News Archive
Tuesday, January 27 2015
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Kepler astronomers discover ancient star with five Earth-size planets
Iowa State's Steve Kawaler is part of an international team that used data from NASA's Kepler spacecraft to find an 11.2 billion-year-old star with at least five Earth-size planets. The discovery tells astronomers that Earth-size planets have been forming for most of the history of the universe. And that, according to a paper just published by The Astrophysical Journal, leaves “open the possibility for the existence of ancient life in the Galaxy."
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Stellar astronomers answer question posed by citizen scientists: ‘What are yellowballs?’
Citizen scientists wanted to know: What are the yellow objects on these infrared images from the Spitzer Space Telescope? The team of astronomers working with Milky Way Project -- a project that asks volunteers to study Spitzer images for patterns showing star formation -- decided to take a closer look. Iowa State's Charles Kerton and other astronomers report in The Astrophysical Journal that the so-called "yellowballs" are part of the development of massive stars.
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ISU will host 'Honor and Sacrifice' documentary and filmmaker Feb. 17
Japanese American Ray Matsumoto was an internment camp detainee when he enlisted in the U.S. military during World War II. While his brothers fought for Japan, he became a decorated hero. His story is told in a powerful, award-winning documentary. Iowa State will host a showing of the film and a panel discussion with the filmmaker during "Honor and Sacrifice: Remembering a Japanese-American Hero" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, in the Memorial Union Great Hall.
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Iowa State University veterinary researcher studies potential therapy for hydrogen sulfide poisoning
Iowa State University research is investigating the long-term neurological damage caused by hydrogen sulfide poisoning, a threat to both humans and animals that can originate from sources as varied as swamps to industrial processes to manure pits. The research has implications for human health, veterinary medicine and national security.
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Iowa State students part of global challenge to reduce food insecurity
Two Iowa State University undergrads want to be part of the solution to end world hunger. It’s a daunting task considering that it will take a 70 percent increase in food production by 2050 to meet the demands of a growing global population. The students will spend the next semester working on solutions to achieve food security as part of the Land O’Lakes Global Food Challenge Emerging Leaders for Food Security fellowship.
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ISU professor says Facebook not to blame for negative impact on grades
It may not come as a surprise that the more time college students, particularly freshmen, spend on Facebook, the more their grades suffer. In his latest study, Reynol Junco, an associate professor of education at Iowa State University, found that while freshman struggle to balance their use, social media is less of a problem for upper classmen. The difference relates to self-regulation.
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Live attenuated influenza vaccines may have advantages for use in swine, according to Iowa State University research
New research at Iowa State University demonstrates that live attenuated influenza vaccines, administered intranasally to swine, provoke a broader immune response than whole inactivated virus vaccines, which are the current standard. That broader immune response provides better cross-protection against variant influenza viruses circulating in swine.
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The Underground Girls of Kabul author will speak at Iowa State Feb. 5
Jenny Nordberg, a New York-based investigative reporter whose work revealed the Afghani practice of bacha posh — raising girls as boys — will present "The Underground Girls of Kabul" at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, in the Memorial Union Sun Room. Her talk is part of the university's World Affairs Series: Redefining Global Security. It is free and open to the public.
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Hundreds of Iowa students to show off LEGO skills, compete for Iowa Championship
Hundreds of young students from across the state will rock the College of Engineering on Saturday, Jan. 17, during the annual Iowa FIRST LEGO League Championship. The championship runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Howe and Hoover halls on the west side of campus. The event is free and open to the public.
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Ready to Run® Iowa registration now open
The fact that Iowa elected its first woman to Congress this past fall is encouraging to Kelly Winfrey, a lecturer for the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics at Iowa State University. Winfrey is optimistic it will motivate more women to run for office. Women considering political office or serving on a board should take the first step by signing up for the 2015 Ready to Run® Iowa: Campaign Training for Women program.
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Iowa State nuclear physicist makes the case for studying the strong nuclear force
Iowa State's John Lajoie is happy to make the case for nuclear physics and the big experiments it takes to make discoveries. He's been part of the proton- and nuclei-smashing PHENIX Experiment at Brookhaven National Laboratory since 1997. He's now busy developing an extension to one of the experiment's sub-detectors. PHENIX is all about helping researchers understand a new state of matter and the fundamental bits and forces of nature.
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Iowa State will honor Martin Luther King Jr. during upcoming events
Throughout the month of January, Iowa State University and the Ames community will observe the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday (Monday, Jan. 19) to honor the life of the Nobel Peace Prize winner and civil rights activist. Events include a carillon concert, community birthday celebration and a presentation on systemic racial discrimination. All events are free and open to the public.
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Iowa State and Des Moines Public Schools to expand college opportunity through ‘ISU 4U Promise’
Iowa State University and the Des Moines Public School District are working with families and neighborhood organizations to make college more accessible and affordable for students at King Elementary and Moulton Extended Learning Center. The ISU 4U Promise program will provide educational and teaching assistance as well as provide tuition awards.
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ISU scientist calculates economic impact of gas tax increase for Iowans
No one wants to pay more at the pump, but a possible increase in the state gas tax may not cost as much as some Iowans think. Dave Swenson, an associate scientist in economics at Iowa State University, calculated the average cost of a 10-cent increase, based on miles traveled and gas mileage.
Change Agent: DC (Duck-chul) Lee
This ISU professor did not let adversity sideline his career. Instead, he redefined it.