News Archive
Monday, December 18 2017
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2017 Year in Review
As 2017 comes to an end, the Iowa State University News Service staff is looking back and sharing some of its favorite and more popular stories of the year.
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Corn genetics provides insight into the crop’s historical spread across the Americas
Evolutionary bottlenecks brought on by domestication have caused the genome of corn to retain harmful mutations over the course of millennia, according to a new study from an Iowa State University scientist. The study takes a journey through the past by studying genetic changes in corn.
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Researchers developing, testing nanovaccine to protect against the flu virus
A team of researchers working across disciplines and universities is developing a flu nanovaccine that preliminary studies suggest could be more effective than today's seasonal shots. The National Institutes of Health is supporting the research with a five-year, $2.8 million grant. The project is a good example of how the Nanovaccine Institute based at Iowa State University is designed to work.
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Iowa State University animal science researcher honored for genetic discoveries
An Iowa State University animal geneticist was one of several scientists named a Fellow by the National Academy of Inventors. Max Rothschild, a C.F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Ensminger Endowed Chair of International Agriculture, received the recognition for discoveries in swine genetics that have saved pork producers and processors money and increased meat quality for consumers.
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Adversity pushes Iowa State senior to find new direction in pursuit of degree
A conversation in a bowling alley helped Nik Heftman land a job with CBS News in New York. For a guy who faced his share of obstacles to earn a degree, he felt his hard work had finally paid off.
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Iowa State senior sees health setback as ‘a blessing in disguise’
Kevin Burgoni was on track to graduate from Iowa State University in four years, until a sudden and scary health situation changed his timeline.
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Science Bound served as the springboard for biology grad's adventure
First-generation Iowa State graduate Grace Ansah fell in love with biology, and plans to go to medical school -- with a side trip to her family's homeland in Ghana first.
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Software engineer's route to success: Passion
Software engineer Anne Tesar is driven for adventure. After a whirlwind undergraduate experience inside and outside the classroom, she's headed to a job on Microsoft's graphics team following graduation.
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New online database brings the genome into focus using molecular structure
An online database built by Iowa State University scientists provides a new tool with which researchers can study human biology. The database is freely accessible to anyone on the web, where it allows scientists to study the functions and structure of RNA with greater speed and ease than in the past.
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Chemist studying electric fields, microfluidics to improve dialysis technology
Iowa State University's Robbyn Annand is studying how a hybrid of electrochemical and microfluidic technologies could be used to improve the dialysis equipment that cleans salt, waste and water from blood. That technology could enable a wearable, artificial kidney. And that could benefit her brother, who depends on today's big and heavy dialysis equipment.
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Helping young adults talk about decision to abstain, delay sex
A new Iowa State University study looks at how students initiate conversations about abstaining from or delaying sex and the strategies they use to explain their decision. At a time of greater awareness about sexual assault, Tina Coffelt, an assistant professor of English and communication studies, says it is important to help students navigate these conversations.
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New study finds timing is key in keeping organic matter in wet soils
Timing is key regarding the retention of organic matter in soils that get wet periodically for relatively short intervals of time. Findings in a new study from an ISU scientist show periodically wet soils don’t always protect organic matter from decomposition, as previously thought.
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Declines in population don’t always reflect quality of life, according to ISU sociologist
A new report from an Iowa State University sociologist looks at Iowa towns that have improved quality of life while populations have dwindled. The report draws on census and survey data to identify 12 “shrink-smart” communities in Iowa.
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New ISU research details genetic resistance to sudden death syndrome in soybeans
Incorporating a combination of genes from the model plant Arabidopsis may build high levels of resistance to sudden death syndrome in soybeans, according to research from an Iowa State University agronomist. A recently published study points to one gene in particular as a likely candidate to bolster resistance.
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U.S. association honors Iowa State scientists for studies of plant viruses, computational science
Two Iowa State scientists are being honored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science for “their scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications.”
Iowa State graduate builds a business while excelling in the classroom
An Iowa State senior started his own barbecue sauce company in his freshman dorm room.
Postcard from Campus: Dead Week
Most of Iowa State's campus is quiet during Dead Week, but a few spots are busier than ever.