Extreme Genomic Evolution Discovered In Burmese Pythons
Red Orbit – Dec. 3
A team of researchers have sequenced the genome of the Burmese python, or Python molurus bivittatus, finding large numbers of rapidly evolved genes in snakes. Their findings, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), reveal that these genetic changes are linked to extreme characteristics in snakes. The discovery of these characteristics, which include rapid increases in metabolism and organ growth after feeding, open a novel window into how evolution works at the molecular level. “The Burmese python has an amazing physiology. With its genome in hand, we can now explore the many untapped molecular mechanisms it uses to dramatically increase metabolic rate, to shut down acid production, to improve intestinal function, and to rapidly increase the size of its heart, intestine, pancreas, liver, and kidneys,” said Stephen Secor, associate professor of biological sciences at the University of Alabama. “The benefits of these discoveries transcends to the treatment of metabolic diseases, ulcers, intestinal malabsorption, Crohn’s disease, cardiac hypertrophy and the loss of organ performance.”
Yahoo! – Dec. 2
Christian Science Monitor – Dec. 3
MedIndia – Dec. 3
Mother Nature Network – Dec. 3
Technology Could Lead to More Reliable Renewable Energy Systems
Science Daily – Dec. 3
Renewable energy sources such as wind-powered generators can be more reliable and efficient by better controlling the process of getting electricity onto the power grid, according to a United States patent based on research by Dr. Shuhui Li, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at The University of Alabama. Li, with assistance from Dr. Tim Haskew, professor and head of the electrical engineering department, found in their research that wind turbines often stop sending electricity to the grid because of competing processes in converting electricity into a form usable for power distribution. The patent, granted in November to UA, claims an algorithm that when programmed into the turbine’s power electronics better controls the electric conversion. “There are two different control tasks that fight to control each other’s method,” Li said. “When you compete, it’s dangerous, and sometimes you compete wrong.”
Editorial: Tis the season to drive carefully
Kitsap Sun (Bremerton, Wash.) – Dec. 3
O Earth peace, good will to man . . . but on the highway, not so much. A study by David Brown, a University of Alabama professor who studies holiday traffic (perhaps if you’re studying the traffic, it means you’re not stuck in it), found that the six days around Christmas showed 18 percent more accidents than Thanksgiving weekend, the heaviest travel days of the year, and 27 percent more than New Year’s Eve when drivers are perhaps handicapped by an excess of holiday cheer. Claims for collisions increase by almost 20 percent during December, according to the Highway Loss Data Institute, which indicates that’s probably on the low side because many minor fender benders happen in mall parking lots and are settled privately.
Brattleboro Reformer (Vermont) – Dec. 4
Morning Sentinel (Waterville, Maine) – Dec. 4
Professors work to expand Head Start
Crimson White – Dec. 4
Two University of Alabama professors were awarded a $2.2 million grant to expand the Head Start preschool program for children in West Alabama. Head Start provides enrichment for preschool-aged children of low-income families. Caroline Boxmeyer, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral medicine, and Ansley Gilpin, an assistant professor of developmental science, began piloting a program called PATHS (Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies) in 2011, which incorporated resources and education for parents into the existing Head Start curriculum. They applied for and received a grant from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families, which is allowing them to expand the program. Boxmeyer said the goal of PATHS is to involve parents in the curriculum their children are being taught and to give them resources to help reinforce that learning.
‘Collaborama’ to showcase University of Alabama student writers, dancers and artists’ work
Al.com – Dec. 4
The University of Alabama will soon host “Collaborama,” a presentation of collaborative work from student writers, dancers and artists on campus. The event will take place from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday in the Morgan Hall Auditorium on campus. Admission is free. “Collaborama” is the result of a semester-long cross-disciplinary project by the classes of UA English professor Robin Behn, UA associate professor of dance Sarah Barry and UA associate professor of art Sarah Marshall. The event will feature a gallery space in the Morgan Auditorium foyer that showcases original prints and printer-writer collaborations. Student presentations will include original dances set to both music and texts, collaborative writing pieces and the classes’ four final projects, each of which is the result of a collaboration among writers, dancers and visual artists. For more information, English professor contact Robin Behn, at (205) 348-5065 or rbehn@ua.edu.
UA classes film zombie comedy
NBC 13 (Birmingham) – Dec. 3
Two classes at University of Alabama are filming a zombie movie this week. About 60 students are doing everything from filming, to acting, to stage make-up. The film is their final project for the semester. “We wanted to do something bigger. We wanted to do a bigger collaboration within the TCF department. So we were talking and we both like zombies and we’re fans of zombies. So we said why not do a zombie class.” The professors will submit the film to a national contest and hope to have a company pick it up to be shown on either on television or on the internet.
UA greenhouse lends space for research
Crimson White – Dec. 4
For more than a decade, the quaint, well-kept University of Alabama greenhouse, located on the side of the Biology Building, has been run by the UA department of biological sciences to facilitate plant and bacteria experiments by faculty and research students. “Since most universities do not typically have a greenhouse on campus, the department of biological science’s greenhouse has allowed me to pursue integrated research questions,” Robert J. Martinez, a microbiologist and university research scientist, said. The greenhouse encourages students to be involved and participate in environmental microbiology and plant biology research and is connected to the Biology Building for easy access. Botany professors and other biology researchers have done experiments there over the years to study agricultural production, limited nutrient resource usage and how to produce better sustainability in plants and soil.
UA professor skeptical of EMR efficiency
Crimson White – Dec. 4
When Regina Harrell, physician and assistant professor in the College of Community Health Sciences, enters the scene of a house call, the first thing she does is pick out a spot to kneel on the floor, practically at the feet of her patient. After some conversation, she pulls out a palm-sized device from her bag and introduces it to her patient as a new toy. The patient puts their fingers on either end and lowers it into their lap. Harrell pulls out her iPhone. The device, relatively new to Harrell, allows for on-the-fly electrocardiograms, which she can receive and download directly onto her phone. After the reading and visit are complete, she closes her bag and leaves, never having touched the bulky laptop she uses for compiling and updating electronic medical records. Harrell recently found herself on the front page of NPR’s website after writing a column expressing her frustration with electronic medical records, which have abruptly become a part of health care nationwide through federal mandate. Harrell’s column “Why a Patient’s Story Matters More Than a Computer Checklist” was published on Pulse, an online health care magazine, and began generating above-average traffic before it was featured on NPR. “You have things happen, and you’re frustrated about them…Writing them down can help congeal the thoughts in your head,” she said.
Healthy habits help minimize dead week, finals stress
Crimson White – Dec. 4
As students shuffle in from Thanksgiving break, two weeks of intensive studying and exams separate them from going home for a longer reprieve. This week, popularly known as dead week, is the time for students to hit the libraries for long hours and study nonstop in order to ace their finals. Although studying is an essential part of college, the stress it causes can also adversely affect students’ bodies. “In small amounts, stress can have positive effects on our bodies, such as making us more alert and energized,” said Caroline Boxmeyer, an associate professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral medicine. “However, when we face larger or more continuous sources of stress, our bodies can develop a range of physical difficulties, such as headaches, stomachaches, anxiety and irritability.” Boxmeyer said continuous stress can manifest itself in a number of symptoms, often in ways that can make the original problem worse.
Miss America contestant creates cookbook
Crimson White – Dec. 4
Miss Point Mallard Katie Malone is using her platform in the Miss America Organization to make an impact for struggling families this holiday season. Malone has created a cookbook to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama, featuring recipes from local and national celebrities. The Ronald McDonald House provides a place for families to stay while their critically ill children receive medical care. There is currently a house in both Birmingham and Mobile and a family room in DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa. Malone, a senior majoring in broadcast journalism, has been involved with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama since her senior year in high school. She has held and participated in various events with the organization, including fundraisers and silent auctions, but Malone said she wanted to do something different…The cookbook includes over 465 recipes. Some of the famous names who contributed recipes include Nick Saban, Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn, Alabama Senator Richard Shelby, Bill “Bubba” Bussey from the Rick and Bubba radio show, founder of the Ronald McDonald House of Alabama Marianne Sharbel and Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan.