Everyday situations can sometimes feel like big stressors, whether it's delivering an important work presentation, attending a party full of strangers or confronting a partner. Talking to a friend or a therapist can help. But so can practice.

A new project from Carnegie Mellon University researchers aims to make that practice easier by studying whether virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) can simulate stressful situations and help people practice stress-relief strategies. It's a modern spin on exposure therapy: users can put on a pair of VR/AR glasses and practice what they want to say with a digital audience.

Lehigh University Senior Research Scientist Arup K. SenGupta, a professor emeritus in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is the 2025 recipient of the Simon W. Freese Environmental Engineering Award and Lecture, presented by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). SenGupta, an ASCE Fellow, is an internationally recognized water scientist whose research has led to sustainable solutions for removing arsenic, fluoride, and other contaminants from drinking water around the world. His pioneering work in ion exchange science has also advanced technologies for desalination, wastewater reclamation, and carbon capture.

A collaborative study by researchers from Toyohashi University of Technology and California Institute of Technology (Caltech) introduces a groundbreaking algorithm that maps individual brain activity in a multi-dimensional space. This “neural fingerprint” reveals stable, long-term neural traits that interplay with transient brain states during social interactions. The study demonstrates that individuals whose neural fingerprints are more aligned tend to more readily enter a shared state of deep focus—commonly known as team flow—which has profound implications for enhancing teamwork and performance across various high-stakes environments.

A study published in Forest Ecosystems reveals Douglas-fir introduction have limited biodiversity impacts, showing no significant effect in 78.6% of cases, with only 9.4% negative outcomes. While canopy spiders benefit from its dense structure, arthropod diversity is reduced due to the distinct bark structure. Based on the limited studies retrieved by the review, it is reported that Douglas-fir inclusion has non-significant or neutral effects. Key knowledge gaps remain regarding bat populations and long-term soil impacts. The findings position this North American species as a viable climate-resilient option for European forestry, pending further research to establish safe implementation thresholds.