TUESDAY, SEPT. 8, 2015 – SUNDAY, SEPT. 13, 2015
BEST BETS
NEW BIRD STUDY COULD LEAD TO NATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECT – UA researchers are laying the groundwork for what they hope will be a national study on the way bird populations reflect climate change. Using state-of-the-art recording technology, paired with human methods of birdwatching, Drs. Eben Broadbent and Angelica Almeyda Zambrano say methods used in this project can be adapted for use in other states. As the information grows, it could begin showing a clearer picture of what is transpiring with bird populations across the United States. For more details click here. Contact Broadbent directly at eben@ua.edu. For assistance, contact Bobby Mathews, UA Media Relations, at bwmathews1@ur.ua.edu.
PLANK INDUCTED POSTHUMOUSLY INTO PR HALL OF FAME – Betsy Plank, public relations legend and the namesake of UA’s Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations, has been inducted posthumously into the 2015 Southern Public Relations Hall of Fame. This hall of fame recognizes the accomplishments, commitment and leadership of professional public relations practitioners and educators from the Southeastern United States. Watch for an upcoming news release with more details or contact Richard LeComte, UA media relations, at rllecomte@ur.ua.edu or 205/348-3782.
REGULAR DRINKERS, ABSTAINERS REACT SIMILARLY TO ALCOHOL CUES – Whether one drinks each weekend or once every blue moon, reactions to pictures of alcohol can trigger the same neural responses and motivations to drink, according to Dr. Philip Gable, associate professor of social psychology at UA. Gable’s expanded alcohol cues research used Electroencephalography, or EEG, to measure activity of the left frontal lobe of the brain, a hemisphere of the brain related to approach motivation, in a sample of college students. The equal responses showed that motivation to drink alcohol was not influenced by drinking behavior, though more frequent drinkers will suffer a greater myopic effect to cues. The myopic effect on both light and heavier drinkers can help researchers predict future drinking patterns. For more information, contact David Miller, UA Media Relations, at 205/348-0825 or dcmiller2@ur.ua.edu.
UA EXPERT TIPS
UA MATTERS: WATCHING YOUR WEIGHT WHILE ENJOYING A FOOTBALL TAILGATE — Football season is a time for friends, family, football and, maybe most importantly, food. However, this popular season may be troublesome for those trying to watch their weight while participating in food and drink-focused tailgates. Sheena Gregg, a registered dietitian and assistant director of UA’s department of health promotion and wellness, offers tips for making good choices at a football tailgate gathering in this week’s UA Matters. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.