Can burying power lines prevent California’s next big wildfire?

Sadrul Ula, an energy infrastructure researcher, discusses PG&E's plan to put 10,000 miles of power lines underground.
Grist | August 23, 2021

What you need to start planting and stop spraying to keep bees healthy and happy

Entomologist Jake Cecala demonstrated that even at a third of the label rate, neonicotinoid insecticides killed most of the bees in his study and reduced reproduction by 90% in the few survivors. These insecticides are not safe for bees in any amount, he concludes.
The Los Angeles Times | August 19, 2021

Addressing the Climate Emergency In Our Local Communities

Francesca Hopkins, assistant professor of climate change and sustainability, discusses thinking locally about solutions to the climate crisis, and how to connect with others to stay informed.
KVCR | August 16, 2021

Going Back to the Office, and Bringing Baggage

The pandemic has dragged on for so long that for many, remote work has become the new normal. Kate Sweeny, a psychology professor, said this has made returning to our old offices an unfamiliar and potentially uncomfortable prospect. 
Psychology Today | August 16, 2021

Future of the Salton Sea floats in the balance

Efforts to improve the environmental health disaster that is the Salton Sea — California’s largest and most polluted lake – may be gaining some traction. However, a group of UC Riverside scientists, engineers, medical experts, and economists have have published a new report warning that these efforts may not succeed without updated scientific research.
High Desert Daily News | August 15, 2021

Why and when you need a coronavirus test for travel

Brandon Brown, an epidemiologist and an associate professor of public health and medical ethics, says COVID-19 testing is important before and after travel for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people.
Washington Post | August 13, 2021

Black geek culture represents a big business opportunity

Media and cultural studies professor John Jennings comments on how Black fans of comics haven’t always been welcome in the world of comics, or in nerd culture, and that represents a big opportunity for investors and entrepreneurs.
Marketplace | August 13, 2021

Native Land Acknowledgments Are Not the Same As Land

Wallace Cleaves, associate professor of teaching, and Charles Sepulveda, a UCR alumnus, discuss U.S. land having been taken by force from Indigenous people, and the movement to return available land back to the Tribal communities from which it was taken.
Bloomberg City Lab | August 12, 2021

Southern California congressman Mark Takano proposes 32-hour work week

Kalina Michalska, an assistant psychology professor, says there is research supporting the logic of Rep. Takano's plan to shorten the work week, because longer hours lead to stress but not necessarily more productivity.
The Press Enterprise | August 11, 2021

Inland Empire State Schools Hit Freshman Admissions Record

According to Emily Engelschall, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Services,  UCR accepted 32,708 freshman students this year. Factors influencing the record number include COVID-19 uncertainty, removing the SAT requirement, and virtual recruitment having a larger reach and more.
KVCR | August 10, 2021

Neonicotinoids Harm Bees at Far Below the Label Recommended Dose, Study Finds

Entomologists Jacob Cecala and Erin Wilson Rankin find that an insecticide commonly used on ornamental plants kills bees even when applied at only 30 percent of the label rate, and even when the plants get a lot of extra water.
EcoWatch | August 10, 2021

Why Inland Empire counties aren’t requiring masks as coronavirus surges

Richard Carpiano, a public health expert and professor of public policy, says he supports a new mask order since the delta variant is more transmissible.
The Press Enterprise | August 9, 2021

Eastside-raised filmmaker’s documentary focuses on diving group chronicling shipwrecks from the slave trade

New documentary focuses on Diving With A Purpose, a group focused on the protection, documentation, interpretation and preservation of shipwrecks from the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Ayana Omilade Flewellen, assistant prof of anthroplogy, is a board member of the organization and is featured in the program. 
Seattle Times | August 4, 2021

Dr. David Lo Discusses the Delta Variant

David Lo, Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Sciences, talks about the Delta Variant, virus transmission, vaccinations, and more.
KVCR | August 4, 2021

New theory: Earth’s longer days kick-started oxygen growth

Tim Lyons, a professor of biogeochemistry, comments on a new theory that Earth got its oxygen because the planet slowed down and days got longer.
Associated Press | August 2, 2021

L.A. and O.C. museums: August’s best bets for MOCA, Getty, the Broad and beyond

L.A.-based interdisciplinary artist Anna Wittenberg's video-enhanced sculptural installation, referencing cattle, sheep and other animals, will be on view Aug. 21 through Feb. 6 at UCR Arts.
The Los Angeles Times | August 2, 2021

In Depth: Safer Streets and Stuttering

Gerald Maguire, professor of psychiatry and neuroscience, discusses stuttering, an issue getting more attention now that President Biden, a long-time stutterer, is in the White House. 
Fox 11 Los Angeles | August 1, 2021

At some California hospitals, nearly half of workers remain unvaccinated

Richard Carpiano, public health scientist and medical sociologist, says many hospital staff are apt to reflect the attitudes — and fears — of the public at large when it comes to getting vaccinated for COVID-19.
Orange County Register | August 1, 2021

Vaccinated Americans are getting angry at holdouts

Medical sociologist Richard Carpiano says the anger of the current moment is a reassuring sign that, for all the attention grabbed by the vocally vaccine hesitant, a majority of people "believe in science, and know what they need to do."
Yahoo News | July 29, 2021

Wastewater disposal method may limit earthquakes caused by fracking

Oil and gas companies can prevent earthquakes by reducing the rate of wastewater injections, according to a new study co-authored by James Dietrich, professor emeritus of geophysics.
United Press International | July 28, 2021