
Additionally, the university's Dairy Innovation Hub coordinates efforts among agricultural scientists, industry collaborators and farmers to enhance resilience and productivity across the region.
The two most significant non-profit contributors of research funding at UW-Madison are the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.
Among the research advances that contributed to the university's HERD Survey results released today:
WHAM (Wisconsin HTS Axisymmetric Mirror)
A team of UW-Madison physicists and engineers constructed and tested the fusion energy device known as WHAM (Wisconsin HTS Axisymmetric Mirror), marking a major milestone for years-long research that has received support from the Department of Energy. WHAM, initially funded through a $10 million "launchpad grant" (ARPA-E), began as a partnership between UW-Madison, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Commonwealth Fusion Systems. Now, WHAM will operate as a public-private partnership between UW-Madison and spinoff company Realta Fusion Inc., positioning it as a major force for fusion research advances at the university.
Wisconsin Environmental Mesonet (Wisconet)
A public-nonprofit funding partnership led to formation and growth of the Wisconsin Environmental Mesonet, or Wisconet, a network of weather and soil monitoring stations across Wisconsin designed to provide research quality data for farmers and others across the state. Funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture-supported Wisconsin Rural Partnerships Institute helped Wisconet developers turn streams of station data into tools farmers across the state use to improve their yields and reduce costs. With support from WARF, Wisconet has grown since 2023 from 14 stations to nearly 80.
Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center
The Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center, a crop biotechnology center that serves researchers and industry, with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, led efforts to produce plant-based dyes to replace synthetic food dyes, to create THC-free hemp and more.
3D-printing functional human brain tissue
NIH-funded research from a team of UW-Madison scientists developed the first 3D-printed brain tissue that can grow and function like typical brain tissue. It's an achievement with important implications for scientists studying the brain and working on treatments for a broad range of neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
PANTHER program
Scientists behind the PANTHER program made significant progress in their quest to improve traumatic brain injury detection and prevention. The persistent challenges of traumatic brain injuries require expertise from a broad array of disciplines and close partnership with the U.S. Office of Naval Research (through the Department of Defense), other universities, Sandia National Laboratories and industry to accelerate the translation of PANTHER's scientific breakthroughs to military and consumer uses. For example, military helmet manufacturer Team Wendy has developed a prototype of a more protective helmet liner that's informed by PANTHER research results. And industry partners Trek Bicycle and Milwaukee Tool each have incorporated insights from PANTHER researchers into helmets.
While the federal funding landscape has undergone major shifts in 2025, this year's rankings do not include data from after June 2024. Any impacts related to changes in 2025 would appear in HERD data released next year, covering July 2024 through June 2025.
quotation mark
Today's announcement is a reminder of the ongoing importance of robust federal funding for research at universities like UW-Madison. This includes the full cost of conducting research, including direct costs and indirect facilities and administrative costs.
Vice Chancellor for Research Dorota Brzezinska
"HERD is an important indicator of the productivity and excellence of UW-Madison faculty, staff and student researchers. We are proud of UW-Madison's recent HERD ranking, but we remain cautious about the future of the survey results," says Brzezinska. "Today's announcement is a reminder of the ongoing importance of robust federal funding for research at universities like UW-Madison. This includes the full cost of conducting research, including direct costs and indirect facilities and administrative costs."
More about HERD
The annual survey is the primary source of research expenditure data at American universities and colleges, yet it is just one way to measure academic research activity. Each year, by conducting the HERD survey, NSF collects information on expenditures by research field and funding sources among institutions that spend at least $150,000 on separately budgeted research and development in a fiscal year. The survey also compiles information on the types of research expenses and the number of research and development personnel at each institution.
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Original text here: https://news.wisc.edu/uw-madison-5th-in-national-research-ranking-for-first-time-since-2014-surpasses-1-93b-in-research-expenditures/
Tennessee Tech Faculty, Students Help Create Space for Hope at Cookeville Rescue Mission
COOKEVILLE, Tennessee, Dec. 23 -- Tennessee Technological University issued the following news release:
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Tennessee Tech faculty, students help create space for hope at Cookeville Rescue Mission
By Tracey Hackett
It's hard to dream of sugar plums -- or anything beyond tomorrow -- without a safe, comfortable place to rest.
This holiday season, Tennessee Tech University faculty and interior design students partnered with the Cookeville Rescue Mission to transform one of the women's shelter bedrooms into a more welcoming, functional space designed to foster dignity, comfort and a sense of
... Show Full Article
COOKEVILLE, Tennessee, Dec. 23 -- Tennessee Technological University issued the following news release:
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Tennessee Tech faculty, students help create space for hope at Cookeville Rescue Mission
By Tracey Hackett
It's hard to dream of sugar plums -- or anything beyond tomorrow -- without a safe, comfortable place to rest.
This holiday season, Tennessee Tech University faculty and interior design students partnered with the Cookeville Rescue Mission to transform one of the women's shelter bedrooms into a more welcoming, functional space designed to foster dignity, comfort and a sense ofhope.
The project was led by Amy Hill, a lecturer in Tech's College of Emerging and Integrative Studies and the founder of DreamChasers Ministry, a charitable organization focused on helping individuals pursue stability and opportunity despite difficult circumstances.
Hill said the idea was inspired by A Lotta Love, a national nonprofit that uses trauma-informed design to improve shelter environments and support positive emotional well-being.
"Seeing how A Lotta Love approaches shelter design really resonated with me," Hill said. "They focus on how surroundings affect mindset -- how creating a warm, intentional space can help people feel safer, valued and more hopeful. I wanted to bring that same philosophy to our community."
Hill contacted the Cookeville Rescue Mission to explore whether a room redesign would be welcome and connected with Aeric Gunnels, lecturer of design studies at Tech, to involve students from his interior design course.
Gunnels said the project gave students an opportunity to apply their skills while making a meaningful community impact.
"I would love to see more projects like this that give students real-world, hands-on experience," Gunnels said. "These types of projects are what our program is all about. We try to bridge that gap between the academic world and the real world. Not only is this helping the community, but it is also enhancing our students' ability to take on design problems and find appropriate solutions in real time."
Working within guidelines provided by the Rescue Mission, students redesigned the shared bedroom -- which houses six women in three bunk beds -- using a budget of approximately $500. Updates included new comforters, individual reading lights for each bed, storage and organizers, towels and personal-care baskets, and thoughtful finishing touches such as an ottoman, shower curtain and bathmat.
Students collaborated through group meetings and design planning sessions, developing a cohesive color scheme and mood board before implementing the final design.
Hill also got her communication students involved, creating a brochure for A Lotta Love to help share the organization's mission and design approach with a broader audience.
She said the project left a lasting impression on everyone involved.
"One woman staying in the room was so grateful," Hill said. "Moments like that remind you how much these details matter. Any of us could face hard times, and having a space that feels calm and cared for can make a real difference."
Students chose not to be individually recognized for their work, instead emphasizing that the project was about helping others. "They just wanted to help," Hill said.
She added that she hopes the project will serve as a model for future collaborations and room redesigns at the Rescue Mission.
"Now we know what's possible and what works," she said. "It's a small space, but it carries a lot of meaning."
For more information about Hill's DreamChasers Ministry, visit its website at: http://dreamchasersministry.weebly.com/.
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Original text here: https://www.tntech.edu/news/releases/tech-faculty-students-help-create-space-for-hope-at-cookeville-rescue-mission.php
Rates of opioid use in pregnancy have more than doubled, OHSU study finds
PORTLAND, Oregon, Dec. 23 -- Oregon Health and Science University issued the following news:
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Rates of opioid use in pregnancy have more than doubled, OHSU study finds
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New research from Oregon Health & Science University found that the rate of opioid use during pregnancy has risen two-fold over the past decade.
The study, published today in the Journal of Addiction Medicine, also identified significantly increased risks of maternal and infant health complications among patients with opioid-related diagnoses in pregnancy.
The United States has one of the highest rates of opioid use
... Show Full Article
PORTLAND, Oregon, Dec. 23 -- Oregon Health and Science University issued the following news:
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Rates of opioid use in pregnancy have more than doubled, OHSU study finds
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New research from Oregon Health & Science University found that the rate of opioid use during pregnancy has risen two-fold over the past decade.
The study, published today in the Journal of Addiction Medicine, also identified significantly increased risks of maternal and infant health complications among patients with opioid-related diagnoses in pregnancy.
The United States has one of the highest rates of opioid useglobally, and use of the substances in pregnancy is also increasing. Even so, most of the data available on prenatal opioid use is from international studies. Further, studies conducted in the United States have generally focused on a limited set of outcomes.
Jamie Lo, M.D., M.C.R. (OHSU)
"Given the prevalence and seriousness of this issue, we were surprised to see the lack of large-scale studies available," said Jamie Lo, M.D., M.C.R., associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology (maternal-fetal medicine) in the OHSU School of Medicine and the study's lead author.
OHSU physician-scientists sought to better understand the modern scope of opioid use in pregnancy and specific health impacts for mothers and infants, which is critical information for providers to be able to improve patient counseling and prenatal care.
Their new study was one of the largest population-based studies to examine both the maternal and infant health outcomes associated with an opioid-related diagnosis in pregnancy over the last decade.
"Sadly, we know many people who are using opioids while pregnant hesitate to ask for help due to the fear of judgement, and we hope to see that change," Lo said. "As providers, our goal is to support patients in a healthy pregnancy and transition to parenthood. These data show that for those struggling with addiction, this should include timely, personalized multi-disciplinary care outside of standard prenatal checkups."
Risks to infant, mother
The large retrospective-cohort study used hospital data from California, encompassing more than 5.5 million patients. OHSU's analysis showed that the prevalence of an opioid-related diagnosis more than doubled from 0.14% in 2008 to 0.33% in 2020, reflecting the alarming increasing national trend of opioid use.
The study also found a prenatal opioid-related diagnosis was associated with a significantly higher risk of negative outcomes for the infant, including admission to neonatal intensive care units, respiratory distress, preterm birth and death. This was also true for maternal outcomes: Findings showed that pregnant individuals in this population were at significantly higher risk for severe, unexpected complications such hypertension, hemorrhage or the need for blood transfusions.
Looking forward, the research team hopes to conduct additional studies that explore the unique impacts of opioid use on patients who have other conditions, including mental health disorders or use of other drugs, alcohol or nicotine. Additionally, the research team says there is a need to better understand the impact of opioid class if substances are natural, semi-synthetic or synthetic as well as the use timing, method of use and drug potency.
Improving outcomes, strengthening families
To address this growing issue, researchers emphasize that improvements in care access and delivery are urgently needed. Specifically, they note patients shouldn't be seen by an individual provider; rather, care should take a whole-health approach and include addiction medicine, primary care and pediatric health providers.
Kristin Prewitt, M.D., M.P.H. (OHSU)
"Pregnant patients already face a lot of difficulties in accessing care, but individuals with opioid-use disorders face additional barriers. Here in Oregon, only one in four residential treatment programs offer care for pregnant persons, and some counties have no obstetric care or addiction care resources available at all," Kristin Prewitt, M.D., M.P.H., fellow in OHSU's section of addiction medicine and department of maternal-fetal medicine, and the study's co-author.
"Evidence shows that linking patients to care earlier improves outcomes. If we're aware early on that an individual faces these additional risks, we can ensure they receive personalized, multidisciplinary care in the prenatal and postnatal periods, and ultimately when they move onto pediatric care with their child."
This work is already underway in Oregon. Recently, the Oregon Perinatal Collaborative, or OPC, and their partner, Comagine Health, received long-term funding to improve the delivery of substance-use care to pregnant people in inpatient and outpatient settings. Starting in the new year, health systems across the state can sign up to work with OPC to address existing gaps in care and create solutions that better serve the complex needs of individuals and families. These changes will allow patients who need obstetric and substance-use care simultaneously to receive wholistic services in a non-stigmatized environment.
Prewitt says these efforts will impact patients and their families long after pregnancy and delivery.
"Here in Oregon, we have a huge problem of family separation due to addiction, and it's because we don't have adequate access to treatment and care," she said. "We hope our research contributes to the important conversations happening in our state around the issues of addiction and maternal health care and helps create change to better the health and stability of families."
Shereef Elnahal, M.D., M.B.A. (OHSU)
"Dr. Lo, Dr. Prewitt, and colleagues offer new insights into the troubling opioid epidemic in pregnancy with this impactful study. OHSU pledges to reduce stigma around this care when it is needed most," said OHSU President Shereef Elnahal, M.D., M.B.A.
Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institutes of Health, award number DA056793. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH or other funders.
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Original text here: https://news.ohsu.edu/2025/12/23/rates-of-opioid-use-in-pregnancy-have-more-than-doubled-ohsu-study-finds
PolyU Develops 'Zero-hallucination' AI Literature Review System to Usher in New Era of Super Research Brain
HONG KONG, Dec. 23 -- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University issued the following news release:
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PolyU develops "zero-hallucination" AI literature review system to usher in new era of super research brain
Literature review underpins all academic studies. Whether for governments formulating national strategies or corporations seeking to gain industry insights, this requires reading, screening, sorting and analysing a very considerable number of sources. Prof. LIU Yan, Associate Professor and Group Leader of the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (AIR) Research Group at the Department of
... Show Full Article
HONG KONG, Dec. 23 -- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University issued the following news release:
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PolyU develops "zero-hallucination" AI literature review system to usher in new era of super research brain
Literature review underpins all academic studies. Whether for governments formulating national strategies or corporations seeking to gain industry insights, this requires reading, screening, sorting and analysing a very considerable number of sources. Prof. LIU Yan, Associate Professor and Group Leader of the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (AIR) Research Group at the Department ofComputing of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has led her team to develop the AI literature review system "Write For You", which can conduct in-depth analysis across extensive bodies of literature and generate reports. Since its launch in the first quarter of this year, it has registered over 40,000 active users worldwide. The academic paper on this system was presented at the AI conference held by the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence in February this year.
Prof. Liu Yan explained that the team was inspired by Prof. CAO Jiannong, PolyU Vice President (Education), who suggested in 2022 that AI could be utilised to automate educational research. Mr ZHANG Zhi, a PhD student of the department, then leveraged the latest techniques of intelligent agents to address the problem of generating inaccurate content due to AI "hallucination", succeeding in achieving "zero-hallucination" literature reviews with reliable logical reasoning and the capability to integrate academic resources across languages. Meanwhile, Dr CHEN Gong, a PhD graduate of the same department, designed and developed a user-friendly system for literature review generation, enabling users across industries to obtain a comprehensive and in-depth report in a matter of minutes by simply describing their topic of interest.
Prof. Liu Yan added, "Compared with traditional reading that requires considerable time and human resources, the 'Write For You' system can significantly enhance research efficiency while also reducing costs. It has therefore been well received by users around the world. In just a few months since its launch, users have spanned dozens of countries and regions."
Prof. Cao Jiannong noted, "With the trend of AI-empowered education and research, PolyU is committed to leveraging leading generative AI technologies to enhance research efficiency. Our team has successfully addressed the challenge of AI hallucination, substantially improving the system's reliability and overcoming commonly faced technical hurdles. Looking ahead, the team will build on its literature review foundation, seizing the opportunity to boost new AI-powered quality productive forces. Committed to developing autonomous intelligent systems, the team seeks to construct an 'AI Super Research Brain' that covers all disciplines and the entire research process, helping humanity push the boundaries of knowledge while leading the development of a new global paradigm of technological innovation with Hong Kong-developed AI technologies."
Project website: https://www.writeforyou.net/
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Original text here: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/media/media-releases/2025/1223_polyu-develops-zero-hallucination-ai-literature-review-system/
NMSU's TRIO Talent Search helps students in Alamogordo, Tularosa prepare for college
LAS CRUCES, New Mexico, Dec. 23 -- New Mexico State University issued the following news release:
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NMSU's TRIO Talent Search helps students in Alamogordo, Tularosa prepare for college
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On a hot day in August 2025, Lourdes Ambriz, New Mexico State University senior program director, welcomed students and their families as they stopped by the TRIO Educational Talent Search tent at the TRIO Future Fest held at Tularosa High School. The event allowed students the chance to explore potential colleges, careers and resources from around the region.
Thanks to a five-year grant NMSU received
... Show Full Article
LAS CRUCES, New Mexico, Dec. 23 -- New Mexico State University issued the following news release:
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NMSU's TRIO Talent Search helps students in Alamogordo, Tularosa prepare for college
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On a hot day in August 2025, Lourdes Ambriz, New Mexico State University senior program director, welcomed students and their families as they stopped by the TRIO Educational Talent Search tent at the TRIO Future Fest held at Tularosa High School. The event allowed students the chance to explore potential colleges, careers and resources from around the region.
Thanks to a five-year grant NMSU receivedin 2022 for the TRIO Talent Search program, 500 students from Tularosa High School, Alamogordo High School and Mountain View Middle School in Alamogordo participate in a year-round college preparatory program that assists with the financial aid and postsecondary application process.
"The benefits that students derive from being participants in the program are priceless," Ambriz said. "Sometimes students hesitate to enroll because they think that it's going to cost money or cost time. No, we're here when you need us. So, enroll in the program, and if you need us, great, and if you don't, OK, but at least keep that door open."
TRIO Talent Search provides academic, career and financial counseling to its participants and encourages them to graduate from high school and continue to complete their postsecondary education. It also encourages individuals who have not completed education programs at the secondary or postsecondary level to enter or return.
"NMSU Alamogordo values the connections we make with partners like TRIO Talent Search immensely," said Chevy James D. Josselyn, NMSU Alamogordo admissions adviser. "We believe they provide massive resources to students that need them in multiple areas around Alamogordo. This enables us to better serve the students who are better prepared to be in college. They are very important to our college student pipeline."
During the 2024-25 academic year, 94% of Talent Search senior participants graduated from high school and 70% enrolled in postsecondary education.
"According to the New Mexico Public Education Department, Alamogordo is the 14th-largest school district in New Mexico," said Tony Marin, associate vice president for Student Affairs. "In Alamogordo and Otero County, the need to provide the educational services offered by Talent Search is critical to enhancing the futures of the youth in the target schools and area."
Since TRIO Talent Search was introduced at Tularosa High School, Principal Jody Hill has seen the effect it has had on her students.
"These TRIO ladies (Anji Morgan-Thornton, Tonya Valdez-Menard and Hannah Davis) are utilizing our advisory time, and students know that they have an open-door policy, that they can set up appointments with them, and it's more hands-on," Hill said. "These ladies come in and they have such an impact on every single one of our students."
Additionally, at Mountain View Middle School, TRIO Talent Search has been supporting STEM career exploration for the middle school participants. Activities have included a visit from game wardens with the New Mexico Game and Fish Department to discuss wildlife conservation in the state and a chemistry activity led by TRIO Talent Search staff with a holiday twist. Participants explored the magic of science via the process of crystal formation by creating their own beautiful crystal holiday ornaments, combining creativity, chemistry and holiday cheer.
"These activities are important because they aim at igniting a love for science and, hence, an interest in STEM careers," Ambriz said.
A version of this story was published in the fall 2025 issue of Panorama. For more stories, visit https://panorama.nmsu.edu.
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CUTLINE: Lourdes Ambriz, New Mexico State University senior program director, welcomed students and their families to the TRIO Educational Talent Search tent at the TRIO Future Fest. The event allowed students to explore potential colleges, careers and community resources. (NMSU photo by Tiffany Acosta)
CUTLINE: Hannah Davis with the TRIO Educational Talent Search program at Tularosa High School spoke with Mike Durler from KHII Radio during a live radio broadcast from the TRIO Future Fest. NMSU's TRIO Talent Search program supports 500 students from THS, Alamogordo High School and Mountain View Middle School in Alamogordo participate in a year-round college preparatory program (NMSU photo by Tiffany Acosta)
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Original text here: https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/nmsu-s-trio-talent-search-helps-students-in-alamogordo--tularosa-prepare-for-college/s/ecaf32cd-9683-4b32-b222-dae889fdbf36
