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Expert Insights: Environmental Risk in Times of Regulatory Change & Litigation Pressure

Environmental risks are becoming a central concern for organizations as regulations tighten, public expectations rise, and litigation related to environmental claims grows more common. Companies today must navigate a complex landscape where regulators, investors, and advocacy groups are paying closer attention to how environmental impacts are managed and reported. Recently, J.S. Held published the article, Environmental Claims and Disputes: Navigating Regulatory Change and Litigation Pressure, led by environmental risk and compliance expert Kimberly Logue Ortega. In this article, experts from J.S. Held share practical insights for insurance professionals and legal advisors on identifying environmental risks across industries and preparing for environmental disputes before they escalate. It examines how this increased scrutiny is creating new legal and financial pressures, particularly when organizations fail to comply with evolving regulations or when environmental claims made in public disclosures are challenged. A key issue is the growing focus on corporate environmental statements and sustainability reporting. Businesses face potential consequences whether they overstate environmental achievements, commonly referred to as “greenwashing" or avoid discussing them altogether. Without strong governance systems, clear internal oversight, and transparent reporting processes, organizations may expose themselves to regulatory penalties, legal disputes, and reputational damage. The article emphasizes that effective environmental governance is no longer simply a compliance exercise but an essential part of responsible corporate management. Kimberly Logue Ortega specializes in environmental risk and compliance. With over fifteen years of experience in the areas of environmental and natural resources law, Ms. Logue provides consulting and expert services for industrial facilities and law firms throughout the country. She has extensive experience with assessing and managing potential and ongoing compliance obligations. She routinely supports clients and media on rulemaking and legislative efforts focused on environmental and natural resources issues. View her profile As environmental regulations and stakeholder expectations continue to evolve, organizations that proactively strengthen their compliance frameworks and reporting practices will be better positioned to manage risk and build trust. The full report offers deeper insights into how companies can navigate regulatory change, reduce exposure to environmental claims, and develop stronger governance strategies in an increasingly complex landscape. To explore the topic further, simply connect with Kimberly through her icon below.

Director Gennady Miloshevsky, Ph.D., shares his vision for the nuclear program at the VCU College of Engineering

Recently named the nuclear program director at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) College of Engineering, Gennady Miloshevsky, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering, answers some questions about the direction of VCU Engineering’s nuclear program and what he hopes it can accomplish. What are your top priorities for the nuclear program at the VCU College of Engineering? I want to focus on student development, innovative research and our rankings in best program lists, but that is not everything. Strategy is important. We need to align ourselves with the country’s national energy needs. There are many new developments in the energy sector, like small modular reactors or fusion energy systems, and having the right faculty to engage with these advancements is important. Providing students with a well-rounded education and good opportunities for gaining experience benefits the College of Engineering’s public and private sector partners. Nuclear subject matter is complex, so higher education is very important for workforce development. We want to build partnerships, like the one we have with Dominion Energy, that support this goal. A priority for me is continuing to establish relationships with Commonwealth Fusion Systems, which seeks to build and operate the first commercial grid-scale fusion plant in Chesterfield County, Virginia. Our workforce partners will benefit from VCU’s well-trained nuclear engineering graduates joining the workforce. So, aligning our strategy with national energy needs, hiring the right faculty to support our programs and building industry partnerships that benefit our student’s education and career opportunities are important things for VCU Engineering’s nuclear program. Where would you like to see the College of Engineering’s nuclear program 10 years from now? I would like to see growth in the nuclear program. For example, some new graduate courses on topics like nuclear materials or fusion energy. In 2024, I developed a general course for fusion energy, so building out a curriculum that goes more in-depth would be good. When you look at small modular reactors and micro reactors, current energy policy does not allow private companies to build their own. However, as energy demands increase, policy could change to where you see these compact devices installed in places like data centers, for example. A more in-depth curriculum allows VCU Engineering students to step into industry roles that lead growth of the energy industry while also ensuring students are capable of adapting to the changing field and taking advantage of new developments. What sort of cross-disciplinary opportunities are there for the College of Engineering’s nuclear program? Nuclear engineering and nuclear science are very interdisciplinary fields. You have physics that covers the nuclear reaction and the radiation it generates, for example, then chemistry is needed when talking about nuclear fuel cycles and nuclear waste. You also need materials science because good materials capable of withstanding radiation and high temperatures are needed in nuclear fission and fusion energy systems. This science then connects to engineering, building the reactors, the energy distribution systems like a power grid. It is a small sample of the overall work, but you see how mechanical and electrical engineering are key to this part. All these disciplines come together to solve the same problem. One researcher might be figuring out how to confine plasma and make it stable, then another researcher is looking at how plasma can disrupt the containment wall and how to make materials to protect the wall. Within our department, we are making connections between mechanical-focused faculty working on high-temperature ceramics or additive manufacturing techniques and those of us researching nuclear energy systems in order to make joint proposals. We are also collaborating outside VCU. As an example, I am involved with an alliance founded by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) comprised of 17 universities, research labs and military centers. Coordinated through DTRA, we work together on many of the same problems.Through this partnership, my Ph.D. students do summer research rotations with national labs like Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California and The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. We also bring cadets and midshipman into VCU from other institutions, like the DTRA Nuclear Science and Engineering Research Center, United States Military Academy West Point and the Virginia Military Institute, whose students have been part of research experience for undergraduates programs in the summer. How is artificial intelligence impacting the field of nuclear engineering? So, the United States is sponsoring the Genesis Mission, which seeks to transform science innovation through the power of AI. One area of the Genesis Mission is nuclear fission and fusion energy. I see this playing out with the Department of Energy encouraging national labs, universities and industry to work together on applying these AI advancements to solve the research problems of nuclear energy. It is a great opportunity for students, who we can involve in this work to give them real-world experience with topics they will see after graduation. Last semester I taught a course at VCU on the practical applications of AI on nuclear engineering problems. It is not something like ChatGPT or anything like that. What we did is take Google’s TensorFlow platform that is a library of AI models and machine neural networks. Using Python scripting students learn how to apply these AI resources to about 30 problems in mechanical and nuclear engineering. They create scripts, use data sets and run analytics. We have a nuclear reactor simulator and I have some ideas to create AI-based software we can pair with the simulator, then give the software a data set and let it control the operation of the simulator in a safe way. Tell us about your background. What brought you VCU and the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering? Actually, I am not a mechanical or a nuclear engineer. My background is in physics. I graduated from the Belarusian State University in 1990 and continued to a Ph.D. in physics from the Heat and Mass Transfer Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus working on topics related to fusion plasmas and nuclear weapon effects. In space, nuclear weapons produce shockwaves and radiation. I computationally model these effects in my research to determine how something like a nuclear warhead detonation in orbit will impact the materials a satellite is made of, for example. My research also crosses over into nuclear fusion, specifically thermodynamic and optical plasma properties, fusion plasma disruptions, melt motion and splashing from plasma facing components. Accelerating Next-Generation Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Lithography (ANGEL) is my most recent collaborative project, supported by the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science, Fusion Energy Sciences. It involves two national laboratories, three universities and a private-sector company focusing on advancement of future micro-electronic chips, EUV photon sources, mitigation of material degradation and plasma chemistry. Prior to joining the VCU College of Engineering I worked at Purdue University at a DOE-funded center investigating nuclear fusion and the effects of plasma on materials. Around 2019 I wanted to develop my own lab, so I came to VCU with startup funds from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and DTRA. My first priority after joining the VCU College of Engineering was continuing my fusion research, the second was collaborating with an alliance of universities focused on work for DTRA and DOE.

MedPage Today: Ozzy Osbourne shined a light on Parkinson’s stigma

Ozzy Osbourne was best known for two things: his shape-shifting resilience as a pioneer of heavy metal music and, most recently, his remarkable authenticity during his public journey with Parkinson's disease. Osbourne, who passed away on July 22, possessed a unique ability to connect directly with people who were suffering. He was an honest and transparent voice for what it was like to live with a neurodegenerative disease. He was willing to go where others would not, and he took on the stigma of a Parkinson's diagnosis. Stigma remains one of the most underrecognized yet pervasive challenges in Parkinson's disease. Far too often, individuals are made to feel ashamed of their visible symptoms like tremors, facial masking, or soft speech. This reality can lead to social withdrawal, depression, and even delayed medical care. Research has shown that perceived stigma is not only linked to reduced quality of life, but it also correlates with worse outcomes. That's why, when someone like Osbourne rises up and speaks out, it matters. It sends a powerful message that Parkinson's does not define a person, and that no one should suffer in silence. Many people with Parkinson's disease choose to conceal their diagnosis from those closest to them. A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that nearly 23% of participants kept their condition hidden, even from family members. Broader surveys have suggested that more than half of individuals with Parkinson's disease may conceal symptoms, mask tremors, or avoid public situations due to stigma and fear of judgment. People who hide their diagnosis frequently report lower social support, reduced engagement in physical activity, and significantly worse emotional well-being. These findings underscore how pervasive and harmful disclosure avoidance can be.

Assisted by sniffer dogs and DNA sequencing, researchers discover three new truffle species

University of Florida biologists studying fungal evolution and ecology have discovered three new truffle species, including one capable of commanding hundreds of dollars per pound within culinary circles. “Our paper confirms what a lot of people had suspected for a long time, which is that the North American truffle species is genetically very distinct from its European relatives.” —Benjamin Lemmond, study co-author and a former UF student The researchers describe their discoveries in a Persoonia. Their work shakes up the Morchellaceae truffle family tree, with key insights related to perhaps the most commercially valuable truffle in North America, the Oregon black truffle. Gourmet chefs, who sometimes grate the odoriferous truffle over dishes or infuse butter with it, have been known to pay as much as $800 per pound for the delicacy. For decades, the Oregon black truffle has been known scientifically as Leucangium carthusianum. It was originally found in Europe and later found in the Pacific Northwest, from California to British Columbia. However, recent genetic testing and field analysis by researchers from UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) revealed the North American variety is a distinct species. Scientists are giving this newly recognized species a name honoring the Cascadia region in which it is found: Leucangium cascadiense. “Our paper confirms what a lot of people had suspected for a long time, which is that the North American truffle species is genetically very distinct from its European relatives,” said study co-author Benjamin Lemmond, a former UF student. Lemmond, now a postdoctoral associate at the University of California at Berkeley, began his research into the truffles as a first-year doctoral student studying under professor Matthew Smith of the UF/IFAS plant pathology department. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lemmond couldn’t access the campus greenhouse where he was conducting an experiment, so Smith secured hundreds of dried truffle specimens from Oregon State University for him to study. The stash included slivers of the Oregon black truffle, a dark-colored, potato-shaped species with tiny, pyramid-shaped warts. When pandemic restrictions relaxed, Lemmond and Smith conducted genetic testing of the Oregon State specimens and others borrowed from Polish, Greek, Italian, French and Japanese collections. Their tests indicated Oregon black truffles from North America had at one point diverged from their European counterparts on the Morchellaceae evolutionary tree, according to the study. They also established the existence of another distinct and very rare species, Imaia kuwohiensis, a pale-colored truffle with dark warts, which is native to threatened spruce-fir habitats in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Their name for the truffle comes from the Cherokee word for the Great Smoky Mountains’ highest peak, Kuwohi. Field tests followed. The researchers wanted to understand the origin of Oregon black truffles’ energy. “Understanding the fundamental, basic biology and life cycle of this truffle is really important,” Lemmond said. “It’s a very valuable commodity, and this knowledge might help us to cultivate the truffle in the future. It also supports long-term conservation and management.” Most gourmet truffles are mycorrhizal, meaning they obtain energy from trees, Lemmond said. It had long been suspected that Oregon black truffles obtain energy through a symbiotic relationship with young Douglas fir trees, but no one had conclusively proven it. Lemmond traveled to the Pacific Northwest and worked with specially trained sniffer dogs capable of detecting truffles buried as deep as 10 inches beneath soil and leaf litter. With the dogs’ help, he unearthed Oregon black truffles nestled among Douglas fir stands. He used fluorescent stain that bonded with the fungal tissue, coloring it green to show where the truffle fungus grew between the cells of the tree root tissue. “The truffle fungi surround the whole root, but the fungus is healthy, and the plant is healthy,” Smith said. “The two trade nutrients back and forth.” DNA sequencing of the roots subsequently proved the truffles rely on the trees as their main source of carbon, according to the study. As the researchers conducted genome sequencing of the Oregon black truffle, they learned of a peculiar find reported by a citizen scientist on iNaturalist, an online science data network: a Leucangium truffle growing among Eastern hemlock trees in Oneida County, New York. It was the first time anyone had ever reported a Leucangium species in the United States, east of the Rocky Mountains, Lemmond said. Lemmond contacted Purdue University, which was preserving the specimen, and requested a sample. The truffle’s physical characteristics, including its dense external hairs and lack of warts, distinguished it from other Leucangium species. DNA analysis confirmed significant variation, too. The researchers named the new truffle species Leucangium oneidaense to recognize the county where it was unearthed. A few years later, just before the researchers submitted their study for publication, someone found a second Leucangium oneidaense specimen growing in Massachusetts, Lemmond said. “It was great timing, and it suggests to me that there are still a lot of undiscovered truffles out there, waiting to be found,” he said.

What the World Needs Now: How Art, Culture, and Nature Can Help Heal Communities in Difficult Times

In an era marked by political division, cultural fatigue, and rapid technological change, communities are increasingly searching for places that offer connection, restoration, and shared experience. Charles Burke, President & CEO of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, brings a leadership perspective shaped by decades across the arts, civic engagement, and nonprofit strategy — focused on how cultural institutions can serve as stabilizing forces in uncertain times. Through the lens of Meijer Gardens, Burke examines how art, culture, and nature can work together to restore, unite, and inspire communities, offering spaces where people can slow down, reconnect, and engage with one another beyond polarization or distraction. Charles Burke is President & CEO of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Under his direction, the organization has been recognized as Best Sculpture Park in the United States by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and consecutively named one of the Best Places to Work in West Michigan, solidifying its reputation as a cultural landmark of international acclaim. View his profile Why This Matters Now In an era marked by political division, cultural fatigue, and rapid technological change, communities are increasingly searching for places that offer connection, restoration, and shared experience. Charles Burke, President & CEO of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, brings a leadership perspective shaped by decades across the arts, civic engagement, and nonprofit strategy — focused on how cultural institutions can serve as stabilizing forces in uncertain times. Through the lens of Meijer Gardens, Burke examines how art, culture, and nature can work together to restore, unite, and inspire communities, offering spaces where people can slow down, reconnect, and engage with one another beyond polarization or distraction. An Expert Perspective on Healing Through Experience From Burke’s leadership vantage point, institutions like Meijer Gardens demonstrate how intentional design and programming can support community well-being. Examples include: Environments that encourage mental restoration, such as forested landscapes and immersive outdoor spaces Experiences that invite reflection and emotional engagement, rather than passive consumption Programming that brings together diverse audiences around shared encounters with beauty and creativity These experiences do not attempt to solve complex societal challenges directly. Instead, they create conditions for connection, empathy, and resilience, key foundations that healthy communities depend on. Civic Spaces as “Experiential Engines” A central concept in Burke’s work is the idea of cultural institutions as experiential engines — places designed not just to display art or plants, but to generate meaning, joy, and shared memory. When thoughtfully integrated, sculpture, horticulture, architecture, and programming can transform public spaces into environments that foster belonging and inclusion. This approach positions cultural institutions as active participants in civic life, contributing to community health and cohesion rather than operating at the margins of public discourse. Technology, Humanity, and the Future of Cultural Spaces As technology continues to shape how people interact with the world, Burke’s perspective emphasizes balance. Emerging tools — including artificial intelligence — can enhance accessibility, storytelling, and personalization when used intentionally. The challenge, and opportunity, lies in ensuring that technology deepens human connection rather than distracting from it. And while AI is ideal for aggregating information and should be integrated into , it isn't inherently creative. Burke believes that cultural institutions can uniquely unlock the power of human potential in creativity. And cultural institutions that integrate innovation thoughtfully can remain relevant while staying grounded in human experience. Meijer Gardens as a Living Model Over three decades, Meijer Gardens has evolved into a nationally recognized destination where beauty, experience, and mission align. Its integration of art, nature, education, and seasonal programming offers a real-world example of how cultural institutions can grow while remaining inclusive, restorative, and community-centered. Why Journalists and Conference Organizers Should Connect Charles Burke brings informed perspective on: The role of art and nature in public healing and mental wellness Cultural responsibility during periods of division and uncertainty Designing inclusive, joyful, and interactive civic spaces Balancing technology and humanity in cultural institutions How Meijer Gardens functions as a model for innovative integration and creativity Audience fit: museum and cultural leadership forums, civic innovation conferences, mental health and wellness discussions, placemaking initiatives, higher education leadership forums, philanthropic leadership events, sustainability and design summits.

Blizzard of ’26 – One for the History Books

“The blizzard of ‘26 will be remembered in meteorology circles,” Dr. Jase Bernhardt told Newsday about the historic storm this week that dropped approximately 30 inches of snow on parts of Long Island. The Hofstra University associate professor of geology, environment, and sustainability and director of meteorology explained the blizzard hit what’s known as the “70/40 benchmark." That’s 40 degrees north latitude and 70 degrees west longitude, geographic coordinates for a spot over the Atlantic Ocean: “That’s the sweet spot,” said Dr. Bernhardt. “Say it tracks 50 miles south and east, that means the heaviest snow shifts farther away. If it tracks closer, oftentimes, it’s bringing in warm air closer to the center [of the storm], and if it tracks too close, it might yield heavy precipitation, but it’s going to be too warm for all snow.”

ExpertSpotlight: Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters: The World’s Most Critical Chokepoint

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most strategically vital waterways on Earth. Just 20 miles wide at its narrowest point, with shipping lanes only a few miles across in each direction,  this narrow channel connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Through it flows roughly one-fifth of the world’s petroleum supply, along with vast quantities of liquefied natural gas, particularly from Qatar. For global markets, the Strait is more than geography, it is a pressure point. Any disruption, even the threat of one, can send oil prices surging and rattle financial markets worldwide. A History Shaped by Empire and Energy For centuries, the Strait served as a maritime corridor linking Mesopotamia, Persia, India, and East Africa. Control over it shifted between regional powers, colonial empires, and eventually modern nation-states. In the 16th century, the Portuguese seized nearby islands to dominate regional trade routes. Later, British naval power asserted influence during the height of imperial shipping dominance. In the 20th century, however, the Strait’s importance expanded dramatically with the rise of oil exports from Gulf states. After the 1979 Iranian Revolution, tensions surrounding the Strait intensified. During the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, particularly the so-called “Tanker War” phase, commercial vessels were targeted, highlighting how vulnerable global energy supplies could be. Since then, periodic confrontations between Iran, the United States, and regional powers have kept the Strait at the centre of geopolitical risk. Why It Is So Important Today 1. Energy Security Major oil producers including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar rely heavily on this route. Even short-term closures could disrupt millions of barrels per day in global supply. 2. Global Economic Stability Because oil is globally traded and priced, disruptions in the Strait impact fuel costs, inflation, shipping, and consumer prices worldwide — including in North America and Europe. 3. Military Strategy The Strait is bordered primarily by Iran to the north and Oman to the south. Iran has periodically threatened to close the passage in response to sanctions or military pressure. The U.S. Navy and allied forces maintain a consistent presence to ensure freedom of navigation. 4. Modern Geopolitical Flashpoint Recent decades have seen drone seizures, tanker detentions, and naval standoffs. Each incident reinforces how fragile global energy logistics can be when concentrated in a single corridor. The Strait as a Symbol of Interdependence The Strait of Hormuz underscores a central truth of globalization: the world’s economies are deeply interconnected and geographically vulnerable. A narrow stretch of water in the Middle East can influence gasoline prices in Ontario, manufacturing costs in Germany, and energy security debates in Asia. It is both a trade artery and a geopolitical lever — a reminder that geography still shapes global power. Expert Angles for Media An expert in geopolitics, energy economics, or maritime security could explore: How vulnerable is the global economy to a prolonged closure? Can alternative pipelines realistically replace Hormuz traffic? What role do regional alliances play in deterring conflict? How does the Strait shape Iran’s negotiating power? What would insurance and shipping markets do in a crisis? The Strait of Hormuz is not simply a map feature — it is one of the world’s most consequential strategic chokepoints. Its stability underpins global energy flows, economic predictability, and international security. If tensions rise there, the world feels it. Our experts can help! Connect with more experts here: www.expertfile.com

Surgery past 65? Brain health screening can aid recovery

Before surgery, your doctor will order evaluations to identify any health problems that may need to be addressed before the procedure. This typically includes medical histories, laboratory tests and checking blood pressure, heart rate and temperature. There’s one vital sign that is often not on the list, but is crucial for older adults: screening for mental and cognitive health. “There is an overwhelming amount of evidence that presurgical brain health predicts complications after surgery,” said Catherine Price, Ph.D., a professor in the University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions Department of Clinical and Health Psychology and the UF College of Medicine Department of Anesthesiology. “For example, individuals with weaknesses in memory and attention and people with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s, have higher rates of confusion and memory complications that affect their recovery from surgery.” Research by Price and others has shown that a patient’s cognitive, memory and mental health status before surgery is an excellent indicator of whether they will experience cognitive problems such as delirium, a common complications in older adults after surgery. Delirium, characterized by confusion, disorientation and impaired awareness, can lead to longer recovery times, increased dementia risk, higher mortality rates and health care costs. Price founded and directs the University of Florida Perioperative Cognitive Anesthesia Network, or PeCAN, a first-of-its-kind, multidisciplinary program that seeks to identify older adults who may be at risk of developing cognitive problems after surgery so that clinicians can intervene. In recent findings published in the journal Anesthesia and Analgesia, Price and her colleagues report on two years of PeCAN patient data. Of the thousands of patients over age 65 who received presurgical screening, 23% were found to have issues with their cognitive performance, yet only 2% of the patients screened had a previous note in their medical charts indicating they had a cognitive impairment. “It’s so important to know when an individual has cognitive complications because that changes their care path,” Price said. “From medication to monitoring, the patient’s care is more complex for the perioperative team and family.” For PeCAN patients identified as being at risk for postsurgery cognitive problems, Price and her team will share tailored recommendations with the patient’s care team before, during and after surgery. These may include more monitoring during anesthesia and medication adjustments, such as using medications for nausea and pain management less likely to contribute to delirium. The PeCAN team also might offer the surgical care team specific communication strategies. For example, health care providers should repeat information several times for patients who have trouble remembering new material and ask them to write it down. Recently published research by Price and colleagues found PeCAN patients reported the focus on brain health improved confidence in their surgical team and care plan. Health care systems are only starting to incorporate preoperative brain health teams like PeCAN. Until they are offered more frequently, Price offers a few steps anyone can take to help protect brain health, including a focus on reducing inflammation in the body prior to surgery. To help achieve this: Optimize nutrition. Reduce your intake of added sugars and refined carbohydrates, like white bread. Get good sleep. Improve sleep hygiene so you are well-rested. “Sleep is essential for the brain for a number of reasons,” Price said. Reduce alcohol intake to limit inflammation and dehydration. Pay attention to your medications. Follow your care team’s instructions. Enlist a family member or caregiver to help you keep tabs on what you’re taking, how much and how often. Practice techniques to limit anxiety, such as visualization and deep breathing. The box breathing method is an easy one to remember: Breathe in slowly for four seconds. Hold your breath for four seconds. Slowly exhale for four seconds. Wait four seconds before inhaling again.

The science behind the blood moon: Understanding this lunar phenomenon ahead of march's event

March's celestial event – a blood moon – is just around the corner. This captivating lunar spectacle isn't just a cool sight to behold; it has some neat science backing it up. The blood moon phenomenon happens during a total lunar eclipse. "During a total lunar eclipse, the only light that reaches the surface of the moon is refracted through the Earth's atmosphere, which essentially acts like a lens. Light is a wave, and every color of the rainbow has a different wavelength – red the longest and violet the shortest," said Bennett Maruca, associate professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Delaware.  What adds to the excitement is the rare nature of total lunar eclipses. While partial eclipses occur more frequently, a full blood moon isn't an everyday event. Depending on where you live, the blood moon may only grace the night skies a few times a decade. "One of my favorite things about total lunar eclipses is that it's hard to know ahead of time quite what it will look like. The moon can take on a color ranging from burnt orange to red to grayish brown," he said. "The closer the Moon passes to the center of Earth's shadow, the darker the color will be."  Maruca is available to speak about the event, which takes place in the wee hours of March 3. He can discuss when to wake up to see the phenomenon and how to best capture it.  "For photographing the moon, I would recommend a camera with some optical zoom – the moon is only about 0.5 degrees across. Because of the low lighting conditions, a tripod or other support would be helpful since a longer exposure time will be needed," he noted.  He has appeared in a number of outlets including Mashable and The Philadelphia Inquirer. He can be contacted by clicking on his profile.  ABOUT BENNET MARUCA Bennett Maruca serves as an associate professor in the University of Delaware's department of physics and astronomy. His research focuses on the sun, the solar wind and other space plasmas. He is a recipient of the Antarctic Service Medal and NASA's Silver Achievement Medal. He also serves as an associate director of the Delaware Space Grant Consortium and is currently mentoring over twenty undergraduate students developing experiments to fly into space to observe Earth's ionosphere.

The truth behind federal disclosure of alien life

With the recent presidential comments on potential alien life, UFO enthusiasts have new hope that finally we’re going to get federal “disclosure” of UFOs, aliens and the great government conspiracy surrounding both. But, as a scientist who studies the search for life in the Universe, the question I have is much simpler: What would disclosure really need to disclose? What is required for actual, factual proof that aliens exist and they’ve been visiting Earth? We’ve already had three years of Congressional hearings on UFOs that have produced zero proof of anything. What we need now is simple: hard physical evidence. That is what disclosure needs to deliver. Not stories about alien spaceships being held by the government, but the actual spaceships themselves. Not stories about alien bodies but the actual icky, gooey bodies with their icky gooey tentacles. If disclosure provides physical evidence that independent laboratories and independent scientists all over the world can verify, then it will live up to its hype. That would make “Disclosure Day” truly history-making.