VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY NEWS

CNN
Interstellar Comet Came From a Much Different Solar System Than Ours

May 1, 2026 - The comet, named 3I/ATLAS, gained global attention when researchers first discovered it zipping through our solar system in July... "We're very clearly only seeing the top of the iceberg when it comes to studying these interstellar comets," said planetary astronomer Dr. Theodore Kareta, an assistant professor of astrophysics and planetary science at Villanova University near Philadelphia.

Associated Press
High Oil Prices Due to the Iran War Weigh on Everything From the Gas Pump to Consumer Goods

April 30, 2026 - Steep diesel prices are making it more expensive to haul everyday goods. Diesel is now at an average of nearly $5.50 a gallon, up from $3.76 before the war, AAA says... "Diesel's the one that you want to watch out for for prices of consumer goods," said Peter Zaleski, professor of economics at Villanova University.

Forbes
AI Can Improve Pay-for-Performance, if Leaders Ask the Right Questions

April 23, 2026 - "Artificial intelligence offers distinct opportunities to boost pay-for-performance programs, but chasing the AI hype could also trigger unintended consequences." Corinne Post is the Fred J. Springer Endowed Chair in Business Leadership and professor of management at Villanova School of Business.

Associated Press
Pope Prays at Catholic Shrine in Angola That Was a Center of African Slave Trade

April 19, 2026 - Pope Leo has not spoken publicly about his family heritage or the genealogical research, and some Black Catholic scholars were hesitant to impose on him a narrative about his identity that he himself has not yet addressed. "It's important that we tell our own stories," said Tia Noelle Pratt, a sociologist of religion and professor at Villanova University, the pope's alma mater.

The Philadelphia Inquirer
Philly's April Hot Spell Has Set Records. But Does It Mean Anything for the Summer?

April 16, 2026 - Ruth McDermott-Levy, co-director of the Mid-Atlantic Center for Children's Health and the Environment at Villanova University, has a particular interest in weather-body matters. She said the hot spell was a decent warmup for the heat almost certainly to come. "Driving into work, I see all these workers out fixing the roads," she said. 'I want to scream, 'Are you drinking enough water? Are you taking breaks from the heat?'"

The Washington Post
How Geography Powers Iran's Grip on the Strait of Hormuz, Despite U.S. Blockade

April 14, 2026 - Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains constrained. Crews crossing the narrow strait also have to worry about sea mines, which can detonate upon contact or upon sensing movement. "Mines are a psychological issue as much as they are a real issue," said Frank Galgano, an associate professor of geography and the environment at Villanova University, adding that it would take several weeks to clear mines from the navigation lanes.