News Service
Friday, August 14
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Book examines influence of racism on voting rights
There is greater awareness today of structural racism in the U.S., but Americans are still split on the impact it has on the voting rights of underrepresented groups, according to a new book co-authored by an Iowa State University political scientist. The book, “Ignored Racism” examines the history of hostility toward Latinos and how it influences attitudes about voting rights.
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Searching the ancient depths of a reptilian genome yields insight into all vertebrates
An Iowa State University scientists contributed to a global effort to assemble the genome of the tuatara, a rare reptile species native to New Zealand. The tuatara genome sheds light on the genomic structure of a huge range of species, including humans.
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Storm recovery updates
Updates and information following severe storms on campus Monday, Aug. 10.
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Results reported for Iowa State move-in testing
Through Aug. 6, a total of 3,037 Iowa State University students moving into the residence halls and campus apartments have completed COVID-19 testing at Lied Recreation Center. Of that number, 66 students, or 2.2%, tested positive.
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Iowa State students begin moving into the residence halls
New students are starting to move into the residence halls at Iowa State University. The move-in process for fall is starting earlier than usual and spread out over a longer period of time to help maintain physical distancing in the residence halls. Approximately 9,300 students will move in to campus housing over the next two weeks. They are required to complete a COVID-19 test prior to move-in.
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Study shows demolishing vacant houses can have positive effect on neighbor maintenance
New research out of Iowa State University suggests that demolishing abandoned houses may lead nearby property owners to better maintain their homes.
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Anti-Asian racism during COVID-19 has historical ties in United States
Anti-Asian hate crimes during health crises are unfortunately not new, according to a new academic paper examining the history of this phenomenon. The research team, including an Iowa State University criminal justice researcher, looked at how anti-Asian hate crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic have furthered the historical “othering” of Asian Americans and reproduced inequalities.
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Work proceeds on innovative approach to coronavirus testing at Iowa State
Researchers continue work on a new testing platform that could detect coronavirus particles in the air without the necessity of a laboratory to process the results. The scientists have had to take an innovative approach to their work to negotiate the challenges of physical distancing.
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Engineers find thinner tissues in replacement heart valves create problematic flutter
Iowa State and University of Texas engineers have developed high-fidelity computational models of replacement heart valves to examine the performance of biological tissues built into the valves. They found that thinner tissues can flap and flutter, which can damage the valves and even the blood that flows by.
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Iowa State University scientists examine reproductive effects of glyphosate in mice
A pair of recently published studies analyzed how ovarian function in mice responded to various levels of exposure to glyphosate, a chemical extensively used to kill weeds. The results showed exposure changed the level of some ovarian proteins but did not impact ovarian steroid production, an indication glyphosate may not adversely affect reproduction.
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Tendency to select targeted retirement fund ending in zero may impact wealth
New research shows that selecting a targeted retirement fund that ends in a zero could negatively impact your retirement savings. The study identified a "zero bias" or tendency for individuals to select retirement funds ending in zero, which affects the amount people contribute to retirement savings and leads to an investment portfolio with an incompatible level of risk.
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Researchers simulate, assess damage to brain cells caused by bubbles during head trauma
Researchers led by Nicole Hashemi, an associate professor of mechanical engineering, are using their expertise with the manufacture of microstructures to study how the collapse of microbubbles within the skull can damage brain cells. Their research, which is supported by the Office of Naval Research, could lead to the design of better helmets.
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Innovative spirits: Iowa State students help family distillery make hand sanitizer during pandemic
For the Hoffmann children – twins Dave and Will, both juniors in agricultural systems technology at Iowa State University, and Lexi, recent graduate in elementary education – the pandemic not only altered their education but their family’s distillery as they decided to change course and make hand sanitizer to help frontline workers in the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Grant to help scientists, industry and farmers harness biomass and manure to fuel farms
A $10 million federal grant will power a multi-institutional consortium aiming to create new value chains on U.S. farms. The consortium will innovate methods for farmers to make more efficient use of resources with an emphasis on the generation of renewable natural gas, improved rural economic outcomes and protection of the environment.
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Toyia Younger named senior vice president for student affairs
Toyia Younger has been named the next senior vice president for student affairs at Iowa State University, pending approval by the Board of Regents. Younger, vice president for leadership development and partnerships for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, will begin her tenure Aug. 17.
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Survey of rural Iowa communities will gauge pandemic response
Residents in 70 rural Iowa communities soon will receive surveys that will help to inform state and federal officials as they orchestrate the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey, orchestrated by researchers at Iowa State University and the University of Iowa, will cover topics ranging from the availability of health care services to the reliability of high-speed internet to the economic stresses placed on a community by the pandemic.
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Iowa State researcher wins Department of Energy early career award for cyclone studies
Christina Patricola is joining the Iowa State University faculty this fall with a research program focused on tropical cyclones. A new grant from the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science Early Career Research Program will help launch her studies of global storm numbers and regional storm intensity and rainfall.