Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Clownfish and Anemones Are Disappearing Because of Climate Change

Boston University Arts & Sciences @bucas.bsky.social · 8d

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

A new study led by Boston University marine biologists reveals that heat waves are threatening the future of the fish made famous by "Finding Nemo"

Trump’s attacks on the ‘Blacksonian’ have a history in a century-old myth | Saida Grundy

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Boston University Arts & Sciences @bucas.bsky.social · 10d

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

The United Daughters of the Confederacy set out to make slavery respectable again by promoting ‘the lost cause’

Opinion | ‘This May Be the Most Difficult Day in My Career’: Experts React to Trump’s Autism Remarks

Boston University Arts & Sciences @bucas.bsky.social · 12d

"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

www.nytimes.com

Seeing the World from Space | Arts & Sciences

Boston University Arts & Sciences @bucas.bsky.social · 13d

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

Interning at NASA Fulfills a Lifetime Ambition for This CAS Student

Boston University Arts & Sciences @bucas.bsky.social · 14d

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/

Aashi Parikh participated in the agency’s Student Airborne Research Program, learning how NASA scientists conduct research—and performing fieldwork of her own

Boston University Arts & Sciences @bucas.bsky.social · 14d

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

Fewer Students Are Enrolled in Public School Than Before the Pandemic

Boston University Arts & Sciences @bucas.bsky.social · 15d

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

Research from BU indicates that COVID-era lockdowns continue to impact the makeup of public schools

A Diplomatic Journey Rooted in Curiosity and Language | Arts & Sciences

Boston University Arts & Sciences @bucas.bsky.social · 16d

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

Harbor Sounds and Fish Populations | Arts & Sciences

Boston University Arts & Sciences @bucas.bsky.social · 16d

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

We will soon be able to talk with other species. Which will be first? todayheadline

Boston University Arts & Sciences @bucas.bsky.social · 17d

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

Could the bottlenose dolphin be the first non-human species to have its language decoded?tephen Frink/Getty Images; Shutterstock Sophie Cohen-Bodénès knew

Toddler irritability tied to gut microbiome diversity in the first weeks of life

Boston University Arts & Sciences @bucas.bsky.social · 17d

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

A new study has found that babies with more diverse gut bacteria at two weeks old tend to show more negative emotions as toddlers. The findings highlight how early-life microbial environments may infl...

www.psypost.org

As It Turns 90, Social Security Is Showing Its Age. Boston University Economist Has a Fix

Boston University Arts & Sciences @bucas.bsky.social · 18d

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/

Boston University Arts & Sciences @bucas.bsky.social · 20d

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/

Laurence Kotlikoff discusses how to avoid insolvency and keep “essential” program afloat

Gen Z Mental Health Crisis Requires Cultural Understanding and Proven Treatments – The Los Angeles Post

Boston University Arts & Sciences @bucas.bsky.social · 21d

“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

lapost.us

Scientists happened upon black goo on a ship — and discovered it was teeming with life | CNN

Boston University Arts & Sciences @bucas.bsky.social · 22d

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

A Great Lakes research vessel had goo leaking from its rudder shaft. Scientists later found it contained previously undiscovered microorganisms.

www.cnn.com

Reposted by Boston University Arts & Sciences

Boston University Institute for Global Sustainability @bu-igs.bsky.social · 22d

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦🧑‍🎓 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/...

A person works at a fair beside an interactive poster which reads "Arlington is updating our Net Zero Action Plan."

A group of people converse on the sidewalk.

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Boston University Arts & Sciences @bucas.bsky.social · 22d

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

The 60-Year-Old Intern

Lorinda Visnick (CAS’87), who’s pursuing a career in public policy, just completed a summer internship at the Massachusetts State House

spr.ly

Boston University Arts & Sciences @bucas.bsky.social · 22d

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

Is AI Slowing Climate Progress? It’s Complicated

Boston University Arts & Sciences @bucas.bsky.social · 23d

“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...

Two BU experts studying grid solutions and sustainable energy transitions say that tech companies racing to build more AI could make data centers more energy efficient

“Declared Intention”: My Immigration Story, and Ours

Boston University Arts & Sciences @bucas.bsky.social · 23d

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...

Like many Americans, I may only be one generation away from birthright citizenship—a concept that defined this country’s promise for so many immigrants.

www.thenation.com

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Boston University Arts & Sciences @bucas.bsky.social · 29d

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...

Union Pacific Is in Talks to Merge With Norfolk Southern

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Boston University Arts & Sciences

buhaririinstitute.bsky.social @buhaririinstitute.bsky.social · Sep 8

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

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Reposted by Boston University Arts & Sciences

Boston University Institute for Global Sustainability @bu-igs.bsky.social · Sep 8

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/...

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Boston University Arts & Sciences @bucas.bsky.social · Sep 8

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/...

Using easily reproducible twig experiments to quantify curvilinear temperature responses of flowering and leafing times

Premise Phenology—the timing of developmental events—is one of the most effective ways to study the impacts of climate change on plants and ecosystems. However, it remains unknown whether phenology ...

bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com