University of Alabama researchers’ discovery may advance understanding of Parkinson’s disease
Birmingham News – Feb. 8
University of Alabama researchers have moved a step forward to understanding the function of a protein that may be involved in Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that afflicts about 1 million Americans. The protein was first discovered in the Guy and Kim Caldwell lab at the University of Alabama, using powerful genetics and a tiny roundworm. A paper being published Wednesday in The Journal of Neuroscience extends understanding of how the protein — called VPS41 — functions in the cell and why it protects against laboratory models for Parkinson’s, both in worms and in human neuroglioma cells. This protein thus may be a potential target for future therapy in human disease. The lead author in the study was former UA graduate student Adam Harrington, who is now in Texas as a post-doc. The Caldwells are co-authors on the paper, along with Talene Yacoubian and Sunny Slone of UAB.
MedicalXPress.com – Feb. 7
NBC 13 (Birmingham) – Feb. 7
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Feb. 7
Seismic simulator ready for use in May
Crimson White – Feb. 8
An earthquake with the force to collapse a two-story building will erupt on campus in May 2012, according to a prediction made by John van de Lindt, an earthquake engineering professor. He even knows where it will take place: Room 1035 of the Southern Engineering Research Center facing Shelby Hall. Is Lindt worried? Not in the least. A 17-by-17-foot seismic simulator, or shake table, is expected to be ready for use in the Large Scale Structures Laboratory in the research center by May of this year. The largest of its kind in the southeast, the shake table will be able to simulate natural disasters such as earthquakes and tornadoes and the damage such disasters can inflict on buildings up to two-stories in size.
UA economists expect moderate improvement in 2012
Birmingham Business Journal – Feb. 7
Economists at the University of Alabama expect moderate improvement in the state’s economy in 2012, according to a new report from the school’s Center for Business and Economic Research. The center forecasts gross domestic product growth of 2.5 percent in 2012, compared to 2.2 percent in 2011. They also expect employment to increase 1.1 percent in 2012, compared to 0.8 percent last year.
Time Warner Cable exec to address UA communication students
AL.com – Feb. 7
Time Warner Cable executive vice president and chief communications officer Ellen East will deliver the 15th Koten Distinguished Lecture in Public Relations on Thursday at the University of Alabama. A 1983 UA journalism graduate, East began her professional career as a reporter and editor at various daily newspapers, including a stint as assistant city editor for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She was vice president, communications and public affairs, for Cox Communications prior to joining Time Warner Cable in October 2007.
Crimson White – Feb. 8
Leading archaeological writer to lecture at UA
AL.com – Feb. 7
One of the world’s leading archaeological and historical writers will visit the University of Alabama campus to give the latest in a lecture series called “Alabama Lectures on Life’s Evolution” (ALLELE) on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m. Brian Fagan, professor emeritus of archaeology at the University of California Santa Barbara, will give the lecture titled “Elixir: Water and Humans over 10,000 Years” in room 127 of the Biology Building on campus.
CSC remodels homeless shelter, seeks volunteers
Crimson White – Feb. 8
The Community Service Center will be giving students at the University of Alabama a chance to aid in rebuilding a homeless shelter for those who are without a place to live across Tuscaloosa. This service project, which is in support of the Tracy Dent Foundation, will take place on Feb. 9and 15, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. “There is a need in Tuscaloosa for homeless shelters; there used to be only two and now we need more space for people who are homeless,” said Wahnee Sherman, director of the Community Service Center.
Bentley praises UA player’s perseverance
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 8
During his “State of the State” address, Gov. Robert Bentley on Tuesday recognized University of Alabama football player Carson Tinker as an example of someone who persevered through adversity. Tinker and his girlfriend, Ashley Harrison, were huddled in a closet on April 27 in Tuscaloosa when the F4 tornado struck. The tornado tossed them about 100 yards away from his home, which was destroyed. Tinker was injured. Harrison was one 52 people who died in Tuscaloosa because of the storm. The statewide death toll was around 250. “He (Tinker) lost his home,” said Bentley, who is from Tuscaloosa. “And more importantly, like so many people across this state he lost someone he dearly loved.”
‘It’s Your Move!’ health campaign kicks off
Crimson White – Feb. 8
Public relations students have coordinated a healthy initiative for kids to help fight childhood obesity. The “It’s Your Move!” campaign kicks off today at the YMCA in downtown Tuscaloosa. The campaign urges children to be conscious of their activities and make healthy lifestyle choices between the hours of 3-5 p.m. “We really wanted to create an empowering campaign for the kids that was something for them to have a lot of fun with, but still learn a lot,” said Leighton Brown, a senior majoring in public relations. A team of four students is behind “It’s Your Move!” Alongside Brown are Jessica Colburn, Carolyn Dawson and Jessica Wiger.
HRC hosts second Bama Idol
Crimson White – Feb. 8
University of Alabama Housing and Residential Communities are putting on their second Bama Idol singing competition, modeled after the popular show “American Idol.” Like “American Idol,” there is an audition round and a finale night. The top ten competitors from the audition round will compete in the finale, and the winner will be determined by audience vote via text message. The finale will take place at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 21, in the Ferguson Center Theater. Bama Idol, which premiered last year, is currently in the audition stage of the competition. The final audition round will take place tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Ferguson Center in Room 313. Any UA student is eligible to try out and is required to sing one song in front of a panel of judges.
UA initiative helps tornado victim
Crimson White – Feb. 8
Birmingham resident Myra Jackson recently won $10,000 from the SaveNow WinLater initiative put on by the University of Alabama Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility. Jackson, whose home was destroyed by the tornadoes on April 27, became eligible to win the prize money because she invested part of her 2010 income tax refund into federal savings bonds for her child. According to an article in the Birmingham News, Jackson was surprised with the news at Hygia Health Services, where she works. We lost everything,” Jackson told the Birmingham News. “This is an answer to a prayer. I am so shocked.” Heather G. Christenson, who serves as the center’s research project coordinator, spoke about the program on behalf of Stephen Black, the director of CESR and the president and founder of Impact Alabama.
Skinner Gets The Scoop
New Haven (Conn.) Independent – Feb. 8
Two weeks after sixth-grade reporter Danny Skinner interviewed his principal about the broken soap dispenser in the boys’ bathroom, the dispenser was fixed. Alas, two weeks after that, the dispenser is again broken. He plans to write a follow-up. Tuesday afternoon, tales of Danny (pictured) and other energized young journalists were shared at festive launch party at the school for The Celentano Sentinel. It’s an impressive 20-page newspaper complete with news, opinion, sports, and even advertising, created and written by the kids of the K-8 Celentano School on Canner Street…He sent the essays written by Alexis Cole and Kaitylyne Andrews and other students in his seventh-eighth-grade class to Mayor John DeStefano. The mayor showed up within two weeks, got an earful, and soon brought in journalist Laura Pappano to help create a student newspaper. . . . Pappano announced that based on their work, the kids and their new paper had just been accepted into the National Elementary Press Association, headquartered at the University of Alabama. .