MONDAY, NOV. 23 – SUNDAY, NOV. 29, 2015
BEST BETS
WHERE ALICE IN WONDERLAND MEETS ALBERT EINSTEIN — One hundred years ago this month, Albert Einstein published his theory of general relativity, one of the most important scientific achievements in the last century. The latest results from the “Cheshire Cat” group of galaxies show how manifestations of Einstein’s 100-year-old theory can lead to new discoveries today. Astronomers have given the group this name because of the smiling cat-like appearance. Some of the feline features are actually distant galaxies whose light has been stretched and bent by the large amounts of mass, most of which is in the form of dark matter detectable only through its gravitational effect, found in the system. Dr. Jimmy Irwin, a UA associate professor in physics and astronomy, is the lead author in a recently published journal article about the findings. Contact Irwin directly at 205/348-3791. For assistance, contact Chris Bryant in media relations, 205/348-8323 or cbryant@ur.ua.edu.
NEUTRINO NEWS — A team of UA physicists has received recognition for making key contributions to a landmark study of neutrinos that won the Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics recently in California. The $3 million prize, awarded earlier this month, celebrates a series of experiments involving physicists and labs around the world. They investigated neutrino oscillation and mass. The experiments showed that neutrinos — neutral subatomic particles and fundamental constituents of matter — have mass and that they change character as they travel through space. Before this work, neutrinos were believed to be massless. The scientists cited include Dr. Andreas Piepke and Dr. Jerry Busenitz, professors of physics and astronomy. For more details, contact Richard LeComte, media relations, rllecomte@ur.ua.edu, 205/348-3782.
THOMA NAMED ‘UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PROFESSOR’ – Dr. Stephen Thoma, program coordinator of the educational psychology department at UA, has been named a Distinguished University Research Professor by the UA Board of Trustees. Thoma joined the UA College of Education in 1986 and helped establish the UA Center for Ethical Development. His research has focused primarily on personality and social development in late adolescence and youth and moral judgment development. For more information, contact David Miller, UA Media Relations, at 205/348-0825 or dcmiller2@ur.ua.edu.
UA STUDY: FALL, HOLIDAYS DANGEROUS TIME FOR YOUNG DRIVERS – The last three months of the year can be treacherous for all drivers, but young drivers are involved in considerably more crashes during that time than the rest of the year, according to a recent study of traffic data by UA’s Center for Advanced Public Safety. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA engineering media relations, 205/348-6444 or acjones12@eng.ua.edu, or Rhonda Stricklin, associate director of CAPS, at 205/348-0991, or rstricklin@cs.ua.edu.
CURRENT COMMENT
IS THANKSGIVING DAY TURKEY MAKING YOU TIRED? — With more than 9 million Americans taking prescription sleep aids, public health professionals are evaluating a variety of natural methods to help people get better sleep. The role nutrition plays in promoting better sleep has gained more attention lately, and with Thanksgiving approaching, many people wonder if the extra turkey plays a role in inducing the traditional Thanksgiving Day afternoon nap. Turkey contains tryptophan, an amino acid responsible for helping to manage our sleep cycle. However, eating turkey on its own is probably not causing people to feel sleepy. “One of the main reasons we feel sleepy after a Thanksgiving feast is we are eating carbohydrate-rich foods like mashed potatoes and stuffing along with our turkey,” said Dr. Adam Knowlden, assistant professor of health science at UA. “The sleep-inducing amino acid found in turkey has a much easier time being processed when combined with carbohydrate-rich foods. There may be other factors contributing as well such as lower stress due to time off work.” For more information, contact Knowlden at aknowlden@ches.ua.edu or Kim Eaton, UA media relations, at 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.
HOLIDAY SHOPPING INS AND OUTS — What do retailers have up their sleeves to attract shoppers this holiday season, and what kind of deals can you get? Kristy Reynolds, a professor in UA’s Culverhouse College of Commerce, has an inside look at what shoppers can expect this holiday season. Contact: Edith Parten, eparten@Culverhouse.ua.edu, 205/348-8318. Source: Kristy Reynolds, kreynold@culverhouse.ua.edu
CISA BILL A GOOD FIRST STEP, BUT AMBIGUITY MUST BE ADDRESSED – President Barack Obama is not expected to veto the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act, which recently passed both House and Senate votes. But the bill, which will allow private companies to share cyber-threat data, including personal user data, with the federal government in an effort to prevent cyber-attacks has been slammed by tech companies. Dr. Diana Dolliver, a UA criminal justice professor, said the bill is a good first start, but is a bit too vague in places and will need clarification down the road. “It’d be beneficial if they could pull it off, but they’d need to create a better repository that all federal agencies could access for information.” Overcoming fragmentation is always a challenge at any level of law enforcement, she said. “The bill essentially charges DHS, DNI, and DOJ with designing something like this. Section 4, though, is also interesting – allowing private entities – private companies? private contractors? – to monitor and detect cyber threats in other private or government entities with written consent. I’m guessing that’s not intended to be a two-way street, but it reads as if it were.” For more information, contact David Miller, UA Media Relations, 205/348-0825 or dcmiller2@ur.ua.edu, or Dr. Diana Dolliver at 205/348-2062 or dldolliver@ua.edu.
LOOKING AHEAD
INNOVATION DAY TO SHOWCASE NEW TECHNOLOGY, FEATURE ADVISING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENTREPRENEURS – Acoustic waves generated by two helmets colliding that can alert athletic trainers to a potential concussion and a new wireless protocol and artificial intelligence program to increase signal integrity and reliability cell networks will be on display at the UA Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development’s Innovation Day, Wednesday, Dec. 2, in room 3700 of the Ferguson Center. Additionally, the event will feature sessions on how to market technology and grow a startup, and what laws entrepreneurs should know. Innovation day is open and free to the public. For more information, contact David Miller, UA Media Relations at 205/348-0825 or dcmiller2@ur.ua.edu.
UA-AFFILIATED TECHNOLOGY AIMS TO IMPROVE DRINKING WATER – A method of cleaning drinking water with light is being tested and developed at UA with the hope of creating a product available for homes and businesses. A company spun off from the technology, LiTeWater, will be one of five teams competing in the Alabama Launchpad Startup Competition Dec. 10 in Huntsville. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA Engineering Media Relations, at 205/348-6444 or acjones12@eng.ua.edu.
UA EXPERT TIPS
UA MATTERS: HOW TO HAVE A WELL-STOCKED FIRST AID KIT — A well-stocked first-aid kit can help you respond effectively to common injuries and emergencies. Ideally, one kit should be in the home and one in the family car. UA’s Dr. Louanne Friend provides a list of items that are recommended for first-aid kits for the home. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA media relations, at 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.