Dose of Discovery

Episode 9: Spousal Caregiving and Dementia

Dr. Florence Johnson examined how spousal caregiving for people with dementia affects mental health. In a study of over 2,000 caregivers, she found that increased caregiving hours were linked to more depressive symptoms. Among African American caregivers, symptoms actually decreased.Published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, October 2025.

Episode 8: How Natural Environments Affect Brain Health in Older Mexican Americans

Dr. Hala Darwish studied how exposure to natural environments like tree cover and green spaces affects brain health in older Mexican Americans. Her findings reveal a strong connection between greenery and better cognitive performance, especially in women, with implications for equity and urban planning.In press with the Journal of Aging and Health.

Episode 7: Fatigue Among Hotel Workers

Dr. Marie-Anne Rosemberg, associate professor at the U-M School of Nursing, surveyed more than 500 hotel workers in Michigan to examine the toll of nonstandard work schedules. Her team found that long hours, night shifts, and unpaid overtime were linked to poor sleep, anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms.Published in the Western Journal of Nursing Research, October 2025.

Episode 6: Dementia Care and Natural Disasters

What happens to dementia care when a hurricane hits? Dr. Sue Anne Bell, associate professor at the U-M School of Nursing, explores how natural disasters impact the use of psychotropic medications in older adults with dementia. Her team studied Medicare data from over 70,000 people affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Florence. Published in Innovation in Aging.

Episode 5: How Refugee Couples Navigate Maternal Health Together

Dr. HaEun Lee, assistant professor at U-M School of Nursing, explores the role of refugee men in maternal and child health. Her team’s study in Uganda’s Nakivale Refugee Settlement revealed that shared decision-making between couples leads to better outcomes for mothers and babies. But men face major barriers to participating in care. Published in the Journal of Pregnancy, October 2025.

Episode 3: Genes, Nerves, and Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy can save lives, but for some patients, it causes lasting nerve pain known as chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Dr. Robert Knoerl explored how a specific gene (CEP72) may increase this risk for young adults.Published in Oncology Nursing Forum, September 2025Credit: https://myumi.ch/e39jjRead the full article: https://myumi.ch/JP56x

Episode 4: Video Ethnography Plus Stimulated Recall

What really goes through an ER doctor’s mind when every second counts? Dr. Milisa Manojlovich and her team used head-mounted cameras to study real-time diagnoses in emergency departments. The findings reveal that clinical decisions rely heavily on team dynamics, tools, and environment.Published in Academic Emergency Medicine, September 2025.

Episode 1: Geographic Patterns of Parental Overdose, Suicide and Homicide

Parental death is always traumatic, but deaths from overdose, suicide, or homicide carry unique risks for children. Dr. Sean Esteban McCabe, director of the Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking and Health, examined statewide data in Michigan and found these losses are sharply rising.Published in JAMA Network Open, August 2025.

Episode 2: How Early Lead Exposure Affects the Brain

Lead exposure is still a serious concern for kids worldwide. In this episode, Dr. Olivia Halabicky shares findings from a study of early adolescents in China. Her team used EEG scans to measure brainwave responses and found that higher lead levels were linked to slower brain responses, especially in boys.Published in Neurotoxicology, July 2025.