Fotini Christia named director of the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society

Known for building connections between the social sciences, data science, and computation, the political science professor will lead IDSS into its next chapter.

MIT Schwarzman College of Computing • mit
June 27, 2024 ~5 min

FDA authorized the sale of menthol-flavored e-cigarettes – a health policy expert explains how the benefits may outweigh the risks

It’s a conundrum: While vaping can help some adults stop cigarette smoking, it also appeals to young people who may take up the habit.

Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, Assistant Professor of Health Promotion and Policy, UMass Amherst, UMass Amherst • conversation
June 25, 2024 ~7 min


EPA has lowered the screening level for lead in soil – here’s what that could mean for households across the US

The new level won’t trigger automatic cleanups, but it sets a lower threshold for taking precautions to reduce lead exposure.

Gabriel Filippelli, Professor of Earth Sciences and Executive Director, Environmental Resilience Institute, Indiana University • conversation
June 18, 2024 ~9 min

Louisiana reclassifies abortion pills as controlled, dangerous substances − here’s what that means

The new law makes it illegal to possess 2 types of abortion pills without a prescription.

Tami S. Rowen, Associate Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Gynecologic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco • conversation
May 24, 2024 ~9 min

Louisiana set to reclassify abortion pills as controlled, dangerous substances − here’s what that means

The legislation would make it illegal to possess 2 types of abortion pills without a prescription.

Tami S. Rowen, Associate Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Gynecologic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco • conversation
May 24, 2024 ~9 min

Alcohol use disorder can be treated with an array of medications – but few people have heard of them

Alcohol is responsible for more deaths than overdoses from opioids and all other substances combined, yet less than 10% of people with alcohol use disorder receive treatment.

Joseph P. Schacht, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus • conversation
May 20, 2024 ~12 min

New EPA regulations target air, water, land and climate pollution from power plants, especially those that burn coal

Lawsuits are inevitable, but an environmental lawyer explains why the EPA’s new power plant regulations are on solid ground.

Patrick Parenteau, Professor of Law Emeritus, Vermont Law & Graduate School • conversation
May 1, 2024 ~11 min

How bird flu virus fragments get into milk sold in stores, and what the spread of H5N1 in cows means for the dairy industry and milk drinkers

Five livestock experts who study infectious diseases in the dairy industry explain the risks.

Todd Cornish, Professor of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis • conversation
April 25, 2024 ~9 min


Ian Waitz named vice president for research

The former vice chancellor for undergraduate and graduate education will leverage more than 30 years of experience at the Institute to oversee MIT’s research activities.

Zach Winn | MIT News • mit
April 24, 2024 ~5 min

Transporting hazardous materials across the country isn’t easy − that’s why there’s a host of regulations in place

Nobody wants to see an accident involving flammable, corrosive or radioactive material. But understanding the rules put in place to prevent these accidents isn’t easy.

Michael F. Gorman, Professor of Business Analytics and Operations Management, University of Dayton • conversation
April 22, 2024 ~7 min

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