A close-up photograph of a window with the text “Brown School of Public Health” printed on the glass.

Perceived quality of life in R.I. not improving, survey finds

By Alice Xie | February 23

The 2025 R.I. Life Index revealed that Rhode Islanders’ perceptions of quality of life remain similar to last year but have worsened since the inaugural 2019 index.

A portrait of Mary Helen Washington. She has gray hair and is wearing a white knitted sweater and blue glasses.

University of Maryland professor uncovers contradictory nature of Paule Marshall’s work in Brown talk

By Elizabeth Rosenbaum | February 22

Mary Helen Washington discussed the process of combing through Marshall’s personal archival documents.

Illustration of black and white stripes in the shape of a cone in a human eye looking upwards.

‘Trick of the eye’: Brown professor draws comparisons between Optical art and computer-generated art

By Alice Xie | February 19

Lindsay Caplan, assistant professor of history of art and architecture, posits that both types of art raise issues about people’s manipulability.

Illustration of a large clear bottle labeled lead test in orange words with many wooden sticks with fluffy orange ends. One of the sticks juts out of the bottle with a boy in a yellow shirt with red trim, baggy dark pants, a red hat and red sandals sitting on the end, looking down.

Even low-level lead exposure in adolescence linked to depression symptoms, Brown researchers find

By Maxwell Silver | February 18

The study did not find a correlation between adolescent lead exposure and anxiety.

Up close portrait shot of Michael Satlow, who wears glasses and a blue suit, smiling against a blurred background.

Researchers from Brown, Israel use AI to trace webs of Jewish knowledge

By Elizabeth Rosenbaum | February 17

Through a joint grant, the team will use artificial intelligence to study around 130,000 Judaic texts.

A photo of Professor Benjamin Hein presenting a slideshow to an audience in a classroom.

How a series of transatlantic letters unlocked a new understanding of economic transformation in Germany

By Sasha Gordon | February 10

Benjamin Hein’s recent book explores how the German-American diaspora impacted German industrialization.

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HHS to end use of human fetal tissue in funded research

By Alice Xie | February 10

The HHS barred the permitted use of human fetal tissue from elective abortions in research funded by the NIH.

An illustration shows a blue CD8+ T cell with a red cape and shield fighting off virus-infected cells.

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80% of the population is estimated to carry this herpesvirus. Here’s how these nonclassical immune cells might fight it.

By Amrita Rajpal | February 9

A Brossay Lab study reveals how nonclassical CD8+ T cells can be activated by molecules that go undetected by classical CD8+ cells to fight cytomegalovirus.

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War erodes democracy, researchers say at Watson's Costs of War panel

By Elizabeth Rosenbaum | February 6

Three researchers discussed the social, political and economic implications of war.

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More than a moisturizer: Shea butter can remove toxic chemicals from water, Brown researchers find

By Nishita Malhan | February 6

Shea-derived surfactants can effectively and safely remove toxic chemicals from water.

Photo of the archeological site, with rocks surrounding the cleared-out space.

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Brown researchers document major medieval Islamic settlement in Menorca

By Connie Erdozain | February 4

The researchers’ study applies the cultural keystone place framework to the location.

Tamar Nisbett, Jonny Belt, Jack Xu ’27 and Jim Drain sit on chairs in front of a chalkboard.

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Artists, tech professionals deliberate AI impact on art at Emergent panel

By Jeremiah Farr | February 3

The panel was hosted by Emergent, a student-led tech innovation collective.

An illustration of a sad-looking boy in bed with a thermometer in his mouth and red measles bumps on his arms and cheeks.

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Brown experts discuss measles complications, prevention amid potential loss of measles eliminated status in the US

By Tiffany Phan | February 3

The Herald spoke to experts at Brown to better understand the threat of measles and loss of elimination status.

A photo of Stephen Robert '62 Campus Center with two people walking in front of the building. The ground is covered with snow.

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Classicist Harry Tanner links homophobia in ancient texts to moments of socioeconomic upheaval

By Ivy Huang | February 2

Classicist Harry Tanner linked homophobia in the ancient world to moments of upheaval.

A document titled “PROCLAMATION / TOUSSAINT LOUVERTURE” framed on a wall in the John Carter Brown Library.

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‘Think hemispherically’: New library exhibit offers a glimpse into life across the Americas in 1776

By Ella Piscatello | February 2

John Carter Brown Library’s new exhibit speaks to the mundane and transformative moments of 1776.

A student entering the Metcalf Research Building on Thayer Street.

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Federal rule change requires open access to research papers, elicits mixed responses from Brown researchers

By Angel Lopez | February 1

The change to make science more accessible to the public has broad support, but concerns persist.

Photo of the corner side of a building filled with a window reflecting light and a light post in front of it.

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Annenberg Institute, R.I. Foundation recommend R.I. public school funding be more comprehensive

By Elizabeth Rosenbaum | January 30

The commission recommended changes to improve the state’s education funding system.

Professor of Political Science Katherine Tate smiles during an interview with The Herald. She wears a brown sweater and bright red glasses frames, and she sits near a bookshelf and potted plant.

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Black representation in Congress crucial for advancing equality in policy, Brown professor says

By Addison Whiteside | January 30

Professor of Political Science Katherine Tate published new book on impact of Black representatives in Congress.

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How recovery works: Researchers explain science behind healing from traumatic events

By Amrita Rajpal | January 30

Researchers and faculty at Brown explain how communities can recover after traumatic events.

A portrait photo of Professor Andrew Scherer, a middle-aged man, outdoors.

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Brown professor rethinks violence in precolonial Mayan civilization in new book

By Atreya Mallanna | January 28

Anthropology and Archaeology Professor Andrew Scherer explores social and ritual contexts of precolonial Mayan violence.