Feed of Latest U-M Research News
Social Sciences
Viewing sneezing and coughing in public raises fears
Seeing other people sneeze and cough affects how people view the U.S. health care system and how likely they are to support federal spending to develop a flu vaccine, a University of Michigan study shows. "We found that exposure to public sneezing and coughing increased risk perception even for risks that are completely unrelated to the flu," said Norbert Schwarz, a research professor at the U-M Institute for Social Research, a professor in the U-M Department of Psychology and a professor at the U-M Ross School of Business. "We also found that people were unaware that exposure to public symptoms of the flu had influenced their judgments of risk, their views about government spending on flu research or their opinion of the U.S. health care system." [Read more...]
U-M professor testifies to Congress on health trends among former NFL players
The author of a U-M study on the needs of retired NFL players testified before the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday on the role of his research in the debate over how to best address dementia in former pro athletes. David Weir, associate director of the Survey Research Center at the Institute for Social Research, told the panel that “faced with the aging of the U.S. population, we are all looking for policies and programs to serve the needs of people after a lifetime of hard work. This unique population of retired football players is an intriguing place to look for challenges and solutions.” [Read more...]
A Very Loud Number
In this blog post, U-M Vice President for Research discusses the broader meaning of the $1B milestone in research spending: "By now, many have heard that the University of Michigan broke the $1,000,000,000 threshold for research expenditures in Fiscal Year 2009 (FY09). Indeed, by National Science Foundation accounting, U-M has moved into third place for research expenditures by U.S. universities in 2008 (the latest year for which such numbers are available). Only the University of California at San Francisco and the University of Wisconsin rank higher." [Read more...]
U-M researcher discusses how the state of Michigan can rebound from poverty
As poverty’s grip continues across the nation, a high unemployment rate in Michigan has weakened the state’s economy and financially devastated many families. In this podcast, Institute of Social Research expert Reynolds Farley, Research Professor Emeritus at the Population Studies Center and Professor Emeritus of Sociology, talks about the state's poverty rate and how Michigan can rebound in this podcast. [Listen to podcast...]
U-M co-sponsors conference on plug-in electric vehicle industry
"The Business of Plugging In" is the inaugural conference on plug-in electric vehicles (PEV). The three-day meeting in Detroit brings together leaders from the automotive, utility and new technology industries with policy makers, financiers and researchers for interactions on business development, education and networking. The U-M joined DTE Energy and General Motors and founding partners in sponsoring the conference, October 19-21, 2009. [Read more...]
Breast reconstruction varies by race, U-M study finds
Latinas who spoke little English were less likely to undergo reconstruction surgery after a mastectomy for breast cancer, according to a study from researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center. The study compared breast reconstruction among white women, African-American women, and Latina women. “We have good data that shows reconstruction after mastectomy improves quality of life. This is a body part that affects women’s self esteem, body image, sexuality and social roles. Not all women should necessarily choose reconstruction – it’s not right for everyone. But all women should be presented the option,” says lead study author Amy Alderman, assistant professor of plastic surgery at the U-M Medical School. [Read more...]