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Articles by Rebecca E. Berger
The Utilization of Microbial Cell-Free DNA Next-Generation Sequencing for the Detection of Human Herpesvirus-8 in a Quaternary Care Center
Background: Human herpesvirus-8 (HHV8) can present with cutaneous or extracutaneous manifestations. While violaceous skin lesions characterize cutaneous Kaposi sarcoma, extracutaneous HHV8 is challenging to diagnose due to nonspecific symptoms. Objectives: We evaluated the role of microbial cell-free DNA next-generation sequencing (mcfDNA NGS) in diagnosing HHV8-related illness. Design: Retrospective analysis.
Cross-institutional collaboration in Jewish education: An innovative case study
It is commonly understood that when Jewish educators collaborate, rich learning opportunities emerge — but we rarely consider collaboration across the Jewish educational ecosystem. A professional development partnership between IKAR and Sinai Akiba Academy — the former a Jewish community in Los Angeles with a supplementary religious school, the latter a local Jewish day school — began as an observation opportunity for part-time educators to witness experienced full-time educators in action.
What Does America Mean by Justice?
Rebecca Berger · Follow 13 min read · -- Photo by Bettmann/Getty Images Contributor I write a lot about how our systems don’t actually solve problems — they ‘manage’ symptoms. From climate change to healthcare to education, the same pattern shows up again and again: the “solution” is a band-aid. A reform. A PR statement. Something reactive, wrapped in a perfectly tied bow, and conveniently detached from the root. Because the root is structural. And intentional. Our justice system is no exception.
Offsets, Removals, and the Messy Truth of Carbon Markets in 2025
Rebecca Berger · Follow 8 min read · -- Nueva Ecija, Philippines Carbon markets are often met with skepticism — dismissed by both climate activists and climate deniers alike. While we argue over ideological purism, 2024 estimates suggest we have already surpassed several climate thresholds,¹ making the 1.5°C target feel “deader than a doornail.”² What’s worse, major economies like the U.S and billion-dollar initiatives like the Bezos earth fund are backtracking on climate action³⁴ (big shocker).
The Narcissism of the Small Difference
Rebecca Berger · Follow 5 min read · -- San Francisco, CA, 2020. In Homage to Catalonia¹, George Orwell lays out a recurring historical pattern: societies get caught up arguing over small differences — what might be called ideological purism — rather than confronting the larger, more urgent threats.
When Should I Transfuse My Adult Hospitalized Patient Who Has Anemia?
Update to the 2017 article When should I transfuse a patient who has anemia? An 82-year-old woman with chronic lymphocytic leukemia complicated by anemia of chronic disease (baseline hemoglobin [Hgb] 9-10 g/dL) and a history of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction two months prior, presents to the emergency department (ED) after a mechanical fall resulting in right femoral neck fracture. She reports significant hip pain but has no chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness.
The power of collective learning for transforming the global financial architecture
We’ve embarked on a collective journey with four other organizations with complementary objectives, but different strategies, geographic perspectives, and expertise. Together, we’re seeing that creating spaces for sharing knowledge is vital to strengthen the fight to center human rights in the global economy.
Nature Centers in Macomb County
Do you have a ‘wild child’ at home? A little one that loves getting their hands dirty, splashing in streams and taking in nature? If so, head to a nature center! Not only will your family learn about native plants and animals in the region, you will be giving back to the preservation of our natural habitats.
Schools of Choice in Macomb County
Summer is around the corner, and while next school year may be the farthest thing on your mind, if you are planning on changing districts, now is the time to start looking at your options. “I cannot emphasize enough for parents to start now,” says Roberta Farina, the supervisor of pupil accounting forMacomb Intermediate School District.
Does Prophylaxis Prevent Recurrent Clostridioides difficile Infection?
A 68-year-old woman is admitted with pyelonephritis. Two months earlier, she had been treated for pneumonia and subsequently developed Clostridioides difficile colitis, which resolved with 10 days of oral vancomycin. When you start treatment with intravenous ceftriaxone, should you also prescribe prophylaxis to prevent recurrent C. difficile infection? Disclosure forms provided by the authors are available with the full text of this article.
Lunar New Year Celebrations in Metro Detroit and Ann Arbor
Happy New Year … again! About a month after the standard American New Year fun kicks off Jan. 1, the Lunar New Year celebrations in metro Detroit and Ann Arbor begin — typically starting sometime between late January and late February. This festival officially kicks off with the second new moon after the winter solstice, and winds down with the next full moon about 15 days later. This year, in 2022, it begins on Tuesday, Feb. 1 and ends on Feb. 16.
Why Toddlers Strip Out of Their Clothes
One of my mom’s favorite stories to tell is how one of her children (not me) interrupted her while talking to a neighbor during a yard sale … by running across the street completely naked. Most parents have a story to rival this one, because most toddlers hate wearing clothes. “If they want attention, they will do something to get it; sometimes that means getting in the buff,” says Dr. Julie Braciszewski, owner and director of Monarch Behavioral Health, PLLC in Bloomfield Hills.
Provider views on rapid diagnostic tests and antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections: A mixed methods study
Loading metrics Open Access Peer-reviewed Research Article Shana A. B. Burrowes , Tamar F. Barlam, Alexandra Skinner, Rebecca Berger, Pengsheng Ni, Mari-Lynn Drainoni Shana A. B. Burrowes, Tamar F. Barlam, Alexandra Skinner, Rebecca Berger, Pengsheng Ni, Mari-Lynn Drainoni Published: November 29, 2021 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0260598 Figures Abstract Background Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are often inappropriately treated with antibiotics.
Are You Teaching Your Kids to Wipe Their Butts Properly?
One day, while talking about toilet training with my niece — who was 3 at the time — she informed me, “You have to wipe front to back. You should know that, because you’re a girl.” While you might be thinking that this pro tip is common knowledge, Dr. Jacqueline Metz formerly of Southfield Pediatrics says, “The importance of wiping front to back should be emphasized early and often.” It’s one of the key things to teach kids about how to wipe their butts properly.
ASMR and Kids: What is It, and What are the Pros and Cons?
From hushed whispers and rustling paper to hands tickling piles of buttons or blobs of slime, videos featuring chill sounds and images are surging on YouTube. It’s a form of “autonomous sensory meridian response,” or ASMR. As children are finding these videos, too, parents are dipping into the world of ASMR and kids. For some, it’s a modern solution to the sleepless toddler conundrum — along with stressed-out kids of any age.
Why Kids Love Fake Food, and Why It's Good for Them
Illustration by Brent Mossner If you’ve ever been to a toddler’s “restaurant,” you may have felt a bit like Robin Williams in the movie Hook during the food fight scene. “Eat what?” he mutters as the kids around him put on a show of zealously digging into what appears to be nothing. “There’s nothing here. Gandhi ate more than this.” Granted, kid-run diners are overpriced, have very distracted staff and the food is usually inedible.
Dream Scene Parties in Troy Has Dazzling Themes for Kids
Instead of prepping a classroom for the first day of school this year, former fourth and fifth grade teacher Annie Meinberg spent the early fall putting the final touches on her new kids business, Dream Scene Parties. And with 30 themed options in store – from Unicorn Shine and Mermaid Bash to Furry Friends and Superhero – this Troy spot is hosting an Oct. 6, 2019 grand opening. “I really pride myself on the diversity of the themes,” Meinberg says.
Black Cat Adoption, Pumpkin Pounds, Pac-Man Scores and More
Are you one of those folks who worry when a black cat crosses your path? You’re not alone. A decent percent of the population are superstitious of mini panthers – and it’s reflected in the black cat adoption stats. Find out just how many people worry these kitties cause bad luck and learn some other interesting October fun facts including the largest pumpkin on record and the highest Pac-Man score. 13 The percent of people who are superstitious of black cats.
Dakoda the Therapy Dog Helps Walled Lake High Schoolers
High school can be a very stressful time. Students often have too much homework, pressure about their futures and social issues with their peers. In her 20 years as a social worker at Walled Lake Western High School, Ann Gray has seen the impact, from students collapsing in tears to fights in the hallways. That’s why she worked with the school board to bring a new stress-reducing element to their school: a yellow Lab retriever named Dakoda.
Michigan Haunts Book Sheds Light on Creepy Fun History
Photo of The Henderson Castle Inn in Kalamazoo, courtesy of Jon Milan and Gail Offen Looking to scare up some historic fun with the kiddos? Snag a copy of Michigan Haunts: Public Places, Eerie Spaces, which debuts on Oct. 7. Jon Milan and Gail Offen put a spooky spin on some of the state’s historic attractions and legends. Many you can step inside; some are best viewed from a distance.
When and How to Ask for Help in College
Photo of the author, Rebecca Berger, with a stalk of Brussels sprouts Growing up, the idea of independence thrilled me. I had romantic notions of going off to college, never having to ask my mom to set up a doctor’s appointment or help me with my homework ever again. I thought adulthood meant having everything figured out and not having to rely on anyone to get anything done.
Broadening Kids' 'Narrow Minds' in Early Elementary School
Illustration by Brent Mossner “I never go to the movies!” “We always eat chicken for dinner.” “You’re mean all the time.” Do any of these phrases sound familiar? While our kids’ absolute statements are hyperbolic to us, in their minds there’s some truth to them. So before you start arguing with your 6- or 7-year-old about how you just went to the theater last weekend or had mac ‘n’ cheese for dinner two nights ago, consider your child’s perspective.
Nature Centers in Macomb County
Do you have a ‘wild child’ at home? A little one that loves getting their hands dirty, splashing in streams and taking in nature? If so, head to a nature center! Not only will your family learn about native plants and animals in the region, you will be giving back to the preservation of our natural habitats.
Model Mom Poses Kids for Funny Back-to-School Pictures
Photo via @Leslieannebrooks on Instagram Back-to-school photos have gained popularity over the years. Not the ones the school does for the yearbook where a guy tells the child to smile then snaps a photo while they’re fixing their hair or opening their mouth to ask “now?” No, parents are showing increased interest in their children’s return to school by snapping and posting photos before they get on the bus in their fresh new school clothes.
Flooding Finances, Backpack Stats and Other September Facts
Photo by Lauren Jeziorski Our mitten is pretty lucky when it comes to natural disasters, but that doesn’t mean we’re immune. In fact, just five years ago, torrential downpours flooded metro Detroit, causing billions in damage. Learn just how much we spent to clean up after the floods; plus healthy habits that can lower your chances of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia, the recommended weight a backpack should be and other fun facts in the September 2019 installment of What Counts.
Tips for Better Breakfasts for Kids From Metro Detroit Parent Chefs
During the school year, mornings are hectic getting kids ready and out the door. We can’t help you wrangle them into khakis, but we may be able to help you set up a breakfast routine that’s easy, healthy and cost-effective. There are over 60 years of brunch experience among Chef Michael Keys of Red Crown in Grosse Pointe Park, Jennifer Williams of Le Andos Cafe in Macomb Township and Regan Bloom of Toast in Ferndale and Birmingham.
Georgia Mom Means Business With At-Home Job Fair
Photo by Shaketha Marion McGregor on Facebook Shaketha Marion McGregor had a surprise prepared for her children when they came home on a recent Tuesday this August. Namely: A job fair for the coveted positions of laundry supervisor, kitchen manager and lead housekeeper. The clever Georgia mom even set up a credit union so that they could improve their credit and have a place to hold their earnings. The reason?
What Should the Michigan State Insect Be?
Our state bird is the red-chested robin. Our state fish is the marbled brook trout. And now, there just might be an official Michigan state insect on the horizon. That’s because a bill was recently introduced in our House of Representatives, reports WILX News out of the Lansing/Jackson area. Why? A group of local kids decided it was high time. After all, 48 other states have already declared insects.
Weight Watchers Launches Kurbo App – And It's for Kids - Detroit and Ann Arbor Metro Parent
Slimquicks in the fridge, Jane Fonda tapes in the basement, two teenage sisters crowded in front of the long hallway mirror comparing their bodies – these are staple memories of my childhood. Along with the doctors telling my mom that I was heavy for my age when I was 10, shame and the friend who asked me if I was anorexic when I finally got my weight under control. And I am not alone in these experiences. Thousands of children in this country are overweight, and 1 in 5 are categorized as obese.
Macomb County Youth Sports Leagues
Participating in sports helps children develop healthy habits – both physically and socially. You probably already knew that if you fell into the 41 percent of parents in southeast Michigan who consider sports ‘very important’ or even the 41 percent who consider them ‘somewhat important’ according to a survey by the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation.
Swine Flu Michigan Case at Fair Prompts Precautions
The web above Wilbur’s pen would have read “Sick Pig” if he were at the Fowlerville Family Fair recently. According to the Livingston County Health Department, in 2019, for the second year in a row, swine flu was present among the pigs in the small animal barn and livestock arena. The fair ran July 22-27, 2019 and featured livestock events every day, including an “open swine show” on Tuesday, July 23.
Talking to Kids About Sex Has a Surprising Perk, Study Says
Oh, “the talk” – a topic covered in almost every sitcom, movie and after-school special involving teens. However, these portrayals are often dramatic, over-the-top and lead to the teen in question yelling something along the lines of “you don’t understand me at all!” and stomping off to have sex for the first time. Rest assured, that’s not how this works … that’s not how any of this works.
Parents Giving up Custody of Kids to Get Them Financial Aid
The “Varsity Blues” scandal is still simmering, and on its heels comes the newest tactic for desperate parents of college-bound kids. Instead of Hollywood stars buying their kids’ ways into prestigious coastal schools, however, this story involves upper-middle class Chicagoans trying to save money by cheating the FASFA system. The kids in this story actually do have the grades and extracurriculars to get into the schools; they just don’t have parents willing to spring for their tuition.
Early Labor Walking Path for Moms at DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital
Photo from DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital Who wouldn’t want a smooth birthing experience? Studies show walking during early labor opens the pelvis – and helps baby get into position, which can reduce the need for cesarean sections. One metro Detroit hospital is turning those stats into a stroll – literally. There’s now an interactive early labor walking path for expectant moms in early stages of labor at the Harris Birthing Center at DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital in Commerce Township.
Why Toddlers Strip Out of Their Clothes
Illustration by Brent Mosser One of my mom’s favorite stories to tell is how one of her children (not me) interrupted her while talking to a neighbor during a yard sale … by running across the street completely naked. Most parents have a story to rival this one, because most toddlers hate wearing clothes.
National Park Service Birthday, Fudge Facts, Detroit Hot Dogs and More August Fun
We may not know what’s in the average hot dog, but one thing is for sure: Americans love them. Learn just how many your fellow countrymen and women consume in the summer months. Plus, find out how many hours kids actually spend with grandma and grandpa, the amount of fudge Mackinac Island served up this summer and details on how to celebrate the National Park Service birthday in the August 2019 installment of What Counts.
Stemville in Northville Has STEM-tastic Learning Fun for Kids
Worried about kids’ science, tech, engineering and math smarts getting rusty when they’re not in school? Northville moms Andrea Harrington and Kristen Arneson did, too. Their solution? Stemville – a unique new play place in their hometown that serves up STEM learning in an engaging way. “It combines the subjects and helps make them more fun and interesting,” Harrington says. “It’s a fun extension of the curriculum and teaches kids the ‘why’ while learning hands-on.
Allen Park Teen Finn Gomez Runs Detroit Salsa Company
In seventh grade, Finn Gomez was given an assignment many kids dread – come up with a business for a product to sell to your peers. But Finn, now 16, created the Detroit Salsa Company – and his wares are now sitting on local markets’ shelves. We caught up with this young entrepreneur in Allen Park. Family connections “I couldn’t have done this without my grandma,” Finn says.
Exercise for Seniors: Easy Moves to Keep Aging Parents Active
Exercising is important no matter how old you are. However, as we age, it can become more difficult to find manageable exercises. While exercise for seniors is sometimes challenging, though, it’s worth exploring options. After all, according to the most recent State of Obesity report, Michigan has the 19th highest adult obesity in the nation, and that includes over 32 percent of those ages 65 and older. What does this mean for our aging loved ones?
Massachusetts Mom Jogger Apprehends Local Flasher
OK, ladies – who hasn’t had the awful experience of trying to exercise in public and feeling the male gaze perpetually on them? Some guys feel it’s their right to comment on our bodies, and some even try to interact with us. It’s perhaps less common for a man to flat-out expose himself to a woman passing by. However, in Massachusetts, there’s a flasher on the loose – and one local mom who was jogging by him turned her experience into an opportunity for justice.
Ann Arbor is the Most Educated City, Study Says
Congratulations to all the poindexters – and no, we don’t mean the popular coffee chain – for making Ann Arbor the most educated city in America, compared to 150 other major metropolitan areas. All in all, Tree Town proved itself to have the second-highest percent of high school diploma holders, the highest percent of associate and bachelor’s degrees and the highest percent of graduate degrees.
Are You Teaching Your Kids to Wipe Their Butts Properly?
One day, while talking about toilet training with my niece – who was 3 at the time – she informed me, “You have to wipe front to back. You should know that, because you’re a girl.” While you might be thinking that this pro tip is common knowledge, Dr. Jacqueline Metz of Southfield Pediatrics says, “The importance of wiping front to back should be emphasized early and often.” It’s one of the key things to teach kids about how to wipe their butts properly.
Detroit is the Most Stressed-Out City in the Country
Are you reading this in the middle of the night, passing time because you can’t sleep? Worried about that meeting tomorrow, or your divorce, or mounting debt? It turns out the answer to those questions in Detroit is, more than likely, “yes.” In a 2019 study conducted by WalletHub, Detroit ranked No. 1 in stress among 180 other American cities. That’s right: Detroit is the most stressed-out city in the country. So, what exactly is eating at us?
Why Teens Tune Out Nagging Parents (and How to Do Better)
Illustration by Brent Mossner “Do your homework.” “Clean your room.” “Take out the trash!” You think you’re giving your child helpful reminders; your child thinks you’re totally annoying. In recent years, studies have shown that when teenagers are nagged or nitpicked, they block out the context of what is said – but take in the emotion behind it. So they understand that you’re frustrated, but not why, so they react similarly.
Ann Arbor Farmers Market Celebrates 100th Birthday
The Ann Arbor Farmers Market is celebrating 100 years! Here's an offering of the market's birthday events for families.
Kraft Launches Salad Frosting Packaging for Ranch Dressing
Photo via Flashpop/The Kraft Heinz Company We go to great lengths to get kids to eat healthy – bribing, threatening, sneaking cauliflower into the mac and cheese and, of course, lying.
The Red Children's Art Museum in Detroit
Photo courtesy of The Red Children's Art Museum Walking up to The Red Children’s Art Museum, part of a Detroit-based “social venture” called Live Coal Gallery, feels more like visiting a close friend or neighbor than stepping into a formal museum. In fact, this small space is housed in one half of a former two-family home.
Get That Money Challenge Has Kids Smacking Heads for Money
What will kids do for a crack at racking up expenses on mom and dad’s plastic? Crack their foreheads, apparently – or at least hit their heads against a wall. Literally. That’s pretty much what’s happening in a new round of viral challenges. Case in point: In a video posted to Twitter, Kevin Girouex’s son stands in anticipation by a kitchen cabinet as dad holds a credit card flush against the wall in front of him.
Imagine, Draw, Erase, Repeat Book Sparks Kids Creativity
Espacia Fotiu was playing with a Buddha Board while peddling her art at local fairs when she was struck with the idea for Imagine, Draw, Erase, Repeat. The children’s book, which debuts in June 2019, contains over 20 laminated pages of Fotiu’s abstract paintings, which she hopes young artists will draw over with their own interpretations. She tested her prototype on her cousins – ages 5 and 2 – and, at first, she thought they were simply scribbling.
Howell Dad Creates SafeSubs App to Keep Kids Safe
In the summer, Chris Pagett wants his kids playing outside and making new friends. But in a Howell subdivision with nearly 300 homes, he knows there’s a chance his 7- and 11-year-old kids will forget to check in. His pal Chris Ross in Texas had similar concerns. So the dads teamed up to launch the SafeSubs app – a tool that aims to give kids freedom and parents peace of mind. “We’re trying to encourage kids to get outside playing together,” Pagett says.
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