University of Michigan News

“If it's a choice between Amazon Pharmacy and no pharmacy at all, I think Amazon Pharmacy is really wonderful,” said Vicki Ellingrod, dean at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, who has concerns about the potential impact a shift toward online pharmacies will have on older Americans, who often prefer the personal touch of traditional pharmacies. via The Detroit News: https://lnkd.in/eZ2JiMfC

Highlighting shared wartime experiences can foster greater acceptance of refugees, according to new research from the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. The study found that drawing parallels between historical and contemporary experiences of displacement can increase empathy and reduce hostility, particularly among those with family histories of forced relocation. However, general wartime experiences—without displacement—may have the opposite effect, exacerbating fears and decreasing support for refugees. The study, led by Ji Yeon Hong, U-M associate professor of political science and Korean studies, focused on South Korea, a country with a recent history of war trauma and limited experience with refugee resettlement. Through an original survey of 2,000 respondents, Hong and colleagues tested how different narratives influence public attitudes toward refugees. South Korea offers a unique backdrop for the research, Hong says. Despite its transformation into an economic powerhouse, the country remains technically at war with North Korea since the 1953 armistice. Its history of conflict, a relatively monoethnic society and limited experience in accepting refugees create a challenging environment for fostering refugee acceptance. A significant flashpoint occurred in 2018, when hundreds of Yemenis fleeing civil war arrived on Jeju Island, taking advantage of a visa exemption policy intended to promote tourism. Their arrival ignited polarized protests, with widespread public opposition to refugee resettlement dominating the discourse. To better understand attitudes toward refugees, the survey explored three types of messaging: shared war experiences, South Korea’s underperformance in refugee acceptance compared to other countries, and the economic benefits of accepting refugees. Participants were randomly assigned to read one of these messages and complete a series of perspective-taking exercises. The study, published in the Journal of Conflict Resolution, found that messages emphasizing parallels between the displacement of Korean families during the war and the struggles of modern refugees were the most effective in fostering positive attitudes. This approach increased pro-refugee sentiment by 6.5 percentage points, outperforming both the economic benefits and underperformance narratives. The researchers also noted a critical distinction: General war experiences, such as exposure to violence without forced displacement, often decrease acceptance of refugees. This is because such experiences usually heighten feelings of threat, including cultural, economic and security concerns. People with general war experiences may view refugees as out-group members who pose a risk, exacerbating exclusionary attitudes rather than fostering empathy. https://lnkd.in/eZ-yathg

Americans are doing more than picking gifts this holiday season—they’re forecasting the economy. University of Michigan Institute for Social Research's Surveys of Consumers, led by economist Joanne Hsu, offers insights into how consumer sentiment shapes holiday spending and broader economic trends. With over 75 years of data, the index has become a trusted economic barometer, illustrating that perceptions about the economy often influence its trajectory. This year, amid a presidential transition, consumer sentiment reveals a partisan divide: Republicans report newfound optimism, while Democrats express growing concerns. Independents, for their part, remain cautiously neutral. For retailers, these shifting sentiments can significantly impact holiday spending patterns.

Scott Yanco of University of Michigan- School for Environment and Sustainability believes humanity is equipped to fight the loss of biodiversity around the world. In his interview with 89.1 WEMU-FM, Yanco talked about how modern tracking technologies can aid in conservation. https://lnkd.in/dcZCk58Y

Two University of Michigan faculty members have been elected to the National Academy of Inventors, the highest professional distinction awarded solely to inventors. Robert Bartlett, professor emeritus of surgery at the Medical School, and Zhen Xu, professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Michigan College of Engineering and professor of radiology and neurosurgery at the University of Michigan Medical School, were elected this month to the academy. Bartlett and Xu were nominated for being innovative researchers with extensive work translating discoveries into new products and technologies that are addressing some of the world’s greatest challenges. “This recognition is a testament to the profound impact Dr. Bartlett and Dr. Xu have had on improving health care and transforming patient lives,” said Kelly Sexton, U-M associate vice president for research, innovation partnerships and economic impact. “Their groundbreaking innovations—from lifesaving technology to the development of histotripsy for cancer treatment—exemplify how academic research can directly address critical health care challenges and enhance quality of life worldwide.” Bartlett developed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, an advanced technology that provides cardiac and respiratory support to a patient whose heart and lungs are not able to provide adequate gas exchange to sustain life. He also has made major contributions in the areas of critical care physiology, acute kidney injury and continuous hemofiltration. Xu and her colleagues invented histotripsy, a technique for treating cancer that uses sound waves to break down tumors, which has since developed into a new field studied at multiple institutions. Her team’s work ultimately led to U-M startup HistoSonics, which last year received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its Edison device to treat liver tumors. The technology is currently undergoing testing in other treatment areas. https://lnkd.in/eDYeae_W

Grandparents provide more care for their grandkids than any other form of child care, says Kate Bauer, associate professor of nutritional sciences at University of Michigan School of Public Health: “Those who saw their grandchildren more often were less likely to say that they felt isolated and they reported stronger mental health. (But we) want to make sure that we are supporting those grandparents right, and that it’s not an undue burden on them.” via WDET 101.9FM Detroit: https://lnkd.in/eumGbH7F

"About 85% of patients are diagnosed with disease that has either spread to other organs or to lymph nodes. The only curative option at this point is surgery, which is reserved for those patients that have not had cancer spread," said Timothy Frankel, associate professor of surgery at Michigan Medicine, whose team is studying the pancreases of organ donors to develop ways to detect pancreatic cancer earlier. via Detroit Free Press: https://lnkd.in/eYgzjkWR

University of Michigan School of Kinesiology professor of sport management Richard Paulsen comments on Juan Soto's monster 15-year, $765M deal with the NY Mets: "Sports economists, myself included, have found evidence that the job security that comes with long-term contracts disincentivizes effort. As Soto will be 41 and likely to retire at the end of the contract, he has little financial incentive to perform at a high level." Contact Morgan Sherburne or visit news.umich.edu for more expert analysis.

🚀 Breakthrough in Display Tech: Faster Organic Phosphorescence without Heavy Metals! 🌟 Researchers at the University of Michigan College of Engineering and global collaborators have developed a new hybrid OLED material that emits light 1,000x faster—without relying on expensive, hazardous heavy metals like iridium or platinum. This innovation offers: ✅ Sharper colors & contrasts ✅ Improved energy efficiency ✅ Longer device life The secret? Layering organic materials with 2D materials to speed up phosphorescence, paving the way for next-gen TVs, smartphones, and more! 📱📺 Plus, this tech might solve OLED’s elusive blue pixel burnout issue. 💡 Curious about the science behind this? The study even challenges a fundamental quantum rule! 👀 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eaiVWFAG #TechInnovation #OLED #DisplayTech #Phosphorescence #Engineering

Unmarried African American friends are more likely than white Americans to form family-like relationships, or surrogate families, where they take care of each other’s needs, says Robert Taylor, professor of social work at University of Michigan School of Social Work: “In general, women are closer to their friends than men and there are some differences in terms of friendship contact." via WEMU 89.1: https://lnkd.in/exACDPvA