Children who grow up in farming communities have long been known to develop far fewer allergies than their urban peers. A new study led by Kirsi M. Jarvinen-Seppo, the Founders’ Distinguished Professor of Pediatric Allergy, offers one possible reason why: their immune systems may mature faster, and breast milk appears to play an important supporting role.

Please be advised that the deadline for semi-monthly and monthly payrolls has been moved from Wednesday, December 24, to Tuesday, December 23. All time entries must be entered and approved by 3 p.m. on December 23. All employees, timekeepers, and managers must adhere to this deadline to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing.

Updated calendars are available on the Payroll website, including the 2026 timekeeper calendar, the 2025 year-end vacation and PTO calendar, and the 2026 holiday calendar.

Get support from Well-U’s coaching in the healthy weight program to find your body’s healthiest version. Email your personal coach to get started.

Registration is open for the final virtual session of the fall 2025 Restorative Dialogues series, open to all students, staff, and faculty, on Wednesday, December 17, from noon to 1 p.m. Explore restorative practices and share what’s on your heart and mind for this month’s theme, “On Gratitude.” Sponsored by the Office of University Engagement and Enrichment and the Susan B. Anthony Center.

Students can join an informational Zoom webinar on Tuesday, December 16, from 10 to 11 a.m. covering the MS in Data Science program structure, costs, and application process.

The Data Bloom contest, hosted by the University Libraries Data Services and Liaison Team, is open to students in all departments, disciplines, and programs. Students are encouraged to submit data visualizations they have created for classes, independent projects, internships, employment, or their own original work. Submissions are accepted through December 19.

If you get a shiny new smartphone or tablet, there’s one important step you can’t skip: setting up Duo authentication. The good news? It’s easier than ever. University IT shares that most people with backup-enabled devices can now restore their Duo settings in just a few taps. This is also the perfect time to upgrade to Duo Push notifications for faster, more secure access to all your University resources.

Ready to connect your new device? Review this complete step-by-step guide, including troubleshooting tips and info about Duo’s latest security enhancements.