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The seasons have taken a turn into cooler territory – but the research in the headlines has kept the scholarly thermometer red hot.

It is time to put the pumpkin spice aside and feast your eyes on a new research publication that could make the desert a more sustainable place to live. And to whet your appetite, a new collaboration intends to implement high-tech solutions for gambling safety. 

Treat yourself to stories about the inner workings of bathrooms on airplanes, the environmental benefits of wooden skyscrapers, “tourist taxes” in the world’s entertainment capital, and where the Valley stands in the national housing crisis – along with the politics riding in the way.

All that and more await you in October’s chapter of UNLV Newsmakers.

Politics

• sat in on an Honors College course that’s giving students a behind-the-scenes look at the politics of presidential elections.
• Political science expert David Damore discussed Nevada’s importance as a swing state with . He also gave his thoughts on how the election could play out in Clark County via , and talked to the about TikTok influencers ushering in a new era of political campaigning. 
• Economist Nicholas Irwin’s thoughts on the role the housing crisis plays in the presidential election were highlighted in , Politico’s , and . 
• The included the expertise of political scientist John Tuman regarding the political leanings of Latinos in the Valley.
• Immigration expert Michael Kagan helped provide insight in stories by the and about possible deportations.
• Public policy professor Ashlee Frandell spoke to about AI’s role in elections.
• Election wagering is on the rise. Gaming expert Becky Harris spoke to and gaming historian David G. Schwartz talked to .
• () evaluated the most important issues for the swing state of Nevada with political scientists Rebecca Gill and Ken Miller.
• asked political scientist Ken Miller how presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ strategy of reaching key voters has been working. also consulted Dan Lee regarding the importance of Nevada labor groups in securing votes for Harris.
• The went over possible ways Democrats could work against Texas abortion rulings with political scientist Rebecca Gill. additionally spoke to sociologist Robert Futrell about levels of extremism found in modern conservatism.

Health & Science

• ’ piece on the healthiest grains we should be eating featured the expertise of clinical nutritionist Neda Akhavan. She also helped explore the benefits of wearable hydration monitors.
• There are growing public health concerns about gambling. Manoj Sharma, a professor of social and behavioral health, talked to and about a report he co-authored on the topic. also called upon the expertise of gaming expert Alan Feldman.
• Several outlets tapped UNLV experts for insight on the benefits of working out, even if it’s just on the weekends. weighed in with the help of kinesiologist Sara K. Rosenkranz, and talked to sports psychologist Brad Donohue.
• talked with psychologist Nicole Short about the accuracy of sleep aids and trackers. 
• Mechanical engineer H. Jeremy Cho’s research publication on frog skin-inspired water harvesting tech, which can generate drinkable water in arid environments, was featured in , , , and .
• Brookings Mountain West and several UNLV health care and criminal justice faculty partnered with the Washington, D.C.-based Brookings Institution on a podcast series exploring the impact of the fentanyl crisis in Southern Nevada. In the first episode, , Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine professors Anne Weisman and Sara Hunt explained how opioid abuse affects the already overburdened health care system. The second episode, , features adolescent psychiatrist Lisa Durette and criminal justice professor M. Alexis Kennedy discussing the opioid epidemic’s impact on youths.
• Architectural psychologist Dak Kopec examined the pros and cons of various walk-in tubs for accessible living with . He also chatted with about renovations to consider retirement that’ll allow homeowners to age in place. 
• Registered dietitian nutritionist Samantha Coogan’s advice on the best things to eat were featured in .
• Astrophysicist Jason Steffen described the Earth’s temporary new “mini moon” in the .
• spoke with infectious disease expert Brian Labus about what has changed about testing positive for COVID-19 in 2024. again interviewed Labus regarding Babesiosis, or a bite from an infected deer tick.Labus also discussed the rising cases of whooping cough and what’s responsible in .
• Physician Laura Shaw talked about the types of cancers commonly seen in the fallout from nuclear weapons tests in the Southwest from 1945-1962 in .
• Kinesiologist John Mercer spoke of the importance of calisthenics in , while athletic training program director Tedd Girouard also talked to about avoiding rhabdo during workouts.
• Psychologist Brenna Renn talked to about the emotional toll of navigating post-caregiver syndrome.

Culture

• Economics professor Andrew Woods and historian Michael Green, along with gaming experts Becky Harris and Alan Feldman, were featured in a story about sports’ instrumental role in Las Vegas’ growth.
• Hospitality professor Marta Soligo addressed “tourist taxes” and their level of success in . 
• Several UNLV experts weighed in on the Tropicana Hotel implosion. Marta Soligo and Michael Green also shared memories with listeners ahead of the Tropicana implosion. Sarah Quigley, the director of special collections and archives, made an appearance in an  story about safeguarding hotel artifacts. And an story about Las Vegas moving away from being a “value-based destination” featured the expertise of economist Nicholas Irwin and hospitality professor Amanda Belarmino.
• revisited comments from astrophysicist Jason Steffen regarding boarding policies for major airlines, and his famous “Steffen Method” for boarding a plane was highlighted on .
• discussed the origins of the seat belt with traffic safety expert Erin Breen.
• Social media expert Benjamin Morse commented on online health disinformation in places such as TikTok with .
• Financial literacy expert Daniel Chi was among professionals in law, tech, finance, and marketing who appeared in to discuss what you should wear to a corporate job interview.
• Environmental architect Steffen Lehmann talked to and about sustainable building ideas, such as wooden skyscrapers.

University News

• The , , , and were among outlets that reported on Intermountain Health’s plan to build the Las Vegas Valley’s first dedicated children’s hospital at UNLV’s Harry Reid Technology Park.
• UNLV partnered with Boxabl on the unveiling of a $60,000 studio home on campus to serve as a test site for future student housing solutions, reported.
• Longtime UNLV philanthropist Joyce Mack, whose family funded construction of the Thomas & Mack arena of 1980s Runnin’ Rebels fame, died at age 99: , , ,  
• UNLV’s International Gaming Institute and Playtech, a global leader in gambling technology, have entered a multi-year partnership to develop safer gambling practices via artificial Intelligence and machine learning. One example would potentially see AI-trained chatbots designed to encourage safer gambling among sports bettors. IGI gaming experts Kasra Ghaharian and Brett Abarbanel are leading the charge on the collaboration: , , , , ,

Experts Roundup

• Legal expert Nancy Rapoport spoke to , and about a Houston bankruptcy scandal.
• interviewed couple and family therapist Brandon Eddy for a piece on dads navigating miscarriages.
• Aviation expert Dan Bubb commented on the continuing Boeing strife in the and . Additionally, Bubb was featured in as he explained what happens when you flush the toilet on an airplane. And his comments about family discounts and perks for plane tickets were revisited in .
• Social work and criminal justice experts Nicholas Barr and Joel D. Lieberman talked about the UNLV Tourist Safety Institute’s mental wellness initiative with the Nevada Highway Patrol with and .
• Mathematics and Gaming statistician Ashok Singh tells us how to increase our odds of winning lotteries with the .
• sought hydrogeologist David Kreamer’s insights on ways to improve mining regulations.
• interviewed business professor Marla Royne Stafford for a piece about California tribes and card rooms.