Excitement and curiosity are building for a scientific phenomenon not seen in the United States since 2017.

On April 8, a total solar eclipse will briefly put parts of the U.S., Mexico and Canada in complete darkness. The path of the Great American Solar Eclipse's reach is about 150 miles wide, and Eastern Time Zone residents should expect the eclipse to begin around 3 p.m. and last almost 6 minutes.

Barrett Caldwell, professor of industrial engineering and aeronautics at Purdue University and director of the NASA Indiana Space Grant Consortium, said for a total eclipse, the entire disc of the sun is covered by the moon.

"This is one of the most impactful, amazing and visible celestial experiences that a human can have," Cardwell enthused.

Viewing sites are expected to draw large crowds, which means some businesses and schools may close for the day. Law enforcement is focusing on public safety and handling traffic gridlock at statewide watch locations. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway will open its doors for thousands of attendees to experience the eclipse.

Ophthalmologists are advising those who plan to observe the eclipse to protect their eyes. A 2024 report in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology showed serious eye damage, even blindness, can occur if eclipse-specific glasses are not worn.

Caldwell cautioned eye damage from a retinal burn from staring at the sun is immediate, although we may not feel the effects right away.

"If you're staring at the sun, you are actually putting lots of that sun's energy onto your retina, where the rods and cones are that allow you to see," Caldwell explained. "You can burn those rods and cones and cause damage. We don't have a way of repairing that damage medically."

The website Space.com reported one case in New York of a woman who viewed the 2017 eclipse for six seconds without the correct glasses. Doctors later diagnosed her with photochemical burns and solar retinopathy, a condition capable of causing blurriness or blindness, and has no cure.

Ohio is leading the way in new research that may help those affected by lymphedema.

Lymphedema is a chronic condition that causes painful swelling due to buildup of fluid in the lymphatic system, which is part of a person's immune system. For many patients, this condition can develop following cancer treatment.

Teresa Lau, a breast cancer survivor and lymphedema patient at The Ohio State University James Cancer Center, described how new monitoring technology has provided her peace of mind.

"This is great for somebody who lives an hour away from OSU," she said. "It lets you know if, like, my arms swell up and so, what can I do? What are the next steps?"

The study Teresa referred to, called Project Limb Rescue, uses wearable technology to monitor lymphedema in real time. Ohioans with this condition can participate by visiting OSU for a brief session where they wear sensors that measure fluid buildup. The program aims to help patients detect swelling sooner, potentially reducing complications.

Lymphedema affects about four in 10 breast cancer survivors.

Study coordinator Lynne Brophy, a breast oncology clinical nurse specialist at the Ohio State Comprehensive Cancer Center, noted the benefits of the program for patients across Ohio.

"Our research study is to help people developing lymphedema detect it at home," she said. "It means they're saving money by not having as many physician visits."

Brophy added that research leads to new discoveries and encourages people to join the trial.

"I hope people will be open to participating and helping either themselves, perhaps, or their neighbor," she said.

OSU researchers are recruiting participants between ages 18 and 90 who have undergone lymph node removal surgery.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will use a $1 million grant to create a research and education center for cybersecurity.

The Cyberspace Operations Research and Education Center will be used to train students for jobs in the industry.

Philip Huff, associate professor of cybersecurity at the university, said currently, 100 students are majoring in cybersecurity and the grant money will allow them to expand and reach more young people.

"We are proud to collaborate with our partners, including UA-Fayetteville, UA-Pine Bluff, many community colleges across the state to engage in minority and underrepresented students, recruiting them and further diversifying the cybersecurity talent pool," Huff explained.

The Little Rock campus also serves as the hub for the National Cyber Teaching Coalition, which trains high school teachers to teach cybersecurity and artificial intelligence classes for dual-enrollment courses.

The center will be housed in the engineering and information technology building and provide space for students and staff to work on projects with community leaders and law enforcement.

Ann Bain, provost of the university, said Arkansans will benefit from the training.

"This funding and support are not merely investments in our programs, they're investments in the security and prosperity of our state," Bain asserted. "With this backing, we are able to educate and prepare the cyber experts who will protect our state's infrastructure, businesses and communities for years to come."

School officials say Little Rock is also a hub for high-impact research in cybersecurity. Through support from multiple grants, their research has addressed critical needs such as protecting the infrastructure of the energy sector.

Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.


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In a time of heightened polarization, particularly as the nation waits for election results, many Ohioans find themselves grappling with differences extending beyond politics.

A course, titled The Biology of Hope and Belief at Ohio State University, examines the often contentious debate between science and faith. It seeks to address these complexities, providing a platform for students to explore the relationship between scientific understanding and personal belief systems.

Megan Meuti, associate professor of entomology at Ohio State University, said a key objective is to foster an understanding of what science can explain and what it cannot.

"There is a strong biological basis to hope and belief," Meuti asserted. "All faith perspectives and no faith perspectives are welcomed and valued in the class. But what they walk away from believing at the end of the semester is between them and their God, if they recognize one."

Meuti pointed out the approach may be especially important in a state where beliefs about science often clash with traditional views. She added the course encourages respectful dialogue and critical thinking, both of which are vital in navigating complex topics.

Part of the course features the Socratic teaching interview, where students engage others in discussions about evolution and related topics. Meuti noted the assignment promotes not only an understanding of scientific concepts, but also effective communication skills to help students navigate different perspectives.

"Many students have shared that was the starting point for a two- to three-hour conversation with the person that they were talking to," Meuti recounted.

The course curriculum, originally developed by Susan Fisher, was designed to address the concerns of students who may reject scientific concepts like evolution due to their religious backgrounds. Meuti stressed as they progress through the course, students develop critical skills for both their academic and personal lives.