Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
University of Michigan: How Discoveries About 'Ground Plans' for Neurons Could Simplify Brain, Behavior Research
ANN ARBOR, Michigan, June 4 (TNSjou) -- The University of Michigan issued the following news:
* * *
How new discoveries about 'ground plans' for neurons could simplify brain, behavior research
While E. Josie Clowney would never suggest that neuroscience is simple, a new study by her team at the University of Michigan could drastically reduce complexity in future studies.
Their work focused on instinctual behaviors in fruit flies, but it has the potential to accelerate work to better understand the neurobiology that underlies behavior and decision-making in mammals, including humans.
The research
... Show Full Article
ANN ARBOR, Michigan, June 4 (TNSjou) -- The University of Michigan issued the following news:
* * *
How new discoveries about 'ground plans' for neurons could simplify brain, behavior research
While E. Josie Clowney would never suggest that neuroscience is simple, a new study by her team at the University of Michigan could drastically reduce complexity in future studies.
Their work focused on instinctual behaviors in fruit flies, but it has the potential to accelerate work to better understand the neurobiology that underlies behavior and decision-making in mammals, including humans.
The researchestablishes a new way to understand neurons, their connectivity and the behaviors they control. Within this new framework, the researchers can circumvent the conventional approach of considering each type of neuron individually and instead focus on groupings defined by shared structure and by two sets of regulatory genes.
The work was supported by the Pew Charitable Trust and the McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience, with additional funding from the National Institutes of Health and U.S. National Science Foundation.
While there are more than 8,000 kinds of neurons in the fruit fly cerebrum--the part of its brain where instinctual behaviors are hardwired--there are less than 200 major structural groups, or ground plans. Led by Najia Elkahlah, who recently defended her doctoral thesis in the Clowney lab, the team's discoveries revealed how these ground plans get set up. There is a sort of order or hierarchy, where one set of genes coordinates the formation of the ground plan, and the other set produces small differences in shape and connectivity among neurons within each ground plan.
"Instead of studying all 8,000 kinds of neurons, we can instead understand how circuits work by studying these 200 modular elements that are wired together in various ways for different functions," said Clowney, associate professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology.
These gene sets have homologues in mammals, and many of them are known to be critical in mammalian neural development. This raises the possibility of discovering similar simplifying frameworks in other organisms.
"At this moment, it's not yet possible to ask if the same rules apply to analogous parts of mammalian brains, because we don't know enough about the relationships among circuits, genes or developmental programs that operate there," Clowney said. "But I feel strongly that there will be simplifying rules of some sort in the mammal as well, and that we or others will be able to discover them if we take inspiration from the way we went about making this discovery."
The research was published in the journal Nature.
Taste and cease
Scientists have been studying the humble fruit fly as a biological model since before they knew genes were made of DNA. That history has yielded fundamental biological discoveries, as well as a substantial body of work on which to build new ones.
"The reasons we work with this animal today are because it has useful characteristics that simplify our experiments and interpretations, and because we want to take advantage of 100 years' worth of knowledge," Clowney said. "In my opinion--though others in the field might disagree--we don't study this animal because it is 'special,' but rather as a generic example of 'an animal.'"
Within the Drosophila cerebrum, researchers including Clowney had previously discovered specific neural circuits linked to specific instinctual behaviors. And this specificity helped the team discover the broader ground plans that can help simplify their quest to link molecular and cellular biology to behavior.
The researchers discovered that there are two sets of regulatory genes at work. The first set controls the basic shape of the neuron, while the second set influences finer variations and connectivity.
It's this first set that gives rise to the roughly 200 ground plans. Of these 200, there's one ground plan that's connected to sensing a taste and stopping a behavior. Within that ground plan, there's neural circuitry that detects unsavory taste information and quashes feeding behavior. Another circuit detects undesirable pheromonal tastes and blocks mating behavior. The team was able to identify the second set of genes that gave rise to these two distinct neural pathways and behaviors.
"Thinking about these two sets of genes separately allowed us to relate the developmental programs to the function of circuits," Clowney said. "We identified two sets of genes that give neurons in the decision-making center of the brain their gross versus fine characteristics, and defined a new way to study these circuits."
U-M research lab technician Joe Carter and doctoral students Yunzhi Lin and Yijie Pan also contributed to the study. The Clowney lab worked in collaboration with Troy Shirangi, a professor at Villanova University. Additional support for the project was provided by the U-M Advanced Genomics Core and the U-M Single Cell Spatial Analysis Program.
Study: Transcription factor codes patterning neuronal groundplans of the cerebrum (DOI: 10.1038/s41586-026-10526-3)
* * *
Original text here: https://news.umich.edu/how-new-discoveries-about-ground-plans-for-neurons-could-simplify-brain-behavior-research/
University of Iowa Launches Program to Improve Health Outcomes for Iowans
IOWA CITY, Iowa, June 4 -- The University of Iowa College of Engineering issued the following news:
* * *
University of Iowa Launches New Program to Improve Health Outcomes for Iowans
The Iowa Integrated Network for Science, Information, and Geospatial Health Tracking (INSIGHT)
-
A new University of Iowa research initiative is launching July 1, 2026, to study environmental risk factors and improve health outcomes for Iowans. The Iowa Integrated Network for Science, Information, and Geospatial Health Tracking (INSIGHT) program will produce scientific evidence needed to understand how environmental
... Show Full Article
IOWA CITY, Iowa, June 4 -- The University of Iowa College of Engineering issued the following news:
* * *
University of Iowa Launches New Program to Improve Health Outcomes for Iowans
The Iowa Integrated Network for Science, Information, and Geospatial Health Tracking (INSIGHT)
-
A new University of Iowa research initiative is launching July 1, 2026, to study environmental risk factors and improve health outcomes for Iowans. The Iowa Integrated Network for Science, Information, and Geospatial Health Tracking (INSIGHT) program will produce scientific evidence needed to understand how environmentalexposures affect human health, from the air we breathe to the water we drink.
Iowa is one of only a few states where cancer rates continue to rise; currently, Iowa has the second highest cancer rate in the country. Data gathered through Iowa INSIGHT will support epidemiological studies to establish associations between environmental exposures and adverse health outcomes, especially cancer, to potentially power future solutions and innovations. A generous $5 million founding gift from Sharon and Kyle Krause supports Iowa INSIGHT, which is a collaboration between the UI Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination (CHEEC) and IIHR--Hydroscience and Engineering (IIHR).
* * *
"As lifelong Iowans, Kyle and I are deeply committed to seeing this state and its people thrive. That's why we're proud to partner with the University of Iowa to unlock critical research that will pave the way for solutions to address the health and well-being of both the environment and the people of Iowa," said Sharon Krause. "By supporting this work, we hope to help generate the insights needed to drive meaningful change, inform future decision-making, and improve health outcomes across Iowa."
- Sharon Krause, co-founder of the Kyle J. and Sharon Krause Family Foundation
* * *
A supporting $1 million gift from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust will further strengthen Iowa INSIGHT's commitment to understanding and mitigating health risks of environmental exposures, building toward a $10 million program.
David Cwiertny, the William D. Ashton Professor of Civil Engineering and director of CHEEC, will lead the initiative. His research focuses on watersheds, water treatment, and the movement and fate of pollutants such as pesticides and "forever chemicals" in the environment.
The situation in Iowa is complicated, Cwiertny said, and it will take careful research to untangle, but he's excited to take on the challenge.
* * *
"There's an opportunity here to make sure we can contribute to help Iowa, the place that we came to and never wanted to leave," said Cwiertny, who moved his family to Iowa from California in 2011. "It's very fulfilling."
- David Cwiertny, William D. Ashton Professor of Civil Engineering and director of CHEEC
* * *
Larry J. Weber is the Edwin B. Green Chair in Hydraulics and the director of IIHR. He has a long history of service to Iowans related to water resources, flooding, water quality, and watershed processes. Weber is encouraged by the impact the new program will have, securing a healthy future for Iowans to live, raise families, and to embrace Iowa's varied landscapes.
* * *
"This program represents a bold vision for Iowa's future -- one that will deliver real, measurable benefits and improve the lives of Iowans for generations to come," said Weber. "It is a privilege to be part of this collaborative effort to help reimagine a more sustainable future for Iowa."
- Larry Weber, Edwin B. Green Chair in Hydraulics and director of IIHR
* * *
Iowa INSIGHT will build on expertise at CHEEC and IIHR to close monitoring gaps for emerging environmental health threats. The program will work to identify the factors that influence cancer rates and other health problems, prioritizing maternal and newborn health, neurodevelopment, and autism-related outcomes.
Iowa INSIGHT will focus on four key areas:
* Environmental monitoring: Leverage and grow existing environmental monitoring of Iowa's air and water while expanding analyses to assess risks from emerging environmental threats.
* Biomonitoring: Build expertise and infrastructure to measure environmental chemicals in human tissues or fluids, generating data needed to link environmental exposures and health outcomes.
* Epidemiology and data science: Use data to conduct studies to establish associations between environmental exposures and adverse health outcomes, especially cancers, to potentially power future solutions and innovations.
* Knowledge sharing: Raise awareness and motivate action among Iowans by making environmental and health data accessible online, while also sharing insights through public events statewide.
An advisory committee of nationally recognized experts in these areas will help guide Iowa INSIGHT, providing specialized expertise, objective perspectives, strategic support, and diverse viewpoints.
* * *
ABOUT CHEEC: CHEEC supports research to identify, measure, and study adverse health outcomes related to exposure to environmental toxins. Part of the UI Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development and the colleges of engineering and liberal arts, CHEEC focuses its efforts primarily on drinking water contaminants.
* * *
ABOUT IIHR: IIHR is a world-renowned center in the UI College of Engineering focusing on fluids-related education, research, and public service. The 106-year-old research institute is dedicated to advancing science and technology to provide innovative solutions to complex fluids-related challenges.
* * *
ABOUT THE KYLE J. and SHARON KRAUSE FAMILY FOUNDATION: The Kyle J. and Sharon Krause Family Foundation was established in 2012 to advance meaningful, long-term impact in the communities the Krause family calls home and serves. Building on decades of charitable giving, the foundation focuses on three core pillars: advancing climate action through clean air and water initiatives, reducing disparities and promoting equity, and increasing access to arts and culture.
* * *
ABOUT THE ROY J. CARVER CHARITABLE TRUST: The Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust is one of Iowa's largest private philanthropic foundations. Since launching its grantmaking activities, the Trust has awarded more than $450 million to support biomedical and scientific research, as well as K-12 and higher education, with a sustained focus on meeting the needs of youth. The Trust is dedicated to advancing research that expands scientific knowledge and contributes to improved human health.
For more information about the program, visit iihr.uiowa.edu/iowa-integrated-network-science-information-and-geospatial-health-tracking.
* * *
Original text here: https://iihr.uiowa.edu/all-news/2026/06/university-iowa-launches-new-program-improve-health-outcomes-iowans
UAMS Invests Nadir Sharawi, M.D., in Dola Thompson, M.D., Professorship in Anesthesiology
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, June 4 -- The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences issued the following news release:
* * *
UAMS Invests Nadir Sharawi, M.D., in Dola Thompson, M.D., Professorship in Anesthesiology
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine invested Nadir Sharawi, M.D., an associate professor and vice chair of Faculty Affairs in the UAMS Department of Anesthesiology, in the Dola Thompson, M.D., Professorship in Anesthesiology during a May 19 ceremony.
"The truth is none of us arrive at a moment like this alone -- it happens because of the people
... Show Full Article
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, June 4 -- The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences issued the following news release:
* * *
UAMS Invests Nadir Sharawi, M.D., in Dola Thompson, M.D., Professorship in Anesthesiology
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine invested Nadir Sharawi, M.D., an associate professor and vice chair of Faculty Affairs in the UAMS Department of Anesthesiology, in the Dola Thompson, M.D., Professorship in Anesthesiology during a May 19 ceremony.
"The truth is none of us arrive at a moment like this alone -- it happens because of the peoplearound you," said Sharawi. "To everyone in this room -- the faculty, the former residents, the friends who traveled from near and far to be here today, thank you for celebrating this moment with me."
Sharawi joined UAMS in 2017 and quickly established himself as a leader in obstetric anesthesia, serving as chief of obstetric anesthesiology from 2019 to 2024 before assuming his current role. Under his leadership, UAMS Medical Center was named a Center of Excellence for Obstetric Anesthesia.
"I'd like to extend my congratulations for the accomplishments that merited Dr. Sharawi this honor, and I look forward to what he will accomplish through this professorship." said C. Lowry Barnes, M.D., UAMS Chancellor. "I would also like to thank the many people in this room who have made this professorship possible."
A professorship is among the highest academic honors a university can bestow on a faculty member. A professorship is established with gifts of at least $500,000, which are invested and the interest proceeds used to support the educational, research and clinical activities of the professorship holder. Those named to a professorship are among the most highly regarded scientists, physicians, and professors in their fields.
"Endowed professorships help us recruit and retain world-class educators, scientists and clinicians, and they support the vital work and vision of the faculty who hold them," said Ron D. Robertson, M.D., interim dean of the College of Medicine. "We are also here to celebrate the legacy of Dola Thompson, a 1949 UAMS College of Medicine graduate who became the Department of Anesthesiology's first resident and later became the department's chair."
The initial funds for the professorship were donated by friends and colleagues in honor of Dola S. Thompson, M.D., who served UAMS and the College of Medicine for decades as a professor and department chair, and who is recognized for her scholarship, academic leadership and excellence in anesthesia care. Thompson also made a significant gift to the professorship.
Sharawi completed medical school at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, followed by residency training through the Imperial School of Anaesthesia in London and the Barts and The London School of Anaesthesia. He pursued fellowship training in obstetric anesthesiology at St. Thomas' Hospital in London and later earned a Master of Science in Leadership and Management in Health at Kingston University. He holds Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists and is a diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology.
His research is nationally recognized, with a focus on neuraxial anesthesia, placenta accreta spectrum disorders, enhanced recovery after cesarean delivery, and patient-reported outcomes. He has authored or co-authored 35 peer-reviewed publications in leading journals including JAMA Network Open, Anesthesiology, Anesthesia & Analgesia, and the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and has contributed to numerous book chapters and multiple ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) Society clinical guidelines. He has received grant support from the UAMS Research Scholar Pilot Grant program and the National Institute of Academic Anaesthesia. His research was awarded first place at the Gertie Marx Research Competition at the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology.
A dedicated educator, Sharawi has mentored dozens of residents and medical students, many of whom have produced peer-reviewed publications and national presentations under his guidance. He has received the UAMS Golden Apple Teaching Award and the Dean's Resident Teaching Award on multiple occasions and was nominated for the SOAP Teacher of the Year Award. He serves on editorial boards and as a peer reviewer for journals including Anesthesia & Analgesia, the Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, and the International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia. Nationally, he is active within the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology (SOAP) and the American Society of Anesthesiologists, serving on abstract review, education, research promotion, and intersociety planning committees.
* * *
UAMS is the state's only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; a hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and eight institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Research Institute, Institute for Digital Health & Innovation and the Institute for Community Health Innovation. UAMS includes UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses all of UAMS' clinical enterprise. UAMS is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has 3,553 students and 1,015 medical residents and fellows. It is the state's largest public employer with about 12,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children's, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube or Instagram.
* * *
Original text here: https://news.uams.edu/2026/06/03/uams-invests-nadir-sharawi-m-d-in-dola-thompson-m-d-professorship-in-anesthesiology/
Syracuse Veterans Honored at WCNY's Inaugural Mission Celebration
SYRACUSE, New York, June 4 -- Syracuse University issued the following news:
* * *
Syracuse Veterans Honored at WCNY's Inaugural Mission Celebration
Chancellor J. Michael Haynie and Col. (Ret.) Bill Smullen were among those recognized for decades of advocacy for those who served.
Kelly Homan Rodoski
Three of Central New York's most prominent champions for veterans, including Syracuse University Chancellor J. Michael Haynie, were honored May 28 at Madison County Distillery in Cazenovia, as WCNY launched its first "Mission: Honor Our Heroes"--an event raising funds to keep local veterans' stories
... Show Full Article
SYRACUSE, New York, June 4 -- Syracuse University issued the following news:
* * *
Syracuse Veterans Honored at WCNY's Inaugural Mission Celebration
Chancellor J. Michael Haynie and Col. (Ret.) Bill Smullen were among those recognized for decades of advocacy for those who served.
Kelly Homan Rodoski
Three of Central New York's most prominent champions for veterans, including Syracuse University Chancellor J. Michael Haynie, were honored May 28 at Madison County Distillery in Cazenovia, as WCNY launched its first "Mission: Honor Our Heroes"--an event raising funds to keep local veterans' storieson the air.
Chancellor Haynie, Col. F. William (Bill) Smullen III, U.S. Army (Ret.), a Syracuse alumnus and former director of the University's national security studies program, and Rear Admiral John Paddock, co-founder of Honor Flight Syracuse, were honored by WCNY.
The event secured funding for WCNY's continued production and distribution of "Honor Flight Syracuse," ensuring the voices and experiences of local veterans reach audiences across the region.
"'Mission: Honor Our Heroes' reflects WCNY's deep commitment to telling the stories of those who have served our country and our community," said Mitch Gelman, president and CEO of WCNY. "We are honored to recognize these extraordinary individuals while bringing our community together to celebrate their leadership, sacrifice and lasting impact."
"I am humbled to be recognized as an advocate for Honor Flight Syracuse and Central New York veterans," says Chancellor Haynie. "I have always believed that the debt we owe to those who have served and sacrificed for our nation's defense can never be repaid, but it certainly can and should be acknowledged and honored. That's what has driven Syracuse University to be a leader in veteran education, and that's why I'm so proud to be a supporter of Honor Flight Syracuse."
An influential researcher and scholar, Haynie assumed the chancellorship of Syracuse University on May 11. He is the founder of the D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families and has an extensive record of national public service.
His advocacy for service members and veterans also includes serving as chairman of the U.S. Department of Labor's Federal Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment, Training and Employer Outreach; vice chairman and later chairman of a White House Presidential Task Force on long-term reform at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); and membership on the George W. Bush Institute Advisory Council and the VA's Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education. Before entering academia, Haynie served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force for 14 years.
Smullen G'74 is a Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Army and U.S. State Department for more than 32 years. His last assignment on active duty was special assistant to the 11th and 12th Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral William J. Crowe Jr. and General Colin L. Powell. He served as director of Syracuse's national security studies program in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs from 2003-21 and taught in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. He is the former CEO of Clear Path for Veterans.
"For so many years WCNY has been a partner in amplifying the Honor Flight mission, in telling the stories of Central New York veterans and in helping our community understand the contributions of those who have served," Haynie says. "Today we're working to ensure that mission can continue so every veteran who wants to be part of the Honor Flight experience has not only that opportunity but the chance to share their story through WCNY."
* * *
Original text here: https://news.syr.edu/2026/06/03/syracuse-veterans-honored-at-wcnys-inaugural-mission-celebration/
Johns Hopkins: Habits Form Far Faster Than Science Previously Thought, Research Shows
BALTIMORE, Maryland, June 4 (TNSjou) -- Johns Hopkins University issued the following news:
* * *
Habits form far faster than science previously thought, research shows
A Johns Hopkins is team is studying whether a region of the brain plays a key role in developing habitual behavior, a discovery that could point to ways to alter entrenched habits
By Doug Donovan
From responding to the ping of your phone notification to reaching for a snack at the end of the day, many everyday behaviors begin as mindful choices and end up feeling almost automatic.
A new study from Johns Hopkins University,
... Show Full Article
BALTIMORE, Maryland, June 4 (TNSjou) -- Johns Hopkins University issued the following news:
* * *
Habits form far faster than science previously thought, research shows
A Johns Hopkins is team is studying whether a region of the brain plays a key role in developing habitual behavior, a discovery that could point to ways to alter entrenched habits
By Doug Donovan
From responding to the ping of your phone notification to reaching for a snack at the end of the day, many everyday behaviors begin as mindful choices and end up feeling almost automatic.
A new study from Johns Hopkins University,published in Nature Communications, suggests that shift may not always happen slowly.
Scientists have long believed that habits emerge gradually after long periods of repetitive behavior. But the new research shows that the transition into habitual action occurs faster than previously understood. And the research suggests that a particular brain region may play a key role in the transition--a discovery that could point to ways to alter entrenched habits.
"For over 100 years the theory of how habits form has been one of gradual strengthening and repetition: You do enough repetitions and slowly over time the brain starts to realize, 'I don't need to be thinking about this anymore,'" said Kishore V. Kuchibhotla, senior author on the paper and a neuroscientist who studies learning in humans and animals. "But the reason scientists tend to think of it as a gradual process is because of how we have studied it."
Research studies often use rewards to motivate animals to learn and perform a task. Once the task is learned, animals can be given free access to the reward and become satiated. When returned to the task, a goal-directed animal will typically stop performing it, since it no longer seeks the reward. In contrast, a habitual animal will perform the task automatically, regardless of whether the reward is needed.
This traditional approach required testing at specific time points (one earlier in learning and one later in learning). They could not test "in real time" when the habit transition actually occurred and then assumed that it must have been gradual.
Kuchibhotla and his research team designed a new method that was closer to everyday motivation. People do not drink only because they are thirsty. They might reach for sparkling water or a favorite drink because it is simply more appealing than plain water.
"We essentially motivated them by something else--a taste preference," Kuchibhotla said.
The new testing method gave mice constant access to acidic water while they resided in their home cages, allowing them to remain hydrated even if they did not love the water's taste. If the mice responded to a certain sound, they got the water they preferred.
Because the mice were not overly thirsty, they would sometimes respond to the sound that gave them water and sometimes not. The researchers proved this was because they were goal-directed (they would only behave when they wanted the plain water). Then, at a particular moment in time, they switched their behavior--they would always respond to the sound that gave them water even if they didn't want it. What the researchers found is that the transition happened suddenly--like a switch had been flipped.
"What surprised us most is that nothing changed on our end. The animals simply switched strategies from one trial to the next. Capturing that kind of rapid behavioral reorganization is rare," said lead author Sharlen Moore, a postdoctoral fellow in the university's Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences.
And further recordings of the mice brains revealed something fascinating: the brain region that might just house that switch.
"The fact that it is so sudden implies that something is controlling it," Kuchibhotla said.
They also found that some mice returned to goal-directed behavior after long periods of habitual behavior. "It really shows how much our methods shape what we see: When we stop over-motivating the animals, we start to uncover aspects of behavior that were basically hidden before," Moore said.
The team's discovery of a possible switch led the National Institutes of Health to award it a new grant to study the nature of this possible controller.
"Many habits are helpful for freeing up your mind for other things. But that's not always the case. The fact that there may be a controller means maybe we can reverse maladaptive habits back to goal-directed behavior," Kuchibhotla said. "Rather than thinking of habits as always being there no matter what, it's possible that bad habits need not be there forever."
Other researchers on the project include Zyan Wang, Ziyi Zhu, Joy Wang, Ruolan Sun, Yeonjae Lee, and Adam Charles, all from Johns Hopkins.
The research was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (R01DC018650, R00DC015014, and R01DA062689) and through fellowships from the Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute at Johns Hopkins University.
-
Key Takeaways
* The formation of habits may not transpire gradually as science has long believed.
* New research show that the transition to habitual behavior occurs far faster than previously understood.
* There may be a brain region that plays a key role in that transition, a discovery that could point to ways to alter entrenched habits.
* * *
Original text here: https://hub.jhu.edu/2026/06/03/habits-form-faster-than-previously-thought/
Florida Poly Scores Veteran Coach for Men's Soccer
LAKELAND, Florida, June 4 -- Florida Polytechnic University issued the following news release:
* * *
Florida Poly scores veteran coach for men's soccer
Florida Polytechnic University has named Clay Roberts the first head coach of its men's soccer program, adding an experienced team builder as the University continues launching its new athletics department.
Roberts brings two decades of experience as a collegiate and professional coach, player and administrator. Most recently, he served as head men's soccer coach at Southeastern University, where he became the program's all-time winningest coach,
... Show Full Article
LAKELAND, Florida, June 4 -- Florida Polytechnic University issued the following news release:
* * *
Florida Poly scores veteran coach for men's soccer
Florida Polytechnic University has named Clay Roberts the first head coach of its men's soccer program, adding an experienced team builder as the University continues launching its new athletics department.
Roberts brings two decades of experience as a collegiate and professional coach, player and administrator. Most recently, he served as head men's soccer coach at Southeastern University, where he became the program's all-time winningest coach,leading the team to three Sun Conference tournament championships and four NAIA national tournament appearances.
Drawn to Florida Poly by the University's momentum, Roberts said his background has prepared him well for the challenge of kicking off a brand-new team.
"There's something special starting to happen and grow here," Roberts said. "When athletics was being launched, I was really excited because it was a great opportunity to build out a program. In my career, I've come to be a builder in the early moments of new projects and seen success."
Derek Lower, Florida Poly's athletic director, said Roberts stood out for more than just his winning record.
"Clay's resume is indisputable," Lower said. "He has plenty of accolades and wins, but what stands out to me is his professionalism, ability to build relationships with his recruits, and his willingness to lend a hand for the betterment of the entire athletics program."
To establish the program, Roberts said he plans to center Florida Poly men's soccer around three core priorities: excellence in the classroom, excellence on the field and strong character.
"Those are the three foundational pillars that we're building everything on," he said.
Recruiting is moving quickly as the inaugural season's first game approaches this August. Roberts is aiming for about 26 student-athletes who can compete at a high level while thriving in Florida Poly's rigorous STEM environment.
"We have no time to waste," Roberts said. "The recruitment has been full blown, with a no-stone-left-unturned mentality as we build out our first roster and get ready for preseason. I'm not recruiting just to field a team; I'm recruiting a team that will win the conference."
* * *
Original text here: https://floridapoly.edu/news/060326-florida-poly-mens-soccer-coach-clay-roberts/
Advancing Women's Health: Trauma-informed Obstetrics Care at Center of CWRU Researcher's Work
CLEVELAND, Ohio, June 4 -- Case Western Reserve University issued the following news:
* * *
Advancing women's health: Trauma-informed obstetrics care at center of CWRU researcher's work
Story by: Jasmine Vo
Pregnancy in itself is a challenging experience, and even more so for women who have suffered from trauma. Working as a women's health nurse practitioner and a midwife, Hannouh Almoghrabi, DNP (NUR '12, '18), assistant professor at Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, sees firsthand the need to advocate for traumatized women's laboring experience.
"We should ask women whether they would
... Show Full Article
CLEVELAND, Ohio, June 4 -- Case Western Reserve University issued the following news:
* * *
Advancing women's health: Trauma-informed obstetrics care at center of CWRU researcher's work
Story by: Jasmine Vo
Pregnancy in itself is a challenging experience, and even more so for women who have suffered from trauma. Working as a women's health nurse practitioner and a midwife, Hannouh Almoghrabi, DNP (NUR '12, '18), assistant professor at Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, sees firsthand the need to advocate for traumatized women's laboring experience.
"We should ask women whether they wouldneed help to sustain their pregnancy -- whether they have access to food and shelter, or how they would want to give birth," said Almoghrabi.
As a fellow of the Veterans Affairs Quality Scholars Fellowship Program, Almoghrabi recently received funding from the Veterans Health Administration Office of Health Equity for her project, "Healing Outcomes for an improved Perinatal Experience (HOPE)." The project aims to improve the quality of care for traumatized expectant mothers in the hospital setting.
To achieve this, the researcher will gather input from female veterans on their trauma triggers and how they would like to be treated before, during, and after labor, with the goal of providing customized care tailored to their needs.
"As an example, there were patients whose trauma might be triggered by the bright lights, noises, or the touch on a body part," Almoghrabi explained.
Having the information about patients' triggers and preferences, healthcare providers can be more sensitive to the needs of patients with trauma and thus improve the quality of care. This project is especially important as more and more female veterans are of reproductive age.
"Through our work, I hope to empower the veterans to advocate for themselves, especially traumatized and pregnant women," said Almoghrabi.
Besides conducting research, Almoghrabi is also engaged in nursing education and simulation. Through the courses that Almoghrabi teaches at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, she also guides nursing students through simulations to be better prepared for real-world scenarios. The lab emulates a hospital setting, with high-fidelity mannequins that can simulate bleeding and mimic birth complications.
Through her teaching, Almoghrabi aims to provide nursing students with a clearer understanding of healthcare disparities and to encourage them to become more thoughtful, patient-centered providers.
"My hope is that my students graduate not only as skilled clinicians, but as providers who see healthcare inequality and feel compelled to change it -- meeting every patient with both competence and conscience," Almoghrabi said. "I want my students to leave my classroom aware that zip code, race, and income still shape health outcomes, and to carry that awareness into every room they enter -- using their role to advocate for patients who've been overlooked."
Almoghrabi earned both her Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees at Case Western Reserve University. She chose CWRU because it best aligned with her vision for growth and life purpose: "to improve and advocate for women's health," she said.
* * *
Original text here: https://case.edu/news/advancing-womens-health-trauma-informed-obstetrics-care-center-cwru-researchers-work
