UMBC is a leading public research university known for innovative teaching, relevant research across disciplines, and a supportive community that empowers and inspires inquisitive minds. UMBC serves 14,000 undergraduate and graduate students, and combines the learning opportunities of a liberal arts college with the creative intensity of a leading research university. At the same time, UMBC is one of the country’s most inclusive education communities. UMBC also contributes to Maryland through strong government and industry partnerships that advance K–16 education, entrepreneurship, workforce training, and technology commercialization.
Donald Norris, University of Maryland, Baltimore County; Anupam Joshi, University of Maryland, Baltimore County; Laura Mateczun, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and Tim Finin, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Local governments don’t pay much attention to cybersecurity, leaving them vulnerable to hijacking as happened to Atlanta and Baltimore.
A new law and Maryland calls for an expanded law enforcement presence in Maryland schools. But lack of funding and inadequate training could potentially undermine the initiative.
Justin Webster, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Whether or not you’ve ever used the word flutter, you’ve encountered the phenomenon – in flags, airplanes, bridges and more. Mathematicians are still figuring out exactly why and how this happens.
New York soon may charge a fee to drive into central Manhattan as a way of reducing traffic and raising funds for public transit. An urban scholar says this step is overdue in the United States.
Amy Bhatt, University of Maryland, Baltimore County and Dillon Mahmoudi, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Amazon, like the entire tech sector, has suffered from a lack of diversity in its workforce. This trend is likely to continue when it opens a second headquarters in one of 20 cities.
A future that continues to have increasingly fast computing depends on quantum physics – but research is showing that there are limits to how fast quantum computers can go.
Christy Gaines, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
The death toll from HIV/AIDS continues to decline, but more than 36 million people are still living with HIV. A researcher explains why the work for a cure is painstaking.
Hua Lu, University of Maryland, Baltimore County and Linda Wiratan, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Precisely calibrated timekeepers are found in organisms from all domains of life. Biologists are studying how they influence plant/pathogen interactions – what they learn could lead to human medicines.
As the issue of an open and free internet again comes up for public debate, Congress could participate – and help regulators devise a workable set of policies.
Richard Forno, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
The modern world depends on critical systems, networks and data repositories that are not as secure as they should be. Breaches will continue until society as a whole makes some big changes.
Colleen Burge, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Oysters grow in seawater and filter their food from it, so how do you shield them from waterborne diseases? Scientists are working to develop strains that are resistant to a fast-spreading herpes virus.
Robots have the potential to help support a growing population that wants to age in their own homes. But those helpful machines won’t be the humanoid butlers of science fiction.
Thomas Cronin, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
We’re used to thinking of our eyes detecting light as the foundation of our visual system. But what’s going on in other cells throughout the body that can detect light, too?
Adam Bargteil, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
As the animated film ‘Bambi’ celebrates its 75th anniversary, a reminder that humans often try to express reality. But once they do, they go back to making art.