UM News header

This web page is part of the Michigan Today Archive. To see this story in its original context, click here.

June 2006

Cure for Reading Glasses May Be in View
 

It's not available yet, but a permanent answer to reading glasses may be arriving in a U-M lab. 100% of people at age 50 have trouble focusing on objects at close range. Until now, laser eye surgery has not been much help. But this new technique—involving ultrafast optics, ultrasound, and microscopic gas bubbles—could make those easily lost glasses a thing of the past.

 
 
If All Drivers Were Polite, Traffic Would Move Faster

Rude drivers aren't just an annoyance; they actually slow traffic. A traffic flow study reveals that on crowded roads, merging traffic causes slowdowns. "Metering systems" help, but simple politeness when merging can keep cars moving right along.

 
 
It's Summer, and Here Come the Bugs

Mosquitoes, ants, ticks, and wasps are usually just an annoyance, but for people with allergies, they're a real threat. About 3% of the population, if bitten or stung, may have allergic reactions that require medical attention. Check out our tips for treating those stings and bites—and avoiding them in the first place.

 
 
Reading Program Does Make a Difference for Students

Reading First, a school program that's part of President Bush's No Child Left Behind law, is working. That's according to a U-M study that found Michigan first, second, and third graders significantly improved their reading skills. "It's magic," says professor Joanne Carlisle. And her study shows that students in the program keep improving even over several years.

 
 
Environmental Injustice

It's been known for years that poor people and minorities suffer more than others from pollution and other environmental problems. But the burden on them is greater than anyone knew. New, more accurate methods for determining the location of hazardous waste sites show a stark picture of the links between poverty and contamination.

 
Listen to Poet Raymond McDaniel
Listen to fever of the divine mp3 speaker

 
Listen to Poet Raymond McDaniel

Raymond McDaniel (MFA '95) won the National Poetry Series competition for his astounding book "Murder (a Violet)." You can listen to him reading three new poems from the forthcoming Saltwater Empire here.

 
 
Hydrants with Flare

U-M students and Ann Arbor school kids were asked to beautify the city's fire hydrants. Check out the charming results here.

 
 
B-School Demolition Begins

On the way to construction of the new Stephen M. Ross School of Business, crews began tearing down the buildings of the B-school complex.

 
 
 
 
Michigan Today News-e is a monthly electronic publication for alumni and friends.


Talking about words

To Split or To Not Split?

Some purists hate split infinitives. Others say the purists have it dead wrong. Our intrepid language expert takes on a subject that gives people, um, splitting headaches.

 

MToday NewsE

Update your U-M info

Send this to a friend

Send us feedback

Read feedback

Send us alumni notes

Read alumni notes



Michigan Today
online alumni magazine

University Record
faculty & staff newspaper

MGoBlue
athletics

News Service
U-M news

Photo Services
U-M photography

University of Michigan
gateway



Talking about the Movies

Complicated Movies

Complicated Movies

Some films take on challenging topics, complex ideas, and huge casts of characters. Film prof Frank Beaver considers a few big "think" films that may not have fulfilled their ambitions.

 

 

  • U-M Facts

  • U-M Events

  • Maps

 

Unsubscribe

Previous Issues