The Conversation

Taking advantage of unpaid leave can increase the chances that workers will face economic hardship

Written by Pamela Joshi, Senior Scientist, Brandeis University

Many severe COVID-19 symptoms last for weeks.AP Photo/Elise Amendola

The United States has more COVID-19 cases than any other country. But the American workforce may be hard-pressed to take much time off if they or their loved ones get the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

One big reason for that, I’ve learned by studying U.S. family and...

Chronic conditions worsen coronavirus risk – here's how to manage them amid the pandemic

Written by Laurie Archbald-Pannone, Associate Professor Medicine, Geriatrics, University of Virginia

To avoid the high risk COVID-19 poses to older adults with chronic illnesses, many doctors have shifted appointments to telemedicine. BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Amid the stress and confusion of coronavirus shutdowns and social distancing orders, it can seem to older patients as though everything is on pause. Clinics have postponed...

To protect people in the Great Lakes region from climate extremes, weatherize their homes

Written by Nicholas Rajkovich, Assistant Professor of Architecture, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York

Air conditioning cools city residents during heat waves, but also strains the power grid and fuels climate change.Joanna Poe/Flickr, CC BY-SA

This story is part of the Pulitzer Center’s nationwide Connected Coastlines reporting initiative.

Summer temperatures in Chicago normally peak in the low 80s, but in mid-July 1995 they topped 100 F with...

5 ways that colleges and universities are pitching in to deal with the coronavirus pandemic

Written by Genevieve Shaker, Associate Professor of Philanthropic Studies, Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, IUPUI

Alicia Bui runs a clinical test in the Immunology lab at the University of Washington.Karen Ducey/Getty Images

From conducting crucial research regarding the COVID-19 pandemic to transforming student dorms into housing for the sick and quarters for medical personnel, colleges and universities are pitching in to help everyone cope with the new...

Linking self-driving cars to traffic signals might help pedestrians give them the green light

Written by Lionel Peter Robert Jr., Associate Professor of Information, University of Michigan

An autonomous vehicle has no driver to communicate with about whether it's safe to cross.Saklakova/iStock/Getty Images Plus

The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work.

The big idea

Automated vehicles don’t have human operators to communicate their driving intentions to pedestrians at intersections. My team’s research...

How South Korea flattened the coronavirus curve with technology

Written by Michael Ahn, Associate Professor and MPA Graduate Program Director, University of Massachusetts Boston

A sense of normalcy is returning to South Korea but the U.S. lacks the testing capacity and contact tracing system the country relies on.AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon

As countries around the world consider how best to reopen their countries, it’s worth considering how South Korea has been able to “flatten the curve” and even hold...

How much coronavirus testing is enough? States could learn from retailers as they ramp up

Written by Siqian Shen, Associate Professor of Industrial and Operations Engineering, University of Michigan

To control the coronavirus spread, the U.S. needs to get the most value out of the limited testing capacity it has.Steve Pfost/Newsday RM via Getty Images

As states develop plans to restart their economies, the big fear is that coronavirus cases will surge again. To keep the pandemic under control, strategic testing systems will be needed, and they...

Pharmacists could be front-line fighters in battle against opioid epidemic

Written by Victoria Tutag Lehr, Professor of Pharmacy, Wayne State University

On average, more than 130 Americans die from an opioid overdose every day.AP Photo/Keith Srakocic

When you stop at your local pharmacy to pick up a toothbrush or an antacid, soon you may also be able to buy an over-the-counter drug to reverse an opioid overdose. The lifesaving drug, naloxone, currently requires a prescription, but it may become...

The coronavirus pandemic might make buildings sick, too

Written by Caitlin R. Proctor, Lillian Gilbreth Postdoctoral Fellow, Purdue University

Discolored water can be caused by heavy metals, such as iron or copper. Iron can also act as a nutrient for organisms to grow in the pipes.Kyungyeon Ra/Purdue University, CC BY-ND

While millions of people are under orders to stay home amid the coronavirus pandemic, water is sitting in the pipes of empty office buildings and gyms, getting old and...

Global tourism industry may shrink by more than 50% due to the pandemic

Written by Faizan Ali, Assistant Professor, University of South Florida

Mothballed Delta Air Lines planes parked at Kansas City International Airport in Missouri.AP Photo/Charlie RiedelCC BY-SA

Due to the coronavirus, people around the world have canceled their travel plans. Governments and health officials have warned the public to avoid boarding cruise ships and long flights. Major events like conferences, trade...