Ian Thomsen - News @ Northeastern

Healthcare workers rarely discuss firearm safety with their patients, according to new research by Northeastern professor Matt Miller. AP Photo/Lynne Sladky

Here’s why doctors should talk to their patients about gun safety

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people under 35 in the United States. Yet, healthcare professionals rarely discuss firearm safety with their patients, according to new research by Northeastern professor Matt Miller. “The biggest risk of having a gun in the home is that someone will kill themselves,” he says.

by Ian Thomsen January 12, 2021

Boxes containing the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are prepared to be shipped at the McKesson distribution center in Olive Branch, Miss. Supply chain systems developed by a variety of U.S. business could help deliver vaccines more efficiently, says a Northeastern professor. AP Photo by Paul Sancya

To fix the vaccine rollout, why not call Amazon?

A wide range of companies have developed a set of transferable skills and tools that could enable the federal government to meet its goal of vaccinating 80 percent of the United States population, says Nada Sanders, distinguished professor of supply chain management at Northeastern.

by Ian Thomsen January 11, 2021

Why is the COVID-19 vaccine rollout failing—and how can it be fixed?

Incoming U.S. President Joe Biden must lead a national all-hands-on-deck effort to help distribute vaccines within local communities, says Stephen Flynn, founding director of Northeastern’s Global Resilience Institute.

by Ian Thomsen January 4, 2021

How can we celebrate a complicated holiday season during the COVID-19 pandemic?

This season may evoke a complicated set of emotions for many families that are experiencing a sense of loss. Laurie Kramer, a Northeastern professor of applied psychology who studies child and family dynamics, offers constructive advice.

by Ian Thomsen December 21, 2020

Frank Cutitta, a Northeastern lecturer, battled COVID for 100 days. He wants his experiences to help other patients. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

This COVID-19 survivor is now fighting against patient loneliness

Prolonged isolation is a neglected danger of the pandemic, says Frank Cutitta, a media consultant and Northeastern lecturer, who was in a coma for 40 days last spring. He believes COVID-19 experiences like his could help transform patient care.

by Ian Thomsen December 18, 2020

Hackers used an outside service provider to gain access to a host of public and private platforms, but their end-game is not yet known. Photos by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

What are the Russian hackers searching for this time?

The sophistication of Russia’s latest penetration of U.S. systems is stunning—but the strategy of manipulating an outside service provider like SolarWinds is not, according to Engin Kirda, a professor of computer science at Northeastern who studies computer security.

by Ian Thomsen December 15, 2020

Northeastern alum Gordon Thompson is the president and CEO of Westnet, a distributor of medical, surgical and laboratory supplies, based in Canton, Massachusetts. Photo by Ruby Wallau/Northeastern University

His bid on a surgical pencil enabled him to provide help during the COVID-19 pandemic

Gordon Thompson’s initial investment in a piece of hospital equipment led to the transformation of his company, Westnet. Through it, the Northeastern graduate has since sold more than $2.5 million worth of personal protective equipment to his alma mater.

by Ian Thomsen December 14, 2020

Margaret Keenan, 90, is applauded by staff as she returns to her ward after becoming the first patient in the UK to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, at University Hospital, Coventry, England, on Dec. 8, 2020. The United Kingdom, one of the countries hardest hit by the coronavirus, is beginning its vaccination campaign, a key step toward eventually ending the pandemic. AP Photo by Jacob King via Pool

Why isn’t Europe joining the US and UK rush to vaccinate for COVID-19?

Though other countries are winning the global race to roll out the new vaccine, the European Union may be implementing the best overall strategy—medically and economically—for the COVID-19 pandemic, says Mai’a Cross, the Edward W. Brooke professor of political science and international affairs at Northeastern.

by Ian Thomsen December 11, 2020

Iva Toguri D'Aquino known to thousands of GIs fighting in the South Pacific during World War II as

His debut novel at age 70 brings Tokyo Rose to life

Northeastern alum Mike Weedall was a tennis professional who became an energy executive, but he really wanted to be a writer. His debut novel, based on the true story of the accused World War II propagandist Tokyo Rose, “delivers a remarkably compelling story of justice denied,” according to Kirkus Reviews.

by Ian Thomsen December 8, 2020

Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Will President Trump’s departure be good for Fox News?

There are signs that the conservative movement is ready to move away from President Donald Trump. “Losing the White House can be good for Fox News, because now they can constantly be angry with what's going on in Washington,” says Jonathan Kaufman, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, professor, and director of Northeastern’s School of Journalism.

by Ian Thomsen December 7, 2020

Posts by Ian Thomsen