News
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.
'River of Milk' mural installed at ISU Dairy Farm
An etched glass mural titled "River of Milk" has been installed at the Iowa State University Dairy Farm's visitor center. The mural combines dairy production, science and a bit of history.
Iowa State hosts Black History Month events through March 3
Iowa State kicked off its annual observance of Black History Month with a Jan. 27 lecture from author Manning Marable, and will continue the celebration of African-American culture with four other events through March 3.
As the country braces for new poverty, ISU sociologist charts 20-year poverty trends
David Peters, an assistant professor of sociology in Iowa State's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, has studied community poverty rates across the country between 1980-2000. His paper, "The Typology of American Poverty," was published in this month's International Regional Science Review 2009.
Idea of Ecotones to Highlight Department of English Symposium
Writers, artists, scholars and scientists will converge at Iowa State for the 5th Annual Symposium on Wildness, Wilderness & the Creative Imagination, Feb. 8-9, at the Brunnier Art Museum and Memorial Union.
Iowa State economists assess the state of the Iowa economy and its 2009 future
Iowa State economists Peter Orazem and Liesl Eathington agree that the country's economic crisis hasn't hit bottom yet, but they say that Iowa continues to weather the economic storm better than the rest of the nation.
Iowa State student receives $25,000 Geoffrey Beene fashion scholarship
ISU student Danielle Sponder was awarded a $25,000 YMA Geoffrey Beene National Scholarship at a dinner this month honoring the scholarship recipients in New York's Marriott Marquis. Four other Iowa State students also were awarded $5,000 YMA scholarships.
Greenlee School professor sees consumer drawbacks to digital TV conversion
Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication assistant professor Jeff Blevins questions the benefit to consumers of the mandated digital television conversion on Feb. 17, and the government's involvement in the process.
Manning Marable to speak on diversity and democracy on Jan. 27
Manning Marable, a Columbia University professor, black history scholar and human rights activist, will present the keynote speech for Iowa State's Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. His speech, "Diversity and Democracy in America," will be at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, in the Memorial Union Sun Room. Marable is the author and/or editor of 21 books and scholarly anthologies on black politics, and the role of race and class in history.
ISU report to United Nations conference says drug prevention programs help the economy
Iowa State researchers Richard Spoth and Max Guyll have authored a report showing that substance abuse prevention programs return nearly $10 for every dollar invested. The report was presented at an international conference, co-sponsored by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the World Health Organization.
King events through Jan. 29
Iowa State will pay tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. with a series of events through Jan. 29.
University closed on King holiday; King events through Jan. 29
In observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday Jan. 19, university offices will be closed and classes recessed. Iowa State will pay tribute to King with a series of events through Jan. 29.
Ladson-Billings lecture moved to Feb. 12
Due to the weather, Gloria Ladson-Billings' lecture "The World is Neither Flat Nor Round," has been postponed until Feb. 12.
Researcher works to modify, increase corn starch
An Iowa State University researcher has developed technology that allows corn plants to produce more starch and also modified starch.
Iowa State professors studying more effective method to monitor physical activity
Kinesiology professor Gregory Welk is leading a team of Iowa State researchers on a four-year project to provide a more precise way for people to determine their physical activity level. The project is funded by a $616,430 grant from the National Institutes of Health and conducted in partnership with Iowa State's Center for Survey Science and Methodology.
Ethanol profitability calculator developed by Iowa State University researcher
David Peters, an assistant professor of sociology in Iowa State's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, has developed a tool to determine what market conditions are needed for ethanol producers to make a profit.
'Science Cafe' to explore the human nature of chimps with Jill Pruetz on Jan. 21
Associate Professor of Anthropology Jill Pruetz will present "Chimps: They're More Human Than You Think," at ISU's "Science Cafe" on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 6 p.m. at Legends American Grill in Ames. The event is free and open to the public.
Iowa State University to honor Martin Luther King Jr. with a series of events
Iowa State University will join the nation in honoring Martin Luther King Jr., the civil rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner who was assassinated on April 4, 1968. The Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration 2009 will pay tribute to King with a series of events between Jan. 14 and Jan. 29. All events are free and open to the public.
Iowa State students called to duty for Obama inauguration
Staff Sgt. Justin Niichel of Osage and Spc. Sunjo Chang of Westfield, both Iowa State pre-business students, will be among the 1,000 Iowa National Guard soldiers and airmen on duty during the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration of Barack Obama.
Iowa State earns National Model Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Program Award
Iowa State University was honored with the National Model Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Program Award at the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) Annual Conference in Anaheim, Calif. on Saturday, Jan. 10. ISU management professor Howard Van Auken was also named a USASBE Fellow at the conference.
Iowa State University researchers discover structure of key Ebola protein
An ISU research team led by Gaya Amarasinghe, ISU biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology, is a step closer to finding a way to counter the Ebola virus after recently solving the structure from a key part of the Ebola protein known as VP35.
Iowa Small Business Development Centers aiding businesses indirectly damaged by disasters
Businesses that were indirectly damaged economically by last summer's weather disasters across the state are encouraged to contact the Iowa Small Business Development Centers to receive free counseling assistance.
Quisenberry named ISU vice president for research and economic development
Sharron Quisenberry, professor of entomology and dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, is Iowa State University's new vice president for research and economic development. Quisenberry will join ISU on April 1, 2009.
Iowa State astrophysicist helps map the Milky Way's four spiral arms
Martin Pohl, an Iowa State University associate professor of physics and astronomy, is part of a research team that developed the first complete map of the Milky Way galaxy's spiral arms. The map shows two prominent, symmetric spiral arms in the inner part of the galaxy. The arms extend into the outer galaxy where they branch into four spiral arms.
Iowa State University experts highlight Discovery Channel show this Saturday
Iowa State University experts will be on the Discovery Channel show "How Stuff Works: Corn" noon Saturday on Mediacom channel 39 in Ames and Des Moines.
