Musical therapy provides new remedies
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – Jan. 18
The University of Alabama is the only school in the state with a program and degree for musical therapy. Department heads and professors run clinicals at various facilities as part of the degree requirements and to further their research. In recent studies they have discovered playing live, simple, and structured music can actually lower stress levels in adults and children. (Video is available at the site.)
UA cheerleaders win national championship
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Jan. 18
A University of Alabama team is bringing home a national championship. UA’s cheerleading squad traveled to a national competition in Orlando, Fla., and came back with a win. They competed against 14 other schools, beating out Kentucky and Central Florida. UA’s big Al received seventh in the mascot competition, and the Crimson Cabaret finished 12th in the jazz group.
Functional boost for magnetic resonance imaging
E! Science News – Jan. 19
Over the last few years, researchers have used a type of brain scanning, known as functional magnetic resonance imaging fMRI, to help them map changes in blood flow in the brain and to correlate this with thoughts and behavior. . . . Chuan Li and Qi Hao of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, have developed a more robust, three-stage approach to fMRI that could improve the detection of neural activity considerably and allow researchers to make more precise interpretations of fMRI data.
Investment group generates high returns
Crimson White – Jan. 19
The Culverhouse Investment Management Group, an investment portfolio managed by selected students at the University, has shown success after its first year of investing. CIMG has turned $315,000 in to $380,000 in a little more than a year. Taylor Ritchie, who spent the last year as CIMG’s vice president of investment strategy, said the hard work and dedication of CIMG’s members has been the central factor in their success but that this type of success requires some degree of luck.
Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction Calls for Entries
Publishers Weekly – Jan. 19
The University of Alabama School of Law and The Lawyer’s Magazine are requesting entries for the first annual Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction. The prize will be awarded annually to a published book-length work of fiction that best exemplifies the role of lawyers in society, and their power to effect change. It honors Lee, a former law student at Alabama, and To Kill a Mockingbird’s Atticus Finch.
Bryant-Denny used to film commercial
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 19
A commercial filmed Tuesday night at Bryant-Denny Stadium that is planned to air during the Super Bowl broadcast is intended to make viewers think, rather than eat or drink a particular product. Fixed Point Foundation, a Birmingham-based Christian organization, plans to pay to air the commercial in Alabama during the Super Bowl telecast on Feb. 6.
New student organizations get on board
Crimson White – Jan. 19
The spring edition of Get on Board Day will be held today in the Ferguson Center Ballroom from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., helping students to find their niche for involvement. The event, sponsored by the Student Organization Resource Center for Extracurricular, will feature around 130 organizations, said Alex Karagas, the coordinator of student involvement and leadership with the SOURCE.
Ex-Reagan official to speak to GOP groups
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 19
Ron Robinson, the president of the Young America’s Foundation, will be in Tuscaloosa today and Thursday for an appearance at the Westervelt-Warner Museum of American Art and to address the Republican Women of Tuscaloosa County and the University of Alabama College Republicans.
SGA, Bama Dining bring international cuisine to students
Crimson White – Jan. 19
The Student Government Association and Bama Dining are teaming up to bring international dining experiences to UA students, Taylor Bollinger, SGA assistant director of diversity, said. The first of four events will be held Thursday at Lakeside Dining Hall and will have an Australian theme, said Kelsey Faust, marketing manager of Bama Dining.