Study: Salamanders in the Appalachians are getting smaller
Associated Press – June 28
Some scientists suggest it could be still another sign of climate change: Salamanders in the Appalachian Mountains are getting smaller, they say, because in a drier, warmer climate, the little cold-blooded creatures use more energy to stay alive. “As their temperature rises, all their physiological rates increase,” said Michael Sears, a Clemson University biologist. “All else being equal, that means there is less energy for growth.” In a study earlier this year in the journal Global Change Biology, Sears and other researchers compared museum specimens of salamanders collected over a half century beginning in 1957 with those measured at the same sites in 2011 and 2012. … “We point to climate change as our best guess of what we think is going on,” said Karen Lips, an associate professor in the University of Maryland’s Department of Biology and a co-author of the paper. . . . . The study was also co-authored by (doctoral student) Nicholas Caruso of the University of Alabama and Dean Adams of Iowa State University.
Commentary: Ghana’s Black Stars: When football imitates life
Business Ghana – June 30
Our three matches have been renamed “should have,” could have” and “would have.” How could such a young, talented and the most admired team in all of Brazil have fallen so short of its goal? We had barely finished bantering with the American fans close by, after our rendition of their national anthem. Before we could figure out which side was up or adjust to our seats, it was the debacle of Feyenoord Stadium all over again, only this time, in 34 seconds not 4 minutes. Did the team and technical staff learn anything from the friendly with the Netherlands leading up to the battle of Natal? This is the World Cup but more importantly, this is Ghana v USA. This World Cup rivalry was a tournament all on its own and all of Brazil and the whole wide world was waiting with great anticipation for David of Ghana to fire his slingshot to fell the Goliath that was the US of A. “We believe that we will win” the American fan chant which had replaced “USA!,USA!” exploded into a deafening crescendo. How could an error so glaring at a rehearsal occur live at the main event? Do we analyze? Do we learn from data and facts or from experiences? . . . T. P. Manus Ulzen is Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine at the University of Alabama and Author of “Java Hill: An African Journey” – A historiography of Ghana.”
Million Dollar marcher: Kinsey enjoying time with Alabama band
Dalton (Ga.) Daily Citizen – June 29
Holly Kinsey, a 2012 graduate of Northwest Whitfield High School, has climbed the ranks in music performance and marching band and recently earned the position of drum major for the University of Alabama’s Million Dollar Band. After years of hard work, dedication, late nights and strenuous practice, she has achieved the highest position of authority offered to students in a marching band.
Students gather for plane competition
Carteret County (N.C.) News-Times – June 28
Top mechanical and aerospace engineering students from 11 universities and six states gathered in a field here Friday to test out remote-controlled aircraft they designed last week as part of a weeklong engineering workshop. The Aircraft Readiness Workshop was presented through a partnership between the N.C. State University engineering program in Havelock, Craven Community College, the N.C. Space Grant Consortium, Connecticut Space Grant Consortium and more than 20 Department of Defense engineers from In-Service Support Center Cherry Point. . . . (Photo) Brent Bielefeldt, an engineering student from the University of Alabama, left, and Thy Dinh, engineering student from the West Virginia University Institute of Technology, prepare to launch a plane they designed as part of an Aircraft Readiness Workshop fly-off competition held Friday in Newport. (Cheryl Burke photo)
Education Notebook for South Mississippi
Biloxi Sun-Herald – June 29
James Hong has been named STAR Student in addition to being salutatorian of the class of 2014 of D’Iberville High School. The STAR (Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition) program is sponsored by the Mississippi Economic Council’s M.B. Swayze Educational Foundation.Beyond the Advanced Placement course load, Hong also has extensive participation in extracurricular activities such as being Junior Class president of Student Council. He plans to study engineering at the University of Alabama where he has been awarded the Presidential Scholarship and an engineering scholarship that will collectively cover all tuition costs.
Tomorrow’s movers and shakers: The 2014 Top Academic Team
AL.com – June 29
Meet a stellar group of thinkers, leaders, athletes, artists and, most of all, scholars: The Press-Register’s 2014 Top Academic Team. High school counselors in Mobile and Baldwin counties were invited to nominate their most outstanding students for the team, which staff members selected from dozens of applications. . . . Marissa Ann Horstman: College plans: University of Alabama, majoring in chemical engineering. …Ethan McVay: College plans: University of Alabama Honors College; will study physics and will possibly major in business.
Moe’s Barbecue featured in USA Today
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – June 29
Moe’s Original Bar-B-Q was featured in the newest issue of USA Today. The Tuscaloosa hotspot was started by a University of Alabama alumnus in Vail, Colorado, in 2001. Since then, the restaurant has branched out to feature 30 locations in eight states, with more locations planned to open in California and South Carolina soon. The article praised Moe’s for its large, varied and delicious menu.