Research News
ISU student's study finds high heels may lead to joint degeneration and knee osteoarthritis
A new study by Danielle Barkema, an ISU kinesiology master's student, has found that prolonged wearing of and walking in high heels can contribute to joint degeneration and knee osteoarthritis. Kinesiology professor and department chair Phil Martin assisted her in the study, which will be presented, in part, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics (ASB), Aug. 18-21, at Brown University in Providence, R.I. (7-28-10) More.
ISU faculty members analyze human impact of discovery published in Nature
Jo Anne Powell-Coffman and Clark Coffman, faculty members in the Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, were invited by the journal Nature to comment on breakthrough research that may ultimately lead to new treatments for cancer patients. (7-07-10) More.
Changing climate could alter meadows' ecosystems, says ISU researcher
Iowa State University researcher Diane Debinski has been studying the meadows in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem of the Rocky Mountains since 1992 and she believes changing climate could affect the diversity of plants and animals in the region. (7-06-10) More.
Iowa State study finds TV viewing, video game play contribute to kids' attention problems
A study led by three Iowa State psychologists on both elementary school-aged and college-aged subjects found that youths who exceeded the two hours per day of screen time recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics were 1.5 to 2 times more likely to be above average in attention problems. The study will be published in the August issue of Pediatrics, which is now available online. (7-04-10) More.
Iowa State students take their professor's advice and start an Ames bioenergy company
Three recent Iowa State University graduates are building a startup company, Avello Bioenergy Inc., on technology they helped develop at Iowa State. The company's focus will be to produce bio-oils that can be used to replace petroleum-based materials in asphalt, can be processed into various renewable chemicals and can be used as renewable industrial fuels. (7-02-10) More.
Saving the soil and maintaining corn yields: ISU early research says yes to both
Iowa State University researchers are testing between-row cover grasses as part of research looking at ways to reduce soil runoff and keep vital nutrients in the soils while crop residue, called stover, is removed from farm fields to produce biofuels. With U.S. government targets requiring a 30 percent displacement of petroleum consumption with fuels made from biomass by the year 2030, agronomy researchers are studying methods of harvesting more and more stover, which previously was left on the field. Two years into a study, research is showing that yield can be maintained at high levels using environmentally friendly practices. (6-15-10) More.
Some Iowa cicadas make unexpected appearance four years ahead of schedule
The 17-year cicadas found in central and southeast Iowa aren't supposed to come out until 2014, but a small percentage are emerging now, four years ahead of schedule. Donald Lewis, professor of entomology at Iowa State University, started getting reports of these early-risers two weeks ago. The insects are found in much of the state from Boone County south to the Missouri border and east to the Mississippi River. (6-04-10) More.
Gulf oil spill may harm U.S. grain exports, says ISU market economist
With the latest failed efforts to stop the flow of oil from an uncapped well into the Gulf of Mexico, projections are that the spill may not be contained until late summer. Iowa State University grain markets specialist Chad Hart says that if the oil slick enters the shipping lanes, there could be a slowdown in shipping traffic that could affect grain prices for the United States and overseas markets. (6-03-10) More.
Iowa State researcher uses Wii Remotes™ to teach lessons in computer engineering
Tom Daniels, an Iowa State University assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, has figured out how to use Wii Remotes as a teaching tool in introductory computer engineering courses. He said the game controllers are a great way to teach students to collect and process data. (05-05-2010) More.
ISU researcher, local company collaborate for new, faster salmonella detection
Byron Brehm-Stecher, an Iowa State University assistant professor of food science and human nutrition, wants to replace the current system of salmonella detection with a new approach that can provide DNA sequencing-like results in hours rather than days. He is using technology available through an Ames, Iowa, company, Advanced Analytical Technologies, Inc., that is providing advanced biomedical instruments and reagents for the research. (05-04-2010) More.
ISU researcher focuses on organic farming's effect on water quality
Kathleen Delate, Iowa State University researcher and professor of agronomy and horticulture, has studied organic farming for more than a decade is now looking at the effects of organic farming on water quality. For this research, Delate will monitor 30 plots on the ISU Agronomy Farm in Boone County that will be connected to data-loggers that are continually reading water flow and nutrient analysis. (05-03-2010) More.
