The Los Angeles Times reported that there are currently five fires of 1,000 acres or more burning in Southern California, which UCLA’s Park Williams described as abnormal for this time of year but not unprecedented. Park, a professor and hydroclimatologist, pointed to a study suggesting that human-caused warming has advanced the onset of the fire season by six to 46 days across most of the state. UCLA climate scientist Alex Hall said a collision of natural factors can also create the perfect storm. Read more about UCLA in today’s Time, Wall Street Journal and others.

More highlights from UCLA in the News: May 21, 2026

What does Ebola actually do, and how does it spread? | ABC News

“Ebola is a viral hemorrhagic fever. And so, what will start out as likely some kind of non-specific illness will then progress to potentially vomiting and diarrhea. Some people do end up having some of these hemorrhagic signs,” said UCLA’s Anne Rimoin (Rimoin was also interviewed by CNN and BBC World News.)

Is it bad to use a laptop right on your lap? | Time

Another concern is that using a laptop right on your lap could affect fertility. There is evidence that heat from laptops can temporarily affect sperm quality, says Jesse Mills, clinical professor of urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

Having trouble focusing on your book? Try immersive reading | NPR

But Maryanne Wolf, a cognitive neuroscientist at UCLA, warns that immersive reading doesn’t always lead to what she calls “deep reading.” Wolf directs the Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners and Social Justice at UCLA. She says the cognitive patience it requires to struggle through words on a page is essential to deep reading skills like critical thinking, empathy and reflection.

Wildfire smoke is hitting SoCal. Here’s how you can protect yourself | LAist

Wildfire smoke is generally worse for your health than the kind of “garden variety urban pollution” Angelenos are used to, said Suzanne Paulson, an atmospheric chemist at UCLA. But air quality depends on where you live, and might change from hour to hour.  

Los Angeles tried to tax mansions. Apartment construction tanked | Wall Street Journal

“It’s a classic cautionary tale about this sort of ballot-box legislation,” said Michael Manville, a professor of urban planning at the University of California, Los Angeles.