News Archive
Thursday, July 1 2004
News
Iowa State experts can comment on mad cow disease
A veterinarian and a livestock market economist are among the Iowa State University experts who can provide perspective on the latest developments in mad cow disease. On June 25, USDA reported that a cattle carcass had tested as "inconclusive" for mad cow disease. A follow-up test at a USDA laboratory in Ames found no sign of the disease, USDA said June 30. Test results on a second carcass, singled out on June 29 as possibly being infected, will not be available for several days.
New Plant Sciences Institute research targets Iowa ag issues
Iowa State University's Plant Sciences Institute will redirect more than $3 million to fast track research that will enhance the value of Iowa crops and target specific challenges facing Iowa agriculture. Over the next three years, researchers will work on five initiatives-- plant genomes, plant biofactories, nutrition, biorenewables and crop protection.
Iowa State University researchers hit the pavement for an academic road show
A new mobile concrete laboratory will allow ISU scientists to travel to highway construction sites to test road materials. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the laboratory will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 6, in the ISU Research Park parking lot, 2901 South Loop Drive, Ames.
Iowa State initiates entrepreneurship grant awards
Seven new entrepreneurship courses will be created by a grant managed by the ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship. The courses will be in the Colleges of Agriculture, Business, Design, Engineering, and Family and Consumer Sciences.
Student team third in international contest
Three Iowa State students placed third overall in the IEEE Computer Society's international design competition on Monday, making them among the few U.S. teams ever to place in this event.
The team of Melanie Davis, a senior from Minneapolis; Douglas Houghton, a graduate student from Ames; and Shahzaib Younis, a senior from Pakistan, also received the Microsoft Software Engineering Award for their project, a computer program that utilizes global positioning system technologies to trigger messages. Applications for this technology range from assisting search parties to reminding patrons what to buy at the grocery store.
The students received a total of $9,000 in prize money, and hope to patent their technology (see USA Today story at right). Their project was among 250 entries in the annual competition, with the top 10 teams participating in the World Finals in Washington, D.C.
Veterinary Medicine dean candidate to visit campus this week
Dr. John Thomson, a candidate for dean of ISU's College of Veterinary Medicine, will be in Ames June 30-July 1. He is dean of veterinary medicine at Mississippi State University, Starkville. Thomson is one of four finalists who have visited the Iowa State campus as part of the search process.
ISU Veterinary Medicine Dean Norm Cheville will retire in mid-August.
Iowa State University selects new Engineering dean
Mark J. Kushner, Founder Professor of Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, will become dean of Iowa State University's College of Engineering effective Jan. 1, 2005. He replaces Dean James Melsa, who will retire June 30. Provost Ben Allen will appoint an interim dean next week.
Nutritional Sciences Council lectures address world food needs
Nobel Laureate Norman Borlaug and leaders from technology transfer organizations in Africa and Mexico will address ways to meet future global food needs during the 2004 Nutritional Sciences Council Summer Lectureship, June 28-July 2. The daily lectures are from 10 a.m. to noon in 1352 Gilman. All events are free and open to the public, including a reception at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
The "Independence Day Celebration" at the Farm House Museum on campus (1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 4) will include games, music, cloggers and historic tours. Hotdogs, popcorn and lemonade will be sold. Then head over to Reiman Gardens (7 to 10:30 p.m.) to watch the fireworks across the street. Admission will be $5 per household. Picnic baskets and lawn chairs are welcome.
ISU in the news
Students seek 'spatial clues' patent
USA Today
Three Iowa State students are seeking a patent on an acclaimed computer program that combines wireless technology with the Global Positioning System. The system could help rescue teams warn each other about dangerous locations. The technology is called "spatial clues."
"We store information in space."
-- Shahzaib Younis, who designed the concept with fellow computer science students Melanie Davis and Doug Houghton.
First lady role evolves
Contra Costa (Calif.) Times
The role of "first lady" has evolved from only helping with White House social events in the early 19th century to surrogate for a candidate who "can't be in two places at the same time," said Dianne Bystrom, director of the Catt Center.
The first lady's role started to become more pronounced when John Kennedy became president.
"They were a young, attractive family, and the TV era was just starting. From that point on, the role of spouses on the campaign trail and in the White House just evolved," Bystrom said.
A mouse in the hand
NewsFactor Top Tech News
A new computer mouse, invented by two Iowa State professors, helps eliminate back, wrist and hand pain associated with the tradition mouse.
"One thing that has surprised me about the device is the way people react when they first learn of the idea. We often hear comments such as, 'I've got to have one of those,' or 'When can I get one to try out?'"
-- Don Flugrad, who invented the ergonomically friendly mouse with Abir Qamhiya. Both are mechanical engineering professors.