News Archive
Tuesday, February 17 2009
News
Pruetz Presidential Lecture explores human evolution through savanna chimps
Jill Pruetz, an associate professor of anthropology, will present the Spring 2009 Presidential University Lecture "Savanna Chimpanzees and Our Understanding of Human Evolution," on Monday, March 2, at 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Sun Room.
Iowa Power Fund advances researcher's long quest for efficient solar power
Vikram Dalal and a team of Iowa State University researchers are trying to improve thin film solar cells. A $1.69 million grant from the Iowa Power Fund is allowing the researchers to look for efficiencies in new materials, new structures and organic semiconductors.
ISU researcher: Iowa has lower-quality topsoil than 50 years ago
Topsoil depth has remained the same over 50 years, but the quality of the soil has decreased.
Iowa State storm researcher featured on the Science Channel
Iowa State University's Bill Gallus will explain his tornado research on the first episode of the Science Channel's "Against the Elements" show this week. The episode airs at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18; at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19; and 2 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20.
Iowa State researchers talk chemistry education at major science meeting
Two Iowa State University chemistry professors talked about improving science education during this year's annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Thomas Greenbowe studies how labs and animations can improve chemistry education. Tom Holme coordinates development of standardized, norm-referenced chemistry tests.
'Be Comfortable in Your Genes, Rock Your Body' spotlights eating disorders
Although eating disorders can affect anyone at any age, 10 percent of all college-age students have a diagnosed eating disorder. As part of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (Feb. 22-28), ISU Student Counseling Services will present a series of events, "Be Comfortable in Your Genes, Rock Your Body." Events include a documentary film on America's obsession with beauty and physical perfection and Q and A with the filmmaker and eating disorder experts, and a multimedia presentation on the objectification of men and women, which can lead to eating disorders and low self-esteem.
Fish health, boaters, anglers are focus of new Web site
A new Web site is focused on explaining how outdoors enthusiasts can help minimize the chances of spreading the disease Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS).
Four finalists named in search for ISU design dean
Four finalists have been named in the search for the next dean of the College of Design. They are Luis Rico-Gutierrez, associate dean of the College of Fine Arts and David Lewis Director of the Remaking Cities Institute, Carnegie Mellon University; Kate Schwennsen, associate dean of the College of Design; David Edelman, director of the School of Planning, University of Cincinnati; and Christine Theodoropoulos, head of the architecture department, University of Oregon. Candidate will visit campus during the next three weeks.
ISU Theatre announces spring season
Four diverse productions -- "On the Open Road," "The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail," "Gypsy," and "Vinegar Tom" are on ISU Theatre's spring season lineup.
ISU researchers develop technique for quick detection of salmonella
Byron Brehm-Stecher, ISU food science and human nutrition, has developed a technique for testing for the presence of salmonella.
Kevin Nordmeyer to direct the Iowa Energy Center
Kevin Nordmeyer, an architect with wide experience in sustainable design, will be the new director of the Iowa Energy Center. Nordmeyer begins his new job March 1. He designed two Iowa State University projects -- the Morrill Hall restoration and the new King Pavilion at the College of Design -- to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards.
Students begin building solar house for 2009 Solar Decathlon competition
Iowa State students have set up shop in an off-campus warehouse to build a solar house so powerful it will produce nearly twice as much energy as it consumes. And once the Interlock House is constructed and tested, the students will take it apart, move it to Washington, D.C., reassemble it for competition in the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) 2009 Solar Decathlon, and operate it during public tours on the National Mall. For the 75 Iowa State students with 11 varied majors, the past year has been a learning experience like no other.
Beauty and the Beast
Iowa State will host Minnesota in a simultaneous "Beauty and the Beast" wrestling and gymnastics meet event in Hilton Coliseum, Friday, Feb. 20. Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson will sign autographs from 4 to 6 p.m.
Iowa State astronomer to study stars with data from NASA's Kepler mission
Steve Kawaler, an Iowa State University professor of physics and astronomy, plans to witness the launch of NASA's Kepler mission in early March. The mission's space telescope will advance Kawaler's studies of the interiors of stars. And it could find dozens of earth-like planets in our galaxy.
Chimp reunited with mom
Iowa State anthropologist Jill Pruetz recently helped reunite a 9-month-old chimpanzee who'd been taken by hunters with her mother in Senegal. The captors of baby Aimee planned to sell the chimp, but Pruetz' field assistant Johnny Kante talked them into giving her back. Pruetz, Kante and field assistant Michel Keita reintroduced Aimee to the community of savanna chimpanzees at the Fongoli research site -- producing a reunion with her mother Tia. The event was captured on video (courtesy of National Geographic) by Pruetz, who tells the story here.
In the news
Shaky economy shakes up retailers in Perry, Iowa
USA Today
As in many small Iowa towns, Perry's population of 7,600 is aging, and competition from nearby big cities draws customers, said Liesl Eathington, an assistant economics researcher at Iowa State University.