News Archive
Thursday, November 20 2008
News
Geoffroy: ISU developing plans to handle possible reversion
In a Nov. 20 letter to Iowa State faculty and staff, ISU President Gregory Geoffroy said officials are developing plans to handle a possible budget reversion, should one by required by the downturn in state revenues. Geoffroy added that "Iowa's economy is in relatively better shape than many other states, where much larger budget cuts already have been enacted."
Mathematics On the Road Experience 2009 tour set to improve college math preparation
Faculty from the ISU mathematics department have created Mathematics On the Road Experience (MORE) 2009 -- an informational program they plan to take to 10 Iowa Area Education Agencies (AEA) next year to help prepare Iowa students better for the rigors of university level math.
Greenbowe is named Iowa's Professor of the Year
For his emphasis on teaching and learning, Tom Greenbowe, a professor of chemistry at Iowa State, was named the 2008 Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching Iowa Professor of the Year.
Political journalist and author Ron Suskind to speak at Iowa State Dec. 4
Ron Suskind, a Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist and best-selling author of books about politics and international affairs, will speak on Thursday, Dec. 4. "Truth and Hope in an Age of Extremism," will be at 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. It is free and open to the public. His most recent book examines the consequences of America's failing moral leadership in an age of terrorism and nuclear weapons.
Nanocoatings boost industrial energy efficiency
Scientist Bruce Cook at the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory is leading a research effort to develop ultrahard, low-friction coatings for hydraulic pumps and cutting tools that can dramatically reduce the equipments' energy consumption.
MEDIA ADVISORY: Iowa State experts can discuss economy, recession-related topics
ISU faculty and staff members are available to share their expertise on numerous topics related to the country's current economic crisis.
Iowa State experts project a rough holiday retail season
Both Meghan O'Brien, an economist with ISU's Regional Capacity Analysis Program; and Joydeep Bhattacharya, an associate professor of economics, project a decline in retail sales this holiday season, with smaller businesses feeling more of the economic pain.
ISU's Mayberry still sizzles on Rachael Ray show
It's down to the final two contestants on Rachael Ray's "Hey, Can You Cook?!" TV competition, and ISU junior Madison Mayberry is one of them. The 21-year-old Orange City native's challenge on Nov. 17 was to cook a balanced meal inspired by one of three cultures that came through Ellis Island. Mayberry raced against the clock to create Irish Cabbage Wraps in under 25 minutes. Next week's finale airs on Monday, Nov. 24 at 11 a.m. on WHO-TV.
Iowa State researcher develops biofriendly candle wax that burns cleaner
An Iowa State University researcher has developed a new soy wax that burns cleaner, produces nontoxic smoke and is renewable.
Forums for sustainability director this week
Open forums will be held on campus this week for three finalists for the position of sustainability director. Finalists are Steven Squires, vice president for the environmental consulting firm Trileaf Corp.; Dennis Banasiak, president of Banasiak Development, Urbandale, a consulting firm involved in alternative energy, ag and biotech industries; and Mary T'Kach, executive director in environmental sustainability, Aveda Corp., Blaine, Minn.
Iowa State physicists part of research team testing Nobel-winning theory
Iowa State's Soeren Prell is analyzing data from an experiment that tests a theory that won a share of this year's Nobel-Prize in Physics. The theory and the data help explain why the universe is made of matter.
ISU Pappajohn Center seeks entries for statewide new venture biz plan competition
Iowa students who want to compete in the 2008 Pappajohn New Venture Business Plan Competition have until Friday, Dec. 12, to file an "intent to compete" form with one of the five Pappajohn centers for entrepreneurship -- Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, the University of Northern Iowa, North Iowa Area Community College and Drake University.
Companies with ISU ties take top honors in state Pappajohn business plan contest
Submittal Exchange, a Des Moines-based company founded by Iowa State graduate Matt Ostanik; and Innovation Vibration Solutions (IVS), which was founded by Atul Kelkar, a professor of mechanical engineering at ISU; and Jerald Vogel, an Iowa State emeritus professor in aerospace engineering, finished first and third respectively in the third annual statewide John Pappajohn Business Plan Competition.
Vice chancellor Hassan Said and President Gregory Geoffroy
Geoffroy's Asian visit bolsters ISU's longtime ties
During a Nov. 11 visit to Kuala Lumpur, ISU President Gregory Geoffroy strengthened ISU links with two Malaysian universities that have a 25-year-plus association with Iowa State.
Turtles alter nesting dates due to temperature change says ISU researcher
An Iowa State researchers says turtles nesting along the Mississippi River and other areas are altering their nesting dates in response to rising temperatures.
Student rock band lives, plays together in Iowa State residence hall
Members of the rock band "Tempest Rose" are all living together, thanks to ISU rooming assignments, in an Eaton Hall suite. The four West Des Moines Valley High graduates recently won ISU's Homecoming 2008 "Battle of the Bands" on Oct. 23.
Center for Study of Violence paper finds violent video game effects across cultures
A new study, led by ISU Distinguished Professor of Psychology Craig Anderson, shows effects of violent video games on aggression over a 3-6 month period in children from Japan as well as the United States. Anderson also led the effort to establish the Center for the Study of Violence at Iowa State last fall.
Iowa State researchers to develop national energy/transportation model and plan
James McCalley, an Iowa State University professor in electrical and computer engineering, is leading a research team that's developing new and better infrastructure designs for the country's energy and transportation systems. The research team will consider all of America's energy options, including biofuels, wind, hydro, tidal, geothermal, nuclear, coal, hydrogen, solar, biomass, natural gas and petroleum, together with new and old freight and passenger transportation technologies.
ISU professor hits his stride as an artist for new children's book and murals
Chuck Richards is reaping the success of his newfound passion as a children's book author and illustrator. The art and design associate professor's book, "Critter Sitter," was published recently, just as he delivered to the University of Iowa Children's Hospital the last of four commissioned paintings based on an earlier book.
In the news
Violent video games linked to child aggression
CNN.com/health
In the new study, Distinguished Professor Craig Anderson and his colleagues looked at how children's and teens' video game habits at one time point related to their behavior three to six months later.
Study links violent video games, hostility
The Washington Post
The U.S. research was the first in the nation to look at the effects of violent video games over time, said lead author Craig Anderson, a Distinguished Professor at Iowa State University and director of its Center for the Study of Violence.
Turn page at mid-age on activity
The Des Moines Register
For many boomers, the biggest issue in staying active is mentally accepting that your body is aging and that it has its limits, said Warren Franke, a professor in the department of kinesiology at Iowa State University. That means dealing with physical issues such as low-back pain, bad knees, osteoporosis, arthritis and declining vision.