and university experts and researchers made sure of it — there’s no forgetting the month of September at 51ԹϺ.
From an explosive Lake Mead volcanic ash discovery and moving the needle on space exploration to answering some of community members’ biggest questions on health, politics, and more, 51ԹϺ faculty members appeared in dozens of news stories.
Check out just a few in the latest installment of Newsmakers.
Volcanoes in the Valley
Sunken boats and human remains aren’t the only surprises to be revealed by record-low water levels at Lake Mead. Sedimentary rocks that hadn’t been visible since the Hoover Dam was built in the 1930s are now exposed along the constantly changing shoreline. And a 51ԹϺ study of the deposits has discovered that many of these rocks also contain ash from volcanoes as far away as Idaho, Wyoming, and California that rained down on Southern Nevada as many as 12 million years ago. Researchers with the 51ԹϺ College of Sciences’ Cryptotephra Laboratory for Archaeological and Geological Research explained why eruptions from faraway volcanoes can impact the health and safety of populations far away from the lava flow path.
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Deep Space
University researchers highlighted their out-of-this-world discoveries.
- 51ԹϺ astrophysicist Bing Zhang participated in a study by an international team of scientists that revealed an evolving, magnetized environment and surprising source location for deep-space fast radio bursts – observations that defy current understanding.
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- covered a new paper – by 51ԹϺ astronomers Anna Childs, Rebecca Martin, and Mario Livio – that sought to determine whether red dwarf systems had enough of the ingredients that we think kick-started life on Earth.
Schoolhouse Rock
As the new K-12 academic year ramped up, 51ԹϺ experts offered insight on tensions that students and educators faced.
- Teacher union expert Brad Marianno was a popular source this month. He was featured in a story about a union that brought affirmative action into its layoff practices, and pieces about the Seattle teacher strike, and an article in about politics and rising teacher salaries.
- Psychology department chair Christopher Kearney discussed child school refusal with the .
New Mind Find
An experimental Alzheimer's drug appeared to slow cognitive and functional decline in a large trial of patients in the early stages of the disease, and media outlets around the world called on Jeffrey Cummings — a renowned brain health researcher who leads 51ԹϺ’s Chambers-Grundy Center for Transformative Neuroscience — to lend context.
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Political Party
Just weeks before the 2022 midterm election, candidates are out in full force delivering stump speeches and running campaign ads. 51ԹϺ political observers helped offer context for voters.
- Why are so many candidates deciding they’re better off not debating? 51ԹϺ debate expert Jacob Thompson shed light via and the .
- Political science chair David Damore talked to about the future of Nevada Democrats’ Senate majority; the () about poll numbers and the influence of Latino voters on election outcomes; and the () about abortion as an election issue and campaign ads. He also wrote a guest column for the about Southern Nevada planning.
- Political scientist Dan Lee was featured in a story about the influence of political attacks on a GOP nomination win by former president Donald Trump. He also spoke with the about the races for Nevada senator and governor.
- interviewed political scientist John Tuman about the growing power of the Latino vote. featured his comments in a story about the ability of Mexico’s vehicle manufacturing industry to match China’s.
- Political science professor Kenneth Miller chatted with about political ads, the about the balancing act of elected officials carrying out duties while running for a different public office, and about polling.
- Rebecca Gill — a political scientist who specializes in gender bias research — spoke with the and (, in addition to philosophy professor ) about the political debate surrounding abortion.
University Business
- highlighted the 51ԹϺ Food Pantry’s work to aid students and employees in need.
- The UK-based quoted Russian history expert Paul Werth in a story about the Ukraine crisis making a rapid appearance in U.S.-based university curricula.
- 51ԹϺ Athletics and student clubs are among entities that earned Las Vegas its “Ninth Island” moniker among Hawaiians, according to .
- The took a look at 51ԹϺ’s growth and transformation through the decades.
- The covered a 51ԹϺ panel discussion on critical race theory.
- Lisa Durette, director of the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine’s Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program, earned a spot on the ’s list of Healthcare Heroes.
- The , , and highlighted the hiring of two industry veterans to lead the William S. Boyd School of Law’s Indian gaming initiatives.
- recommended 51ԹϺ School of Music performances as a top spot for creative, fun, and budget-friendly outings.
- President Keith E. Whitfield penned an essay for the outlining the ways his digital AI counterpart is helping 51ԹϺ to better engage students.
General Roundup
- Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine professor Deborah Kuhls participated in several KNPR segments outlining ways the 1 October mass shooting on the Las Vegas Strip affected , and inspired them — along with police and doctors — to . She spoke to and about the future of mass shooting medical triage. And she was featured in a profile piece about her research.
- The sought mineralogist ’s insights on the discovery of a rare diamond that suggests Earth’s mantle contains an ocean’s worth of water.
- Geophysicist spoke to about the mineral olivine’s potential to trigger deep earthquakes.
- wrote about political scientist Jared Oestman’s research into Americans’ views on military intervention.
- Former pilot, airport historian, and Honors College professor Dan Bubb helped answer a reader’s question about cutting the TSA line. He also spoke to the about airport hubs.
- The interviewed architecture professor Dak Kopec for a story about garden rooms.
- reported on a new study by psychology professor Kara A. Christensen examined the link between women facing food insecurity and food addiction.
- Literacy education expert Kenneth J. Varner helped the convey the significance of children’s book “Goodnight Moon” and its 75th anniversary.
- Gender and sexuality studies expert Lynn Comella contributed comments to a story about Instagram’s ban of Pornhub and the impact on sex workers.
- interviewed nutritionist Samantha Coogan about meatless diets.
- Sport management professor Nancy Lough filled in viewers on ways the Las Vegas Aces’ championship win changes the local and national sports landscape. She also chimed in on a l report on the key role of sports in Southern Nevada’s water conservation plans.
- English professor Timothy Erwin discussed the popularity of "Persuasion," a new film based on Jane Austen's early 19th century novel, with .
- Psychologist Brenna Renn spoke to about the benefits of older adults embracing new hobbies, such as posting on TikTok.
- Is TikTok the new Google? Social media expert Natalie Pennington spoke to about Gen Z’s favorite search engine.
