Feb. 17 -Making Fitbits more useful; faculty explain critical race theory
Section 1
Anteater Time Machine: Students strumming in the park, sometime between April 1981 and June 1984, according to UCI photo archives. Far out, man.
UCI ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS
Making Fitbit data more useful for research
Although Fitbit and other wearable tracking devices are increasingly used in medical research studies, there’s a pitfall: Different brands use different sensors and algorithms. To help remedy the inconsistency, a UCI-led team has developed a framework for standardizing data collection and reporting.
Critical race theory, explained
In a video series, five UCI professors explain what critical race theory entails, why it’s important and how it became controversial.
UC NEWS AND GENERAL NEWS
CDC may loosen mask guidance next week
"We want to give people a break from things like mask wearing when these metrics are better, and then have the ability to reach for them again should things worsen," CDC chief Rochelle Walensky told reporters on Wednesday. Meanwhile, at a press conference this afternoon, California officials plan to unveil a new “endemic phase” approach to living with the virus.
73% of Americans immune to omicron. Is it enough?
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University estimate that about 3 of 4 Americans will have been infected by omicron by the end of the surge. This will prevent or shorten new illnesses and reduce the amount of virus circulating overall, likely tamping down new waves, health experts said.
O.C. cases and hospitalizations continue to decline
Of those hospitalized, 84% were unvaccinated, the Orange County Health Care Agency reported. Overall, case rates and other trends look encouraging, officials said. Among residents age 65 and up, 93% are fully vaccinated.
EVENTS
Binding Blacks: Du Bois and Camus on Engaging the World
Monday, 4 p.m. (co-sponsored by UCI Program in Religious Studies)
Visit today.uci.edu to see and submit event listings. Events of general interest will be shared in UCI Digest two days before they occur.
UCI IN THE NEWS
Note: Some news sites require subscriptions to read articles. The UCI Libraries offer free subscriptions to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Orange County Register and The Washington Post for students, faculty and staff.
UCI poised to advance depression research following $55-million gift to establish center
Daily Pilot, Feb. 16
Cited: Michael Yassa, professor of neurobiology and behavior
COVID Won’t End Up Like the Flu. It Will Be Like Smoking.
The Atlantic, Feb. 17
Cited: Andrew Noymer, associate professor of public health
‘Loading the dice’: climate crisis could increase southern California wildfires
The Guardian, Feb. 17
Cited: Aurora Gutierrez, a project specialist in the Department of Earth System Science
#UCICONNECTED
Jon Gould, UCI’s new School of Social Ecology dean, tweeted recently: “If I can get up on a few waves, you, too, can try something you thought impossible.”
#UCIconnected spotlights student, alumni, faculty and staff photos, essays, shoutouts, hobbies, artwork, unusual office decorations, activities and more. Send submissions via email or post on social media with the #UCIconnected hashtag.