Today: November 13, 2024
Today: November 13, 2024

Latest From UMass Lowell

Technology

Spyware can infect your phone or computer via the ads you see online – report

You probably won’t be targeted by spyware, but if you are, odds are you won’t know about it. The latest spyware slips in unseen through online ads as you go about your digital life.

Spyware can infect your phone or computer via the ads you see online – report
News|Opinion|Political|US

The Supreme Court's originalists have taken over − here's how they interpret the Constitution

Only 50 years ago, originalism was considered a fringe movement, hardly taken seriously. Now its adherents dominate the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court's originalists have taken over − here's how they interpret the Constitution
Science|Technology

Earth's magnetic field protects life on Earth from radiation, but it can move, and the magnetic poles can even flip

Ever seen the northern lights? You have a magnetic layer in Earth’s atmosphere to thank for those beautiful displays. But the magnetosphere does a lot more than create auroras.

Earth's magnetic field protects life on Earth from radiation, but it can move, and the magnetic poles can even flip
News|Opinion|Political

Israel-Hamas war may not restore Israelis' support for military reserves

Israel’s decision to mobilize hundreds of thousands of reserve soldiers was not just an act of self-defense, a scholar writes, but a political move as well.

Israel-Hamas war may not restore Israelis' support for military reserves
Opinion|Political

2 colonists had similar identities – but one felt compelled to remain loyal, the other to rebel

What might appear to be common values about shared political and cultural identities can at times serve not as a bridge joining people together but a wedge driving them apart.

2 colonists had similar identities – but one felt compelled to remain loyal, the other to rebel
Environment|Science|World

Extreme cold still happens in a warming world – in fact climate instability may be disrupting the polar vortex

The world can expect fewer severe cold events as average temperatures rise, but people still need to be prepared for wintery blasts.

Extreme cold still happens in a warming world – in fact climate instability may be disrupting the polar vortex
Arts|Opinion

Who created the alphabet? A historian describes the millennia-long story of the ABCs

Turns out ‘A’ didn’t have to be the first letter in the alphabet, nor ‘Z’ the last.

Who created the alphabet? A historian describes the millennia-long story of the ABCs
Lifestyle|Opinion|Political|US

Super Bowl party foods can deliver political bite – choose wisely

Polarization invades parts of Americans’ lives that really aren’t political, dividing society more deeply. That includes decisions about whether or not they like meatloaf or chili.

Super Bowl party foods can deliver political bite – choose wisely
Business|News

Why US offshore wind energy is struggling – the good, the bad and the opportunity

Two new wind farms began producing power in 2024, but several canceled contracts have left a dark cloud over the industry. A wind power expert explains why US offshore wind has been slow to scale up.

Why US offshore wind energy is struggling – the good, the bad and the opportunity
MidEast|News|Opinion|Political|World

Most Israelis dislike Netanyahu, but support the war in Gaza – an Israeli scholar explains what’s driving public opinion

Israelis’ and Jewish people’s long-held feeling of persecution, dating back to biblical times, contributes to most Israelis’ desire to continue the war in Gaza.

Most Israelis dislike Netanyahu, but support the war in Gaza – an Israeli scholar explains what’s driving public opinion
Environment|Health|News

Extreme heat waves aren’t ‘just summer’: How climate change is heating up the weather, and what we can do about it

The June heat wave triggered warnings of a flash drought and caused a surge in ER visits. Many other countries have been facing extreme heat at the same time.

Extreme heat waves aren’t ‘just summer’: How climate change is heating up the weather, and what we can do about it
Environment|News|Science|World

Extreme heat is breaking global records: Why this isn’t ‘just summer,’ and what climate change has to do with it

Global temperatures have averaged at least 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer than preindustrial times for over a year. Two scientists explain what that means and what humanity can do.

Extreme heat is breaking global records: Why this isn’t ‘just summer,’ and what climate change has to do with it
News|Opinion|US

‘One inch from a potential civil war’ – near miss in Trump shooting is also a close call for American democracy

A scholar of political assassinations says the US just narrowly avoided plunging into wholesale violence and potential civil war when Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt.

‘One inch from a potential civil war’ – near miss in Trump shooting is also a close call for American democracy
Environment|News

Tropical Storm Debby’s stalling brought days of heavy rain and flooding – a climate scientist explains what happened

With Debby’s storm track, much of the East Coast is forecast to get soaked. Climate change also plays a role in the downpours.

Tropical Storm Debby’s stalling brought days of heavy rain and flooding – a climate scientist explains what happened
MidEast|News|Political|World

America’s Iran policy is a failure − piecemeal deterrence and sanctions can go only so far

Escalating conflict between Israel and Iran is partly the result of an unsuccessful, decade-long plan to ‘contain and deter’ the Iranian regime.

America’s Iran policy is a failure − piecemeal deterrence and sanctions can go only so far
News|US

Democratic Party’s embrace of organized labor in 2024 elections has long roots that had started to wither

Both sides took this marriage for granted until Southern Democrats, concerned that labor unions would organize Black workers across the South, joined pro-business Republican colleagues in Congress.

Democratic Party’s embrace of organized labor in 2024 elections has long roots that had started to wither
Science

What is mental imagery? Brain researchers explain the pictures in your mind and why they’re useful

Here’s how your brain visualizes scenarios that you’re not actually looking at with your eyes.

What is mental imagery? Brain researchers explain the pictures in your mind and why they’re useful
Election|US

Trump and Harris, with starkly different records on labor issues, are both courting union voters

Union voters are particularly significant in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Nevada, three swing states where the share of voters who belong to unions is above average.

Trump and Harris, with starkly different records on labor issues, are both courting union voters
Business|Economy|Opinion|US

Autoworkers, Boeing machinists, cannabis drivers: Labor unions are mobilizing in new and old industries alike

US workers in general are finding themselves in an increasingly precarious position.

Autoworkers, Boeing machinists, cannabis drivers: Labor unions are mobilizing in new and old industries alike
Lifestyle|Technology

As Yelp turns 20, online reviews continue to confound and confuse shoppers

No one wants to spend their hard-earned money on a dud product, so we’ll seek advice from strangers. Online reviews can help – but often lead us down the wrong path.

As Yelp turns 20, online reviews continue to confound and confuse shoppers

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