News Archive
Thursday, May 10 2012
News
Iowa Energy Center supports research aimed at building Iowas bioeconomy
Three teams of Iowa State University researchers will use grants from the Iowa Energy Center to develop biorenewable technologies. All three projects involve the thermochemical conversion of biomass to biorenewable fuels, chemicals and products. The grants are part of the center's mission to improve energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.
ISU economists study Iowa communities 15 years before and after Wal-Mart
Ken Stone, an Iowa State emeritus economics professor; and Georgeanne Artz, a visiting assistant professor of economics in ISU's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, have authored a new study comparing retail sales in Iowa communities 15 years before and after Wal-Mart entry into a community. While host towns showed moderate increases in total retail sales in the 15 years following the stores' opening, the study found that neighboring communities without Wal-Mart stores have also seen their sales largely stabilized during the same 15-year period.
Wickert named senior vice president and provost
Jonathan Wickert, dean of the College of Engineering at Iowa State, has been tapped to become ISU's next senior vice president and provost.
Tom Schrier
Just in time for vacation: ISU professor studies new attractions at theme parks
Tom Schrier studies amusement/theme parks as an assistant professor of apparel, events, and hospitality management at Iowa State. He is working on a multi-year study exploring how new attractions influence attendance rates at amusement/theme parks. He also developed an attractions and amusement park administration course this spring to expose students to employment opportunities available in the amusement/theme park industry.
Two Iowa State architecture students offer Waverly an outdoor amphitheater design
Iowa State retail specialist forecasts a happy Mother's Day ahead for Iowa retailers
Ron Prescott (above), the retail and small business specialist with Iowa State's Extension and Outreach Community and Economic Development and Department of Economics, reports that new National Retail Federation data projects that Iowa retailers should see an increase in their Mother's Day sales. Sales nationally may peak at $152.52 per person, which Prescott says is an 8.4 percent increase over last year.
Young mother overcomes cancer to graduate Saturday from Iowa State's vet med school
After entering the College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007, Sarah Myers lost her mother to cancer while battling cancer herself. Three years later -- following the birth of her second child -- an unrelated cancer appeared. Heeding her own mother's advice to "be stronger," Myers completed her veterinary medicine studies and will earn her DVM on Saturday.
Iowa State's design college and alumni association partner with Iowa Prison Industries
When the director of Iowa Prison Industries (IPI) wanted to update the design of some furniture and wood products manufactured by offenders, he came to Iowa State University. Enter Chris Martin, associate professor of integrated studio arts, who teaches advanced furniture design. Martin transformed the potential partnership into a comprehensive project that turns downed campus trees into funding for promising artists.
Iowa State design students create an oversize toy for Reiman Gardens
Associate
Professor of Architecture Mitchell Squire's innovative
teaching and his students' discoveries will be on view from
April 27 through Nov. 16 at Reiman Gardens, in conjunction with
the LEGO Nature Connects exhibit. Students in Squire's
TOYS!
Studio created a conservatory building exhbit that embraces
basic toy forms like a pinwheel and cannon to create a world of
wonder and delight.
Iowa State NAMA chapter wins national agri-marketing competition
Iowa State's National Agri-Marketing Association chapter has won first place in the association's annual student marketing competition, finishing ahead of 29 other universities for the top honor.
Iowa State engineers load new Iowa Falls bridge with damage-detection gauges
Iowa State University engineers are working with the Iowa Department of Transportation to develop and test a comprehensive monitoring system on the new bridge near downtown Iowa Falls. The system will take continuous, real-time measurements of corrosion, strain, surface conditions, moisture within the bridge's steel arch and structure movements over time.
Nutrition and Wellness Research Center symposium to address sustainability of health
Iowa State's Nutrition and Wellness Research Center will conduct its 2012 symposium, "Sustaining Health in a Changing Environment: Creating a Resilient Future," May 16-18, at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames. The symposium will bring together national and international experts who will cover the role of climate on human, plant and animal health, food insecurity and sustainability of the food supply.
In the news
Mother's Day spending expected to bloom in 2012
April tornadoes legacy: Weather scientists hope to learn from extraordinary events
The Birmingham News
A wealth of data from instruments, damage surveys and aerial photography is feeding ongoing efforts to learn why tornadoes form and intensify, and better understand how to keep people alive in the paths of those savage winds. It's research that is tinged with shock and urgency for a scientist such as Christopher Karstens of Iowa State, who drove to Tuscaloosa for damage surveys just after an EF-4 tornado killed 39 people. "It's always difficult," said Karstens. "I just try to go in with the mindset that I have a job to do, and the job could be beneficial to people in the future."
New smart bridge features damage sensors
Leath says Iowa State University will target rising student debt
The Des Moines Register
In a Register exclusive, ISU President Steven Leath previews a plan to raise millions for tuition and research, and reflects on his first 100 days leading Iowa State.