Ana B. Ibarra, Web Reporter, is a bilingual journalist who started her career at the Merced Sun-Star.
Ana B. Ibarra
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How the new ‘public charge’ rule affects immigrants’ healthcare benefits
A new rule to restrict legal immigration, published by the Trump administration this month, is sowing confusion and anxiety even among immigrants not directly affected by it.

How the new ‘public charge’ rule affects immigrants’ healthcare benefits
U.S. states move to ban pesticide linked to developmental problems
Lawmakers in several states are trying to ban a widely used pesticide that the Environmental Protection Agency is fighting to keep on the market.

U.S. states move to ban pesticide linked to developmental problems
How the college admissions cheating scandal hurts students with disabilities
In the wake of this week's college admissions cheating scandal, families and advocates are worried about a backlash that could make it harder for students with legitimate disabilities to get the accommodations the need.

How the college admissions cheating scandal hurts students with disabilities
Virtual doctor visits may not reduce healthcare spending
Telehealth services may boost access to care, but they don't save money, according to a new study.

Virtual doctor visits may not reduce healthcare spending
Spanish-speaking parents face language barrier at pediatrican’s office
The findings of a new analysis hint that a 2009 state law establishing the right to a medical interpreter is either not being fully enforced or is not being promoted widely enough.

Spanish-speaking parents face language barrier at pediatrican’s office
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INSAR takes ‘intentional break’ from annual summer webinar series
The International Society for Autism Research cited a need to “thoughtfully reimagine” its popular online program before resuming it in 2026.

INSAR takes ‘intentional break’ from annual summer webinar series
The International Society for Autism Research cited a need to “thoughtfully reimagine” its popular online program before resuming it in 2026.
Null and Noteworthy: Neurons tracking sequences don’t fire in order
Instead, neurons encode the position of sequential items in working memory based on when they fire during ongoing brain wave oscillations—a finding that challenges a long-standing theory.

Null and Noteworthy: Neurons tracking sequences don’t fire in order
Instead, neurons encode the position of sequential items in working memory based on when they fire during ongoing brain wave oscillations—a finding that challenges a long-standing theory.
How to teach this paper: ‘Neurotoxic reactive astrocytes are induced by activated microglia,’ by Liddelow et al. (2017)
Shane Liddelow and his collaborators identified the factors that transform astrocytes from their helpful to harmful form. Their work is a great choice if you want to teach students about glial cell types, cell culture, gene expression or protein measurement.

How to teach this paper: ‘Neurotoxic reactive astrocytes are induced by activated microglia,’ by Liddelow et al. (2017)
Shane Liddelow and his collaborators identified the factors that transform astrocytes from their helpful to harmful form. Their work is a great choice if you want to teach students about glial cell types, cell culture, gene expression or protein measurement.