News


Wed, 07/05/2023

KU resource for community change expands to offer online courses

An online resource based at the University of Kansas and accessed by more than 6 million people annually has expanded to offer a group of online courses focused on leadership, communication, advocacy and much more. ...

Fri, 06/16/2023

Pharmacy researcher develops intervention for metabolic diseases

Liqin Zhao, KU associate professor of pharmacology & toxicology and investigator at the Life Span Institute, has developed a treatment that could apply to heart disease, stroke and a host of other human diseases related to metabolism.
Thu, 06/15/2023

Defense Department funds KU research project on eating disorders in military

A University of Kansas researcher who developed the first screening tool for eating disorders in veterans has been awarded a four-year, $4.2 million grant by the Department of Defense to address this condition in active-duty members of the military.
Thu, 06/08/2023

Advice for Accessing the Outdoors

A physical disability shouldn't mean saying goodbye to the great outdoors. Public parks are for everyone, and increased accessibility in the Sunflower State has opened opportunities for everyone to get outside.
Thu, 06/01/2023

Tera Fazzino shares 'hyperpalatable' food research with host of nutrition science YouTube channel

KU Life Span Institute investigator Tera Fazzino’s research on “hyperpalatable” foods caught the attention of YouTuber Chris MacAskill, who on March 25 featured her on his Plant Chompers channel.
Tue, 05/09/2023

KU Experts Author Guide to Transforming Schools Based on Research in Education, Disability 

When University of Kansas researchers were invited to write a book for a W. W. Norton & Company series focused on inclusive education for students with disabilities, they worked with the editors of the series to rethink the concept of “inclusion” itself. ...

Mon, 05/08/2023

5 Barriers That Impact People with Disabilities

Following National Barrier Awareness Day on May 7, we’re calling attention to several ways people with disabilities encounter obstacles in their daily lives — and why accessibility for everyone is important.
Wed, 05/03/2023

Cofrin Logan bar lab plays host to SAPEC 'Barstander' intervention training session

The Cofrin Logan Center's bar lab plays host to SAPEC 'Barstander' training session to help students identify warning signs of escalating behavior, build their confidence as bystanders and to allow them to fail safely at trying out different intervention strategies.
Mon, 05/01/2023

An overview of what the NIMH Data Archive (NDA) is and how REDCap can be customized for data sharing to the NDA

The research project you’re working on has a data sharing and archiving requirement with the NIMH Data Archive: what does that mean? ...

Fri, 04/28/2023

KU promotes the intellectual diversity in higher education during Think College Awareness Week

More than 300 universities and colleges offer programs for students with intellectual disabilities. KU is home to Transition to Postsecondary Education, the state's only inclusive postsecondary education program for people with intellectual disabilities.
Thu, 04/27/2023

Research Rising Intensive Grant Training Program Announced

Researchers affiliated with the Life Span Institute's Research Rising project, Advancing Intellectual and Developmental Disabilty Research at KU, are accepting applications for a training program focused on early career investigators studying intellectual and developmental disability research. ...

Thu, 04/27/2023

Project awarded $250K to increase inclusion in research for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

A team at the University of Kansas has been approved for a $250,000 funding award by the Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Awards program, an initiative of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. The funds will support a project designed to expand inclusion in research for people with intellectual and developmental...

Wed, 04/26/2023

New federally-funded project builds on research to reduce youth violence

Jomella Watson-Thompson is leading one of only five federally-funded national centers of excellence on youth violence prevention with the Youth Violence Prevention Research Center-Kansas City (YVPC-KC).
Tue, 04/25/2023

New smartphone app helps students with eating disorders at KU

The Building Healthy Eating and Self-Esteem Together for University Students, or “BEST-U,” app has been helping students at KU living with eating disorders and soon could be expanded to other universities.
Sun, 04/23/2023

A look back at the 2023 Gatlinburg Conference

The KU Life Span Institute hosted the Gatlinburg Conference on Research and Theory in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities April 10-13, 2023. One of the premier conferences for behavioral scientists conducting research on intellectual and developmental disabilities, the conference brings together scientists from around the world to discuss research and collaborate. ...

Mon, 04/17/2023

Record attendance at Autism Across the Life Span conference

A record number of attendees participated in this year’s Autism Across the Life Span conference on March 24 at the KU Edwards Campus. More than 175 registered to attend the one-day event, hosted by the KU Life Span Institute’s Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training.
Tue, 04/04/2023

ATK council discusses plans to increase communication technology across Kansas

The Assistive Technology for Kansans Advisory Council, learned about initiatives to increase communication and technology access across the state on March 23 during the council’s spring meeting. ...

Fri, 03/31/2023

Alternatives to Guardianship Focus of KU Research, Senate Committee Hearing

People frequently assume guardianship is the best or only option for adults with disabilities who need supports with decision making. However, the highly restrictive nature of legal guardianship arrangements is often not well understood, and people are often unaware of how difficult and expensive guardianship arrangements can be to...

Mon, 03/27/2023

Researchers land grant to help K-2 teachers test strategies to reduce challenging classroom behavior

A recent study from the University of Kansas has found that teachers widely believe increasing students’ engagement in instruction can help decrease challenging behaviors.
Tue, 02/28/2023

KU autism conference to feature wide range of sessions for professionals, scientists, families

The Autism Across the Lifespan conference also will feature a panel discussion by women with autism on how this demographic has been historically overlooked within the autistic community. They will discuss neurodiversity, sexuality, relationships and community engagement.
Wed, 02/22/2023

Life Span Institute director honored for service in roles in KU College, Office of Research

Colleagues and administrators gathered on Feb. 16 to honor Life Span Institute Director John Colombo for his service in interim roles during the past five years at KU. ...

Mon, 02/20/2023

KU Research Supports Competitive, Integrated Employment for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Research by KU scientists and others has long reinforced that career development opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities provide not only financial benefits, but improved physical and mental health, and better quality of life. Researchers also have established that with appropriate supports, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities...

Mon, 02/20/2023

Podcast by and for Native Americans shines light on disability, mental health

The new podcast Black Feathers provides a platform for discussions on disability and mental health within Tribal Nations.
Tue, 01/31/2023

Life Span Institute researcher among KU Research Achievement Award winners

Life Span Institute researcher Tylers Hicks is among the recipients of this year’s Steven F. Warren Research Achievement Award and the KU Research Staff & Postdoctoral Achievement Awards.
Tue, 01/31/2023

KU Leading Project to Aid Students Who Internalized Anxious Feelings from Pandemic

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas has secured grant funding to conduct a project to look for students with internalizing behaviors who have anxious feelings that may negatively affect their education, and to help teachers implement new strategies to attend to those feelings while re-engaging in school. ...

Mon, 01/30/2023

Research Shows Impact of 'Hyper-Palatable' Foods Across Four Diets

If losing weight was among your 2023 resolutions, findings by researchers from KU and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) may provide clearer guidance about the food you put on your plate. ...

Thu, 01/26/2023

KU Cofrin Logan Center to Host Public Lecture on Vaping, Teen Health

Do you have questions about vaping? Want to know more about the health effects of e-cigarettes? Confused by terms like cart, Vuse, mod or Puff Bar? ...

Tue, 01/24/2023

Karrie Shogren Named Distinguished Professor

Karrie Shogren advises foreign government ministers, presents in countries around the globe and contributes her knowledge to Kansas in presentations across the state. In recognition of her academic excellence, she has been recognized with the rank of distinguished professor.
Sat, 01/21/2023

2023 Life Span Institute Collaboratory focuses on adapting to changes in research

More than 100 researchers, staff and graduate students from the KU Life Span Institute gathered in person for the 2023 Collaboratory on Jan. 12 to learn about the health of institute, discuss ways the COVID-19 pandemic has changed their work, and to focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in...

Fri, 01/20/2023

Study Shows SMART Recovery Holds Potential to Help LGBTQ Population with Alcohol, Substance Use

People looking for help in reducing their alcohol and other substance use often turn to 12-step programs. But while research shows that LGBTQ individuals are more likely to struggle with substance use issues than their peers, they also often face barriers to engaging in traditional treatment programs. A trial by...

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