UA professor developing concrete alternative fly-ash
Crimson White – Feb. 9
The new buildings and construction sites across the University of Alabama campus will have plenty of positive impact, but the negative effects the construction has on the environment are often ignored. Concrete is used in almost every construction project across the country, as it accounts for nearly 70 percent of all construction materials. It is so common and widely-used that most people are unaware of the negative effects it can have on the environment. Jialai Wang, UA associate professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering, is developing an alternative to using cement in the production of concrete. He is working to replace cement with the more eco-friendly material, fly-ash. Fly-ash is a waste material produced from burning coal that can be used to create a stronger, more durable and eco-friendly concrete.
UA scientists make breakthrough discovery that could help people with Parkinson’s disease
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Feb. 8
Scientists at the University of Alabama are recognized for new research into Parkinson’s disease. The journal of Neuroscience highlights the latest discovery from a team led by doctors Kim and Guy Caldwell. They show how a specific gene could protect neurons in the brain from dying. That could lead to better treatments for Parkinson’s and what causes it.
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Feb. 8
Alabama’s economy to improve moderately in 2012, according to University of Alabama economists
Huntsville Times – Feb. 9
Last year ended on a good note, economically, for Alabama, and that is giving economists some optimism as this year goes on. Citing a growing nonfarm employment, a declining unemployment rate and ongoing development projects across the state, economists at the University of Alabama’s Center for Business and Economic Research expect the state to grow in revenue, gross domestic product and employment. “It’s looking better than this time last year,” said Dr. Ahmad Ijaz, CBER’s director of economic forecasting. “It’s not growing at the pace we were hoping, though.” GDP growth is expected to accelerate from an estimated 2.2 percent in 2011 to about 2.5 percent this year, he said.
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Feb. 8
Two-day forum at UAB and Samford University looks at Alabama immigration law
Birmingham News – Feb. 9
A two-day public forum on Alabama’s immigration law begins this morning in Birmingham… Topics today include…A Cost-Benefit Analysis of HB 56. with Samuel N. Addy, Director, Center for Business and Economic Research, University of Alabama.
Birmingham bankers, community leaders, nonprofit officials to seek alternatives to payday loans
Birmingham News – Feb. 9
The meeting was called by City Councilwoman Kim Rafferty, who hopes to lay the foundation for a clearinghouse of available institutions willing to provide services to those now turning to high-interest and high-fee payday lending and check cashing businesses. The 10 a.m. meeting to form “Bank on Birmingham” comes two months after the city imposed a six-month moratorium on new licenses for such businesses. . . . While challenged customers won’t provide a large new revenue source, banks will benefit from the program by improving their image with the goodwill gesture, said University of Alabama economics professor Gary Hoover. It will also create added pressure for existing payday operations to modify their practices, he said. However, Hoover cautioned that no program will succeed unless customers themselves embrace financial responsibility. Some of the targeted clients previously held bank accounts, and have poor credit and other problems that led to their expulsion from the mainstream financial system. “That’s the reason these payday loan places exist in the first place,” Hoover said. “But you’ve got to hope the people change their practices. This is a chance to put them on the right track.”
Director of School of Music Snead gets job done
Crimson White – Feb. 9
When Charles G. Snead is asked what his job entails, his response is simple and sincere. “Whatever needs to be done,” said Snead, director of the University of Alabama School of Music. “A typical day may range from budgetary decisions to meetings with potential donors to moving furniture around the building and helping to clean things up,” Snead said. “There is no job around the building or associated with the program that is too big or too small to demand my attention. Anything and everything that needs to be done falls within the parameters of the expectations of my job.”
Students, kids get moving
Crimson White – Feb. 9
It’s Your Move!, a student-generated health initiative to combat childhood obesity, held its kickoff event Wednesday at the YMCA in downtown Tuscaloosa. The event’s purpose was to encourage children to become more active between the hours of 3 and 5 p.m. “What we all hope to accomplish from this event is to really empower the kids to make healthy choices for a healthy life,” said Leighton Brown, a Bateman Team member and senior public relations major. Brown, Jessica Colburn, Carolyn Dawson and Jessica Wiger, the University of Alabama’s Department of Advertising and Public Relations’ Bateman Team, are the creators of the It’s Your Move! campaign.
Miss University of Alabama to be selected at Feb. 18 pageant
AL.com – Feb. 8
Twenty-one University of Alabama students will compete on Feb. 18 for the Miss University of Alabama crown and a chance to represent UA at the Miss Alabama Pageant. The 2012 Miss University of Alabama pageant, consisting of a private interview and swimsuit, talent, evening wear and onstage question competitions, will be at 7 p.m. at the Bama Theatre.
UA CrossFit program continues to gain popularity
Crimson White – Feb. 9
The national strength and conditioning program CrossFit made its way onto the University of Alabama campus in December and has since become UA’s most rapidly growing club by offering its services to all skill levels. Founded in the early ‘90s by Greg Glassman, CrossFit was developed as a training initiative for many police academies, tactical operations teams, military special operations units, martial artists and professional athletes. It focuses on varied, high-intensity workouts where members are motivated by the energy and drive of others.
UA opens Paul R. Jones Art Gallery in Tuscaloosa
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Feb. 8
The University of Alabama opens a gallery to showcase a major art collection. You can find the Paul R. Jones Gallery on Sixth Street in downtown Tuscaloosa. Jones, who died two years ago, donated more than 1.700 pieces of art to the University before his death.
Theatre students to deliver Valentine-O-Grams
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – Feb. 8
Students with the University of Alabama’s honors theatre program are helping you show your love this year with valentine-o-grams. For just $10, they’ll have a special performance for your heart-throb. A song or poem to someone that you like — boyfriend, girlfriend, fiancé, whoever….
Conference set Friday on banking law
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 9
CLE Alabama will host a conference in Hoover on Friday to update attorneys, financial services professionals and others on banking law…CLE Alabama is the statewide continuing legal education provider of the University of Alabama School of Law.