Ala. scientists use ice to research space
Marietta Daily Journal (Ga.) – Nov. 25
The work by a team of international scientists including researchers from the University of Alabama to observe signs of subatomic particles from the farthest reaches of the Milky Way and beyond could provide clues about black holes, supernovas and other phenomena. “It’s a very exciting thing for the field of neutrino astronomy,” said UA associate professor of physics Dawn Williams. Williams is among the co-authors of a paper in the Nov. 22 edition of the journal Science about the observation of 28 very high-energy particle events that researchers believe constitute the first evidence of high-energy neutrinos from beyond our solar system. The observations came from data collected between May 2010 and May 2012 from the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, a sensor array of more than 5,000 digital optical modules suspended along 86 cables embedded in a cubic kilometer of ice beneath the South Pole. The observatory was constructed with a National Science Foundation grant and some funding from participating international agencies. Also among the co-authors are UA assistant professor of physics Pat Toale, former UA postdoctoral researcher Pavel Zarzhitsky, and UA graduate students Michael Larson, James Pepper and Donglian Xu.
CBS 12 (Chattanooga, Tenn.) – Nov. 25
WPMI-NBC (Mobile) – Nov. 25
Ajay Agrawal Named UA’s Blackmon-Moody Outstanding Prof
India West – Nov. 25
Dr. Ajay K. Agrawal, professor and Robert F. Barfield Endowed Chair in Mechanical Engineering at The University of Alabama, will receive the 2013 Blackmon-Moody Outstanding Professor Award Nov. 15. Agrawal, whose research expertise includes combustion and fluid flow, invented the “noise sponge” concept that uses strong, porous structures to reduce noise generated from gas flow in jet engines, power generating gas turbines and industrial burners without compromising the combustion process. In addition, Agrawal, a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, developed an innovative fuel injector that drastically reduces harmful emissions and allows for clean combustion of fossil and alternative liquid fuels.
Drivers beware: ‘Tis the worst of the season when mating, migrating deer raise highway dangers
Al.com – Nov. 26
As the heart of the holiday travel season approaches, drivers are entering the time of year with the highest chance of crashes involving deer, a University of Alabama researcher said…There were more than 1.2 million deer collisions in the U.S. between July 2011 and June 2012, according to one estimate. State Farm Insurance stated that by the insurer’s own estimates, nationwide odds of deer collisions in the next year are down 4.3 percent to 1 in 174, compared with 2012. David Brown, professor with the University of Alabama’s Center for Advanced Public Safety, points to a 2005 joint study done with researchers at Auburn, Mississippi State and Alabama state agencies. The results are still relevant, he said. More than half of all deer-related crashes in a year happen during October, November and December. The higher probability is a combination of seasonal and geographical factors. Deer are on the run this time of year from hunters, which causes them to roam more during nighttime hours, Brown said…With trees just now shedding their canopies as autumn transitions into winter, there’s even more of a hidden danger than later in the season. “This time of year, the deer have a lot of cover,” Brown said. “They see you way before you see them.”
Grad student Will Guin wins 3MT competition at University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 26
An engineering graduate student has claimed the top prize in the University of Alabama’s inaugural 3 Minute Thesis competition, a program designed to help students present their complex work in compelling and accessible ways. Will Guin of Winfield won first place, a $1,000 scholarship and $500 in research and travel money during the final stage of the campus competition on Nov. 20 for his presentation on using “pop-tubes,” which use microwaves, to create a more effective airframe skin for the Boeing 787 aircraft, according to results released by the university. Guin will represent UA at the 3MT competition at the Council of Southern Graduate Schools in February. Steven Kelley, a chemistry student from Olive Branch, Miss., finished second and received $1,050 for his presentation on the use of nitrogen to deactivate radioactivity as a potential permanent solution for disposing of nuclear waste.
Students headstart Swipe Away Hunger
Crimson White – Nov. 26
The East Tuscaloosa Community Soup Bowl will deliver a total of 423 meals to needy families from all over Tuscaloosa as part of The University of Alabama’s Swipe Away Hunger initiative. This brand new program, sponsored by Bama Dining and a number of local churches, will offer meals to residents from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesday. The meals were donated by UA students who were able to donate excess guest meal swipes to be prepared by Bama Dining before they are picked up and delivered to the East Tuscaloosa Community Soup Bowl, where they will be distributed to residents. The program’s founders, two UA students, will both be on hand to help Wednesday…Reaching out to Bama Dining, they found aid in the form of Bruce McVeigh, general manager of dining halls, whose staff helped the Carrasquillas advertise, design a logo and plan logistics of the delivery. Once the University was on board, Tatiana contacted Pam Standifer at the ETCSB to find a means of distributing the food. “The financial part of it is very positive for our organization,” ETCSB director Charlie Simmons said. “It helps relieve our organization from providing everything for a day, providing the food and all. We’re very thankful for Tatiana, the University and everyone who donated to work together for the common good. ”
Hungry for the best deal: With doors busting Thursday morning, Black Friday earlier than ever
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 24
Before the Thanksgiving turkey gets popped in the oven, Black Friday shopping will be underway. Most major retail chains this year are starting their Black Friday holiday sales well before the Friday after Thanksgiving — the day that traditionally marked the start of the holiday shopping season. It’s a trend that has been going on for the last few years…Add to that the shortest possible time between Thanksgiving and Christmas — just 26 days. “The issue is that, overall, there is low consumer confidence. In particular, there is a great deal of pressure on lower- and middle-income consumers,” said Kristy Reynolds, a University of Alabama professor of marketing. “Wal-Mart and Kohl’s both reported poor quarterly results and retail sales are not growing by a large amount” she said.
Grammy winner John Legend to perform at University of Alabama
Al.com – Nov. 25
Award-winning singer-songwriter John Legend will perform at the University of Alabama in January in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Realizing the Dream concert. UA’s Ferguson Center announced Legend’s performance Monday afternoon, stating it is scheduled for Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. Final details are still being ironed out. Legend is a nine-time Grammy winner, from taking home the Best New Artist award in 2006 to the Best R&B Album award in 2012. The MLK, Jr. Realizing the Dream program was founded in 1990 by UA, Stillman College and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, according to the program’s website. Famed actor James Earl Jones headlined the first program, narrating the orchestral piece “A Lincoln Portrait.” Sidney Poitier, Maya Angelou and Henry Belafonte have also hosted.
BABH sets high goal for 20th year of competition
Crimson White – Nov. 26
In almost 20 years, the annual food drive competition between The University of Alabama and Auburn University has raised nearly 4 million pounds of food for Alabamians who do not have enough to eat. The competition operates as separate student-run programs at each school: Beat Auburn, Beat Hunger at the Capstone raises food and money for the West Alabama Food Bank, while Beat Bama Food Drive works with the Food Bank of East Alabama. The competition kicked off on Oct. 14 with an event at the Ferguson Center Plaza and is scheduled each year to lead up to the Iron Bowl. Polly Ricketts, the publicity director for BABH, said the rivalry between the football teams helps guide the food drives to be more productive. “It’s great because it’s in the football season, so I guess people were already in the competitive spirit, and it really kind of leads up to the Auburn game,” Ricketts said.
Construction begins on new facility for women’s rowing team at University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 25
The University of Alabama has begun construction on a new one-story building at Manderson Landing for the women’s rowing team. The new building will allow the 8-year-old program to move from temporary structures to a state-of-the-art facility. “It just allows us to provide an edge,” UA Athletics spokesman Roots Woodruff said. UA is constructing an 11,163- square-foot facility that will include storage space for the team’s sculls and support boats. The project also includes a specialized floating dock complex at the park. The program also will have space for offices and indoor training facilities in the new student recreation center in the Presidential Village residential community being built across Jack Warner Parkway, Woodruff said.