UA students again lead All-USA Academic Team
Associated Press – Feb. 15
The University of Alabama put up impressive numbers again Thursday as seven of its students were among 60 chosen by USA Today for its first, second and third-team All-USA Academic Team, the most of any school. Senior Renee Rivas made the first team, whose 20 members receive $2,500 along with a feature in USA Today. The University of Alabama also had three second-team and three third-team selections. The Tuscaloosa News said that marked the fifth time in six years that the university led all other schools in the number picked for the USA Today academic honors.
Huntsville Times – Feb. 15
Fox 6, Birmingham – Feb. 14
WIAT-CBS 42, Birmingham – Feb. 14
WVTM-NBC 13, Birmingham – Feb.14
WVUA, Tuscaloosa – Feb. 14
WAAY-ABC, Huntsville – Feb. 14
UA helps devise test for autism
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 15
…a team of researchers from the Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Alabama believe they found one. In a paper published in the scientific journal Neuron, the researchers found that when high-functioning autistic teenagers and non-autistic teenagers performed a particular task, the part of the brain that helps people understand how their actions affect others was essentially inactive for the autistic teens, while the brains of non-autistic teenagers lit up the scans. And unlike many earlier brain-imaging studies that showed traits having some overlap between autistic and non-autistic people, the pattern of activity is nearly uniform in its appearance or absence, said Mark Klinger, associate professor of psychology at UA and co-author of the paper. The study also found that the amount of activity in the section of the brain was tied to the severity of the participant’s autism. ‘We were absolutely stunned to see such a large effect in this study,’ said Laura Klinger, director of UA’s Autism Spectrum Disorders Research Clinic and co-author of the paper. ‘It suggests that we are really onto something.’…
UA attracts top-ranked students
Crimson White – Feb. 15
…The University ranks 12th among public universities for number of enrolled National Merit Scholars and 30th among all universities for 2007-08, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corp.’s annual report. “These nationally recognized students are among the best and brightest in an extremely talented freshman class,” UA President Robert Witt said…In addition to the high enrollment ranking of National Merit Scholars, the University topped that ranking position for National Achievement Scholars, which is awarded to top black students. The ranking for the University for National Achievement Scholars is fourth among public universities and 18th among all universities…
Art aims for lab-rat’s-eye view
Tuscaloosa News – Feb 15
An installation at the University of Alabama allows visitors to experience the life of one of the most important creatures to science: the rat. Art/sculpture student Chelsea Lloyd has created an interactive maze called “Star Bal” — “Lab Rats” spelled backward — that is designed to recreate the experience test animals go through and is now open to the public…
Inscribed books by Helen Keller on display
Crimson White – Feb. 15
UA alumna Betsy Plank recently donated a unique collection of books inscribed by Alabama’s legendary activist Helen Keller. On display at W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library, the collection includes Helen Keller’s Journal, Midstream: My Later Life and Anne Sullivan Macy: The Story Behind Helen Keller…
Birmingham-Hoover median home price drops, but not as much as nation’s
Birmingham News – Feb. 15
…Median home prices across Alabama also dipped in the October-December period, though the decline was a slender 0.25 percent, according to the University of Alabama’s Center for Real Estate…
Education Briefs
Birmingham News – Feb. 15
The journalism department at the University of Alabama is recruiting students in the ninth grade through freshman year in college to attend its annual Multicultural Journalism Workshop to be held July 11-19…
National Music Teacher Assoc. Awards UA’s Penick
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 15 (Print version only)
Amanda Penick, professor of music and coordinator of the piano area in the University of Alabama’s School of Music, will be awarded the Music Teacher of the Year Award…
Huntsville Student Named IFC President at UA
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 15 (Print version only)
Bart Siniard, a junior from Huntsville and member of Kappa Alpha Order, has been elected president of The University of Alabama Interfraternity Council…
Alabama entrepreneur to speak to UA students
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 15 (print version only)
Tom Patterson, founder and chairman of DAXKO, will speak with students at the University of Alabama…College of Engineering’s Dean Leadership Series…