A new study reveals that extreme heat waves are driving clownfish toward collapse. The study spotlights a new paper by BU alumni Morgan Bennett-Smith and Professor of Biology Peter Buston in which they explore how destructive climate change is for marine life. Read more: https://bit.ly/4gLb7Jj

In a recently published article by The Guardian, Associate Professor of Sociology and African American & Black Diaspora Studies Saida Grundy examines Trump’s attacks on the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. Read more: https://bit.ly/4pzqMPW

"In some respects this was the most unhinged discussion of autism that I have ever listened to," said autism expert and Professor Emerita of Psychological & Brain Science Helen Tager-Flusberg in response to President Trump's recent news conference. Read more: https://nyti.ms/4nd5wxC

Karen Seto (GRS’95, GRS’00) is one of the world’s leading experts on the effects of contemporary urbanization on the planet. She will be honored this weekend, at BU's Alumni Weekend, as one of Arts & Sciences' 2025 Distinguished Alumni. Read more about her career journey: https://bit.ly/4pF4hsM

This summer, Aashi Parikh (CAS’26) participated in the NASA’s Student Airborne Research Program, learning how NASA scientists conduct research—and performing fieldwork of her own. Read more: https://www.bu.edu/articles/2025/bu-student-intern-at-nasa/

BU affirmed Kenneth Anderson (CAS’73)'s interest in science and biology. But it also introduced him to a new field: research. That exposure would lead to a decades-long career of life-changing contributions in cancer care. Read more about his career journey: https://bit.ly/4nORxOA

Associate Professor of Education and Economics Joshua Goodman and PhD student Abigail Francis have recently discovered a decline in Massachusetts public school enrollment following the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more about the sharp declines: https://bit.ly/3IeGSxz

Mary Beth Leonard (CAS’84) didn’t set out to become a diplomat. But following her passion for the French language and a curiosity about the world beyond Worcester, Massachusetts, led her to a distinguished career in the U.S. Foreign Service. Read more about her journey: https://bit.ly/3IfE830

This summer, Helena Shenk (CAS’26) spent her time on the Alaskan coastline, discovering how underwater noise from boats and harbors can affect fish communication, behavior, and survival. Read more about her findings: https://bit.ly/46IxTxU

Have you ever tried communicating with an animal? In a recent article, Professor of Psychological & Brain Sciences Irene Pepperberg, revealed birds can understand concepts like numbers, shapes, and even zero, challenging what it means to “talk” across species. Read more: https://bit.ly/4gDJcLi

Professor of Psychological & Brain Sciences Sarah C. Vogel found that infants with greater gut microbiome diversity at just two weeks old were more irritable and fearful as toddlers. Read more about her study here: https://bit.ly/4naO9Ob

Biology undergraduate student Matteo Finnerty (CAS’27) is drawing attention to the decline of native bumblebee species at Boston’s Arnold Arboretum. Learn more: https://www.bu.edu/articles/2025/bee-research-at-the-arnold-arboretum/

Professor of Economics Laurence Kotlikoff marks Social Security’s 90th anniversary with a sharp warning: the system is heading toward insolvency by 2033. Read more: https://www.bu.edu/articles/2025/social-security-90th-anniversary/

“We’re in a true public health crisis,” said Research Assistant Professor of Psychology Ovsanna Leyfer in a recent LA Post article. Leyfer emphasizes the growing mental health challenges facing Gen Z and calls for expanded access to interventions. Read more: https://lapost.us/?p=74307

Are symbiotes real? Assistant Professor of Biology Jeffrey Marlow, part of the team studying a mysterious goo found in the Great Lakes, says the microbes might be working together to engineer their environment. Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/01/science/ship-goo-great-lakes-microbes

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦🧑‍🎓 The CELT Initiative puts #communities and students at the center of Massachusetts’ #CleanEnergy future. In a new article, current @bostonu.bsky.social CELT fellows share what they've learned. Read more — and apply to join the second fellow class: www.bu.edu/igs/2025/09/...

BU alum Lorinda Visnick (CAS’87) was no ordinary intern at the Massachusetts State House this summer. After 30-plus years working in computer programming, Visnick is switching careers to public policy and was the oldest intern in the building. Keep reading ➡️ http://spr.ly/6044fvlF8

Warming winters are throwing off trees’ ability to take in carbon, according Eos. Arts & Sciences Distinguished Professor of Biology Pamela Templer, who was quoted in the article, says less snow is harming trees. Read more: https://eos.org/articles/warming-winters-sabotage-trees-carbon-uptake

“AI is going to dramatically improve the energy efficiency of some aspects of human existence,” said BU Professor Cutler Cleveland. In a recent BU Today article, he explores AI’s dual impact on climate progress and acknowledges the technology’s energy demands. Read more: www.bu.edu/articles/202...

In a recently published article in The Nation titled “Declared Intention”: My Immigration Story, and Ours, Professor Emeritus of Creative Writing Robert Pinsky reflects on his grandfather’s journey from Eastern Europe to Arkansas via the Galveston Plan. Read more: www.thenation.com/article/soci...

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern—two of the largest U.S. freight railroads—are considering a merger that would create the nation’s first coast-to-coast line. But Boston University Professor Erik Peinert warns mergers shouldn’t replace real investment. Read more: www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/b...

How do bacteria organize? 🦠 @bostonu.bsky.social researchers reveal in Cell Systems that colony shape, metabolism & nutrients drive growth, diversity & striking rings. Learn more: spr.ly/63321AGQbb @dsegre.bsky.social

What's it like to be an IGS Summer Fellow? 2025 fellow Sophia Tigges says, “I have made so much progress on my research, and my ability to concentrate on my work has led my project in an unexpected and exciting direction.” More from this year's class: www.bu.edu/igs/2025/09/...

Selby Vaughn (CAS'24) was recently published in the American Journal of Botany and recognized with BU’s Alumni Award for Writing Excellence in the Natural Sciences for her study showing that Boston’s trees may be hitting their limit. Read more: bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

Arts & Sciences Distinguished Professor of Earth & Environment Lucy Hutyra and Earth & Environment Research Scientist Ian Smith, recently co-authored an article in The Conversation, exploring how cities can combat extreme heat. Read more: lnkd.in/ds9BzGNR

Class is now in session 📚

Are public schools still feeling the effects of the pandemic? In a new article published by Education Next, Professor of Economics, Joshua Goodman, explains the long-term enrollment shifts in U.S. schools. Read more: www.educationnext.org/school-enrol...

Jiajun “Bruno” Yin (CGS’24, CAS’26) is not just a BU student, he’s also a business-owner. Yin, who grew up in China, fulfilled his dream of opening a café during his gap semester after studying at the College of General Studies. Read more: www.bu.edu/articles/202...

Professor of Psychological & Brain Sciences Amelia Stanton recently warned that the Trump administration’s shift toward defunding organizations focused on teen pregnancy prevention could undermine years of public health progress. Read more: www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

In an article published by The Christian Science Monitor, Boston University historian Bruce Schulman calls attention to a comparison between today’s disaffected voters and 19th-century Mugwumps—Republicans who broke with their party over corruption. Read more: www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics...

Why are we so obsessed with reality dating shows? BU sociology professor Deborah Carr breaks it down in a new BU Today Q&A, explaining our fascination with “the good, the bad, and the ugly” sides of love. Read more: www.bu.edu/articles/202...

Annaka Saari (GRS'21)—administrator of BU’s Creative Writing Program—posts a new poem each week outside the program office in CAS. “It’s a small tradition with big intentions,” Saari said. Read the full story: www.bu.edu/cas/arts-sci...

Professor Emerita Helen Tager-Flusberg, who leads PETAL—a study exploring how very early interventions can support language development in infants with a higher likelihood of autism—says it could help identify which children benefit most from early support. Read more: lnkd.in/eDCU3pU4

Arts & Sciences Distinguished Professor of Sociology Deborah Carr sheds light on the emotional weight of divorce in a new USA Today article, explaining how shame and stigma often keep people from speaking openly about heartbreak. Read more: bit.ly/44EjvWC

Walter Clemens, professor of political science, argues in a new National Security Journal article that America’s greatest existential threat is coming from within its own institutions. Read more: bit.ly/46iOjxk

Our final Grad Fellow Friday, w/Melissa Martin (buearth.bsky.social‬)#Citieses tend to be warmer than surrounding areas. Martin is working to understand ho#UrbanHeatat islands affect residents#healthth, and how increased cooling demand stresses power systems 🏙️www.bu.edu/igs/profile/...ws

Is the “princess treatment” trend making a comeback? In a recent BBC article, Associate Dean of the Social Sciences and Professor of History Arianne Chernock discusses power roles, privilege, and the performance of femininity in modern relationships. Read more: bbc.in/4fdwFO0

Which is more dangerous: humidity or dry heat? With help from Arts & Sciences Distinguished Professor of Sociology Deborah Carr, WKYT finds high humidity can pose greater health risks, and rising temperatures heighten social and economic vulnerabilities. Read more: bit.ly/3IzujN0

A recent podcast episode of Slate’s Decoder Ring, featuring Professor of Linguistics Danny Erker, investigates the rise of the “Boston movie” as a distinct cinematic subgenre. Listen here to learn more: bit.ly/3GTzDtZ

How did billionaires come to dominate America’s economic and political landscape? A recent article traces it back to what Professor of Economics Robert Margo called “the Great Compression,” a 20th-century period of shared prosperity that kept inequality in check. Read more: yhoo.it/3ID4awF

Associate Professor of Physics Anushya Chandran, along with three other researchers, has uncovered a new way to probe the hidden structure of fragmented quantum systems. Read more: bit.ly/45ilq2f

New research from NASA’s MAVEN mission, with contributions from BU Professor Emeritus of Astronomy John Clarke, shows that there is less water on Mars than scientists previously believed. Read more: bit.ly/44FH3dy

Planting trees to offset carbon emissions sounds simple, but new research shows it’s anything but. Lucy Hutyra, Arts & Sciences Distinguished Professor of Earth & Environment, says the study emphasizes how real solutions must focus on reducing emissions at the source. Read more: yhoo.it/3GTySkD

J. Keith Vincent, professor of Japanese and comparative literature, is bringing new life to one of the world’s oldest novels with the launch of Genjipoems.org—a first-of-its-kind, interactive digital database of nearly 800 poems from The Tale of Genji. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eMWmMbeu

Have you ever tried to rewire your brain to forget a bad memory? Boston University neuroscientist Steve Ramirez is exploring just that—using lasers to manipulate memory cells in the hippocampus. Read more in a recently published National Geographic: www.nationalgeographic.com/health/artic...

Is climate change influencing the boundaries of tick ecology? As warmer winters expand ticks' geographic range, Michael Dietze, a Boston University professor of ecology, is uncovering how climate can help us understand the growing threat of tick-borne diseases. Read more: lnkd.in/eSPjgPiW

A new Wired investigation spotlights the grassroots “Tesla Takedown” campaign—an emerging movement targeting the company over CEO Elon Musk’s political influence. Professor of Earth & Environment Nathan Phillips is raising questions about the risks of corporate power. Read more: bit.ly/4e2eUAm

Do autism symptoms look different in toddlers? A new study of over 2,600 children suggests they don’t—at least not in early youth. Professor Emerita of Psychological & Brain Sciences Helen Tager-Flusberg says these findings are significant but also point to challenges. Read more: bit.ly/3Ghxx7d

A decade-old study led by Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor of Biology Pamela Templer reveals that New England forests are absorbing less carbon than they used to. "There are so many global changes happening at the same time," Templer said. Read more: lnkd.in/ew7te8Kz

“This is a time to rethink,” says Professor of Computer Science Ran Canetti, replying to a new study revealing how lies can be made to look true. Canetti explains how this discovery challenges a cryptographic technique and what it means for the future of digital safety. Read more: bit.ly/4ljZp9P