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We’re nowhere near uploading human consciousness to robots

Pop culture is fascinated by the idea of humans living forever through machines, from sci-fi movies to new shows like Alien: Earth, where human consciousness is implanted into robots. It’s an interesting concept, but how realistic is it? Carlos Gershenson-Garcia, an Empire Innovation Professor and AI expert, said we’re a long way from turning that sci-fi fantasy into science. “The main problem is that we still don’t understand what consciousness is, nor how it functions in us and other species,” Gershenson-Garcia explained. “We assume that our brains have to do something with it, but we don’t know which mechanisms are responsible for it. Is it at the neuronal level? Molecular level? Quantum level? We have no idea. So how could we aim to replicate it in robots?”

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Staying sharp takes more than puzzles

Crosswords and word games might feel satisfying, but they don’t offer the kind of challenge your brain needs to stay strong. Ian McDonough, an associate professor of psychology, said the brain functions like any other organ; it weakens when parts of it go unused. “If you’re not using all parts of it…it might start shrinking,” he explained. While familiar games can be enjoyable, McDonough noted that they don’t stimulate growth as effectively as new mental challenges do. “It might be fun and it might make you happy,” he said, “but it’s probably not helping you in the same way as doing something new.”

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Teachers aren’t equipped to catch every case of autism in girls

Schools are often expected to identify autism early, but experts say the signs in girls can be tough to recognize. Raymond Romanczyk from the Institute for Childhood Development explained that autism presents on a wide spectrum, ranging “from the very subtle to the very clear,” which makes accurate identification “a hard goal to achieve” for anyone other than trained specialists. He added that while better education and training can help, teachers already face enormous pressure to identify every potential case. This becomes even more challenging with younger children, whose signs are often subtle and difficult to detect. Educators can’t be expected to diagnose every student, but improved support and training can help prevent autistic girls from being overlooked.

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Gen Z’s anxiety isn’t about biology – it’s about their environment

Gen Z is often labeled as overly anxious or unfocused, but the issue goes beyond stereotypes about young people. Lightning Jay, an assistant professor of teaching, learning and educational leadership, said today’s students are navigating a world that is fundamentally more distracting than anything previous generations faced. “Young people today live in a much more distracting environment than any generation before them has lived in,” Jay explained. “There’s an entire economic system built around attention capture.” At the same time, Jay stressed that Gen Z isn’t biologically different from millennials or any generation before them. “Biologically, kids are kids,” he said, pointing out that even Shakespeare complained about distracted, unreliable teenagers centuries ago. The pressures surrounding Gen Z have changed dramatically, but young people themselves haven’t.

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We can identify the missing, but the world still needs the will to do it

In the aftermath of fires, plane crashes and other mass-casualty events, identifying victims can be nearly impossible when remains are too damaged for fingerprints or dental records. But new genetic technology is changing that. Matthew Emery, a professor of anthropology who studies DNA identification after fires, said the science has advanced to the point where it can extract meaning from even the tiniest genetic traces. “Now we have technology that really pinpoints those short molecules,” Emery explained. “We can access more information.” Still, he warned that progress isn’t only about capability, it’s about commitment. “The infrastructure is there, but the incentive is not,” he said. “That’s why we need these international organizations.”

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What you eat can change how you smell

​​We often think of food in terms of nutrition, but what you eat can also influence your body odor. Lina Begdache, an associate professor of health and wellness studies, explained that scent is shaped by two pathways: the gut and the skin. In the gut, bacteria break down what you eat, and some of those interactions release gases, volatile molecules that leave the body the same way the food entered. This can contribute to noticeable changes in breath, including halitosis. “Some of those interactions between food chemicals and bacteria release gases that make it out of your body the same way the food went in,” Begdache said. Roughly one-third of adults experience some form of halitosis, though digestion isn’t the only cause. Your diet doesn’t just nourish you; it can also shape your natural scent.

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Not all brain injuries show up right away

Slap fighting may be gaining traction online, but experts say the risks behind the spectacle are often overlooked. The sport’s format—standing still and taking an open-handed hit—creates concussion danger before and after the strike itself. Vipul Lugade, an associate professor of physical therapy, explained that “you can have a concussion even without impact.” In slap fighting, a forceful blow followed by the head snapping back creates “a double-whammy which could cause serious injury.” Even with medical staff on-site, Lugade emphasized that some brain injuries aren’t obvious in the moment. Symptoms “can occur hours, even days after the initial impact,” he said. The concern is that just because someone looks fine after a hit doesn’t mean their brain is.

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Kids who skip bedtime stories risk falling behind

In a world where screen time dominates and reading aloud is viewed as outdated, early literacy is facing a major crisis. Dawna Duff, an associate professor of speech-language pathology, warned that children who don’t get a head start reading at home often arrive at school already behind their peers. “Books are a really rich source of learning new words,” Duff explained. “If kids don’t have that experience reading at home, they’re likely to come to school knowing less vocabulary – and that makes a big difference in how successful you’re going to be throughout school.”

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Resting on your stomach can help reverse the effects of sitting

Hours spent sitting can limit the range of motion in your joints, but adjusting your posture while resting may help counteract this effect. Matthew Murphy, a clinical assistant professor, said lying on your stomach encourages the body into positions it rarely reaches during daily life. “It opposes the positions of most of the joints relative to a sitting position,” he explained. By pushing the joints toward their full end ranges – something sitting, standing and walking don’t do – tummy time helps restore mobility that often goes unused. “If we’re only using about 40% of what the joint offers, that’s what the body perceives as the limit,” Murphy said. Improving posture isn’t just about movement; it can also begin with how you rest.

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Want to build wealth? Start with your highest debt

Even with student loans weighing you down, the right financial strategy can still push you ahead. Daniel McKeever, an assistant professor in the School of Management, said it all comes down to priorities and discipline. “Pay down your highest interest rate debts first,” he advised. “You want those liabilities off your books. Live below your means, be open to flexibility in your career path and save aggressively while you’re primarily providing for yourself rather than a family.” His advice is a reminder that financial success isn’t about perfection; it’s about consistency and smart planning.

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Shifting bird behavior warns of larger environmental stress

Scientists said that recent unusual bird behavior reflects larger environmental changes. Justin Mann, a behavioral ecologist, explained that many species are being displaced from their long-established habitats. “Birds are having to move to new areas because the current areas that they have inhabited for quite a long time are no longer suitable to their particular needs,” he said. Many migratory birds rely on preferred routes and specific “gas stops” to refuel on journeys spanning thousands of miles, and disruptions to these sites can throw entire migrations off balance. When birds are forced to change their patterns, it signals that the ecosystems we all depend on are shifting, as well.

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Cancer recovery continues long after treatment ends

Kate Middleton’s recent battle with cancer highlights how complex cancer care can be. Tracy Brooks, an associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences, explained that abdominal cancers are common because “with so many organs, it is not an uncommon location for cancers to be found,” and that discovering cancer after surgery “is not uncommon.” She noted that traditional chemotherapy targets measurable disease, while preventative treatment depends on how a tumor responds and what biomarkers show. This approach “often requires more chemotherapy and for longer,” Brooks said. Preventative measures are typically chosen when there’s a higher risk of recurrence, including signs that cancer cells may have moved or certain genetic markers. “Patients must weigh the risks with their health and the risk of recurrence,” she added.

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The biggest earthquakes are felt even when we don’t notice

A recent tremor in Russia was strong enough to register on sensors in New York, showing how massive earthquakes can send signals far beyond their epicenters. Alex Nikulin, an associate professor, explained that a quake of that magnitude can send seismic waves “around the world multiple times.” While people can’t feel those distant vibrations because the frequencies weaken over distance, specialized instruments still detect them. Nikulin told that the event was the most powerful recorded in the Kamchatka region since 1952, the year a 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck the same area. Even when they’re happening half a world away, the planet’s strongest quakes still leave a measurable footprint.

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Climate change is making tick season longer and more dangerous

This year’s surge in tick bites isn’t random, experts say; environmental changes are creating ideal conditions for ticks to thrive. Researchers at the 91���� Tick-borne Disease Center point to climate change as a major driver. “Ticks can now move further north than they could before and establish populations,” said Amanda Roome, the center’s associate director. A couple of decades ago, she noted, tick-borne illnesses existed, but “it wasn’t quite the problem that it is now.” Milder winters are extending tick activity, too. “Deer ticks are active anytime it’s over 39 degrees, so we have a lot longer active periods for ticks now, unfortunately,” Roome explained.

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Design and programming shape the social experience in senior living

Choosing between independent living and assisted living isn’t just about medical needs; it’s also about the kind of social life each setting supports. Independent living communities are increasingly built with open layouts, central gathering spaces and courtyards to encourage organic social interaction. Assisted living, on the other hand, relies more on structured programming. Heidi Ewen, a nursing associate professor, noted that recreation staff often organize game nights, movie screenings, musical performances and even intergenerational events with local schools and universities. “These offerings are designed not only for entertainment, but also to combat loneliness and support mental well-being,” Ewen said. Both models offer community, but the way they strengthen connection looks very different.

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Emma Young works for the Office of Media and Public Relations as a digital content producer and is a senior majoring in English with a minor in education. She is interested in pursuing a career in public relations. In her free time, she enjoys baking, reading and writing.