These experts from the UW–Madison faculty and staff have agreed to comment on breaking news, ongoing developments and trends in their areas of expertise. If you need help arranging interviews, email University Communications.
The cicadas are on their way
A historic double brood of cicadas is expected this year in numbers not seen since Thomas Jefferson was president. Experts from UW–Madison are available for interviews about cicada biology, hatching timeline and the poetry of cicada song.
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Patrick (PJ) Liesch on: Cicada biology
PJ Liesch is director of the UW–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab. Liesch can discuss the emergence of periodical cicadas, cicada biology, the timing and distribution of periodical cicadas in Wisconsin and the ecological impacts of these insects. Liesch is tracking the impact of early spring weather on cicada emergence. Liesch says, “A key factor for emergence of periodical cicadas is the temperature of the soil at a depth of 8 inches. The soil temperature must reach and exceed 64.5 F, so depending on weather, we could see emergence shifted a bit earlier.”
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William Brockliss on: Cicadas in the ancient world
William Brockliss is a classics professor in the College of Letters and Science. Brockless says the music of cicadas is embedded within the poetry of ancient Greece. In The Illiad, says Brockliss, Homer “likens the chatter of old men to the sound of cicadas.” Another early poet, Hersiod, compares a single cicada to a singer, and possibly the poet himself.
Brockliss says, “As a Greek friend of mine once put it, he knows he’s home when he hears the sound of the cicadas. While other plant and animal species contribute to the visual environment of Greece and the wider Mediterranean, cicadas are an ever-present constituent of the region’s auditory environment, at least in the summer. For this reason, ancient Greek poets were able to draw on the cicada in their creation of similes describing sounds.”
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Daniel Young on: Cicada emergence
Daniel Young is a professor of entomology and director of the UW–Madison Insect Research Collection. Young is an expert on insect classification and natural history and teaches a course called Introductory Entomology that covers brood XIII cicada emergence.
Experts on today’s news
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Keith Poulsen on: Avian flu in dairy cows and milk
The USDA has been tracking a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza in dairy herds across the country. Keith Poulsen, an expert in zoonotic disease and director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, can discuss the disease, how it is spreading and what Wisconsinites should look out for in their herds. While wild migratory birds are still believed to be the original source of the virus, there is some evidence that it may also be spreading between cattle herds and even from dairy herds to poultry flocks.
In addition, traces of the bird flu have been found in some milk and pasteurized dairy. David O'Connor, professor of pathology and medicine, and Thomas Friedrich, professor of pathobiological sciences, are availble to discuss the news.
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Shilagh Mirgain on: Mental health benefits of spring cleaning
Ever notice how good you feel after doing a bit of spring cleaning? Turns out decluttering your home can help declutter your mind.
"Cleaning and decluttering can actually decrease feelings of stress and boost overall well-being," says Shilagh Mirgain, a clinical psychologist with expertise in building skills to foster well-being. "One study found that 54% Americans are overwhelmed by clutter in their home. Research has found that cleaning is associated with physical and mental health benefits and can improve focus, productivity and ability to process information. How do you get started with spring cleaning? Start small, set a timer, enlist help and create a plan for what to do with items you no longer need."
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Connie Flanagan on: Student protests spread
Student protests about Gaza are intensifying across the country. Constance Flanagan, an expert on youth political engagement and civic participation, is available for interviews about the developing story.
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Mark Eppli on: Interest rates and home prices
Mark Eppli, director of the James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate, is available for interviews on the continued rise of home prices following the Fed's decision to leave current interest rates in place.
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Martin Ganco on: FTC announces rule banning noncompetes
The Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday voted to ban for-profit US employers from making employees sign agreements with noncompete clauses. Such a ban could affect tens of millions of workers. Noncompetes are a widespread practice imposing contractual conditions that prevent workers from taking a new job or starting a new business. An estimated 30 million workers—nearly one in five Americans—are subject to a noncompete.
"Consumers and workers clearly benefit from a labor market without NCAs," says Martin Ganco, a professor in the Department of Management and Human Resources at the Wisconsin School of Business.
Read more here.
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Noelle LoConte on: Cancer cases among younger people on the rise
The demographics of cancer patients are shifting from older individuals to middle-aged people, according to the American Cancer Society. While adults older than 50 experienced a drop in overall cancer incidence from 1995 to 2020, there was a notable increase in people younger than 50. Dr. Noelle LoConte, outreach program leader for the Carbone Cancer Center, can discuss.
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John Gross on: Trump trial and contempt of court law
John Gross, clinical associate professor, is available for interviews about how trial judge Juan Merchan can penalize breaches of New York's criminal contempt of court law during Donald Trump's hush-money trial. Gross says Justice Merchan has two options: fines or jail time.
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Richard Keller on: Heat risk and health
The Center for Disease Control and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminsitration have collaborated to create a new heat risk tool that will provide health guidance for those most vulnerable to heat. Richard Keller, an expert on climate change and its health consequences, can speak about the new tool and some of the hazards that heat poses to health.
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Howard Schweber on: New cases before SCOTUS
This week, SCOTUS is considering cases related to homelessness, abortion and presidential immunity. Howard Schweber, an expert on constitutional law and American politics is available for interviews on the upcoming cases and their potential impact.
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Andrew W. Stevens on: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children is updated
The Biden Administration has updated food prescriptions and secured funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children for 2024. Andrew Stevens, expert on agricultural and food policy, is available for interviews about the news. Stevens says, "New updates...are set to increase flexibility in program benefits despite reducing the total amount of milk that participants can receive through the program."
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Jon Pevehouse on: Iran targets Israel in drone, missile strike
Bring a what has been called a "shadow war" into the open, Iran targeted Israel over the weeked in an airstrike with hundreds of drones and missiles. Jon Pevehouse, professor of political science and public affairs and an expert on international relations, is availalbe for interviews on the historic attack.
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Kenneth Mayer on: Trump hush-money trial
Kenneth Mayer, an expert on the American presidency and a professor of political science, is available for interviews about former President Trump's hush-money trial underway in New York and what's at stake in the coming presidential election.