InnovateLI Publishes Consumer Behavior Expert's Commentary

May 19, 2022

A guest column by consumer behavior expert Colleen Kirk, D.P.S., associate professor of management and marketing studies, was featured in the local tech and business outlet InnovateLI. Kirk explains the phenomenon known as psychological ownership: when shoppers feel ownership of “that perfect something” before buying it, and explains how homebuyers in today’s competitive real estate market can limit these territorial feelings.

“This phenomenon is very applicable to today’s real estate purchases: a buyer attends an open house, touches the countertops, opens the closets, and begins to imagine living there,” she writes. “However, if consumers feel ownership of a home that they do not yet legally own, they can experience a great sense of loss when they are outbid or unable to acquire it for other reasons. That’s because when we own something–even psychologically–it becomes part of our ‘extended self,’ and having it taken away feels threatening. The good news is that homebuyers can limit this self-threat and manage expectations.”

 

News Outlets Highlight Parrot Locomotion Research

May 18, 2022

As seen in the New York Times, BBC Wildlife, Forbes, Smithsonian Magazine, CBC Radio, Popular Science, and others, NYITCOM researchers are the first to document that parrots use their heads as a propulsive third limb. A study by medical student Melody Young and Michael Granatosky, Ph.D., assistant professor of anatomy, finds that parrots use their beak and legs when climbing, which makes them the only animal with three functional limbs. The researchers analyzed the forces produced in the head and hindlimbs of rosy-faced lovebirds, a small species of parrot, as the birds climbed a vertical runway. The lovebirds’ beaks generated as much propulsive force as their legs, with the researchers concluding that the head and beak had been co-opted to function biomechanically as a third limb.

 

Exercise Science Expert Featured in Bustle

May 12, 2022

Insight from Alex Rothstein, M.S., coordinator and instructor for the Exercise Science, B.S. program, is featured in a Bustle article that contends tracking one’s heart rate during exercise is more important than tracking steps. While counting steps is helpful to avoid being sedentary, Rothstein cautions readers not to fall into the trap of treating step counts as true cardio “exercise.” The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that adults perform cardio exercise five days a week for 30 minutes at a moderate intensity, for a total of 150 minutes a week. However, Rothstein notes that this can also be substituted with 20 minutes of vigorous exercise, such as interval training, three days a week.

“Performing intervals that bring you in and out of these heart rate zones is an effective way to complete a workout and achieve the recommended amount of time at moderate and/or vigorous levels,” says Rothstein.

 

Hometown News Outlets Recognize Students for SOURCE Participation

May 11, 2022

As seen in Hamlet Hub, NJ.com, and Central Jersey.com, New York Tech students were recognized in their hometown news outlets for showcasing their research and scholarly work at the annual Symposium of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). SOURCE is a forum for undergraduate and graduate students to present research projects and creative work in the arts, humanities, engineering, architecture, science, and medicine to the New York Tech community. 

 

Balentine Op-ed Published in InnovateLI

May 10, 2022

InnovateLI published an op-ed by Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Jerry Balentine, D.O., which contends that expanded telehealth services could become a great social equalizer – but only if government and industry unite now. “Indeed, digital platforms have the potential to put an end to healthcare deserts and provide equal access to quality medical services – that is, if healthcare networks and government officials forge the right partnerships and support the telehealth revolution,” he writes. 

 

Nizich Quoted in Quantum Computing Story

May 09, 2022

Michael Nizich, Ph.D., director of the Entrepreneurship and Technology Innovation Center (ETIC) and adjunct associate professor of computer science, is quoted in a Lifewire article about quantum computing innovation. The story discusses groundbreaking research taking place at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory, where researchers aim to develop a new type of quantum computer that would be constructed by spraying electrons from a light bulb’s filament. Nizich notes that the development of this technology could lay the groundwork for quantum processors to one day be used in phones, laptops, cars, and even household appliances.

“This is why Argonne's discoveries are so important, as they may hold the key to this technology becoming more accessible to a larger variety of researchers, [thereby] leading to more discoveries. It may also mean that the manufacturing of quantum processors at a large scale may be possible in the future,” he says.

 

Broadcast Media Promote New York Tech Alumna’s New WH Role

May 06, 2022

New York Tech alumna Karine Jean-Pierre (B.S. ‘97) has been named the new White House press secretary, effective May 13.  President Hank Foley was interviewed by reporters from WCBS-TV and FOX5 (WNYW-TV), positioning New York Tech as one of many local institutions contributing to Karine’s success. President Foley reinforced the university’s pride in Karine’s accomplishments and cited her as a role model for our students. 

 

Rock Steady Boxing Featured on News 12

Apr 29, 2022

News 12 featured New York Tech’s Rock Steady Boxing program in a segment aimed at raising awareness for Parkinson’s disease. The coverage included a success story about one of the program’s boxers, whose symptoms have improved as a result of the vigorous exercise classes, as well as an interview with Charles Siguenza, parkinson’s coordinator for the Adele Smithers Parkinson’s Disease Treatment Center, who discussed the non-genetic factors that can cause the disease.

 

Molnar Quoted in New York Times Evolution Story

Apr 29, 2022

The New York Times interviewed Julia Molnar, Ph.D., assistant professor of anatomy, regarding an internet meme that blames an ancient fish for all of humanity’s modern woes. The meme, which has circulated amidst the threat of nuclear war, climate change, and new strains of COVID-19, suggests that society’s issues would have never existed if human ancestors had not left the water and began living on land. The humorous image claims that the “culprit” is Tiktaalik, a 375-million-year-old fish with four limbs, suggesting that the fish is an early ancestor of humans. Molnar, who studies the evolution of vertebrate (four-limbed animal) locomotion, notes that while humans probably cannot trace our family tree directly back to Tiktaalik, “an animal very much like Tiktaalik was a direct ancestor of humans.”

 

Cohn Provides Advice on Managing Mother’s Day Gift Budget

Apr 27, 2022

According to the National Retail Federation, Americans are expected to spend about $31.7 billion on Mother’s Day gifts this year. To find out about specific plans, DebtHammer surveyed more than 700 Americans about how they plan to pay for their gifts, and also contacted various experts in higher education about tips to manage spending and avoid debt.  

“If you have an open relationship with your parents then you can discuss your budget with them and let your parents know that you love them, but that you have bills to pay. They will remember being in a similar position when they were your age. If you do not have a good relationship with them, then fix in your mind what you can spend and stick to it. Many websites let you search for gifts by price points. Use that feature to only look at gifts that are within your price range,” said Deborah Y. Cohn, Ph.D., interim dean, School of Management.