News Archive
Friday, May 2 2008
News
ISU study finds how physical inactivity, screen time contribute to overweight kids
An Iowa State study of 709 children between the ages of 7-12 from elementary schools in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Lakeville, Minn., found that children not meeting either the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for physical activity (13,000 pedometer steps per day for boys, 11,000 for girls) or screen time (no more than two hours of quality programming per day) were three to four times more likely to be overweight than those complying with both.
Iowa State-ConocoPhillips collaboration advances 26 research projects in first year
A little more than one year ago ConocoPhillips and Iowa State University announced an eight-year, $22.5 million research program. That collaboration began 14 research projects in 2007 and another 12 in 2008. Those projects include studies of various biofuel production technologies, technical and economic analyses of different types of biorefineries, production of crops for conversion to biofuels, sustainable growing of crops and biomass, the harvest, storage and transportation of biomass, and the combustion performance of biofuels in engines.
May graduate headed for the international art world of Sotheby's
She may have started elementary school with a speech disability, but Kate Brown is ending up right where she wants to be--on the threshold of a career in the international art world. After graduating on May 10, the Hixson Scholar from Odebolt heads to Sotheby's Institute of Art in London for her master's degree.
ISU tornado science featured on Discovery Channel
Iowa State University's Tornado/Microburst Simulator will be featured on "Blown Away: Greensburg, Kansas," a Discovery Channel show examining the May 2007 tornado that flattened the Kansas town. The show will air at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. (Central) on Saturday, May 3.
ISU career placement professionals provide grads survival tips for tighter job market
Four ISU career placement professionals say that while the job prospects for this spring's graduates is not as gloomy as the economy, new job seekers have to be well-prepared to gain employment. They offer them tips to be successful in their searches.
Researcher works with European Space Agency to test moisture satellite
Brian Hornbuckle, an agronomy professor at ISU, is assisting the European Space Agency research soil moisture content.
Faculty-staff couple head for Peace Corps service in Ghana
It's not your typical faculty leave. But for Chris and Tammi Martin, joining the Peace Corps is the assignment of a lifetime. Chris, associate professor of art and design, and Tammi, administrative specialist in the Center for Crops Utilization Research, depart June 7 for two years of service in Ghana.
ISU study finds Iowa Caucuses generate $15.5 million in state economic impact
A new report by ISU economist Dave Swenson titled "The Economic Impact of the Iowa Caucus: Gauging the Worth of its First-in-the-Nation Position?," found that the major presidential candidates' economic impact to the state was $15.5 million in total sales in the six months preceding the Iowa Caucuses.
Iowa State University helps catch cheaters as summer's fastest athletes compete
The Kentucky Derby, May 3 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, uses Iowa State University researchers to check the horses for performance-enhancing drugs. Iowa State University researchers have been working with the derby for six years, and during that time drug testing has become a household topic.
Iowa State study finds TV portrayals of psychological therapy influences willingness to seek it
Three Iowa State psychologists collaborated on a study that found that television portrayals may make viewers less likely to seek psychological services themselves. Their paper titled "The Influence of Television on Willingness to Seek Therapy," was published in the March issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychology.
ISU dominates 2008 Des Moines Arts Festival Emerging Iowa Artists
Fifteen of the 24 jury-selected Emerging Iowa Artists in the 2008 Des Moines Arts Festival (June 27-29) hail from ISU's College of Design. Twelve are students and three are alumni. The Emerging Iowa Artists Program identifies Iowa's up-and-coming young artists.
Commencement
An estimated 3,113 students will receive degrees from Iowa State during graduation ceremonies, May 9-10. ISU alumnus Michael Crow, president of Arizona State University, will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters and give the commencement address at the undergraduate commencement ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 10, in Hilton.
In the news
Taxing Virtual Worlds
Forbes
In one recent law review article, a quartet of professors from Iowa State University argue for a "cash-out" rule--virtual profits in virtual currency wouldn't be taxed when used "in world"; they would be taxed only if they were converted into profits in real currency and transferred out of the game. They would apply this "cash out" rule to all sorts of virtual games.
