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How Higher Ed Should Tackle AI
Higher learning in the age of artificial intelligence isn’t about policing AI, but rather reinventing education around the new technology, says Chris Kanan, an associate professor of computer science at the University of Rochester and an expert in artificial intelligence and deep learning. “The cost of misusing AI is not students cheating, it’s knowledge loss,” says Kanan. “My core worry is that students can deprive themselves of knowledge while still producing ‘acceptable work.’” Kanan, who writes about and studies artificial intelligence, is helping to shape one of the most urgent debates in academia today: how universities should respond to the disruptive force of AI. In his latest essay on the topic, Kanan laments that many universities consider AI “a writing problem,” noting that student writing is where faculty first felt the force of artificial intelligence. But, he argues, treating student use of AI as something to be detected or banned misunderstands the technological shift at hand. “Treating AI as ‘writing-tech’ is like treating electricity as ‘better candles,’” he writes. “The deeper issue is not prose quality or plagiarism detection,” he continues. “The deeper issue is that AI has become a general-purpose interface to knowledge work: coding, data analysis, tutoring, research synthesis, design, simulation, persuasion, workflow automation, and (increasingly) agent-like delegation.” That, he says, forces a change in pedagogy. What Higher Ed Needs to Do His essay points to universities that are “doing AI right,” including hiring distinguished artificial intelligence experts in key administrative leadership roles and making AI competency a graduation requirement. Kanan outlines structural changes he believes need to take place in institutions of higher learning. • Rework assessment so it measures understanding in an AI-rich environment. • Teach verification habits. • Build explicit norms for attribution, privacy, and appropriate use. • Create top-down leadership so AI strategy is coherent and not fractured among departments. • Deliver AI literacy across the entire curriculum. • Offer deep AI degrees for students who will build the systems everyone else will use. For journalists covering AI’s impact on education, technology, workforce development, or institutional change, Kanan offers a research-based, forward-looking perspective grounded in both technical expertise and a deep commitment to the mission of learning. Connect with him by clicking on his profile.
Gene Editing Breakthrough Offers New Hope for Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Researchers at the ChristianaCare Gene Editing Institute have made an important advance in treating head and neck cancers. By using CRISPR gene editing, the team found a way to restore how well chemotherapy works in tumors that have stopped responding to treatment. Their results, now published in Molecular Therapy Oncology, could change how doctors treat these aggressive cancers and give new hope to many patients who face limited options. Head and neck cancer is the seventh most common cancer worldwide, and cases are expected to rise by 30 percent every year by 2030. Even with progress in surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy, many patients still reach a point where treatment no longer works. The ChristianaCare team aimed to solve this challenge at its source. Targeting the Heart of Drug Resistance The researchers focused on a gene called NRF2. This gene acts like a master switch that helps cancer cells survive stress and resist chemotherapy. Because NRF2 plays such a central role in tumor growth, the team chose to develop a genetic therapy that disables the gene itself rather than targeting a single protein, which is common in traditional drug development. Since NRF2 is a transcription factor, shutting it down in a lasting way is more likely to succeed through CRISPR gene editing. Their major advance was showing that CRISPR can successfully disrupt NRF2 in head and neck cancer cells and in esophageal cancer cells. This work builds on earlier studies in lung cancer, where blocking NRF2 made tumors more sensitive to chemotherapy and improved survival in animal models. “Our goal was to break through the wall of drug resistance that so many patients face,” said Natalia Rivera Torres, Ph.D., the study’s lead author. “By precisely editing the NRF2 gene, we can make cancer cells vulnerable again to standard treatments. This could improve outcomes and quality of life.” Precision Matters: The Power of Target Choice The study also showed that the location of the CRISPR cut within the NRF2 gene makes a big difference. The strongest results came from targeting exon 4, a part of the gene that controls a key section of the NRF2 protein. Editing this region reduced NRF2 levels by 90 percent and made cancer cells much more sensitive to chemotherapy. In comparison, editing exon 2 was less effective even though it still caused high levels of gene disruption. The team also found that a process called exon skipping, where sections of genetic code are rearranged, can affect the outcome of gene editing. This discovery highlights how important careful design and testing are when building gene editing therapies. A Platform for Broader Impact ChristianaCare researchers saw the same results in both head and neck cancer cells and esophageal cancer cells. This suggests the strategy could help treat many solid tumors that have high levels of NRF2 and are known for strong drug resistance. “This is more than just a single experiment,” said Eric Kmiec, Ph.D., director of the Gene Editing Institute and senior author of the study. “We are building a platform that can be adapted to different cancers. Our earlier work in lung cancer showed the promise of this approach, and now we see it working in other hard to treat tumors. It is an exciting step toward making gene editing a meaningful part of cancer treatment.” Looking Ahead: Toward Clinical Application With these strong results, the team is now focused on finding the safest and most effective way to deliver the gene editing tools directly to tumors. Their goal is to reduce how much standard treatment a patient needs in order to get the best result with fewer side effects. “Drug resistance is one of the biggest challenges in cancer care,” Rivera Torres said. “If we can overcome it with gene editing, we could give patients more time, better quality of life and a renewed sense of hope.” Kmiec added, “We are committed to moving this technology forward quickly while always keeping the patient in mind. The future of cancer treatment is personal, precise and, we believe, within reach.”
“Give Me My Phone Back!”: Why Parent–Teen Phone Fights Miss the Real Problem
If it feels like every other night ends with “Give me my phone back!” you’re not alone. A recent Pew Research Center report found that about 4 in 10 teens and parents (38%) say they argue about phone time, and nearly half of parents admit they spend too much time on their own phones. Executive Function Coach Craig Selinger, M.S., CCC-SLP says those blow-ups often miss the real issue. “If you want behavior change in kids, start with the parent model,” he says. “It starts at the top: kids are watching how you use tech.” He notes that conflict usually shows up in the “in-between” moments — after school, in the car, at breakfast — when a phone becomes an invisible wall between parents and kids. “Those little moments are actually big moments,” Selinger explains. “If you can pull out tech during those kind of banal, whatever moments, that’s when kids start talking to you.” Research shows the stakes go beyond eye-rolling. A 2025 CDC analysis of U.S. teenagers found that higher non-school screen time is linked with irregular sleep, less physical activity, more depression and anxiety symptoms, and weaker social support.(CDC) And yet, many families don’t have clear, consistent rules: Springtide Research Institute’s 2024 survey of 13-year-olds found that only about half say their parents limit screen time, but when limits exist, teens are less likely to be heavy users and report slightly better mental health.(Springtide Research Institute) For Selinger, the takeaway is simple: filters and confiscation can’t replace family systems. What works better: Parents go first. Phones out of bedrooms at night, off the table at meals, and away during key “micro-moments” sends a stronger signal than any lecture. Agree on the rules together. Teens are far more likely to respect boundaries they helped design, for example, “no phones at dinner and after 11 p.m. on school nights” than rules dropped on them mid-argument. Link boundaries to what teens care about. Sleep, sports, grades, mood and friendships are all directly affected by late-night and all-day screen time; making that connection reduces the sense that rules are “random.” Instead of asking “How do I make my teen stop?” Offline.now’s experts encourage parents to ask, “What are we modelling and what shared routines would actually make life better for everyone in the house?” Featured Experts Craig Selinger, M.S., CCC-SLP – Executive Function Coach, CEO of Themba Tutors and child development specialist. He focuses on how phones reshape learning, sleep and family dynamics, and helps families build “digital sunset” routines and mealtime/bedroom rules that stick.
Department of Energy awards $928,000 to Lane Carasik, Ph.D., for fusion energy systems research
The Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced $128 million of funding for seven Fusion Innovation Research Engine (FIRE) Collaboratives. Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) College of Engineering researchers will support the project titled “Advancing the maturity of liquid metal (LM) plasma facing materials and first wall concept” led by the Department of Energy’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL). This includes $928,000 to support research led by Lane Carasik, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, as part of a multi-institution effort for fusion energy systems. The FIRE Collaborative seeks to advance the maturity of liquid metal plasma-facing materials and wall concepts. High operating temperatures within fusion energy systems pose a significant material design challenge. Research will help solve technical problems with liquid metal plasma-facing materials and first wall concepts, including four main challenges: testing protective materials, understanding material properties, studying how liquid metals behave in magnetic fields and developing new liquid metal alloys. The goal is to make liquid metals viable for fusion pilot plant designs. “The work done by VCU as part of the FIRE Collaborative will help raise the technology readiness of Liquid Metal based fusion energy concepts. Over the next four years, we will train undergraduate and graduate students on how to extract electricity from these fusion concepts,” Carasik said. Rajesh Maingi, Ph.D., is the lead primary investigator at PPPL. Institutional investigators for the group include Sergey Smolentsev, Ph.D., Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL); Vsevolod Soukhanovskii, Ph.D., Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL); Daniel Andruczyk, Ph.D., University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Bruce Koel, Ph.D., Princeton University; Michael Kotschrenreuther, Ph.D., ExoFusion; Xing Wang, Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University; Kevin Woller, Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and Carasik from VCU. Up to $220 million is expected to fund the FIRE Collaboratives over four years, with $31 million allocated for the 2025 fiscal year. Future distributions are dependent on congressional appropriations.
It's a recent news story that has captured international attention and has parents, experts and child care advocates swirling: US boy, 11, allegedly shoots father to death after Nintendo Switch taken away If you’re planning a story on screen-time conflict, Harshi, a Digital Dependency therapist, is available for on-the-record comment, rapid written quotes, and short interviews on practical de-escalation and safer screen-limit routines. “The headline is about a device. The deeper story is what happens when a predictable boundary becomes an unplanned confrontation without a de-escalation routine.” Offline.now is a new wellness platform dedicated to helping families achieve healthy digital balance. What Harshi can help journalists cover On-the-record context and practical guidance for stories touching screen-time conflict, including: Why device removal moments can trigger outsized reactions in some kids (transition & regulation) How parents can de-escalate safely without turning limits into power struggles How to design screen rules that rely on systems, not willpower What to do after a blow-up (repair & resetting the plan) When “this-is-bigger-than-screens” and families should seek professional support Insights from our expert Use any of these as on-the-record quotes: Start with regulation, not the rule. “When emotions spike, it’s not a teachable moment. The first goal is to help everyone get calmer, then you can talk boundaries.” Don’t match intensity with intensity. “If you argue, lecture, or negotiate in the heat of the moment, you keep the conflict alive.” Use a short script - and stop talking. “Two sentences is enough: ‘I’m not debating this. We’ll talk when we’re calm.’ Then pause. Silence can be a tool.” Avoid surprise confiscations. “Taking a device without warning can feel like an ambush. Predictable routines reduce the power struggle.” Offer an off-ramp, not a cliff. “Transitions are hard. A timer, a closing ritual, and a clear ‘what’s next’ can prevent escalation.” Make boundaries about the system, not the child’s character. “This isn’t ‘you’re bad’ or ‘you’re addicted.’ It’s ‘our home has screen rules and we follow them consistently.’” Repair matters more than punishment. “After a blow-up, repair is the reset - name what happened, reset the plan, and practice the next transition.” Know when this is bigger than screens. “If threats, aggression, or extreme reactions show up, that’s a signal to seek professional support - not just enforce a stricter rule.” What parents can do right now Create a neutral device ‘parking spot.’ Devices live in one predictable place (not a tug-of-war in someone’s hand). Use a consistent transition routine. When time’s up, share a “shut it down” cue, park the device, and then move on to a 2-minute action (teeth, pajamas, snack, shower). Pick one calm script and repeat it verbatim. “I’m not debating this. We’ll talk when we’re calm.” (Then disengage and model calm.) Important context Harshi does not speculate about individuals involved in the news story and does not claim that gaming or screens “cause” violent behavior. Her focus is on what families can do - before conflicts escalate - using practical de-escalation tools, predictable routines, and supportive repair strategies.
You Can’t Reconnect with Family Through a Screen You Won’t Put Down
When families say, “We never really talk anymore,” the holidays are supposed to be the fix, the one time of year everyone gets under the same roof, sits around the same table, and finally catches up. But in 2025, most people arrive at those gatherings with a second guest in tow: their phone. New behavioral data from Offline.now, a digital wellness platform founded by author and CEO Eli Singer, shows 8 in 10 people want a healthier relationship with technology, yet more than half feel too overwhelmed to know where to start. That makes the holidays a natural “reset” moment; if parents and other adults are willing to change their own habits first. Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Gaea Woods says phones have quietly become the “third party” in many households: “Phones are killing interpersonal relationships - not because tech is evil, but because we use it unconsciously at the moments connection matters most. When you’re scrolling at dinner, you’re sending the message, ‘My phone is more interesting and important than you.’” Research on “phubbing” aka phone snubbing backs this up, linking partner and family phone use during conversations with lower relationship satisfaction and more conflict. Offline.now’s experts see the same pattern: when screens show up at the table, intimacy and meaningful conversation drop. Executive Function Coach Craig Selinger argues that the real leverage point isn’t screen-time rules for kids; it’s modelling by adults: “If you want behavior change in kids, start with the parent model. A 12-year-old will not put their phone away at dinner if their parents won’t. Kids copy what you do, not what you say.” When kids see parents physically turn phones face-down and set them aside, it creates permission, even relief. Over a few days of holiday visits, those small moments can add up to something families say they miss most: unhurried conversations, shared jokes, and the feeling that the people in front of you are more important than the feed on your screen. For journalists covering holiday family dynamics, tech and relationships, or digital wellness, Offline.now can offer expert interviews on: How to design realistic, family-wide phone rules for gatherings Why parental modelling matters more than any app setting Simple scripts parents can use to set expectations without shaming kids Featured Experts Gaea Woods, MA, LMFT – Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist specializing in digital dependency, intimacy, and communication in modern relationships. Craig Selinger, M.S., CCC-SLP – Executive Function Coach and child development specialist focused on how tech impacts learning, attention, and family systems. Expert availability can be arranged through Offline.now’s media team.
ENLIGHTENing the Holidays: How Meijer Gardens Turned Art and Nature Into a Year-Round Attraction
With the completion of its second season, ENLIGHTEN at Meijer Gardens has moved beyond the idea of a seasonal attraction to become a defining example of how cultural institutions can transform the off-season into a destination experience. The program’s exceptional year-over-year growth, combined with national recognition in only its second year, signals a turning point in how Meijer Gardens engages audiences year-round. At the center of that evolution is Carol Kendra, whose leadership perspective connects ENLIGHTEN’s creative ambition, production scale, and audience growth to a broader strategy of experiential cultural programming. As Chief Operating Officer at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Carol Kendra provides strategic oversight for daily operations, guest experience, programming and long-term planning across the organization’s 158-acre campus. It washer leadership and strategic vision helped shape ENLIGHTEN from concept to a growing cultural phenomenon. View her profile Meijer Gardens has long been active outside traditional peak seasons, regularly hosting programs such as Fall at Meijer Gardens, Spring at Meijer Gardens, and its longstanding holiday tradition University of Michigan Health-West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions. These initiatives established a foundation for shoulder-season engagement and demonstrated that audiences were willing to experience the Gardens beyond summer months. ENLIGHTEN marked a deliberate step forward, not simply another seasonal offering, but a fully immersive evening experience that invited visitors to experience Meijer Gardens in a new way during the winter months, using light, sound, and landscape to create a sense of wonder and discovery. The annual event has also garnered attention from media across the country: Taking the Experience to the Next Level What distinguishes ENLIGHTEN is its production and experiential ambition. The program was produced in collaboration with Lightswitch and Upstaging, firms recognized internationally for creating world-class immersive environments and technically sophisticated experiences. Their portfolios include large-scale botanical light installations, major theme park productions, and live and recorded projects for globally recognized, award-winning artists. That expertise elevated ENLIGHTEN into a carefully choreographed, multi-sensory journey that integrates light, sound, landscape, and movement in a way that complements — rather than overwhelms — Meijer Gardens’ art and horticulture. This approach reflects a deliberate investment in experience design, audience flow, and emotional impact. The result is an experience that: Extends engagement well beyond traditional daylight hours Encourages repeat visits across a single season Attracts audiences who may be new to Meijer Gardens ENLIGHTEN reflects how cultural institutions are responding to changing audience expectations. Visitors are increasingly seeking experiences that are immersive, emotionally resonant, and worth traveling for — even during traditionally slower seasons. By building on its history of seasonal programming and elevating it through design, technology, and collaboration, Meijer Gardens demonstrates how institutions can grow without losing authenticity. Expert Insight: As a senior leader involved in shaping Meijer Gardens’ visitor experiences and institutional strategy, Carol Kendra brings expert insight into: How ENLIGHTEN was conceived as both an artistic and operational response to seasonality Why immersive seasonal experiences resonate with broad, multigenerational audiences How art and horticulture can be activated together What measurable growth means for long-term institutional planning and cultural relevance Her perspective helps journalists and industry professionals understand ENLIGHTEN not simply as a holiday event, but as a case study in cultural innovation and audience development.
“Designing Her Own Future: A Georgia Southern MBA Story”
After earning her Master of Business Administration from Georgia Southern University, one graduate is charting a path that blends creativity with business discipline. With a background in dressmaking, she entered the MBA program already skilled in her craft, but looking to strengthen the operational side of her work. “So much goes into dressmaking,” she explained. “From developing the pattern to the fabric you use, getting the right measurements, and so on. You have to make sure your stitches are clean, that the zipper is sitting properly.” While her technical skills were well developed, she quickly recognized that sustaining and growing her work required more than creative talent alone. “I didn’t have that business background,” she explained. “So I wanted to find a university program that could teach me how to structure and operate my business efficiently. So I started doing my research.” That search led her to Georgia Southern’s MBA program, where she immersed herself in coursework focused on strategy, leadership, and practical decision-making. Through the program, she gained the tools to think more systematically about her business—learning how to plan, organize, and scale her operations with confidence. Her experience reflects how graduate business education can empower entrepreneurs and creatives alike, transforming passion into sustainable practice and helping graduates design futures that work both artistically and professionally. Want to learn more about Georgia Southern's Master of Business Administration program? Simply contact Georgia Southern's Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.
Designing Reflection: An Expert’s View Inside Michigan’s Japanese Garden
As public gardens increasingly become spaces for artistic expression, cultural exchange, and mindful reflection, Steven LaWarre, Senior Vice President at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, recently offered his expert insight to Homes and Gardens Magazine into how world-class garden design can shape human experience, invite contemplation, and connect visitors with nature in deeply meaningful ways. With decades of experience in professional horticulture and garden planning, LaWarre has played a central role in creating and nurturing Meijer Gardens' Richard & Helen DeVos Japanese Garden, guiding its interpretive programming, and curating visitor interaction with seasonal changes and design elements. Steve LaWarre is the Senior Vice President at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, where his visionary leadership and passion for botanical excellence have been instrumental in shaping the Gardens' stunning landscapes and ensuring operational excellence. He leads efforts to sustain the Gardens' exceptional standards in landscape design, sustainable gardening practices, and the care of diverse plant collections. View his profile here The Richard & Helen DeVos Japanese Garden, an eight-acre landscape inspired by centuries-old Japanese horticultural principle, has rapidly evolved into one of the Midwest’s most beloved cultural destinations. Beyond aesthetic beauty, the garden embodies philosophical traditions that encourage visitors to slow down, observe impermanence, and appreciate harmony between the human spirit and the natural world. As audiences seek spaces that offer quiet reflection, seasonal observation, and cultural resonance, LaWarre’s expertise bridges horticulture, design intention, and visitor experience. Read the Homes and Garden Magazine article 'Beyond Wild Expectations: Michigan’s Very Own Slice of Japan – Where Ancient Garden Design Provides a Deep Connection to Nature' below: Expert Insight Steven LaWarre on the Japanese Garden Experience On Winter’s Quiet Presence “It’s just beautiful covered in snow. You hear the waterfalls differently, you see ice sweep over the pond. Everything feels a bit more muffled in the winter, but it somehow puts you at ease,” LaWarre explains, highlighting how seasonal change reveals structure, silence, and contemplative calm. On Spring’s Renewal “The first flush of leaves on the trees is a joyful sight after winter. The small chartreuse green buds contrast to the dark stems,” LaWarre observes, describing the ephemeral nature of bloom and the reminder of restoration that seasonal transformation offers visitors. On Core Garden Elements “The conifers create a backbone of the garden, recognizable in all four seasons… they have been pruned and shaped over time to really create the caricature of a tree,” LaWarre notes, outlining the horticultural artistry behind traditional practices like niwaki pruning. On Cultural Immersion and Mindful Reflection LaWarre describes the garden’s traditional teahouse experience as more than cultural spectacle: “It’s a way to really quiet the senses and participate in mindful reflection, aided by the serenity of garden views… It’s an opportunity to connect with the people you’re with, but also to connect with yourself.” On Design Intent and Human Experience “It’s taught me to look at things differently. As humans, we can be focused on achieving neat lines and symmetry, but taking a moment to observe your surroundings will reveal this isn’t usually how things are in the natural world,” LaWarre reflects, capturing how garden design can subtly reshape perception. In a cultural moment where audiences increasingly seek restorative outdoor experiences, cultural depth, and mindful engagement with public spaces, LaWarre offers perspective and insight into: How garden design influences perception, supports wellness, and fosters cross-cultural appreciation How public gardens are not solely as spaces of beauty, but also living environments that shape emotional and philosophical engagement with the natural world Steve can bring this perspective for media interviews and speaking engagements.
Researchers work to reduce excessive noise in Florida cities
Excessive noise, or noise pollution, in cities has been linked in multiple studies to increased stress, sleep disturbances, and long-term health problems. Researchers from the University of Florida are on a mission to quiet things down, working with local governments and a private firm to improve both public health and urban living. Enter Martin Gold, an associate professor from UF’s School of Architecture, and his team of students. They recently partnered with Siebein Acoustic, a soundscape design firm that specializes in architectural and environmental acoustics. The team visited Fort Lauderdale, one of Florida’s busiest cities, known both as a party destination and a mecca for retirees. The team studied areas throughout downtown and by the beach to provide recommendations for reducing the impact of sound in the city at large. To inform their work, researchers recruited participants to walk the city and report on their observations about sound and sights, took photo documentation, acoustic measurements, geographical measurements and analyzed municipal code studies. The team proposed different improvement strategies including: Using vertical distance by requiring residential high-rise construction to limit residences in the lower floors of buildings. Limiting sound levels at windows or balconies of residential units. Building envelope systems, which are the building components that separate the indoors from the outdoors, that limit sound transmission and absorb sound. Designing new construction so buildings absorb and diffuse the sounds striking them rather than reflecting and subsequently amplifying the sounds or focusing the sounds in particular areas. Strategic zoning to incentivize designs along arterial corridors that fill the sites and provide acoustic barriers to the residential neighborhoods behind them. “We need to take a closer look at how we are designing the next generation of urban environments. There’s a lot we can do with soundscape architecture to positively impact issues moving forward.” —Martin Gold, associate professor from UF’s School of Architecture The findings and recommendations were presented at the International Congress and Exposition on Noise Control Engineering in Nantes, France. Gold and his students are currently surveying an area of Clearwater and plan to study more cities around the state and offer recommendations for reducing noise.
