School-issued computers a lifeline for Southern California schoolchildren during pandemic

Lloyd Levine, senior policy fellow and co-founder of the UCR School of Public Policy, explains that some people can have internet connections that don't necessarily support distance learning.
The Orange County Register | September 27, 2020

This is what happens to your body over months in isolation

Epidemiologist and associate professor Brandon Brown offers suggestions for mitigating the negative physical effects of being homebound.
CNN | September 26, 2020

Does ‘Brain Training’ Actually Work?

Psychology professor and director of UCR's Brain Game Center Aaron Seitz co-authored this piece about the challenges of creating effective brain, memory and vision-training exercises.
Scientific American | September 24, 2020

Inside the 'Mulan' Flameout in China and Why Hollywood Can't Seem to Bridge the Culture Gap

Wendy Su, professor of Chinese media studies, explains that the remake of Mulan has cultural inaccuracies that may not be obvious to American viewers but are very clear to Chinese people.
MSN | September 23, 2020

Researchers Working To Grow Algae For Biofuels In The Dark Using Solar Energy

Plant biology doctoral student Elizabeth Hann and Chemical and Environmental Engineering Professor Robert Jinkerson are trying new ways to make growing algae for biofuels more efficient.
Forbes | September 21, 2020

Karthick Ramakrishnan wants academic insights to help solve policy problems

Profile of political science Professor Karthick Ramakrishnan, who is bringing ivory tower brainpower to the places that can apply it to solve real-world problems.
The Orange County Register | September 20, 2020

Poop Knives, Gassed-Up Gators, and More Absurd Science From the 2020 Ig Nobel Prizes

Entomologist Richard Vetter won an Ig Noble Prize for showing that many entomologists are actually afraid of spiders. 
Gizmodo | September 18, 2020

Feeling Grief During the COVID-19 Pandemic Is Both Complicated and Normal

Dr. Dennis Alters, a psychiatrist, professor and co-founder of the Department of Psychiatry in the School of Medicine discusses the emotions people are likely to feel once the pandemic ends. 
KVCR | September 16, 2020

Scientists Say That Venus Life Is Still A Longshot

Astrobiologist Stephen Kane explains that biology in the atmosphere could be the last surviving members of a prior Venusian biosphere.
Forbes | September 15, 2020

Unexplained phosphine gas in Venus clouds could signal alien life

Astrobiologist Stephen Kane discusses new research that suggests potential signs of life on Venus. 
CNET | September 14, 2020

How climate change is fueling record-breaking California wildfires, heat and smog

Cesunica Ivey, an assistant professor of chemical and environmental engineering, tells the Los Angeles Times that climate change-fueled heat waves are contributing to worse local ozone levels.    
The Los Angeles Times | September 13, 2020

'Snowbird season' to get a lot shorter due to climate change, threatening valley tourism

Francesca Hopkins, assistant professor of climate change and sustainability, and her former student Cindy Yañez publish research on a projected 150% increase in days above 85 degrees that will occur by the end of this century. 
The Palm Springs Desert Sun | September 11, 2020

Los Angeles suffers worst smog in almost 30 years

Cesunica Ivey, assistant professor of chemical and environmental engineering, tells the LA Times that her research into air quality found that during March and April, levels of ozone increased slightly in areas of Southern California with typically cleaner air, such as Pasadena, while dropping slightly in smoggier areas such as the Inland Empire.
The Los Angeles Times | September 10, 2020

The death of small talk is a bad thing. Here are some tips for talking to strangers without being awkward in this new normal

UC Riverside psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky comments on how quickly new social habits can be learned. 
Business Insider India | September 9, 2020

In race for vaccine, safety trumps speed

David Lo, a professor of biomedical sciences, tells Agence France-Presse that the pause in a COVID-19 vaccine trial may not necessarily be a major setback.
France 24 | September 9, 2020

Why Does the West Coast’s Sky Look Like Literal Hell Right Now?

Atmospheric scientist Roya Bahreini explains why wildfire smoke might not affect surface-level measures of air quality, even while it blots out the sun.
Slate | September 9, 2020

New climate change prediction spells disaster for valley tourism

Cindy Yañez, a graduate student researcher in earth system science, talks about the climate change study she led that predicts up to 150% increase in days above 85 degrees by end of century. 
KESQ News Channel 3 | September 8, 2020

Climate Change Threatens Coachella Valley Tourism, UC Riverside Study Says

A UC Riverside study finds climate change may upend "snowbird" tourism in the Coachella Valley, as vacationers will likely not participate in outdoor activities during days with a predicted heat increase.
My News LA | September 8, 2020

An ‘Absolute Explosion’ of Stuttering Breakthroughs

Psychiatrist Gerald Maguire's research on and treatment for stuttering are featured.
The Atlantic | September 6, 2020

The hottest new video game is . . . chess?

Ilya Brookwell, assistant professor of media and cultural studies, writes about a digital renaissance for the ancient game of chess. 
Fast Company | September 4, 2020