News Archive
Thursday, May 24 2012
News
Newly modified nanoparticle opens window on future gene editing technologies
Iowa State University researchers are using nanoparticles originally developed by the late Victor Lin to simultaneously deliver proteins and DNA into plant cells. The technology could allow more sophisticated and targeted editing of plant genomes. And that could help researchers develop crops that adapt to changing climates and resist pests. The discovery has been published online by the journal Advanced Functional Materials.
Iowa State students take a lighter, more autonomous lunabot to NASA competition
Iowa State University's Team LunaCY will compete in NASA's Lunabotics Mining Competition May 21-26. This year's student-designed and student-built robot is lighter and more efficient than past efforts. The goal is to mine and deposit at least 10 kilograms of simulated moon soil within 10 minutes.
Pamela Anthony named dean of students
Pamela Anthony, who has served as assistant dean of students at Georgia State University since 2003, will begin as Iowa State's dean of students on Aug. 1. Anthony has extensive experience in student crisis intervention, judicial affairs, student activities and Greek life. Previously, she was the director of student activities at Spelman College, and held two positions at the University of Alaska.
Iowa State attacks student debt through research, resources and programming
A study of Iowa State students has found that one in eight don't realize they owe student loans, while two in five don't realize how much they owe. The study represents the latest effort to address student debt and financial literacy at Iowa State. ISU leaders and the Government of the Student Body have invested in greater financial literacy resources over the past three years.
New Iowa State research considers prosocial, antisocial and other effects of video games
New studies by Iowa State psychology researchers have found further evidence that youth who play prosocial video games can increase helpful and decrease hurtful behavior. Craig Anderson, a Distinguished Professor of psychology; and Douglas Gentile, an associate professor of psychology, have collaborated with ISU graduate students and other researchers on three new studies and a book chapter.
Iowa State, Salk researchers make plant protein discovery that could boost bioeconomy
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.
Carillon concert series opens May 29
The music department's summer carillon concert series returns to campus this year in its biennial rotation. Guest carillonneurs will visit campus, once a month, from May through August, beginning this Tuesday, May 29, at 7 p.m.
Two ISU faculty among top 50 creative writing professors on Twitter
Iowa State's Mary Swander (@MSwander) and Benjamin Percy (@Benjamin_Percy) have made World Wide Learn's list of the top 50 creative writing professors on Twitter. Tweet that!
Reynolds named inaugural director of ISU's School of Education
Ralph E. Reynolds will become the inaugural director of the School of Education in Iowa State's College of Human Sciences on July 1. Reynolds has served as professor and chair of the department of educational psychology at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas since 2000. A higher education administrator for more than 20 years, Reynolds has led two university education programs to national prominence.
In the news
Joplin anniversary
30 years after Walmarts arrival, small towns doing better
Iowa State University economist Ken Stone made headlines in 1988 when he released the first academic study on Walmart's economic impact on small communities. Twenty-five years later, the professor emeritus has co-authored a new ISU study that could make another splash, but for different reasons.
New smart bridge features damage sensors
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."