Oil spill produces educational experience?
Andalusia Star-News – July 13
…Sarah Wofford, a senior marine biology major at the University of Alabama, is spending her second summer studying at Dauphin Island Sea Lab as part of her hands-on class work. While the oil spill hasn’t harmed any of Wofford’s class work, it did spark some oil-related research in her oceanography class. “Luckily, our oceanography teacher, Monty Graham, was very into getting us involved in the actual research processes involved with the oil spill,” she said. “In addition to our normal course work we learned a great deal about the properties of oil and its potential effects on the Gulf of Mexico.” Dr. Graham is the leading researcher on the effects of the oil spill at DISL. Wofford said his primary area of expertise is that of the processes that affect the production and distribution of marine zooplankton, which are small marine animals that live near the surface…
Study on bus seat belt use near end
Birmingham News – July 13 (Print version only)
A three-year University of Alabama study on the use of seat belts on school buses that was prompted by a fatal bus wreck in 2006 is near a conclusion, UA researchers said Monday. The school’s University Transportation Center for Alabama is crunching numbers after monitoring belt use on 12 school buses in 10 school systems around the state since 2008, officials said…Results will be sent to state officials before they’re made public, said Dan Turner, a professor of civil engineering and the lead investigator on the study. In a prepared statement released Monday, the university said that in the last year of the study the percentage of children who wore the belts properly increased, and the idea of seat belts on buses seems to have gained acceptance publicly…The study is the first major scientific study of the use of belts on school buses, and it could lead to changes in how buses are outfitted nationwide. Federal agencies including the National Highway Safety Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are awaiting the results.
Economic researchers optimistic about future
Tuscaloosa News – July 13
An economic research center at the University of Alabama has issued a new, more optimistic forecast for the state’s economy for the rest of the year. The Center for Business and Economic Research said Monday that based on the state economy’s performance during the first half of 2010, it believes the state’s real gross domestic product will grow about 2.5 percent for the year. At the end of the first quarter, the center had forecast a 2.2 percent gain. The center said job gains should be a part of the rebound, with employment increasing 0.7 percent in 2010…
Birmingham News – July 13
China faces up to groundwater crisis
Nature.com – July 13
… A more holistic approach “could provide a baseline to assess the impact of climate change and human activities on water resources”, says Zheng Chunmiao, a hydrologist with a joint position at Peking University and the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, who chaired the Beijing meeting…
Bright Beginnings hosts workshop
Demopolis Times – July 12
Bright Beginnings learning daycare center of Demopolis hosted a regional workshop for child care providers on Saturday sponsored by the University of Alabama’s Child Development Resources. Child Development Resources provides information about the wellbeing of young children. It manages a child care subsidy program and provides training for professional child care providers, offers child care resource and referral information and conducts parenting education and support programming. It is funded by the Department of Human Resources… “We serve 12 counties,” said Meredith Mathers of Child Development Resources and a native of Sweet Water. “Teachers came from Marengo, Greene, Hale and Choctaw counties to take part in these training sessions.” Kelly Avery of Child Development Resources provided some of the instruction…
National Merit Scholarship college-sponsored recipients announced
Huntsville Times – July 13
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation on Monday released the names of 1,900 students, including eight recent graduates from local high schools, who are receiving Merit Scholarships financed by colleges and universities. The local students are:…Randolph School: Alan R. Hsu, University of Alabama…