Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
Yale University: Diagnosing Endometriosis - Biomarkers Enable Early, Noninvasive Detection
NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, Jan. 17 (TNSjou) -- Yale University issued the following news:
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Diagnosing Endometriosis: New Biomarkers Enable Early, Noninvasive Detection
By Isabella Backman
Researchers have discovered novel biomarkers that could allow doctors to detect endometriosis in its earliest stages through a simple blood test. The findings, published in Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, could help clinicians intervene before the disease causes irreversible damage.
Endometriosis is a gynecologic disease wherein tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus.
... Show Full Article
NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, Jan. 17 (TNSjou) -- Yale University issued the following news:
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Diagnosing Endometriosis: New Biomarkers Enable Early, Noninvasive Detection
By Isabella Backman
Researchers have discovered novel biomarkers that could allow doctors to detect endometriosis in its earliest stages through a simple blood test. The findings, published in Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, could help clinicians intervene before the disease causes irreversible damage.
Endometriosis is a gynecologic disease wherein tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus.It affects one in 10 reproductive age women and can cause a wide range of often debilitating symptoms, including pelvic pain and infertility. Despite its prevalence and severity, it can take an average of eight to 10 years for adults to receive a diagnosis, and up to 14 for adolescents.
This delay is partly because the gold standard for diagnosing endometriosis is a laparoscopy, a safe but invasive surgical procedure.
Previous research led by Hugh Taylor, MD, Anita O'Keeffe Young Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at Yale School of Medicine (YSM), uncovered molecular biomarkers--small RNA molecules called microRNAs--in the blood that can help scientists accurately and noninvasively detect endometriosis in adults.
In the latest study, Taylor and his colleagues have now discovered a new microRNA signature in adolescents and young adults that is associated with the early stages of the disease. This finding is critical as over half of patients with endometriosis report first experiencing symptoms in adolescence.
"We finally have a way to detect this disease that is so often ignored and misdiagnosed," says Taylor, the study's senior author. "We can prove that these patients have endometriosis in an earlier stage so they can get the treatment they need and get their lives back on track."
Molecular differences in early endometriosis
MicroRNAs are found in every tissue and regulate gene expression. Differences in their activity have been linked to nearly every major disease. "They're like a fingerprint that marks a disease or health state," says Taylor.
Through examining microRNAs circulating in the blood, Taylor's team previously discovered microRNAs that are significantly altered in adult patients with endometriosis. In a larger trial of 100 patients, they found that they could use these biomarkers to accurately detect endometriosis through a noninvasive blood draw. Participants on average were in their mid-30s.
In this latest study, the researchers specifically focused on younger patients to identify differences in microRNAs that might be affiliated with earlier stages of the disease.
"We need to diagnose the disease much earlier, because endometriosis often doesn't start when a person is 25," says lead author Alla Vash-Margita, MD, associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive science at YSM who specializes in treating children and adolescents. "We have hard data that it commonly starts in adolescence, shortly after the first period."
The team studied 51 adolescents and young adults (aged 13 to 26) with pelvic pain who were scheduled for gynecologic surgery between 2019 and 2024. Before surgery, the researchers took blood samples from each person and isolated the microRNAs.
The surgeries confirmed endometriosis in 31 of the patients and comparing their blood samples with those not diagnosed with the disease revealed new differences in microRNA expression that were unique to early stages of endometriosis.
"Through future trials, we can and will develop a clinical diagnostic test that can be used for early diagnosis of endometriosis, so people don't have to undergo major surgery," says Vash-Margita.
Further studies validating the findings in distinct cohorts will be needed before a blood test could become commercially available. But the researchers are hopeful that noninvasive testing for endometriosis will become available in the coming years.
"It is so important that we come up with early diagnostics and distinguish this disease early on before it goes on to cause debilitating pain," says Taylor. "The earlier we can diagnose it, the faster we can restore people's lives."
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The research reported in this news article was supported by the National Institutes of Health (awards U54HD052668 and R01HD076422) and Yale University. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
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Original text here: https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/diagnosing-endometriosis-biomarkers-enable-early-noninvasive-detection/
University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine: 3D Imaging System Could Address Limitations of MRI, CT and Ultrasound
LOS ANGELES, California, Jan. 17 (TNSjou) -- The University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine issued the following news release:
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New 3D imaging system could address limitations of MRI, CT and ultrasound
Keck School of Medicine of USC researchers, working with a team of engineers from Caltech, developed an innovative medical imaging technique that maps both blood vessels and tissue.
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In a proof-of-concept study funded by the National Institutes of Health, researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of USC and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have shown that
... Show Full Article
LOS ANGELES, California, Jan. 17 (TNSjou) -- The University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine issued the following news release:
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New 3D imaging system could address limitations of MRI, CT and ultrasound
Keck School of Medicine of USC researchers, working with a team of engineers from Caltech, developed an innovative medical imaging technique that maps both blood vessels and tissue.
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In a proof-of-concept study funded by the National Institutes of Health, researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of USC and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have shown thatan innovative, noninvasive technique can be used to quickly collect 3D images of the human body, from head to foot. The technology combines ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging, which detects sound waves generated by light, to simultaneously collect images of both tissue and blood vessels. The findings, just published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering, have the potential to address current gaps in medical imaging.
Imaging is a critical part of modern medicine, informing care across injury, infection, cancer, chronic disease and more. But today's gold standard techniques--ultrasound, X-ray, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) -- each have their limitations. These include cost and time required for each scan, as well as what the images can capture -- how much of the body can be seen at once, how deep images can reach and how much detail they provide.
"You cannot understate the importance of medical imaging for clinical practice. Our team has identified key limitations of existing techniques and developed a novel approach to address them," said Charles Liu, MD, PhD, professor of clinical neurological surgery, urology and surgery at the Keck School of Medicine, director of the USC Neurorestoration Center and co-senior author of the new research.
To show how broadly the technology can be applied, the researchers used the system to image multiple regions of the human body: the brain, breast, hand and foot. Brain imaging was done in patients with traumatic brain injury undergoing surgery, who had portions of their skull temporarily removed. The results show that the technology can capture both tissue structure and blood vessels across a region up to 10 centimeters wide, all in about 10 seconds.
"We've devised a novel method that changes how ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging systems work together, which allows us to achieve far more comprehensive imaging at meaningful depths. It's an exciting step forward in noninvasive diagnostics that doesn't use ionizing radiation or strong magnets," said co-senior author Lihong Wang, PhD, the Bren Professor of Medical Engineering and Electrical Engineering and Andrew and Peggy Cherng Medical Engineering Leadership Chair at Caltech.
A new imaging platform
For the first time in humans, the research team combined two imaging methods, rotational ultrasound tomography (RUST) and photoacoustic tomography (PAT), to create what they call RUS-PAT.
Similar to a standard ultrasound, RUST directs sound waves at an area being imaged. But instead of using a single detector to create a 2D image, it uses an arc of detectors to recreate a 3D volumetric image of the body's tissues. PAT directs a beam of laser light at the same area, which is absorbed by hemoglobin molecules in the blood. These molecules vibrate and give off ultrasonic frequencies, which are measured by the same detectors to create 3D images of blood vessels.
The RUS-PAT system builds on earlier work by the USC-Caltech team, which showed that PAT can also be used to collect images of brain activity.
RUS-PAT offers several potential benefits over existing medical imaging tools. It is less expensive to build than an MRI scanner, avoids the radiation needed for X-ray and CT scans and provides more sophisticated images than conventional ultrasound.
"When we think about the critical limitations of current medical imaging, including expense, field of view, spatial resolution and time to scan, this platform addresses many of them," Liu said.
Broad clinical potential
By imaging the brain, breast, hand and foot, the researchers have shown RUS-PAT's potential across a wide range of health care applications. Brain imaging plays a central role in the diagnosis and treatment of stroke, traumatic brain injury and neurological disease, while breast imaging supports care for one of the most common cancers worldwide.
"Photoacoustics opens up a new frontier of human study, and we believe this technology will be critical for the development of new diagnostics and patient-specific therapies," said Jonathan Russin, MD, co-first author of the study and professor and chief of neurosurgery at the University of Vermont.
Rapid, low-cost imaging of the foot could also aid millions of people living with diabetic foot complications and venous disease.
"This approach clearly has the potential to help clinicians identify at-risk limbs and inform interventions to preserve function in diabetic foot disease and other vascular conditions," said Tze-Woei Tan, MD, coauthor and associate professor of clinical surgery and director of the Limb Salvage Research Program at the Keck School of Medicine.
More work is needed before RUS-PAT is ready for clinical use. One major challenge for brain application remains that the human skull distorts the system's signals, making it hard to collect clear images of the brain. The Caltech team is exploring novel approaches to solve this problem, including adjustments to ultrasound frequency. Further improvements are also needed to ensure consistent image quality across scans.
"This is an early but important proof-of-concept study, showing that RUS-PAT can create medically meaningful images across multiple parts of the body. We're now continuing to refine the system as we move toward future clinical use," Liu said.
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About this study
In addition to Liu, Wang, Russin and Tan, the study's other authors are Yang Zhang, Shuai Na, Karteekeya Sastry, Li Lin, Junfu Zheng, Yilin Luo, Xin Tong, Yujin An, Peng Hu and Konstantin Maslov from Caltech Optical Imaging Laboratory, Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, California Institute of Technology.
This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health [R01 CA282505, U01 EB029823 (BRAIN Initiative) and R35 CA220436 (Outstanding Investigator Award)].
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Original text here: https://keck.usc.edu/news/new-3d-imaging-system-could-address-limitations-of-mri-ct-and-ultrasound/
University of California-Davis: Research Suggests Nationwide Racial Bias in Media Reporting on Gun Violence
DAVIS, California, Jan. 17 (TNSjou) -- The University of California Davis issued the following news:
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Research Suggests Nationwide Racial Bias in Media Reporting on Gun Violence
By Alex Russell
Mass shootings in white-majority neighborhoods received roughly twice the news coverage of mass shootings in neighborhoods where a majority of residents were people of color, while coverage of police-involved shootings was disproportionately high in majority-minority communities, according to new research.
This study by researchers at the University of California, Davis, Northwestern University
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DAVIS, California, Jan. 17 (TNSjou) -- The University of California Davis issued the following news:
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Research Suggests Nationwide Racial Bias in Media Reporting on Gun Violence
By Alex Russell
Mass shootings in white-majority neighborhoods received roughly twice the news coverage of mass shootings in neighborhoods where a majority of residents were people of color, while coverage of police-involved shootings was disproportionately high in majority-minority communities, according to new research.
This study by researchers at the University of California, Davis, Northwestern Universityand the University of Washington is thought to be the first to systematically document bias on gun-violence reporting in a large-scale, nationally representative sample of news media coverage, researchers said.
Researchers analyzed nearly 36,000 news stories reporting on individual shootings, finding significant differences in the volume of coverage and characterization of the incidents based on the racial and ethnic composition of the neighborhood in which they took place. The researchers also found that the language describing incidents of gun violence were systematically different depending on the neighborhood's majority population. The study took place from 2014 to 2023.
"These disparities are more generalized than previously documented, and they exist nationwide," said Rob Voigt, an assistant professor of linguistics in the College of Letters and Science at UC Davis and co-author of the study.
The study was published on Jan. 16 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Co-authors were Ruth Bagley and Andrew Papachristos at Northwestern University and Susan Burtner at the University of Washington.
Connecting reporting on gun violence to neighborhoods, lives
In reports of gun violence that took place in neighborhoods where a majority of residents were people of color, the incidents were often framed in terms of race and crime. For instance, when Tamir Rice was shot and killed by police in 2014 in Cleveland, some news outlets referred to 12-year-old Rice as a "Black male with gun" rather than a boy playing with a toy gun.
The research team connected 35,991 local and national online media reports on shootings during the period of the study to detailed incident data and analyzed their content with a variety of computational methods including large language models. They then compared these figures to census data that show the racial breakdown of the neighborhoods where each incident took place. Each news report covered one incident of gun violence.
By linking these two types of data -- media framing and the details of the incidents and people involved -- researchers said they were able to draw broader conclusions about how media represent the perpetrators and victims of gun violence.
The language of disparity in gun violence reporting
The study found significant race-based bias in both the mentions and portrayal of people involved in shootings. For example, 62% of mentions of race in articles about incidents of gun violence refer to people of color.
Researchers also found that reports on incidents in white-majority neighborhoods put more focus on shooters. These articles were also more likely to describe shooters in terms of their social roles beyond the incident, such as a being a student or someone's family member. These articles were more likely to quote authority figures as well, researchers said.
One excerpt from a story reporting an incident in a majority-white neighborhood described, for example, the shooter's background and medical issues: "[The shooter] is a former Marine who suffered from a traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder, his stepfather said." Reports about shooters in neighborhoods of color didn't have such details about shooters, researchers said.
Yet another excerpt from a news report on an incident in a neighborhood where a majority of residents were people of color said: "There, [the victim] ignored commands to drop his .50-caliber handgun, turned the gun on himself and committed suicide."
"Media coverage of such incidents can perpetuate harmful biases, extending the impact beyond the immediate trauma of those involved," Voigt said.
This research was funded by Community Justice and the Joyce Foundation.
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Media Resources
Quantifying racial disparities in media representations of gun violence at scale (PNAS) (https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2505499123)
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Original text here: https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/research-suggests-nationwide-racial-bias-media-reporting-gun-violence
UNC-Greensboro: Solar Panels Serve Middle College With Clean Energy, Educational Toolset
GREENSBORO, North Carolina, Jan. 17 -- The University of North Carolina Greensboro campus issued the following news:
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Solar Panels Serve Middle College with Clean Energy, New Educational Toolset
With the recent installation of a 20-kilowatt rooftop solar array, the Middle College at UNC Greensboro took a significant leap toward sustainability and hands-on STEM education.
For the Middle College's students and faculty, the solar panels offer them much more than clean energy. The installation includes a weather station and data monitoring equipment, so they can integrate real-time energy
... Show Full Article
GREENSBORO, North Carolina, Jan. 17 -- The University of North Carolina Greensboro campus issued the following news:
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Solar Panels Serve Middle College with Clean Energy, New Educational Toolset
With the recent installation of a 20-kilowatt rooftop solar array, the Middle College at UNC Greensboro took a significant leap toward sustainability and hands-on STEM education.
For the Middle College's students and faculty, the solar panels offer them much more than clean energy. The installation includes a weather station and data monitoring equipment, so they can integrate real-time energyproduction and weather data into their classrooms. Students will read and interpret energy data, compare weather scenarios, and learn about the science behind renewable energy.
Harnessing the Sun
"This is going to be an exciting time for both the students and teachers at the Middle College," says Thomas Hefner, a retired teacher of the Middle College who co-authored the grant application and helped train other teachers to use them in curriculums. "From reducing the campus carbon footprint to saving tax dollars with a lower electricity bill for UNCG, what excites me the most is the multiple ways the teachers will be able to bring in the solar panels as part of the coursework across so many disciplines, and not just science classes."
There are plenty of ways to bring all the data into Earth and Environmental classes," says Hefner. "Physics has objectives involving the study of electricity. There is chemistry in the polymers. Outside of science, courses about budgets can look at real data to see how much electricity is being produced and how that changes during the changes of the seasons. Math classes involving geometry and trigonometry can examine the angle of the sun and how that affects electrical production. Spanish and Social Studies can look at how areas of the world without a reliable electrical grid can implement solar electrical production."
Students shared their own excitement about the new addition for the new year, including the Go Green! club's co-vice president Anuluck Nhouyvanisvong. "I think this project is a great step towards our school going green," said Nhouyvanisvong. "As co-vice president of the "Go Green!" club here, "I really admire the school for trying to reduce their carbon footprint and hope this project inspires students to also do what they can to protect the earth no matter how small the action."
The solar array is part of a statewide initiative by NC GreenPower to expand public knowledge and acceptance of cleaner energy technologies to all North Carolinians through local, community-based initiatives. The Middle College was one of nine North Carolina schools in 2024 to be awarded the construction funding for a 20-kilowatt solar installation.
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"I am proud of UNCG and the Middle College for taking the initiative to become more environmentally conscious, as this is vital for our future."
- Arbree Ware, Middle College student
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It is UNCG's second solar panel array after the 34-kW installation on the Nursing Instructional Building. Electricity output depends on the climate and weather, but the two systems combined can produce enough electricity to power approximately a dozen homes a year in North Carolina. This new array is fully funded by the Solar+ Schools grant program, sponsored by the State Employees' Credit Union (SECU) Foundation.
Partnerships for Sustainability
According to NC GreenPower, its recipients have saved more than $50,000 cumulatively in electricity expenses. More than 280 teachers and 62,000 students in North Carolina have participated in its Solar+ Schools' STEM and solar curriculum training. As the installation powers on, it underscores UNCG's commitment to sustainability, real-world impact, and creating new and innovative opportunities for all students.
"It's exciting," said Sean MacInnes, UNCG Sustainability specialist. "We're very thankful to NC GreenPower and to NC Solar Now for their support in funding and installing the array, to Principal Brown and Thomas for their support, and our Facilities team, who were integral to managing the project with the State Construction Office."
For homeowners nationwide who are curious about installing solar for their homes, UNCG's Office of Sustainability is now collaborating with EnergySage to help UNCG employees, alumni, and community members compare offers for rooftop solar installations for their homes and businesses. EnergySage is a free, 100% online comparison-shopping marketplace that connects people with vetted local installers.
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"The solar panels on our building have made us more environmentally friendly and have made us feel more self-conscious that we treat our planet the best we can."
- Hadia Rashid, Middle College student
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MacInnes says the Office of Sustainability is also promoting solar panel opportunities for local homeowners. Duke Energy is currently offering a limited time "PowerPair" pilot program that provides up to a $9,000 rebate.
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"This means a lot to me because when I heard we were getting solar panels, I immediately thought of my former teacher Thomas Hefner, who always advocated for people to be more eco-conscious and for a more sustainable earth."
- Barack Aduwa, Middle College student
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"We believe this change represents an important step toward an eco-friendlier UNCG and most importantly an eco-friendly world."
- Genny Arocho, Middle College student
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- Janet Imrick, University Communications
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Original text here: https://www.uncg.edu/news/solar-panels-for-middle-college/
Dartmouth College: Faculty and Students Explore Sustainable Food in Italy
HANOVER, New Hampshire, Jan. 17 -- Dartmouth College issued the following news:
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Faculty and Students Explore Sustainable Food in Italy
A Rome symposium and student immersion examined food, culture, and climate resilience.
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Almost two dozen faculty, staff, and students traveled to Rome in December for Food at the Nexus of Territory, Tradition, and Climate Change, a two-day international symposium co-sponsored by Dartmouth and the American Academy in Rome.
The event brought together an array of policymakers, representatives of the agricultural and food industry, and scholars--humanists
... Show Full Article
HANOVER, New Hampshire, Jan. 17 -- Dartmouth College issued the following news:
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Faculty and Students Explore Sustainable Food in Italy
A Rome symposium and student immersion examined food, culture, and climate resilience.
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Almost two dozen faculty, staff, and students traveled to Rome in December for Food at the Nexus of Territory, Tradition, and Climate Change, a two-day international symposium co-sponsored by Dartmouth and the American Academy in Rome.
The event brought together an array of policymakers, representatives of the agricultural and food industry, and scholars--humanistsas well as scientists--from Dartmouth and around the world to explore how food systems intersect with issues of culture and sustainability.
Also attending the conference: a group of 10 undergraduates participating in a 10-day Sustainable Food Systems Immersion program in Italy.
Conference participants engaged in panel discussions on topics including sustainable agricultural practices, migration and food systems, and the impact of climate change on food system resilience. They also viewed documentary films and sampled regional foods.
Italy, and Rome in particular, is home to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Food Programme, the Slow Food movement, and the Rome Sustainable Food Project, founded by chefs Alice Waters and Mona Talbott and hosted at the American Academy. The city's mix of international institutions and local initiatives provided a fitting context for conversations about sustainability, culture, and climate impacts across food systems.
Barbara Will, vice provost for academic and international affairs, said Rome offered an especially useful vantage point for connecting local practice with global supply chains.
"Rome is ground zero for food systems analysis and activism," Will says. "It's only by having an international conversation that we can start to understand how embedded we all are in this complex dynamic of local vs. global, sustainable vs 'efficient.' "
The conference explored how "people around the world are invested in local food systems as more sustainable and healthful, but many people find it cheaper and more efficient to take part in global supply chains that are ultimately much more damaging for the environment. We talked about acting locally and thinking globally," Will says.
Welcoming attendees on the first day of the event, Will cited the legacy of the 19th-century statesman and conservationist George Perkins Marsh, Class of 1820, who served more than two decades as the first U.S. minister to Italy.
"While we come from far away, it is completely fitting that, like Perkins Marsh, we Dartmouth people find ourselves here today in Rome," Will told attendees. "I know I speak for all my colleagues here today in expressing gratitude for being part of this international conversation."
Will described the symposium's two primary goals: "First, to raise awareness of the effect of climate change on food production, distribution, and consumption in both global and local contexts. And second, to showcase scholars, researchers, practitioners, and thought leaders around food systems who offer hope and solutions to the climate crisis."
"We wanted to lean into the transdisciplinary nature of issues around food and climate change," says Meredith Kelly, faculty director of the Dartmouth Climate Collaborative, which is supporting research, teaching, and collaboration and advancing Dartmouth's commitment to environmental stewardship and long-term resilience.
"We heard from farmers, chefs, scholars and people working on migration. It was a conference focused on the impacts of climate on people on a daily basis, very close to home," says Kelly, the Frederick Hall Professor in Mineralogy and Geology and chair of the Department of Earth Sciences. "It brought home the fact that climate is really everyone's problem, not just a science or engineering problem."
Kelly, who moderated a session on Migration and Movement: Sustainable Food Systems in a Changing World, says the conference was an opportunity to explore a new potential focus for the Climate Collaborative around food and sustainability.
On day two, Provost Santiago Schnell noted the diversity of disciplines and industries in attendance.
"What unites these perspectives is a recognition that food sits at a nexus: where territory meets tradition, where local practice confronts global systems, where the imperative to feed the world encounters the imperative to preserve the world that feeds us," said Schnell, a professor of mathematics and biomedical data science.
Invoking the work of 7th-century scholar and bishop Isidore, whose life's work was the compilation of an encyclopedia of human knowledge--an effort completed during a period of major social transition--Schnell said, "We stand at our own moment of transition. The climate is changing. Food systems that sustained previous generations are under stress. Migration reshapes both who grows food and who eats it. The question before us is not merely technical--how do we adapt?--but also cultural and even spiritual: What do we wish to preserve? What must we let go? What new relationships between people, food, and land must we cultivate?"
Joe Flueckiger, associate vice president for business and hospitality, whose role includes oversight of Dartmouth Dining Services, spoke on a panel on Farms to Tables: Institutions, Systems, and Policies.
"Food is both personal and universal," Flueckiger says. "Linking climate action to everyday food choices helps make sustainability more understandable, while highlighting how institutional decisions, such as sourcing and operations, can have meaningful climate and community impact."
Flueckiger says he and his colleagues are excited to put some of the ideas discussed at the conference into action on campus. For example, he sees ways for Dartmouth Dining to extend student learning opportunities as a living laboratory beyond the classroom, as well as opportunities to "be an agent of change in the Upper Valley, shoring up the agro-economy and demonstrating how an anchor institution like Dartmouth can align everyday operations with climate leadership and community impact."
He also hopes to continue strengthening networks and partnerships with peer institutions in Hanover and abroad to share solutions and "adapt proven approaches that can be scaled on campus and beyond."
Other Dartmouth participants included Matthew Ayres, professor of biological studies; Danielle Callegari, associate professor of French and Italian; Nicola Camerlenghi, associate professor and chair of art history; and Theresa Ong, assistant professor of environmental studies.
The student immersion program was sponsored by the Dartmouth Sustainability Office and the Climate Collaborative--a hands-on experience that is part of the Climate Collaborative's effort to help students become climate-conscious citizens, says Kelly.
After the symposium, the students traveled to the countryside in Umbria and Tuscany, where they visited farms and saw traditional and modern agricultural practices first-hand. The itinerary included conversations with growers and producers about labor, land stewardship, and the economics of food production.
"My favorite part of this trip has been me rethinking everything that I eat," says Mikaela Browning '26, who is majoring in economics modified with computer science and minoring in Italian. "It's made me less picky, just knowing how much labor and effort and love went into the food that is on our table."
The winterim immersion trip, while intellectually rigorous, was not an official academic course with grades--a fact that made the experience especially meaningful to Vismaya Gopalan '27, a double-major in chemistry and Hispanic studies and a minor in anthropology.
"This might be one of my favorite experiences because it's not tied to a reward where you feel like you have to succeed, and yet I think I've learned as much as I would in a whole term just in the past few days," Gopalan says. "This is purely for people who are interested in the topic and get a chance to explore it."
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Original text here: https://home.dartmouth.edu/news/2026/01/faculty-and-students-explore-sustainable-food-italy
Albany State Hosts Third President's Lecture Series Featuring Georgia Court of Appeals Judge Kenneth Hodges III
ALBANY, Georgia, Jan. 17 -- Albany State University issued the following news:
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Albany State Hosts Third President's Lecture Series Featuring Georgia Court of Appeals Judge Kenneth Hodges III
Albany State University hosted the third installment of the President's Lecture Series, Foundations for the Future, bringing students, faculty, staff, and community members together for an evening focused on leadership and workforce readiness. Presented in partnership with the ASU Strada Scholars Program, the series connects influential leaders with the campus community to inspire dialogue, professional
... Show Full Article
ALBANY, Georgia, Jan. 17 -- Albany State University issued the following news:
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Albany State Hosts Third President's Lecture Series Featuring Georgia Court of Appeals Judge Kenneth Hodges III
Albany State University hosted the third installment of the President's Lecture Series, Foundations for the Future, bringing students, faculty, staff, and community members together for an evening focused on leadership and workforce readiness. Presented in partnership with the ASU Strada Scholars Program, the series connects influential leaders with the campus community to inspire dialogue, professionalgrowth, and purposeful leadership.
The Honorable Kenneth Hodges III, Judge on the Georgia Court of Appeals, served as the featured speaker and offered personal reflections and practical insights from his distinguished career in public service. An Albany native, Judge Hodges emphasized that leadership is developed through experience, accountability, and perseverance. His extensive background includes service as a District Attorney, private practice attorney, and President of the State Bar of Georgia, all of which inform his work on the Court of Appeals.
"As president, I am called to ensure our students are exposed to leaders who not only speak about success, but who model it through service, resilience, and integrity," said Albany State University President Dr. Robert Scott. "Judge Hodges reminded us that leadership is not reserved for a select few, it is cultivated through discipline, humility, and a willingness to learn."
Judge Hodges praised Albany State's commitment to leadership development and student success, stating, "If you want to be a leader, you enrolled in the right university."
Throughout the lecture, Judge Hodges encouraged attendees to embrace diverse perspectives, surround themselves with people who challenge their ideas, and develop leadership styles that align with their strengths. He shared lessons on humility, resilience, and decision-making, reminding students that mistakes are not the opposite of success, but part of the process.
Judge Hodges emphasized that leaders are not born, but made through intentional skill development, encouraging attendees to embrace diverse perspectives and surround themselves with people who are willing to challenge ideas in pursuit of shared success. He encouraged students to identify leadership styles that align with their strengths, noting that while his approach is largely participative and delegative, effective leaders must sometimes make difficult, authoritative decisions. He highlighted the importance of finding common ground, building relationships, and treating people with kindness, reminding students that "you never know where someone's path may lead."
During the question-and-answer session, Judge Hodges reflected on his nontraditional path to law, noting that he did not aspire to become a judge until shortly before seeking the role. He encouraged students to approach every opportunity with excellence, pursue internships and civic engagement opportunities, and remain persistent when facing obstacles.
The President's Lecture Series, Foundations for the Future, continues to serve as a platform for meaningful conversation, leadership development, and career preparation, reinforcing Albany State University's commitment to student success and community engagement.
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Original text here: https://www.asurams.edu/news/2026/hodges-lecture.php
A new playbook for cancer prevention in Africa begins with everyday infections
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Jan. 17 -- The University of the Witwatersrand issued the following news:
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A new playbook for cancer prevention in Africa begins with everyday infections
Wits scientists have identified a 'microbial watchlist' of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites that could cause cancer.
Thus, targeting common infections in Africa, such as Salmonella typhi and the Epstein-Barr virus, may be among the most effective cancer-prevention strategies for the continent.
Infections shape the immune system, alter tissue environments, and induce chronic inflammation, thereby increasing
... Show Full Article
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Jan. 17 -- The University of the Witwatersrand issued the following news:
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A new playbook for cancer prevention in Africa begins with everyday infections
Wits scientists have identified a 'microbial watchlist' of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites that could cause cancer.
Thus, targeting common infections in Africa, such as Salmonella typhi and the Epstein-Barr virus, may be among the most effective cancer-prevention strategies for the continent.
Infections shape the immune system, alter tissue environments, and induce chronic inflammation, thereby increasingthe risk of carcinogenesis.
A recent review by scientists at the Wits Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit ( AGTRU ) and the Wits Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute (Wits- IDORI ) projects that cancer incidence in sub-Saharan Africa will double by 2040. Many people are diagnosed late and have limited access to specialised treatment, and new cancer drugs are often unaffordable.
"We believe that there are many more microbial links to cancer that have not been characterised in African populations," said AGTRU's Dr Rebecca van Dorsten. "If scientists can identify the microbes that influence cancer risk, they can intervene early and at low cost."
Van Dorsten and Distinguished Professor Robert Breiman, Senior Scientific Advisor for IDORI, propose a modern framework to determine whether a microbe plays a causal role in cancer. It builds on traditional tools, such as Koch's postulates and the Bradford Hill criteria, which are effective for acute infections and environmental exposures but are less applicable to diseases that manifest years after the initial environmental exposure.
The framework introduced in the review incorporates historical population data, as well as molecular, genomic, and experimental data, to capture the gradual, multi-step nature of cancer formation.
Using this approach, the review examines several microbes common in African settings that may contribute to cancer risk. For example, Salmonella Typhi, the cause of typhoid fever, can persist in the gallbladder for years in a small proportion of people. International studies suggest that this chronic state may increase the risk of gallbladder cancer.
Very little research on gallbladder cancer has been conducted in Africa, however, despite the continent's high typhoid burden.
Meanwhile, Schistosoma haematobium, the parasite responsible for urinary schistosomiasis, is widespread in parts of southern Africa. It is already a confirmed cause of bladder cancer. Schistosoma species found in East and Southeast Asia are also linked to cancers of the liver and bile ducts.
By early adulthood, most people in Sub-Saharan Africa carry cytomegalovirus (CMV). Some studies have detected CMV genetic material in glioblastoma and breast cancer tissues. Although the evidence is inconsistent, the possibility of CMV contributing to cancer progression is being taken seriously because of its high prevalence and its ability to alter immune and metabolic pathways.
Epstein-Barr virus has long been associated with Burkitt lymphoma, a cancer that predominantly affects children in malaria-endemic regions of Africa. Epstein-Barr may also contribute to stomach, head and neck cancers. Its effects may be amplified in immunosuppressed individuals, including those living with HIV.
Other microbes, such as Fusobacterium nucleatum, a bacterium commonly found in the mouth and gut, are increasingly associated with colorectal cancer. Studies in several countries have shown that F. nucleatum can infiltrate tumour tissue and may enhance tumour growth and spread. The African data on this topic are minimal, even though colorectal cancer rates are rising in many urban centres.
Fungal toxins remain a major concern. Aspergillus species thrive in hot, humid environments and contaminate staple crops when storage conditions are inadequate. These fungi produce aflatoxin, one of the most potent naturally occurring carcinogens, and a major driver of liver cancer in regions of West and East Africa where maize and groundnuts form a large portion of the diet.
Van Dorsten says that understanding these microbial links could unlock a new wave of prevention strategies.
"Vaccines, improved food storage, antimicrobial treatment and parasite control are all practical and affordable when compared with advanced cancer therapies."
She notes that African cancer research must start with African data. Local exposures, co-infections, and immune environments shape how cancers develop, and these patterns cannot be inferred from studies conducted elsewhere. The authors argue that by identifying the microbes that influence cancer risk in Africa, scientists and health authorities can develop interventions long before tumours develop. This could save thousands of lives and reduce the growing cancer burden in a region where treatment options remain limited.
Breiman says that Wits-IDORI is prioritising the discovery of novel links between infectious diseases and cancer. "We know that nearly all cervical cancers are caused by human papillomavirus, and this ultimately led to the development and use of viral vaccines to prevent cancers. This was far-fetched when I was in medical school, but now we believe that cervical cancer can be eliminated as a significant public health problem. Exploring the nexus of microbes and cancer will illuminate practical pathways for reducing the massive burden of mortality due to cancer in Africa and globally."
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Original text here: https://www.wits.ac.za/news/latest-news/research-news/2026/2026-01/a-new-playbook-for-cancer-prevention-in-africa-begins-with-everyday-infections.html
