Latest news with #UniversityofRhodeIsland
Hans India
7 days ago
- Science
- Hans India
Where is the center of the universe? The surprising physics behind an expanding cosmos
For centuries, the question 'Where is the center of the universe?' has mystified both scientists and laypeople alike. Thanks to breakthroughs in physics, particularly Einstein's general theory of relativity, we now understand that the universe has no center—at least, not in the way we intuitively think about it. Initially, Einstein's theory, published in 1915, described a static universe—unchanging and eternal. But as astronomers peered deeper into space using powerful telescopes, they discovered something remarkable: the universe is expanding. This realization didn't contradict Einstein's equations—it expanded their interpretation. The cosmos isn't fixed; it's dynamic, constantly evolving. This expansion isn't like an explosion from a single point. Instead, galaxies aren't moving through space away from a center—they're being carried apart as space itself stretches. Picture dots on the surface of a balloon: as the balloon inflates, the dots grow farther apart, not because they're moving, but because the surface between them is growing. But unlike a balloon, the universe isn't expanding into anything, nor does it have an 'inside.' The balloon's surface represents our entire universe, and like it, there is no central point. This expansion occurs in all directions, simultaneously. That means any point in the universe can appear to be the "center" from a local perspective—because every observer sees galaxies receding away. Complicating matters further is that our universe is four-dimensional, made of space-time—an interwoven fabric of space and time. While we can visualize three dimensions easily, grasping four-dimensional space-time stretches our imagination. Yet, this framework is crucial to understanding why there is no fixed center and why everything appears to be moving apart. In short, the universe doesn't have a center—not because it's hiding it, but because the concept of a center simply doesn't apply. Instead, every galaxy is part of an ever-stretching cosmic fabric. And while we still don't fully understand what powers this expansion—dark energy being a leading suspect—it's clear that our universe is far stranger, and more beautiful, than everyday intuition might suggest. 📚 Adapted from an original article by Rob Coyne, Teaching Professor of Physics at the University of Rhode Island. Republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
This recent URI grad had a late-night snack. An allergic reaction killed him.
After their son, a recent University of Rhode Island graduate, died just days after his graduation from anaphylactic shock, a Massachusetts family is raising awareness about food allergies. Timothy Howard, who grew up in Southborough, Massachusetts, died May 24 from a severe allergic reaction to a late-night snack − a chocolate bar − that was contaminated with peanuts, his mother, Patty Howard, told USA TODAY. His whole body went into shock. He went into his parents' bedroom, and they administered three EpiPens, a life-saving drug used by people at risk of anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions, but the reaction was "very fast," and the EpiPen "didn't work." The chocolate bar Timmy ate said "may contain" peanuts on the label, according to his parents. His mother says if a food label says it "may contain" your allergen, don't take the risk. Now, his family is sharing their story to prevent similar tragedies. His sister, Julia, says manufacturers need to make food labels clearer instead of relying on "may contain" warnings. His dad, Tim, says that individuals also need to carefully read those labels. Timmy Howard's Phi Kappa Psi fraternity brothers are raising money for the Food Allergy Research & Education, a nonprofit advocacy organization that spreads awareness and funds research for food allergies. They've raised nearly $28,000 as of June 12. The donations will go toward advancing anaphylaxis research and treatment options; supporting education programs in schools and communities; promoting life-saving awareness and emergency preparedness and advocating for stronger food allergy policies and labeling laws. "We don't want people to go through what we're going through after burying our child. This is hell," his mother says. Howard's story is frightening and not entirely uncommon. Food allergies impact more than 33 million people in the U.S. You can never assume a food or object is free of your allergen, experts say, as it can lurk in the most unexpected places. Fish and shellfish, for example, are sometimes dipped in milk to reduce their fishy odor, putting those with dairy allergies at risk. Cross-contamination – when an allergen is accidentally transferred from one food to another – can also expose you to an allergen. Federal laws require that the nine most common allergens – milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish and sesame – must be labeled on packaged foods sold in the U.S. However, there are no laws requiring manufacturers to say whether a product may have come into contact with a specific allergen, allowing potential cross-contamination to fly under the radar. Teenagers and young adults with food allergies are at the highest risk of fatal food-induced anaphylaxis. "This age group is a high-risk group," Timmy's mother says. "They are independent. They don't want to trouble people at a party to say, 'Hey, what's in this brownie?'" Contributing: Katie Camero and Providence Journal Staff reports. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Recent URI graduate dead after anaphylactic shock from food allergy
USA Today
11-06-2025
- Health
- USA Today
He had a late-night snack after graduating from college. An allergic reaction killed him.
Hear this story After graduating from the University of Rhode Island, Timothy Howard had his whole life ahead of him. But that bright future was tragically cut short when he died just days later from a severe allergic reaction to a late-night snack — a chocolate bar — that was contaminated with peanuts, his mother, Patty Howard, told USA TODAY. Timmy's whole body went into shock. He went into his parents' bedroom, and they administered three EpiPens, a life-saving drug used by people at risk of anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions, but the reaction was "very fast," and the EpiPen "didn't work." Now, his family is sharing their story to prevent other families from losing a loved one to food allergies. His sister, Julia, says manufacturers need to make food labels clearer instead of relying on "may contain" warnings. His dad, Tim, says that individuals also need to carefully read those labels. Timmy's college fraternity brothers are raising money for the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), a nonprofit advocacy organization that spreads awareness and funds research for food allergies. They've raised nearly $28,000 as of June 10, according to his mother. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. "We don't want people to go through what we're going through after burying our child. This is hell," his mother says. How to check food labels for allergies Howard's story is frightening and not entirely uncommon. Food allergies impact more than 33 million people in the U.S. You can never assume a food or object is free of your allergen, experts say, as it can lurk in the most unexpected places. Fish and shellfish, for example, are sometimes dipped in milk to reduce their fishy odor, putting those with dairy allergies at risk. Cross-contamination – when an allergen is accidentally transferred from one food to another – can also expose you to an allergen. Federal laws require that the nine most common allergens – milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish and sesame – must be labeled on packaged foods sold in the U.S. However, there are no laws requiring manufacturers to say whether a product may have come into contact with a specific allergen, allowing potential cross-contamination to fly under the radar. The chocolate bar Timmy ate said "may contain" peanuts on the label, according to his parents. His mother wants other parents to tell their kids – regardless of their age – to "be aware of what they're eating." "If it does say 'may contain,' don't eat it," she added. What health & wellness means for you: Sign up for USA TODAY's Keeping It Together newsletter. How to treat anaphylactic reactions Anaphylactic reactions most commonly occur in response to foods, insect stings, medications and latex, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. In addition to EpiPens, the FDA approved a new nasal spray in August 2024 as the first needle-free emergency treatment for potentially fatal allergic reactions. Neffy FDA approval: First nasal spray for allergic reactions gets green light The spray, which is made by ARS Pharmaceuticals and sold under the brand name Neffy, is seen as an alternative to EpiPen and other autoinjectors that are filled with epinephrine, a life-saving drug used by people at risk of anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions. However, these treatments don't always work. Epinephrine begins to work immediately after it is administered, but its full effect may take 5-10 minutes. And, the drug can begin to wear off within 20-30 minutes — sometimes before the allergic reaction has subsided. Timing is also crucial. For an epinephrine injection to work, it should be given at the first sign of an allergic reaction. "Let's come together in remembrance of Timmy and help build a safer future for all," Timmy's friends wrote on the fundraising page. Contributing: Katie Camero.
USA Today
11-06-2025
- Health
- USA Today
He had a late-night snack after graduating college. An allergic reaction killed him.
He had a late-night snack after graduating college. An allergic reaction killed him. Timmy Howard passed away just days after graduating from the University of Rhode Island. His parents want to save others' lives by bringing awareness to food allergies. After graduating from the University of Rhode Island, Timothy Howard had his whole life ahead of him. But that bright future was tragically cut short when he died just days later from a severe allergic reaction to a late-night snack — a chocolate bar — that was contaminated with peanuts, his mother, Patty Howard, told USA TODAY. Timmy's whole body went into shock. He went into his parents' bedroom, and they administered three EpiPens, a life-saving drug used by people at risk of anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions, but the reaction was "very fast," and the EpiPen "didn't work." Now, his family is sharing their story to prevent other families from losing a loved one to food allergies. His sister, Julia, says manufacturers need to make food labels clearer instead of relying on "may contain" warnings. His dad, Tim, says that individuals also need to carefully read those labels. Timmy's college fraternity brothers are raising money for the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), a nonprofit advocacy organization that spreads awareness and funds research for food allergies. They've raised nearly $28,000 as of June 10, according to his mother. "We don't want people to go through what we're going through after burying our child. This is hell," his mother says. How to check food labels for allergies Howard's story is frightening and not entirely uncommon. Food allergies impact more than 33 million people in the U.S. It's a 'growing, silent public health crisis,' said FARE CEO Sung Poblete. You can never assume a food or object is free of your allergen, experts say, as it can lurk in the most unexpected places. Fish and shellfish, for example, are sometimes dipped in milk to reduce their fishy odor, putting those with dairy allergies at risk. Cross-contamination – when an allergen is accidentally transferred from one food to another – can also expose you to an allergen. Federal laws require that the nine most common allergens – milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish and sesame – must be labeled on packaged foods sold in the U.S. However, there are no laws requiring manufacturers to say whether a product may have come into contact with a specific allergen, allowing potential cross-contamination to fly under the radar. The chocolate bar Timmy ate said "may contain" peanuts on the label, according to his parents. His mother wants other parents to tell their kids – regardless of their age – to "be aware of what they're eating." "If it does say 'may contain,' don't eat it," she added. How to treat anaphylactic reactions Anaphylactic reactions most commonly occur in response to foods, insect stings, medications and latex, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. In addition to EpiPens, the FDA approved a new nasal spray in August 2024 as the first needle-free emergency treatment for potentially fatal allergic reactions. Neffy FDA approval: First nasal spray for allergic reactions gets green light The spray, which is made by ARS Pharmaceuticals and sold under the brand name Neffy, is seen as an alternative to EpiPen and other autoinjectors that are filled with epinephrine, a life-saving drug used by people at risk of anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions. However, these treatments don't always work. Epinephrine begins to work immediately after it is administered, but its full effect may take 5-10 minutes. And, the drug can begin to wear off within 20-30 minutes — sometimes before the allergic reaction has subsided. Timing is also crucial. For an epinephrine injection to work, it should be given at the first sign of an allergic reaction. "Let's come together in remembrance of Timmy and help build a safer future for all," Timmy's friends wrote on the fundraising page. Contributing: Katie Camero.
New York Post
07-06-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Rhode Island college graduate, 22, dies from allergic reaction days after receiving diploma
A 22-year-old 'kind-hearted' Rhode Island college graduate died after consuming a snack contaminated with a common allergen — just days after he received his diploma. Timothy Howard, a communication studies student from the University of Rhode Island, died on May 24 after having a severe allergic reaction to peanuts, his mother, Patty Howard, shared in an emotional Facebook post. 'It is with heavy hearts we share the loss of our son Timmy to a severe anaphylactic reaction to peanuts,' she wrote. 'We just celebrated his college graduation and he had his whole life ahead of him. Our hearts are broken and we now have joined a club no one wants to be apart (sic) of.' Advertisement 4 Timothy Howard died on May 24 after having a severe allergic reaction to peanuts. Family Handout via WJAR 10 The heartbroken mother added that she's taking the aftermath of the shocking incident 'one day at a time.' 'It is not goodbye forever it is until we meet again!' she added. 'We will always love our Timmy.' Advertisement Howard earned his degree from the University of Rhode Island on May 16. Howard's father, Tim, claimed the severe anaphylactic reaction happened when the post-grad ate a late-night snack that was contaminated with peanuts, according to WJAR. 'He came in and woke us up, and said that he couldn't breathe, and at that point, it unfolded very quickly over a matter of minutes,' his father told WJAR. 'And we administered multiple EpiPens. The reaction was too far gone.' His parents are unsure about how much of the contaminated snack he consumed. Advertisement 4 The college graduate had a severe anaphylactic reaction after he ate a late-night snack. WJAR 10 Howard's frat brothers at Phi Kappa Psi have started a fundraiser for FARE, the Food Allergy Research and Education organization, to 'Prevent other families from facing similar tragedies.' 'Timmy was just beginning what promised to be a remarkable journey in life,' the fundraiser page set up by his fraternity claimed. 'He was driven, kind, and deeply loved by family, friends, and everyone who had the joy of knowing him. He had so much ahead of him, and he approached life with a rare kind of kindness and light. He was the person you could always count on to listen—really listen.' 4 Howard was a communication studies student from the University of Rhode Island. University of Rhode Island Advertisement 4 Howard earned his degree from the University of Rhode Island on May 16. Family Handout via WJAR 10 The fundraiser surpassed its goal of $25,000. Howard, who grew up in Southborough, Mass., was remembered as a 'genuinely kind-hearted, humble, loving and empathetic soul' who had a 'passion for sports.' 'He had a love of life and especially loved hanging out with his close high school friends and cousins and his Phi Kappa Psi frat brothers at URI,' his obituary stated. 'Timmy deeply cherished growing up on a cul-de-sac with his 'Foley Crew' of buds who have remained his brothers throughout his life.' A memorial service happened on May 30 in Brewster, Mass. Howard is survived by his parents, sister, grandmother, and extended family.
