News Archive
Wednesday, December 3 2008
News
ISU's best and brightest show their work at the Honors Poster Presentation Thursday
Thirty-two honors students will showcase their academic talents during the fall 2008 Honors Poster Presentation from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union. Projects include a therapy-tool book for children dealing with divorce, an investigation of whether or not wearing a backpack destabilizes gait, a study of the relationship between nutrition and cognition in Iowa centenarians, a look at the truth behind lie detectors and a travel guide of Iowa's commercial and public horticultural establishments.
WinterFest is Dec. 3
Campanile tours, carriage rides, music and lights are part of WinterFest activities on campus Dec. 3.
Iowa State, Ames Laboratory chemist looks for cleaner, cheaper rocket fuel
Mark Gordon of Iowa State University and the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory is part of a U.S. Air Force research collaboration looking for new and better rocket fuels. The researchers have turned their attention to ionic liquids -- salts that can melt down to liquids at room temperature -- as a potential fuel.
ISU community planning students help Perry integrate immigrants into revitalization
Some community planning students In Gerardo Sandoval's class spent the semester working with the people of Perry to enhance the city's downtown revitalization plan. City leaders asked the students to find ways to integrate the immigrant community into the planning process and the final plan. Students will present their recommendations, "Iowa's Re-emerging Hometown: Planning for a Multicultural Perry," at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the Center for Town/Craft, 1122 Willis Ave. in Perry.
Wind Energy Symposium Dec. 9
The first ISU Wind Energy Symposium, on campus Dec. 9, will feature energy, industry and university experts. Researchers, policy makers, industrial leaders, anyone with an interest in energy is invited to attend. Register online.
ISU researchers introduce higher-yielding soybean varieties with improved oil
ISU's soybean breeding program has introduced four soybean varieties for 2009 planting that will result in higher yields for farmers.
ISU's Mayberry wins Rachael Ray competition
ISU junior Madison Mayberry has won Rachael Ray's "Hey, Can You Cook?!" TV competition. The 21-year-old Orange City native's final challenge included rolling pie crust, preparing butternut squash, and dressing a turkey in a "Thanksgiving Throwdown." Then, Mayberry had to create an original meal from Thanksgiving leftovers in just 25 minutes. Among other prizes, Mayberry has won a trip to Paris, four days of classes at the world-famous Le Cordon Bleu culinary arts school, and a kitchen full of new appliances -- and she doesn't even have a kitchen. Mayberry will make a future appearance on the Rachael Ray Show to do her own cooking segment.
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.
Cy's in the semifinals
Cy has made it to the semifinals of the grueling Capital One National mascot of the Year competition.
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
Survey: Americans plan to scrimp, save
The Des Moines Register
A new survey indicates that, come Jan. 1, Americans will save more and accumulate less credit card debt. But cravings for instant consumption may prove too tempting to resist, says Joydeep Bhattacharya, associate professor of economics. "Consumers have the right intentions, but they overestimate what they can do," he said. "Credit card access has been easy for the past 15 years...so Americans have never had to try to quit. They've not had any practice.""
Beating washers into wind turbines in Iowa
National Public Radio
Iowa has taken the lead in the emerging field of wind energy. Some of the same workers who used to make appliances are now busy building wind turbines. Iowa State economist David Swenson provides perspective.