MONDAY, SEPT. 14, 2015 – SUNDAY, SEPT. 20, 2015
BEST BETS
BENEFITS OF FLU SHOT OUTWEIGH SMALL RISKS — Getting a flu shot is the first and most important step in protecting against this serious illness, according to Dr. Richard Friend, chair of Family Medicine and director of the Family Medicine Residency at the UA College of Community Health Sciences. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone aged 6 months and older get a flu shot annually. Vaccinations are needed each year because flu viruses are constantly changing. Vaccines are formulated each year to keep up with these changes. Associated risks are small, and the viruses in the flu shot are inactivated so they cannot cause the flu. Getting vaccinated is particularly important for people who are risk of developing serious complications if they get the flu, including: people with asthma, diabetes and chronic lung disease; pregnant women; and people aged 65 or older, according to the CDC. Contact: Friend directly at 205/348-1370 or rdfriend@cchs.ua.edu. For assistance, contact Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.
RESEARCHERS STUDY HOW TO MAKE LONGER, MORE DURABLE BRIDGE SUPPORTS – Engineering researchers at UA are testing massive concrete girders on campus to find ways for bridges to span longer distances without support underneath. For more information, contact Adam Jones, engineering media relations, at 205/348-6444 or acjones12@eng.ua.edu. Contact researcher Dr. Wei Song directly at wsong@eng.ua.edu.
STUDENT PLACES SECOND IN INTERNATIONAL HORN COMPETITION — Cynthia Simpson, a student in the UA horn studio, won second prize in the International Horn Competition of America, hosted by the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. This competition is the largest and most prestigious event for horn players on the continents of the Americas and is held once every two years. Contact Bobby Mathews, UA Media Relations, 205/348-4956 or bwmathews1@ur.ua.edu.
UA TO PARTNER WITH COUNTY SCHOOLS IN MATH PROJECT – UA’s College of Education was recently awarded a $1 million grant from the Math-Science Partnership through the United States Department of Education to implement three years of professional development sessions for math and special education teachers and to monitor student achievement in schools in the Tuscaloosa area. The project is designed to increase content knowledge of K-12 faculty, particularly special education teachers, and decrease the mathematics achievement gap of special education students. Additionally, project coordinators aim to improve critical thinking skills of all students and encourage collaboration between teachers. UA faculty and specialists will lead professional development sessions with faculty from Tuscaloosa County School System beginning in October. For more information, contact David Miller, UA Media Relations, 205/348-0825 or dcmiller2@ur.ua.edu or Dr. Jeremy Zelkowski, assistant professor, secondary math education, at 205/348-9499 or jzelkowski@bamaed.ua.edu.
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, this project can be adapted for use in other states, say Drs. Eben Broadbent and Angelica Almeyda Zambrano. 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.
CHICK-FIL-A PEACH BOWL, BIRMINGHAM BOWL REPS TO DELIVER LECTURES FRIDAY – Anton Dawson and Mark Meadows, officials from the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl and the Birmingham Bowl, respectively, will headline the second of seven lectures this fall in the Sport Management and Communication Lecture Series at UA. The events are open and free to the public. Lectures begin at 11 a.m. in room 310 of Bidgood Hall. For more information, contact David Miller, UA Media Relations, at 205/348-0825 or dcmiller2@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. For more information, contact Richard LeComte, UA media relations, at rllecomte@ur.ua.edu or 205/348-3782.
LOOKING AHEAD
UA TO HOST CYBERSECURITY COMMUNITY FORUM OCT. 1 – October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, and the UA’s criminal justice department will kick off the month with a community forum on cyber security in room 328 of Lloyd Hall. The panel begins at 6 p.m. Barry Matson, state prosecutor with the Alabama Computer Forensic Laboratories; Ashley Ewing, information security officer, UA Office of Information Technology; and Dr. Diana Dolliver, assistant professor of criminal justice at UA, will serve as panelists. For more information, contact David Miller, UA Media Relations, at 205/348-0825 or dcmiller2@ur.ua.edu. Contact Dolliver directly at 205/348-2062 or dldolliver@ua.edu.
STAR GAZING: UA’s department of physics and astronomy invites members of the community to attend a series of public nights this month to look through UA telescopes. The events are free of charge and are contingent on the weather. The first viewing, hosted by Dr. Jeremy Bailin, professor of physics and astronomy at UA, is from 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, in Gallalee Hall. Visitors will be able to view Saturn and the Gibbous Moon through the 16 inch research-grade reflector in the building’s observatory dome. An additional viewing will be at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, hosted by Drs. Ron Buta, William Keel and Preethi. The event will focus UA’s telescopes atop Gallalee Hall on the total lunar eclipse. For details, contact: Dr. Ron Buta, professor, UA department of physics and astronomy, 205/348-3792, rbuta@ua.edu, or Richard LeComte, media relations, rllecomte@ur.ua.edu or 205/348-3782.
UA THEATRE & DANCE BEGINS 2015 SEASON WITH ‘SEDUCED’ — UA Theatre & Dance begins its 2015-2016 season with American playwright Sam Shepard’s drama, “Seduced,” Sept. 21-27 in the Allen Bales Theatre. The play centers on the final days of a paranoid tycoon, based on billionaire recluse Howard Hughes. The myth of the American Dream and the consequences one faces to achieve it is a major theme in the production. For details, contact Bobby Mathews, UA Media Relations, 205/348-4956 or bwmathews1@ur.ua.edu.
UA EXPERT TIPS
UA MATTERS: ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION IN CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS — Childhood mental health awareness has increased in recent years, but the majority of children and adolescents with mental health issues remain undiagnosed and untreated. This is particularly the case for children with “internalizing disorders” such as anxiety and depression, according to a UA expert. These problems are not always clearly visible, but they are highly prevalent in the population. UA’s Dr. Matthew Jarrett offers advice for recognizing and treating anxiety and depression in children and adolescents in this week’s UA Matters. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.
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. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.