News Archive
Tuesday, September 16 2008
News
National Science Foundation funds $2.1 million soybean disease project at ISU
Identifying genes essential for the soybean plant's defense against three major diseases will be the aim of a new $2.1 million research project led by Iowa State University.
'MythBusters' host to take audience behind the scenes of popular science show
Grant Imahara of the Discovery Channel's "MythBusters" show will speak at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at Stephens Auditorium at the Iowa State Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. The presentation is free and open to the public.
Carly Fiorina appearance at Iowa State postponed
Carly Fiorina's Iowa State appearance as the Fall 2008 Mary Louise Smith Chair in Women and Politics -- originally scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 16 -- has been postponed. Fiorina's lecture will be rescheduled for a later date (to be announced).
Iowa State study finds mom's beliefs may impact their kids' alcohol use
An ISU research team found when mothers helped their kids develop a self-view that doesn't include alcohol, those adolescents drank less. Their study was published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, a professional journal of the American Psychological Association.
New beef irradiation process improves appearance, odor of irradiated beef
An ISU researcher has found that adding certain natural products to beef before irradiating it allows the meat to maintain a healthy, red appearance and inhibits off-odors.
Iowa State economists' report puts face on state's immigrant population
Economists Dave Swenson and Liesl Eathington of ISU's Regional Capacity Analysis Program examined a representative sample of more than 16,000 Iowans from the 2006 U.S. Census to make projections on Iowa's foreign and native-born populations. They found that the state's immigrant population is much different than what many people believe.
Team PrISUm to show off car that raced 2,400 miles on sun power
Team PrISUm is inviting sponsors, friends and the public to its garage from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, to show off Sol Invictus, the team's $400,000, 1,400-watt solar race car. The garage is located on the south side of Iowa State University's Sweeney Hall.
Iowa State University fall enrollment is 26,856; fourth-highest on record
Student enrollment at Iowa State University is 26,856, an increase of nearly 2.7 percent (or 696 more students) compared to fall 2007.
The Martins
Remembering a remarkable couple
Painting dedication honors Archie and Nancy Martin, who opened their home to generations of Iowa State black students in the first half of the 20th century.
Author and reporter Sonia Nazario to speak Sept. 23
Author and Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Sonia Nazario will speak on "Enrique's Journey and America's Immigration Dilemma," at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, in the Memorial Union Sun Room. The event is free and open to the public.
Author Adrienne Rich to speak, Sept. 22
Adrienne Rich, writer, award-winning author, poet and feminist icon, will speak at 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25, in the Memorial Union Great Hall. The event is free and open to the public.
Henry Rollins performs free Sept. 18
Henry Rollins, known as a post-punk renaissance man, will launch his new Recountdown Tour, an election-time talking show, at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, in Stephens Auditorium at Iowa State University. The performance is free and open to the public. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Bronze Star
David Asjes, assistant professor of naval science and executive officer of ISU's Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC), received the Bronze Star in a Sept. 9 ceremony on campus. The Bronze Star is among the highest military awards. Asjes received the medal for exceptional achievement during his service in Iraq from October 2007 to April 2008.
Vote for Cy
Cy is currently competing in the Capital One National mascot of the Year competition. The competition features a head-to-head weekly battle between 12 different mascots. Fan votes will determine the winner. Fans can vote online once a day.
In the news
Top scholars stay in Iowa
The Des Moines Register
A Des Moines Register survey finds that a majority of top Iowa high school graduates choose to stay here for college, and the largest number of them come to Iowa State.
Bonobos may have greater linguistic skills than previously thought
ScienceDaily
What happens when linguistic tools used to analyze human language are applied to a conversation between a language-competent bonobo and a human? The findings, published this month by Iowa State Ph.D. student Janni Pedersen in the Journal of Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science, indicate that bonobos may exhibit larger linguistic competency in ordinary conversation than in controlled experimental settings.