Our understanding of autism continues to evolve. In the first of a three-part Q&A, Yale psychologist James McPartland discusses the history of autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, why diagnoses have increased in recent years, and what the future of care may look like.

Growing older does not always mean decline. Analyzing more than a decade of data on older Americans, Yale researcher Becca Levy found that nearly half of adults aged 65 and older showed measurable improvement in cognitive function, physical function, or both over time.

Hwansoo Kim will serve as the next head of Morse College. A professor of religious studies at Yale, he will begin a five-year term on July 1, succeeding Catherine Panter-Brick. Kim will help guide the social, cultural, and educational life of the college. Learn more: bit.ly/3NAeUz1

Min Jin Lee ’90 will return to Yale as the 2026 Class Day speaker. Lee, a celebrated novelist, essayist, editor and critic who earned her B.A. in history at Yale, will join the Yale College graduating class for the annual celebration held the day before the university’s commencement exercises.

Reducing stress for parents may also help protect children’s health. When we think about preventing childhood obesity, nutrition and exercise often come first. But a study led by Yale psychologist Rajita Sinha finds that helping parents better manage stress may also play an important role.

Where we live can shape how much we pay for care. New Yale research finds that physical therapy rates paid by commercial insurers vary widely from state to state, contributing to higher out-of-pocket costs for some patients and leading some people to delay or skip treatment.

A small desert rodent is helping scientists rethink how aging works. The golden spiny mouse can live up to seven times longer than other wild mice while resisting many typical signs of decline. Yale researchers are investigating the biological mechanisms behind its longevity.

Some days our bodies feel perfectly in sync. Other days, everything feels a little off. The body’s circadian rhythm acts as a daily guide for sleep and other essential functions. Yale's Melissa Knauert explains how this natural cycle works and why keeping it aligned can support better health.

On Saturday, March 28, the Yale Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 60th anniversary with Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection.” The performance brings together musicians from Yale and the New Haven community. 7:30 p.m., Woolsey Hall. Learn more and find ticket information: bit.ly/48aJLJf

A new class is coming together at Yale. Yale’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions has completed its review of first-year applicants, offering admission to 2,328 students. An additional 37 students who chose to postpone their matriculation will also join the Class of 2030.

Personalized vaccines may soon be closer to reality. Yale researchers have developed a deep-learning model that could help scientists design vaccines tailored to individual patients, allowing the immune system to better target cancer and certain infectious diseases.

Obesity is often framed as a matter of personal responsibility. But research is helping us understand a far more complex story. In a new Q&A, Yale endocrinologist Ania Jastreboff discusses her book with Oprah Winfrey and what science is revealing about obesity, metabolism, and GLP-1 medications.

Artificial intelligence may help more of us protect our heart health earlier. A team led by Yale School of Nursing’s S. Raquel Ramos is developing an AI-powered interactive tool designed to help at-risk patients better understand their risk and take steps to improve cardiovascular health.

As AI chatbots become part of how we search for information, their responses may influence more than we realize. A new Yale study finds that interactions with these systems can subtly shape users’ social and political opinions, even when the technology is not designed to persuade.

Some of the universe’s largest stars may be producing some of its smallest building blocks. In a new study led by a Yale undergraduate, researchers found that massive binary stars emit tiny carbon dust particles, helping us better understand how cosmic material forms and spreads through space.

Personal history often finds its way into the classroom. In "Frog and Other Essays," Anne Fadiman reflects on memory, curiosity, and her years teaching nonfiction writing at Yale.

Can markets respond to climate risk without government? In a Q&A, Yale’s Todd Cort discusses recent changes to federal carbon regulation and what they could mean for investors, lenders, and companies assessing climate risk.

The envelopes are open. At @YaleMed, the M.D. Class of 2026 just learned where they’ll begin the next chapter of their journeys in medicine. ➡️ ➡️ ➡️ Swipe to see where they’re headed next.

Children’s bones are still growing, which can make orthopedic surgery especially complex. Yale surgeons and engineers are collaborating to use 3D models and custom-printed instruments to better plan procedures and improve care for young patients.

Many Americans say they are worried about climate change. But a new Yale survey finds people report hearing about it in the media less often than in previous years, pointing to a growing gap between public concern and public conversation.

The definition of obesity may be changing. Here’s what that could mean for you. A new framework expands the definition to include waist size and weight-related health conditions. Yale cardiologist Kamil Faridi explains how the update could shape how obesity is diagnosed and managed.

Advances in cancer immunotherapy continue to reshape treatment possibilities. A team led by Yale’s Sidi Chen has engineered natural killer cells that could make cell-based therapies more effective and more readily available for patients with hard-to-treat cancers. Read more: bit.ly/3OQl0vb

Over the years, Doonesbury has become more than a comic strip. What began as campus satire has grown into a long-running commentary on American life. Once known for its criticism of the Vietnam War, the strip increasingly explores the lived experiences of service members with care and nuance.

What’s causing your heartburn? GERD or NERD? While many people are familiar with GERD, a lesser-known form called NERD can produce symptoms without visible damage to the esophagus. Yale gastroenterologist Catiele Antunes explains how the two conditions differ and what patients should know.

Who belongs in “We the People”? At a recent campus conversation, scholars explored how historic disputes over taxation shed light on enduring questions about citizenship, representation, and the scope of American democracy.

For some heart conditions, treatment options have remained out of reach. New research at Yale points to a biological pathway that could help guide future therapies for Williams–Beuren syndrome, with possible relevance for more common heart disease.

Culture endures across generations and geographies. Now on view at the Yale Peabody Museum, a traveling exhibition honors Taíno history and explores the lasting influence of Caribbean Indigenous knowledge around the world and within local communities.

Many discoveries begin in research labs. The next step is getting them into the world. With support from a network of accelerator funds, Yale Ventures works with researchers to develop and bring to market technologies that could treat disease, expand renewable energy, and advance quantum computing.

Here’s what’s new in Yale News’ latest science column: ▪ Chemists describe a new way to convert methane into methanol. ▪ Researchers identify patterns in how mitochondria are arranged in the brain. ▪ A physics student presents her thesis research at the European Center for Nuclear Research.

Deepening our bond with the place we call home. Last week, Yale and the City of New Haven unveiled a new plan that supports the city’s finances through increased voluntary payments from Yale, and outlines steps toward other mutual goals. Learn more about Friday's announcement: bit.ly/40Puqd2

What determines how tiny particles travel through soil or living tissue? Researchers at Yale have uncovered new insight into how particles behave in complex environments. That understanding may support advances in agriculture, wastewater treatment, and drug development.

Bring out the shy people. In a new book, Yale political theorist Hélène Landemore makes the case for politics without politicians. She argues that while current democratic systems may be faltering, they can be strengthened by giving ordinary people a more direct role in governing.

Think like a historian. In an undergraduate seminar this fall, global affairs majors used Yale Library’s archival collections — including papers from journalists, government officials, and academics — to cultivate a historical perspective on contemporary concerns: bit.ly/4lqte9P

What does it mean when insomnia and sleep apnea occur together? A Yale study finds that adults with both conditions have significantly higher cardiovascular risk than those with only one. Co-author Allison Gaffey compares treating just one to “bailing water out of a boat without fixing the leak.”

Yale and the City of New Haven have announced a plan that strengthens the city’s finances and advances shared goals — from expanding housing and supporting local nonprofits to addressing food insecurity and enhancing public spaces. Learn more about the plan: bit.ly/40Puqd2

A year at Berkeley College, seen from the same spot. Gavin Susantio photographed this scene as it changed with the seasons, with the Women’s Table sculpture anchoring each frame. Take a moment to scroll through the seasons. #Yale

If you have asked a chatbot about a health concern, you are not alone. In a Q&A, Yale School of Medicine’s Shaili Gupta explains what these tools can do well, where they fall short, and how to use them thoughtfully when thinking about your health.

As we age, how we live can influence the support systems around us. Research from Yale sociologist Emma Zang finds that because many financial benefits assume traditional marriage patterns, differences in living arrangements can shape access to support.

When we step into a theater, we rarely see the work that began months earlier. For Yale Rep’s upcoming production of Eugene Ionesco’s Rhinoceros, scenic artists designed boards inspired by the textured hide of the title character, revealing the artistry behind the scenes.

Researchers are asking new questions about how high-potency cannabis may affect adolescents. Yale psychiatrist Deepak Cyril D’Souza discusses emerging evidence on potential mental health risks and what those findings could mean for public health.

Starting treatment after an emergency department visit can be critical for people with opioid use disorder. A new study led by Gail D’Onofrio found that a seven-day, extended-release injectable form of buprenorphine is as safe and effective as taking daily tablets during that first week of care.

This flu season has been more severe than many of us expected. Yale infectious disease specialist Scott Roberts explains what to watch for and why a flu shot can still help protect you and those around you.

Using gravitational waves, an international team including Yale physicist Chiara Mingarelli identified two candidate pairs of merging black holes. Nicknamed after twin kingdoms from "The Lord of the Rings," they offer a new way to detect and map black hole binaries. Read more: bit.ly/3O08vwU

New Haven-area college students are invited to share their vision through the Sci X Sci-Fi Flash Fiction Contest 2026, sponsored by Yale Planetary Solutions. Cash prizes will be awarded to first- and second-place winners. Entries are due this Friday, February 27.

In the latest Humanitas, Yale News’ arts and humanities column, we’re exploring: ▪ A celebrated chamber music award for a Yale ensemble ▪ A Haas Library exhibition tracing the history of drama at Yale ▪ A new course inviting students to travel back to Vienna in 1900

From campus to New Haven streets to the Connecticut shoreline, this storm left behind scenes that feel both stark and beautiful, especially in black and white. Swipe through a few scenes from this week's storm. 📷: Kyle Hurley & Bronwen Pailthorpe

Finding the right care for anxiety or depression can be challenging for many families. A new Yale study finds adolescents often experience better outcomes when clinicians follow FDA approvals or established professional guidelines.

While many of us watched the snow from indoors, some stepped out into it. Our Yale photographers headed into the wind and steady snowfall to document both the power and the beauty of this winter storm across New Haven. 📷: Gavin Susantio & David Liebowitz

Quantum science at Yale has been shaped by years of collaboration and exploration. In a recent lecture, physicist Robert Schoelkopf traced the decades of research that preceded a Yale colleague’s Nobel Prize and reflected on what he called an “amazing” year for quantum science in Connecticut.

Progress against cancer often starts long before treatment begins. Yale immunobiologist Lieping Chen reflects on the role of basic science, the promise of immunotherapy, and why linking lab and clinic remains essential for patient care.