News Service

ISU research on African-American women concurs with "The Pursuit of Happyness"

According to a study by Iowa State Professor of Psychology Carolyn Cutrona, African-American women from depressed neighborhoods who have resourceful personalities and a sense of optimism can also immunize themselves against depression following life's setbacks.

News release.

University holidays

University offices will be closed for the holidays Monday-Tuesday, Dec. 25-26, and Monday, Jan. 1.

College of Agriculture considers name change

ISU's College of Agriculture is moving forward with a proposal to change its name to the "College of Agriculture and Life Sciences."

News release.

Ames Laboratory/IPRT director will step down

Thomas J. Barton, director of the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory and director of the Institute for Physical Research and Technology (IPRT) at Iowa State University, has announced his resignation effective Feb. 28, 2007.

News release

Iowa farmland value at record level

The average value of an acre of farmland in Iowa increased $290 to an all-time high of $3,204 in 2006, according to an annual survey conducted by Iowa State University.

Land value info.

Iowa State experts provide tips to start and maintain fitness program in the New Year

For those who are serious about starting and maintaining a fitness program in 2007, two professors from Iowa State's Department of Health and Human Performance offer 10 tips.

News release

Biorenewables expert joins Geoffroy on 'Talk of Iowa'

ISU professor Deland Myers will join President Gregory Geoffroy on Iowa Public Radio's "Talk of Iowa" Tuesday, Dec. 19. Myers does research on turning corn, soybeans and even manure into usable products. The call-in show airs 9 to 10 a.m. on WOI AM 640 and WSUI AM 910. Listeners can e-mail questions in advance to talk@iastate.edu.

Report, recommendations from bioeconomy summit

The final report and recommendations resulting from a recent summit on maintaining Iowa's leadership in the bioeconomy has been released. More than 400 leaders from Iowa industry, government and higher education met on campus Nov. 28 for the summit on "Ensuring Iowa's Leadership in the Bioeconomy."

The final report, more on the summit

Just in time for the holidays: ISU professor's study on religious board games and toys

Nikki Bado-Fralick, an ISU assistant professor of philosophy and religious studies and women's studies, recently collaborated on a scholarly paper titled "Ritualizing Religious Reward: The Dark Side of Play," which was presented last month at the American Academy of Religion Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.

News release.

Holidays can be hazardous to pets

Add Xylitol to the list of hazards that can put pets in peril, especially during the holidays. The artificial sweetener is toxic to dogs, says Kim Langholz, ISU community practice veterinarian. She offers tips about holiday and wintertime hazards that could be potentially dangerous to pets.

News release.

President's report: 'Where Breakthroughs Happen'

A recently released report from ISU President Gregory Geoffroy looks back at recent accomplishments and breakthroughs at Iowa State University and ahead to the future.

"Where Breakthroughs Happen" (PDF file).

Irradiation may be answer to E. coli outbreaks

Irradiation of produce could be a possible solution to outbreaks of E. coli, says Dennis Olson, professor-in-charge of Iowa State's commercial-sized irradiation facility. Although the Food and Drug Administration has approved using the technology to destroy insects in produce, it's not approved for E. coli.

News tip.

Design proposal for T Galaxy

Interior design seniors work with Ames clients

Senior interior design students recently presented design solutions for 13 Ames retail businesses and a new headquarters and museum for the Ames Historical Society.

More.

Iowa State researchers developing machinery to harvest corn stalks and leaves

Iowa State University researchers are developing front and rear attachments that allow a conventional combine to harvest corn stover (the stalks, cobs and leaves) as well as grain. The stover could be the source of plant fiber that feeds the next generation of ethanol plants.

News release.

Robert Ray

Winter commencement events Dec. 15-16

Winter commencement events at Iowa State are Dec. 15-16. Former Iowa Gov. Robert D. Ray will receive an honorary degree and speak at the undergraduate ceremony. Former vice provost for research and ISU professor James Bloedel wil speak at the graduate ceremony.

News release.

NEWS TIP: ISU professors can comment on Bush administration's next step in Iraq

Charles Dobbs, professor and chair of history; and James McCormick, professor and chair of political science, can provide analysis of the Bush administration's next move regarding its policy in Iraq.

News release.

Gift to bring top journalists to campus

A gift to the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication will bring a nationally recognized journalist to campus every fall.

News release.

Second Annual Iowa State Week in Des Moines set for Dec. 10-16

Iowa State Week in Des Moines begins on Sunday, Dec. 10 and runs through the Mediacom Cyclone Capital Classic basketball doubleheader at the Wells Fargo Arena on Saturday, Dec. 16.

News release

Community college, ISU set up admissions partnership

A partnership between Iowa State University and Iowa Valley Community College District will make it more convenient for the community college students to transfer to ISU.

News release.

President Geoffroy and Marlene Martinez, acting Ames site office manager, DOE

U.S. Department of Energy awards contract for management and operation of Ames Laboratory to Iowa State

The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded a five-year, approximately $30 million per year contract to manage and operate its Ames Laboratory to Iowa State University. The new contract takes effect Jan.1, 2007.

News release.

Two named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

Daniel Voytas, professor of genetics, development and cell biology,and Andreja Bakac, adjunct professor of chemistry and senior scientist with the Ames Laboratory, have been named fellows by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world's largest general scientific society.

News release.

Iowa State student and his new computer program go south ... to Antarctica

ISU graduate student Joshua Reed is in Antarctica taking part in an international project studying environmental changes in the region. The computer programmer is helping to map core samples electronically with a program he created.

News release.

Just in time for the holidays: ISU professor's study on religious board games and toys

Nikki Bado-Fralick, an ISU assistant professor of philosophy and religious studies and women's studies, recently collaborated on a scholarly paper titled "Ritualizing Religious Reward: The Dark Side of Play," which was presented last month at the American Academy of Religion Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.

News release.

Olson: Irradiation could have prevented recent E. coli outbreak

Irradiation could have prevented the recent E. coli outbreak at restaurants says ISU's Dennis Olson, in an article in today's Wall Street Journal. But special interests, scare tactics and an apprehensive bureaucracy have blocked the technology despite scientific evidence that shows it's safe.

See story.