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The arrival of a leap year brings with it myths, legends and superstitions about its origin. John Gizis, professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Delaware, takes part in a Q&A to share the truth and science behind this “extra” day added to the Gregorian calendar every four years. Why do we have leap day? Unfortunately, the amount of time the earth takes to go around the sun is not exactly 365 days. It’s off by about ¼ of a day each year. It would be hard to have a calendar for 365 ¼ days. When was the extra day added to the calendar? Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar in 46 B.C., which added one extra day every four years. Of course, the year is not exactly 365 ¼ days either, so after a while, that extra time built up. Pope Gregory XIII established the Gregorian calendar [the current calendar] in 1582 to correct the fact that the calendar had gotten off by about 12 days, enough that it was noticeable. How was it noticeable? The seasons were gradually shifting, so that what we think of as summertime in the northern hemisphere had gradually become more like autumn. The shortest day of the year is Dec. 21. Basically, the shortest day of the year drifted and eventually was in early December. How did they institute the reforms? First, they skipped a couple of weeks, so they returned to the original calendar lining up with the sun and stars as it’s supposed to. Then they instituted a couple of rules to keep this from happening again. Leap year happens in years divisible by four, but every 100 years, there is not a leap year. However, every 400 years, you do have a leap year. This happened in the year 2000. And the next time it will happen most of us won’t be around — 2100 will not be a leap year. What would happen if the extra day had not been introduced? If we didn’t have it at all, we would be off by ¼ of a day every year. The seasons would completely shift through the calendar and anything that ties to the seasons would be affected, like farming. It would create havoc with the time to plant and to harvest crops, for example. You also would lose the meaning behind sayings such as “April showers bring May flowers.” Multiply the 2,000 years since it was introduced by ¼ day per year, and that would be 500 days we would have shifted over history. In the northern hemisphere January would have become summer, then gone back to being winter, then shifted off again. Does adding the extra day make up the difference exactly and keep the astral year in sync with the calendar year? Yes, but this relates to a bigger issue. Astronomers want time to match up so that the positions of the stars match up year after year. Because the length of day changes slightly over time, astronomers sometimes would like to add an extra “leap second” to keep the stars in sync with our time system. But adding a second is an annoyance for computer and tech systems. Did you know that people born on leap day are sometimes called “leaplings?” According to Google, in 2020, there were about 5 million people with Feb. 29 birthdays. Do you think they have any advantages or disadvantages to being born on this day? No, I didn’t know that, and I know someone who refused to be induced on that day because she didn’t want confusion for her child, although I think it might be cool. After all, in this day and age, everyone always knows how old they are. To set up an interview with Gizis, visit his profile and click on the contact button.
Florida measles outbreak highlights the cost of vaccine hesitancy
A measles outbreak that started in a Florida elementary school has spread and is now up to ten cases. University of Delaware epidemiologist Jennifer Horney can comment on the outbreak as well as the risk to U.S. eradication status for measles and the role that vaccine hesitancy plays in the emergence and reemergence of vaccine preventable diseases. Vaccine hesitancy is relevant in the Florida case, as the state's top health official defied federal guidance to contain it. Horney has more than 20 years of experience conducting outbreak investigations and providing technical assistance during pandemics to public health groups domestically and internationally. To set up an interview, visit her profile and click the contact button; or, contact UD's media relations office.
Leap year: Tips for using extra day on career and professional development
Having an extra day in a leap year provides you with a unique opportunity to invest time in your career and professional development. Jill Gugino Panté, director of the Lerner Career Services Center at the University of Delaware, offers six ideas to maximize the day. Dedicate time to enhance your skills. It is easy to find free courses, workshops and training videos on just about anything. Take five minutes to reflect on a skill you wish you had or were better, such as, say, Excel. YouTube, TikTok and LinkedIn Learning have hundreds of thousands of videos that can teach shortcuts, visual design, formulas and more. Use the day for networking. Reach out to professionals in your industry and schedule informational interviews. Reconnect with old classmates, former bosses or colleagues from another department and invite them to meet for coffee or lunch. Spend the day talking with someone about your career/professional development goals. Reflect on your career goals. Many of us do not take the time to articulate where we want to be this time next year or even four years from now. Start with three months, then move to six months, then a year. Do you want to learn a new skill? Meet with someone whose career you’ve admired? Change jobs? Ask for a raise? Career development can be thought of as a series of projects because thinking four years ahead can seem a little daunting. However, making goals for the next six months makes the process more manageable and tangible. Update your career documents. This means not only your resume but your LinkedIn profile and professional bio. If you don’t have access to a Career Coach, use Generative AI (like Chat GPT) to help you write better bullet points or update your “About” section on LinkedIn. Keep in mind that AI should be viewed as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for your active involvement in the process. Maintain a personal touch and let your unique personality shine through in your application materials and interviews. Focus on your well-being. How often do we get an extra day to focus on ourselves? And on this particular leap year, you may be feeling stressed and overwhelmed so focusing on career goals isn’t an option. Take the opportunity for self-care – go for a leisurely walk, engage in meditation or stretching exercises, or schedule an online session with a therapist or counselor. Investing time in personal wellness is important to address before you leap into professional development. Make deliberate choices that not only contribute to your career growth but also foster a sense of well-being. Here's a pro tip: mark a "professional/personal development boost" block on your calendar for each leap year, ensuring you fully capitalize on the extra day. This strategic scheduling will serve as a reminder to prioritize both your professional growth and personal wellness. To set up an interview with Gugino Panté, visit her profile and click on the contact button.
Tips for traversing the time between jobs
The gap between jobs is a time of not only financial woes but also an associated mental toll that can be just as difficult to manage. University of Delaware career expert Jill Gugino Panté offers tips for navigating the rough waters of unemployment. Gugino Panté, director of the Lerner Career Services Center at UD, has years of experience in HR and helps folks from ages 18 to 80 find jobs and level up their careers. She provided the following advice that journalists can pull for stories about careers and the job market: It's normal to feel hopeless and helpless. These are the two common words I constantly hear from job seekers. Searching for a job, especially when you don’t have a job, can be a black hole of nothing and everything. "Nothing" because you don’t hear back from applications you’ve submitted and the silence can diminish your confidence. And "everything" because of the range of emotions you feel on a daily basis. Stay busy. Staying busy is not just applying to jobs, but it’s keeping your brain, body and mental health positively active. You can only apply to so many jobs on your computer. After that, most people sit and wait. NEVER SIT AND WAIT in a job search! Even the smallest thing will provide a sense of accomplishment. Send out emails to arrange connection phone calls. Attend local networking events, volunteer and give back. Clean out your closet and donate clothes. Organize your search in a spreadsheet, add reminders to your calendar. Keep yourself moving and check off one thing on your list a day. Find support among peers. There are millions of groups out there on social media. Find a job seeking support group in your industry where you can get advice and even a pep talk if you need one. Friends and family are fine, but not everyone has this and sometimes friends and families don’t understand what you’re going through. Having multiple support groups can provide consistency. Put your job search on blast. I have so many stories of people finding a job because they posted on social media or struck up a conversation with a stranger in a store. Unless you have a specific reason for keeping your job search a secret, shout it out to the world! Data shows that it’s the people on the periphery of your network (meaning 2nd and 3rd connections) who have the most effect on your professional development. So reaching out on LinkedIn, talking to a stranger, attending a networking event you wouldn’t otherwise go to can have a significant impact on your job search. Members of the media interested in speaking with Gugino Panté can reach her directly – visit her profile and click the "contact button." Or, feel free to reach out to our media relations department.
ChristianaCare Opens Three New School-Based Health Centers in Delaware Elementary Schools
To address health concerns when they are at their earliest, most preventable stages, ChristianaCare has opened three new school-based health centers in Delaware elementary schools: Brookside Elementary School in Newark – part of the Christina School District. Silver Lake Elementary School in Middletown – part of the Appoquinimink School District. Richardson Park Elementary School in Wilmington – part of the Red Clay School District. “At ChristianaCare, we recognize that early intervention is vital in order to address the comprehensive health needs of adolescents in our community,” said Erin Booker, chief bio-psycho-social officer at ChristianaCare. “Childhood trauma hurts the ability of children to learn and increases their risk of chronic disease and mental health issues. Through the opening of these three new school-based health centers, these children now have convenient access to medical services, behavioral health services and wraparound social care. These centers can improve their health and education and set them on a lifelong path of wellness.” These new elementary school Wellness Centers are a partnership between ChristianaCare, the Delaware School-Based Health Alliance, the schools and school districts, supported by New Castle County government with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. With the latest additions, ChristianaCare now operates school-based health centers in seven elementary schools and 19 high schools and middle schools. Each ChristianaCare school-based health center includes a health care team of medical, mental health, community health and nutrition experts. The health centers also provide a host of services by appointment during the school day. A parent or guardian must provide a signed permission form prior to a student’s first visit to a health center. Priscilla Michelle Mpasi, M.D., FAAP speaks at the ribbon-cutting at Richardson Park Elementary School. “At ChristianaCare, we serve together, guided by our values of love and excellence, and that mission of service is why we are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the community,” said Priscilla Michelle Mpasi, M.D., FAAP, assistant medical director for the Clinically Integrated Network and Delaware Medicaid Partners. “School-based health centers are the connection of whole-child health and education. As we all know, early intervention is the key to wellness. Children can learn better when they are happy and healthy and know they have a safe place to go when they need care.” At no cost to the students, and located within each elementary school, the three school-based health centers also alleviate the need for parents and students to find transportation to address their health care needs. “Ensuring that our students are prepared to learn is crucial, but it can be challenging when they are dealing with various obstacles,” said Dan Shelton, Ed.D., superintendent of Christina School District. “That’s why our collaboration with ChristianaCare and New Castle County presents an incredible opportunity to bring essential services directly to our school. By establishing an in-school wellness center at Brookside Elementary School, we are thrilled to provide our students with the support they need to be fully prepared and eager to learn.” “Empowering our future starts with nurturing the health and well-being of our youngest minds,” said Dorrell Green, Ed.D., superintendent of the Red Clay Consolidated School District, which oversees the new school-based health center at Richardson Park. “Elementary school-based health centers play a pivotal role in fostering a thriving community by providing accessible, comprehensive healthcare, ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.” “We are so grateful to open the first school-based health center at an elementary school in Appoquinimink School District,” said Matt Burrows, superintendent of the Appoquinimink School District. “This wouldn’t be possible without the partnership of New Castle County Government and the Delaware School-Based Health Alliance. The services provided by school-based health centers span a large array of care – including physicals, vaccinations, mental health, and more. As fast as our community is growing here in the MOT area, we know access to health care can be a challenge for many of our families. Having these services inside one of our elementary schools will be incredibly helpful for our families. The services that are being provided by ChristianaCare are invaluable for our students and their families.”
University of Delaware researchers are leading a heat mapping project to address the urban heat island effect caused by climate change. Dana Veron and A.R. Siders, co-directors of the Gerard J. Mangone Climate Change Science and Policy Hub, have laid out a plan of action that aims to understand the heat distribution, particularly in vulnerable communities. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, extreme heat is the number one cause of weather-related death in the United States, making urban heat islands a significant public health concern. In an effort to tackle this issue head on, Veron and Siders – who are also professors at UD – have been working with UD’s Center for Environmental Monitoring and Analysis (CEMA) and Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) to map heat in Wilmington, Delaware. The 2023 WiST (Wilmington and Surrounding Townships) Heat Watch has been in the works since late 2021. The initial proposals were developed by CEMA and DNREC. UD’s Climate Hub became the coordinating entity soon after. “This was our first externally funded project that allowed the Hub to serve the role we envisioned for it, as a central point of contact and communication, a facilitator networking amongst many partners across different sectors,” said Dana Veron, High heat-absorbance in urban areas leads to increased energy consumption, emissions, and strains on energy systems. The mapping project is part of a broader trend in urban sustainability planning and cooling strategies, driven by the need to mitigate the urban heat island effect. The researchers anticipate using the data to influence future city planning, incorporating green infrastructure to reduce the urban heat island effect. The Climate Hub team plans to present the preliminary results in a virtual town hall meeting, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and collaboration in addressing climate-related challenges. The campaign demonstrates the potential for universities to lead collaborative efforts and engage students in climate research and community outreach. Dozens of other Heat Watch campaign teams have incorporated their findings into climate and heat mitigation strategies. In Virginia, Richmond officials have made heat vulnerability and urban heat islands a determining factor in their upcoming city and sustainability planning endeavors. In New Jersey, the city of Newark introduced several proposals offering equitable solutions to heat emergencies, including increased funding for cooling centers and urban green spaces. Every Heat Watch mapping campaign develops a report detailing heat distribution across the target city. Digital maps that display predictive heat-index models mindful of land coverage and topography are also publicly released. “This is the beginning of the work,” said Veron. “All the partners are anxious to get the map because what’s really exciting is what happens next.” To set up an interview with Veron or Siders, visit their profiles and click the "contact" button.
University of Delaware designated a top producer of Fulbrights
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs recognized the University of Delaware as one of the colleges and universities with the highest number of students selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Fulbright Top Producing Institutions like the University of Delaware value global connections and support members of their campus communities in pursuing international opportunities. Eleven students from UD were selected for Fulbright awards for academic year 2023-24. This marks the first time UD has been officially designated as a Fulbright Top Producer, though UD has had 100 Fulbright U.S. Student Program recipients to date. “As a pioneer in global education, the University of Delaware is excited to be recognized among the nation’s key partners in the Fulbright U.S. Student Program,” said UD President Dennis Assanis. “We are proud of our Fulbright recipients this year, as well as those from past years. Our incredibly talented students and those who support them know this experience is deeply transformative for the individual and truly beneficial for our global society. We look forward to continuing to build the Fulbright community at UD.” The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange program. Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided over 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds with the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research abroad. Fulbrighters exchange ideas, build people-to-people connections, and work to address complex global challenges. Fulbright advising is housed within UD’s Honors College. UD provides Fulbright advisement to UD graduating seniors, graduate students and alumni. The program serves U.S. citizens who have earned a bachelor's degree but have not yet completed a doctoral or terminal degree in their discipline. "It is extremely fitting that in the year UD is celebrating its 100th anniversary of study abroad, we are also able to celebrate making Fulbright's top producer list,” said Michael Chajes, dean of UD’s Honors College. “Many students come to UD because of our commitment to helping students pursue their academic passions in other countries. The fact that they have been so successful at receiving Fulbright awards is a measure of both the outstanding students we have here at UD and the incredible mentorship they receive from our faculty and staff." Chajes is available for interviews on this exciting new designation. He can be reached by clicking his profile.
Choosing whether to attend college is a pivotal moment in any high school student's life. It is a decision that can shape their future, determine their career path, and provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in their chosen field. However, in a new study, the Education Advisory Board noted that nearly one-third (28%) of high school students cite mental health concerns as a reason they may choose to delay enrollment or opt out of college entirely. We have multiple experts here at the University of Delaware who can provide context to this phenomenon and talk about what could potentially be done to address the issues. Leigh McLean can speak primarily about teacher well being and she can also address student well being in the course of her research. Roderick Carey can speak about Black and Latinx students and their struggles with this decision. Broken down even further, 54% of trans students, 53% of nonbinary students, 33% of Black students, 30% of Native Americans and 30% of female students said this was their thinking. Nearly half (48%) of the students survey said "stress and anxiety overshadow their college search and planning." McLean and Carey have both been featured in multiple outlets including the Associated Press, Education Week and Chalkbeat. They can be reached by clicking their profiles.
Exploring the Depths: How AI is Revolutionizing Seafloor Research
In recent years, there has been a significant shift in the way seafloor research is conducted, all thanks to the groundbreaking advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The depths of our oceans have always been a mystery, but with the use of AI, scientists and researchers are now able to explore and uncover the hidden secrets that lie beneath the surface. With funding from the Department of Defense, University of Delaware oceanographer Art Trembanis and others are are using artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze seafloor data from the Mid-Atlantic Ocean. The goal is to develop robust machine-learning methods that can accurately and reliably detect objects in seafloor data. “You can fire up your phone and type dog, boat or bow tie into a search engine, and it's going to search for and find all those things. Why? Because there are huge datasets of annotated images for that,” he said. “You don't have that same repository for things like subway car, mine, unexploded ordnance, pipeline, shipwreck, seafloor ripples, and we are working to develop just such a repository for seabed intelligence.” Trembanis is able to talk about this research and the impact it could have on our day to day lives. He can be contacted by clicking his profile. “You have commercial companies that are trying to track pipelines, thinking about where power cables will go or offshore wind farms, or figuring out where to find sand to put on our beaches,” said Trembanis. “All of this requires knowledge about the seafloor. Leveraging deep learning and AI and making it ubiquitous in its applications can serve many industries, audiences and agencies with the same methodology to help us go from complex data to actionable intelligence.” He has appeared in The Economic Times, Technical.ly and Gizmodo.
American College of Surgeons Recognizes ChristianaCare for ‘Meritorious’ Surgical Outcomes
ChristianaCare has been honored as one of only 78 institutions out of 615 by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress for achieving “meritorious” outcomes in surgical patient care. This is the 10th time that ChristianaCare has been recognized through the organization’s National Surgical Quality Improvement Program – also known as ACS NSQIP – which is the only nationally validated quality improvement program that measures and enhances the care of surgical patients. “Patients can be confident that when they come to ChristianaCare for surgery, they are receiving care from a team that has a long track record of national recognition for outstanding quality and safety. Receiving this recognition for the 10th time is a direct result of our commitment to excellence and providing world-class surgical care to our community,” said Matthew Rubino, MD, MBA, FACS, interim chair of ChristianaCare’s Department of Surgery. “These awards reflect the commitment to excellence by all our surgeons and caregivers within Perioperative Services. We look forward to progressing on our journey of continuous improvement, anchored by our values of love and excellence.” The award recognizes ChristianaCare’s coordinated delivery of perioperative care within the general, colorectal, neurologic, orthopaedic and oral and maxillofacial and otorhinolaryngology (ear, nose and throat) surgery specialties. It includes Christiana Hospital and Wilmington Hospital, as well as the Christiana Surgicenter in Newark, Delaware, representing a combined total of nearly 38,000 surgical procedures a year. That volume represents the 46th highest volume of surgeries among health systems nationwide. The ACS NSQIP measures actual surgical results 30 days after the operation and makes risk adjustments to compensate for differences among patient populations and acuity levels. Participating hospitals are required to track the outcomes of inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures and then analyze their results, which direct patient safety initiatives within the hospital and impact the quality of surgical care. ChristianaCare was honored with ACS NSQIP recognition for its performance in eight clinical areas: Mortality. Cardiac arrest and heart attack. Pneumonia. Unplanned intubation. Ventilator use for longer than 48 hours. Renal failure. Surgical site infections. Urinary tract infection.
