News
VP Biden event will be live streamed
All tickets for U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's town hall meeting today, March 1, have been distributed. Those who were not able to secure tickets can watch the event live beginning at approximately 11:30 a.m. For those with tickets, the doors at Howe Hall will open at 9:15 a.m., and CLOSE at 11 a.m. All guests with tickets must be in the building by 11 a.m. Expect traffic delays in the area today and allow extra time for arrival. Live tweets @IowaStateUNews.
Vice President Biden to visit Iowa State
The White House has announced that Vice President Joe Biden will visit Iowa State University this Thursday, March 1. He will "discuss the Administration's proposals to reward businesses that bring manufacturing jobs back to America and the importance of skilled workers, scientists and engineers to America's economic leadership." Biden will deliver remarks in a town hall meeting at ISU's Howe Hall late Thursday morning; more information will be available Tuesday. Expect traffic delays in the area on Thursday.
Ambassador leading U.S. efforts to combat human trafficking will speak at ISU March 6
Ambassador Luis CdeBaca, President Obama's appointee to direct the State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, will present "Fighting Human Trafficking" at 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 6, in the Memorial Union Sun Room. Working under three presidential admistrations to combat human trafficking and modern forms of slavery, CdeBaca has investigated and prosecuted servitude cases in which victims were held for prostitution and other forms of sexual exploitation, farm labor, domestic service and factory work. CdeBaca is a Huxley native and Iowa State alumnus. His lecture is free and open to the public.
Ecologist and cancer survivor to talk about pollution and health March 4
Sandra Steingraber, a biologist, cancer survivor and author, will speak on "Environmental Pollution, Climate Change and Our Health" at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 4, in the Memorial Union Sun Room. In her latest book, "Raising Elijah: Protecting Children in an Age of Environmental Crisis," Steingraber speaks as a scientist and a mother about the joys of bringing up her son while searching for ways to shield him - and other children - from the effects of climate change and environmental pollution. Steingraber's presentation is the 2012 Shivvers Memorial Lecture. It is free and open to the public.
Iowa State, Ames Lab chemists aid study of mutated plants that may be better for biofuels
A new study says genetic mutations in plants could make it easier to break down plant cellulose to the sugars that are fermented into biofuels. Mei Hong, a professor at Iowa State and an associate of the Ames Laboratory, and Tuo Wang, an Iowa State graduate student, contributed their expertise in solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to the study. The researchers' findings are published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Leath names search committee for new provost
Iowa State University President Steven Leath has appointed a committee to conduct the search for ISU's next provost. Wendy Wintersteen, Endowed Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, will chair the 17-member group.
Chicago community leader will speak about urban homelessness and poverty Feb. 29
Jane Ramsey, an influential community leader and activist in Chicago, will speak on "Myths and Realities of Homelessness and Poverty: A Plan for Transforming Cities" at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29, in the Memorial Union Sun Room. Ramsey is president of the Chicago-based Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, which combats poverty, racism and anti-Semitism in partnership with the city's diverse communities. A principal organizer of coalitions that bring wide-ranging groups together to address common concerns, Ramsey has been at the forefront of many critical issues affecting Chicago. Ramsey's talk is free and open to the public.
L to R: Edward Swing and Douglas Gentile
Video game playing can compound kids' existing attention problems, says ISU study
Children who are already more impulsive or have attention problems tend to spend more time playing video games than other children, which subsequently may compound their attention problems. That's according to a new longitudinal study led by Douglas Gentile, an associate professor of psychology at Iowa State; and Edward Swing, an ISU psychology doctoral candidate, and published this week by the American Psychological Association in its debut issue of the Psychology of Popular Media Culture journal.
Nobel winner Shechtman honored at Statehouse
Danny Shechtman (second from right), of ISU, the Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory, and Israel's Technion, was honored by the Iowa Legislature Feb. 21 for his 2011 Nobel Prize in chemistry. Pictured with Shechtman are (left to right) College of Engineering Dean Jonathan Wickert, the James and Katherine Melsa Professor in Engineering; Regent Nicole Carroll; Sen. Herman Quirmbach; and Iowa State University President Steve Leath.
Eating disorder survivor and recovery mentor to speak Feb. 29
After battling anorexia and bulimia for 15 years, Shannon Cutts has become an internationally known advocate for the value of mentoring in the eating disorder recovery process. She will present a talk, "Beauty Undressed," at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29, in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union. Cutts is the founder of MentorCONNECT, the first global eating disorders mentoring organization, which serves more than 2,000 members in 15 countries. Her talk is free and open to the public.
Experimental behavioral economist to speak on ethical behavior in finance Feb. 28
Erin Krupka, an experimental behavioral economist who studies how the desire to conform to social norms influences immoral and self-interested behavior, will speak at Iowa State on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Her talk, "Ethical Behavior in Finance: Expectations, Incentives and Accountability," will be at 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. Krupka's research seeks to understand why people often behave in a manner consistent with group norms, even in settings without a strategic advantage for doing so, including the corporate environment. Her presentation is part of the Women in STEM Series, and is free and open to the public.
Chief scientist at BP to speak on energy sustainability at Iowa State Feb. 27
The chief scientist at one of the world's largest oil and gas companies will present "Energy Sustainability in a Changing World" at 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, in the Memorial Union Great Hall. As lead scientist for the fourth-largest corporation on the planet, Williams plays a role in determining how developments in science and technology can contribute to sustainable, secure and environmentally responsive energy. She will discuss specific examples of carbon capture and storage, as well as biofuels. Her talk is part of the university's Women in STEM Speaker Series and the Live Green! Sustainability Lecture Series. It is free and open to the public.
Adam Heathcote and Christopher Filstrup examine lake core samples. ISU photo by Bob Elbert
Examining history of Iowa’s lakes reveals past, helps set goals for future: ISU study
A recent three-year study by an Iowa State University research team led by John Downing examined changes in sedimentation rates and sediment composition in 34 Iowa lakes from as long ago as 150 years. According to Downing, the idea that all of Iowa's lakes were uniformly pristine before the land was cleared is not true. And while our lakes have changed pretty dramatically, we can now look at what types of practices need to be put in place to improve the lakes.
Executive Vice President and Provost Hoffman will step down
Executive Vice President and Provost Elizabeth Hoffman has announced her intention to leave Iowa State by the end of the calendar year. She shared her news in a letter to the campus community.
Iowa State researchers: Information flow can help farmers cope with climate change
Iowa State University's Steven Fales and Gene Takle have organized a symposium to explore using instant communications technology to help farmers cope with climate change. And they want the symposium to move beyond ideas and talk. They want action.
Dan Shechtman presents the story of his Nobel-winning and textbook-changing discovery
Dan Shechtman will tell the story of his Nobel-winning discovery of quasicrystals during a public lecture at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union. A reception will follow. The events are free and open to the public.
Food security and sustainable food systems expert to give ISU's Hilton Chair lecture
Michael Hamm, the C.S. Mott Professor of Sustainable Agriculture at Michigan State University and head of the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at MSU, is the 2011-2012 Dean Helen LeBaron Hilton Endowed Chair in the College of Human Sciences at Iowa State. He will deliver a free, public lecture on Thursday, Feb. 23, at 8 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union. It will focus on U.S. food and farm policy and how it can build the economy and national security by ensuring public health.
ISU's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences ends advisory role in Tanzania project
Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will no longer serve in an advisory capacity for AgriSol Energy's proposed Tanzania project, Dean Wendy Wintersteen announced.
ISU researchers co-author report showing Pell Grant impact on rural community colleges
Linda Serra Hagedorn, a professor of educational leadership and policy studies (ELPS) and associate dean of the College of Human Sciences at Iowa State; and Janice Friedel, an associate professor of ELPS, were two of the five authors on the new report, "Pell Grants and the Lifting of Rural America's Future." It provides new research on how reductions to the Pell Program may have a major impact on limiting student access, particularly in rural areas.
Ken Moore. ISU photo by Bob Elbert.
5-10 percent corn yield jump using erosion-slowing cover crops shown in ISU study
The most recent annual results from a four-year Iowa State University study by Ken Moore, Distinguished Professor of agronomy and primary investigator on the project, reveal that using cover crops can lead to higher yields - by as much as 10 percent . The results are the best yet in the ongoing research. Moore plans to continue on the trials for at least one more growing season.
Iowa State supply chain professor studies growing infrastructure needs for biofuels
Biofuels expansion is having a tremendous impact on the distillers' grain markets in Iowa and across the Midwest -- and the small towns that support their production. Bobby Martens, an Iowa State assistant professor of supply chain management, says ethanol industry leaders need to reconsider investments in transportation equipment and infrastructure while the government adjusts policies to effectively move all that biofuel to market.
Media Advisory: Nobel Laureate Dan Shechtman to meet the media at Iowa State, Ames Laboratory
Dan Shechtman will meet the media during several events at Iowa State University and the Ames Laboratory on Feb. 14. A news conference from 10-11 a.m. will be live streamed here. Shechtman -- an Iowa State professor of materials science and engineering, a research scientist for the Ames Laboratory and the Philip Tobias Professor of Materials Science at the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology -- won the 2011 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his 1982 discovery of quasicrystals.
A new beginning for State Gym
ISU Recreation Services Director Michael Giles Jr., Government of the Student Body President Dakota Hoben, President Steven Leath, and Vice President for Student Affairs Tom Hill helped the university community celebrate the grand reopening of State Gym and its 94,000-square foot addition on Feb. 3. The ribbon-cutting marked the completion of renovation and construction of Iowa State's recreation facilities. Recreation services staff report more than 60,000 visits to State Gym during its "soft" opening in January.
ISU experts can discuss mild winter’s effect on prices, planting, moisture and more
The Midwest's mildest winter in memory has producers and economists talking about the effects on our crops, planting, water tables and prices. Iowa State University has experts who can discuss these topics and how -- or if -- they will affect yields, the economy, erosion and other topics.
Peter Martin (far right) has been conducting research on centenarians and the oldest of old for more than 20 years.
Iowa State gerontology researcher says six factors can help you lead a longer, better life
Peter Martin, director of Iowa State's gerontology program, is the lead author of a new article summarizing the keys to long life. The article appeared online last week in the Journal of Aging Research as the introduction to a special issue on the behavioral factors of longevity, which Martin edited. He also had three of his related studies published in the special issue, which supports the "Georgia adaption model" that he and a fellow researcher had constructed some time ago.
ISU photo by Bob Elbert
Gamers on 3-D mission to save world, just don’t tell them they are learning cell biology
Eve Syrkin Wurtele decided the best way to get the attention of the science-deprived, gamer generation is to take the information out of a textbook and put it in a medium that kids crave - video games. So she and her team developed Meta!Blast, which won honorable mention in the 2011 International Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science and is featured in the Feb. 3 issue of the journal Science.
