News Archive
Thursday, June 2 2005
News
Marshalltown man accused in mail incidents
A Marshalltown man is accused of mailing an envelope containing a powdered substance to Iowa State's Admissions Office, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice. A federal criminal complaint alleges that over the past few months, Anand Gundo Nariboli, 46, has mailed threatening or suspicious mail to several places.
ISU has applied for biopharmaceutical crop research permit
Iowa State has applied to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for a permit to plant a biopharmaceutical corn field trial.
ISU, Ankeny reach tentative agreement on dairy farm land
The City of Ankeny has agreed to purchase approximately 1,031 acres of land from Iowa State. Pending approval by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, ISU has tentatively accepted the offer of more than $23.6 million. The land has been the site of Iowa State's dairy research farm. State legislation required the university to sell the farm to accommodate the City of Ankeny's development needs. Proceeds will be used to establish Iowa State's new dairy farm south of Ames. The Ankeny City Council will vote June 2 on purchase of the property.
New shots from the universe
ISU astronomer Curtis Struck was among those presenting images of star formations in a pair of colliding galaxies at a recent conference.
Break test planned for high-performance bridge beam
Engineers will test a bridge beam made of ultra-high performance concrete until it breaks in an Iowa State lab June 9. A similar beam will be used this summer to construct a bridge in Wapello County. It will be the first use of the concrete in an American bridge.
Powder found on campus isn't dangerous
A hazardous materials team has determined the powder that spilled out of an envelope sent to Iowa State's Admissions Office is not a dangerous substance. Members of the Des Moines Fire Department's hazardous materials team determined the powder is a common household cleaner.
Crum named associate dean
Michael Crum, professor of logistics and supply chain management and the John and Ruth DeVries Chair in Business, has been named associate dean for graduate programs for the College of Business.
Scientists will discuss plant stem cells
Plant scientists from throughout the world will gather at Iowa State June 2-5 to discuss meristem biology. Plant meristems contain stem cells, capable of differentiation into many cell types. They are the centers of growth and cellular production.
Ethanol-fueled car in top 20
Iowa State's racer goes 0 to 60 in under four seconds. It tops out at 110 mph. And the little blue and white formula car cracked the top 20 at the 2005 Formula SAE races May 18-22 at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich.
Foundation pledges $100,000 to endow scholarships
The AEGON Transamerica Foundation, Cedar Rapids, has made a three-year pledge totaling $100,000 to the College of Business to establish an endowed scholarship for finance and accounting students.
Interim for African American Studies program named
Gary Tartakov, professor of art and design, has been named the interim director of the African American Studies program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, effective July 1.
Ted Heindel with the XFloViz facility
One-of-a-kind
Iowa State's one-of-a-kind X-ray flow visualization facility has potential applications in the recycling, petroleum, chemical, paper and food processing industries.
In the news
Ag prof seeks urban recruits
Medill News Service
ISU professor Levon Esters encourages urban students to pursue careers in agriculture.
Merge services, reduce costs
Cincinnati Enquirer
More local governments are interested in consolidation in the face of federal and state funding cutbacks and taxpayer revolts, says Kurt Thurmaier, professor and director of ISU's public policy and administration program. Thurmaier co-edited a collection of case studies on city-county consolidations.
Hog farmers eye breeds for tastier pork
Forbes (Associated Press)
The niche pork market is small, but experts, including ISU animal science professor M. Peter Hoffman, say it's expanding because consumers are willing to pay more for a premium product. Japanese demand sparked a comeback for the heirloom Berkshire breed, which has a higher fat content but is juicier and more flavorful, chefs say.