News Archive

View Past Releases
Archives
Year
Month
Day
27

Tuesday, May 15 2012

News

New Iowa State research considers prosocial, antisocial and other effects of video games

New studies by Iowa State psychology researchers have found further evidence that youth who play prosocial video games can increase helpful and decrease hurtful behavior. Craig Anderson, a Distinguished Professor of psychology; and Douglas Gentile, an associate professor of psychology; have collaborated with ISU psychology graduate students and other researchers on three new studies and a book chapter.

Iowa State, Salk researchers make plant protein discovery that could boost bioeconomy

Research groups from Iowa State University and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have found three proteins involved in the accumulation of fatty acids in plants. The discovery could help plant scientists boost seed oil production in crops. And that could boost the production of biorenewable fuels and chemicals. The discovery has been published by nature.com.

Iowa Energy Center supports research aimed at building Iowa’s bioeconomy

Three teams of Iowa State University researchers will use grants from the Iowa Energy Center to develop biorenewable technologies. All three projects involve the thermochemical conversion of biomass to biorenewable fuels, chemicals and products. The grants are part of the center's mission to improve energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.

ISU economists study Iowa communities 15 years before and after Wal-Mart

Ken Stone, an Iowa State emeritus economics professor; and Georgeanne Artz, a visiting assistant professor of economics in ISU's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, have authored a new study comparing retail sales in Iowa communities 15 years before and after Wal-Mart entry into a community. While host towns showed moderate increases in total retail sales in the 15 years following the stores' opening, the study found that neighboring communities without Wal-Mart stores have also seen their sales largely stabilized during the same 15-year period.

Wickert named senior vice president and provost

Jonathan Wickert, dean of the College of Engineering at Iowa State, has been tapped to become ISU's next senior vice president and provost.

Tom Schrier

Tom Schrier

Just in time for vacation: ISU professor studies new attractions at theme parks

Tom Schrier studies amusement/theme parks as an assistant professor of apparel, events, and hospitality management at Iowa State. He is working on a multi-year study exploring how new attractions influence attendance rates at amusement/theme parks. He also developed an attractions and amusement park administration course this spring to expose students to employment opportunities available in the amusement/theme park industry.

Two Iowa State architecture students offer Waverly an outdoor amphitheater design

What started out as a favor turned into an award-winning design project and volumes of life experience for two Iowa State architecture students. Ann Cashman, Waverly, and Darian Lu, Shanghai, are graduating this weekend with the professional bachelor of architecture degree. The two volunteered their time to design an outdoor amphitheater for the City of Waverly that even the neighbors like. And, not only did it win second place in a national community design competition, it's likely to be built.