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For the campusContactNews ServiceAnnette Hacker, manager, (515) 294-3720 Office: (515) 294-4777 |
NewsISU's Larch Hall sustains damage from frozen,
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Predictions for 2005
Engelbrecht
Respect for resources
"I think we're finally at the point where we all understand that we
are running out of resources, and architects will begin to be
sensitive about both the resources that are used to create their
designs and the resources needed to maintain those structures." 
Litchfield
Bye-bye, low carb
"Low-carb diets will become a fad of the past by the end of
2005. You'll see many of the low-carb products disappear from the
grocery store shelves. People will be talking about a new diet or
portion control by the end of the year. Both the consumer and industry
will shift to an emphasis on portion control."  Pirog
The brand's the thing
"Consumers increasingly will be looking for branded food products, in
which the brand signifies exceptional taste, quality and
authenticity. They want food products with a story that is traceable
back to the farm. Foods in which the quality, heritage and reputation
are linked to a specific place or geographic region will hold special
appeal, as well as foods perceived to promote health and
well-being." 
Swenson
No bull on Wall Street
"The national economy doesn't look so hot. We have an eroding dollar,
which is undermining investment confidence in the United States. So, I
see flat to no growth in the stock market." 
Fiore
Shopping as lifestyle
"Shopping will become a more personalized, experiential encounter as
retailers incorporate more mass customization technology to
individualize product fit and style, and customers combine shopping
with entertainment and leisure. Jordan Creek is an example. People may
go to buy a product, but also stroll around the lake, eat in a
stylized restaurant and then see a movie. It's more than
shopping. It's offering a lifestyle." 
Warme
Faux still in favor
"We're finally at a wonderful 'place any' furniture style, and many
colors are on the forecast for furniture markets in January. The big
emphasis will be on ease of care and maintenance of interior materials
and ease of use of spaces. Microfibers (suede-looking) will be big for
upholstery because they can be spot- cleaned easily and come in
hundreds of colors. New buildings will incorporate greater use of
accessible features. Backgrounds will be neutral or subdued colors of
greens and blues. Faux painting of walls will continue to be big." 
Oliver
Plants take on TNT
"We're going to see an increase in the whole idea of using plants to
deal with toxic substances in the soil. For instance, TNT has been
scattered through many sites during production. The danger is not that
it's explosive but that it becomes a toxic. Plants can be used to
destroy the TNT before it leaches into the water system." 
Schuh
Competition for students
"In the upper Midwest, competition for students is going to continue
to be very robust because the population of students graduating from
high school is going to decline. And, even though the economies of
some states look as if they are improving, institutions in the public
sector will continue to be faced with financial challenges." 
Jeffrey
Consumer, be aware
"There will always be the possibility of another Enron. But new
federal requirements are intended to make it more difficult for
management to commit and conceal fraud. Initial indications are that
these requirements, and the related increased penalties, are making a
difference. The best defense against being one of the losers next time
is for individual investors to be knowledgeable or have competent
financial advisers." ISU in the newsLife-long aggression linked to violent video gamesMelbourne Herald Sun, Australia Some of the popular video games on thousands of Christmas lists may increase the likelihood of violence and aggression in children, says Craig Anderson, professor of psychology at Iowa State. In a paper published for the Victorian Parenting Centre and Young Media Australia, he said violent video games were worse than violent movies. ISU looks to boost corn, soybean growersCouncil Bluffs Daily Nonpareil Extension education and production research are two primary objectives of ISU's Corn and Soybean Initiative. "Iowa has the best crop producers in the country and they just keep getting better," says Greg Tylka, the initiative's coordinator and an ISU plant pathology professor. Tylka said the initiative will help integrate Iowa State's applied research, extension programs and expertise in corn and soybean production. The goal is to improve Iowa growers' productivity and to help them be more competitive globally. Criminal lineups get a makeoverThe Christian Science Monitor Eyewitness testimony expert Gary Wells, a professor of psychology at Iowa State, says changing the way witnesses view suspect photos can significantly alter the results. He supports a sequential lineup -- in which witnesses view each person one by one instead of with five others. Wells' research shows that using the sequential method makes incorrect identifications dip by a third. |
Ames, Iowa 50011, (515) 294-4111. Published by: University Relations, online@iastate.edu. Copyright © 1995-2004, Iowa State University of Science and Technology. All rights reserved. |
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