Off the Top...

Grant Hill: Life Lessons from Mom and the Basketball Court

In his Commencement address, Duke alumnus and basketball legend Grant Hill reflected on a past failure—a missed full-court pass to Christian Laettner—sharing the lessons it taught him. He used the story to emphasize the importance of learning from setbacks and not fearing failure. Hill urged graduates to stay true to their core values and to actively shape their lives, not merely go along for the ride. He stressed that integrity is vital, reminding them, “Only you can give it away.”

Commencement Address

Federally Funded Research at Duke...

High-Risk Surveillance MRI Not Necessary for Older Patients with BRCA Mutations

New research from Duke suggests that high-risk breast cancer surveillance may not be necessary for patients over 70 with certain mutations, as cancers in this group are typically detected early through routine imaging like mammograms. This challenges current NCCN guidelines and emphasizes the need for more personalized care, potentially reducing unnecessary stress and procedures for older patients. The study advocates for a case-by-case approach based on individual risk factors, highlighting the importance of age-specific evidence in clinical decision-making.

This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Breast Cancer Surveillance

Big AI for Small Devices at the Inaugural Athena Summit

Earlier this month, Duke University convened the inaugural Athena Summit showcasing cutting-edge developments in AI and edge computing and uniting leaders from industry, academia and government. The summit included Athena Institute demonstrations like autonomous search-and-rescue robots and also fostered collaborative discussions on AI’s future. Panels explored topics from energy-efficient hardware to human-AI teaming, while outreach efforts brought AI education to middle and high school students. This gathering highlights how federal research funding catalyzes innovation, supports interdisciplinary partnerships and helps shape the next generation of AI talent.

The Athena Institute is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Athena AI

More from Duke...

Brain Scans Reveal What Happens in the Mind When Insight Strikes

A new study led by researchers at Duke University and German institutions reveals that “aha! moments” do more than feel good—they significantly enhance memory by reshaping brain activity. Using fMRI scans during visual puzzle-solving tasks, researchers found that sudden insights activated the hippocampus and reorganized neural patterns in areas responsible for visual recognition, boosting memory retention. Participants were far more likely to remember solutions that came through flashes of insight than through methodical thinking, especially when they felt confident in their answer.

Eureka!

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