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Thursday, September 15 2011

News

Iowa State astronomer: ‘Beware of the wildlife, even in apparently quiet galaxies’

Iowa State's Curtis Struck wrote a News & Views commentary -- "Astrophysics: Rough times in the Galactic countryside" -- published in the Sept. 15 issue of the journal Nature. Struck's paper provided context and color to a study that suggests the Milky Way's past may not have been as peaceful as astronomers thought.
News release.

MAD Magazine senior editor will present 'The Joy of Censorship' at ISU Sept. 22

The senior editor of MAD Magazine, who is a crusader against unwarranted censorship, will speak at Iowa State on Thursday, Sept. 22. Joe Raiola will present "The Joy of Censorship," a "fiery defense" of the First Amendment, at 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. Raiola's talk is the Constitution Day Lecture and part of Banned Book Week. It is free and open to the public.

News release.

Iowa State chemists help astronauts make sure their drinking water is clean

Researchers from Iowa State University and the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory have developed chemistry and procedures that astronauts can use to test the quality of their drinking water at the International Space Station. The testing technology is now considered operational hardware at the space station. Astronauts will begin using refinements to the tests in late September.
News release.

ISU photo by Bob Elbert

ISU photo by Bob Elbert

Consumers willing to pay premium for healthier genetically modified foods: ISU study

A study by an Iowa State University researcher shows that consumers are eager to get their hands on, and teeth into, foods that are genetically modified to increase health benefits - and even pay more for the opportunity.

News Release.

ISU presidential search committee to interview candidates Sept. 15-16 in Minneapolis

The search committee for Iowa State University's next president will hold a two-day meeting in Minneapolis Sept. 15-16 to interview candidates for the presidency. The meeting, most of which will be held in closed session, is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

News release.

Tibetan monk will unravel sand mandala's meaning in a talk at Iowa State Sept. 21

The head lama of the Drepung Loseling Monastery in Tibet will present "The Mystical Arts of Tibet: Symbolism of the Sand Mandala" at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, in the Memorial Union Sun Room. The Tibetan spiritual leader will discuss the mandala -- a geometric design representing the universe -- as a sacred cosmogram and explain how it is used as an object of contemplation. The talk is in conjunction with the creation of a mandala sand painting in the Memorial Union Main Lounge by Buddhist monks from the monastery. The evening lecture is free and open to the public.

News release.

U.S. News rankings: Iowa State remains among top 25 percent of public national universities

Iowa State University is again among the top one-fourth of all public national universities in U.S. News & World Report's 2012 "America's Best Colleges" annual rankings out today. And in biological/agricultural engineering, Iowa State is the 2nd ranked program in the country.

News release.

Greenlee School professor, broadband access expert provides Internet privacy tips

Jeff Blevins, an associate professor in ISU's Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication, who studies communications law and policy, served as a federal grant reviewer for President Obama's Broadband Technologies Opportunities Program. He knows how vitally important greater broadband access is to the nation's ability to communicate. He also has ideas on how best to secure Internet privacy.

NSF invests $20 million in Iowa’s renewable energy and energy efficiency research

The National Science Foundation is investing $20 million and the Iowa Power Fund another $2 million to build Iowa's research capacity in sustainable energy systems. Iowa's public universities -- Iowa State University, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa -- will make up the core of the research project. The project will also include partnerships with the state's community colleges, private colleges, school districts, government agencies and industries. The project will support studies in bioenergy, wind energy, energy utilization and energy policy.
News release.

ISU presidential open forums set; finalists not yet selected

Although no finalists have been selected in the search for Iowa State's next president, the search committee has released a tentative schedule for the finalist open forums that will be held on campus later this month. The presidential search committee's next meeting is Friday, Sept. 9.

Inside Iowa State story.

Another record: Iowa State University enrollment nears 30,000

Iowa State's record fall enrollment of 29,887 marks five consecutive years of growth, and includes all-time high numbers of new (direct from high school) and transfer students. Overall enrollment is up 4.2 percent (1,205 students) over the previous record of 28,682 in fall 2010. The student body represents every Iowa county and 106 countries.

News release.

2011 Family of the Year announced

The David and Diane Larson family of Newton has been named 2011 Family of the Year, and they'll be recognized during Cyclone Family Weekend Sept. 30 through Oct. 2.

Cyclone Family Weekend info.

Iowa State chimp researcher reviews "Rise of the Planet of the Apes"

Jill Pruetz, an Iowa State professor of anthropology and world renowned chimpanzee researcher, provides insight on what is fact and fiction about the portrayal of the chimpanzees in the blockbuster movie, "Rise of the Planet of the Apes."

“MythBusters” star Grant Imahara to give behind-the-scenes look Sept. 17 at ISU

Grant Imahara, an original member of the build team on Discovery Channel's "MythBusters," will speak about the popular science TV show during a presentation at Iowa State, Saturday, Sept. 17. His talk, which will include clips from behind the scenes, will be at 7 p.m. in Stephens Auditorium. Doors open at 6 p.m. The presentation is free and open to the public. It is the opening event for Engineers' Week at Iowa State.

News release.