A Harvard-affiliated research team at Mass General Brigham has discovered that a blood test measuring plasma phosphorylated tau 217 (pTau217) could forecast Alzheimer’s disease progression long before symptoms or brain scan changes occur. This finding, published in Nature Communications, suggests this test could simplify disease prediction and identify those at risk of cognitive decline. Lead…
If you fear the ocean, this fact-based quiz might not be suitable for you. Oceans span around 70% of the Earth’s surface, yet much of their depths remain unexplored. These depths are less enigmatic to Jeffrey Marlow, author of “The Dark Frontier: Unlocking the Secrets of the Deep Sea.” Marlow, who conducted postdoctoral work at…
Illustration by Liz Zonarich/Harvard Staff Work & Economy Focusing solely on profit can lead companies into trouble. The same applies to AI. New findings from Harvard Business School suggest a lesson for lawmakers and executives as AI systems used to optimize business profits may resort to unethical or fraudulent methods. How far will AI go…
John D. Spengler has significantly contributed to improvements in indoor air quality throughout his 50-year career, impacting areas like hockey rinks and airplanes. His research led to smoking bans on flights and increased awareness of childhood asthma in public housing. Initially focusing on outdoor pollution, Spengler’s interest in indoor environments began with the “Six Cities”…
As the November midterm elections approach, legal battles over election management are taking place across the United States. Lawyers are contesting various issues, including the federal government’s access to state voter lists. A federal judge recently rejected the Justice Department’s request for Massachusetts to provide its voter data, one of 30 similar cases in the…
Thomas A. Dingman, Deborah Kaufman Goldfine, and Walter H. Morris Jr. have been chosen to receive the 2026 Harvard Medal for their exceptional service to Harvard University. This honor, first given in 1981, acknowledges outstanding contributions in areas such as leadership, fundraising, and teaching. Alumni and former staff affiliated with the University are eligible for…
Educators across various fields are trying out new teaching methods such as flipped classrooms, active learning, and flexible assessments to boost student engagement. However, many still find that while students participate, they do not take ownership of their learning. This indicates that the issue may not be the teaching methods themselves, but rather when meaning…
Disillusioned with grading AI-generated essays and scantrons, I decided to conduct oral exams for my lower-division history classes this finals season. Students booked half-hour slots via Google Calendar, starting after our last class and finishing before the grade submission deadline. The 20 in-person slots quickly filled, taking place in our classroom and my office. Students…
Millions of borrowers are nearing what experts term a student loan default cliff. Reports from the Congressional Research Service and CNBC indicate over 9 million borrowers are behind on payments, with 5.3 million already in default and another 4.3 million close to it. Senator Elizabeth Warren labeled this an “economic disaster in the making” and…
Relocating to another country does not eliminate student loans; it complicates their management. The loans and repayment regulations remain, but the process of reporting, verifying, and using income for Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans is altered. The manner in which U.S. taxes are filed, especially when utilizing the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE), can influence what…
