University of Alabama researchers make discovery that could help treat neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 17
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Alabama working with variants of a protein found in yeast cells believe the work could help develop therapeutic treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease. “This is really the first time it has been done,” said Guy Caldwell, a UA professor of biological sciences. The research is based on work by James Shorter, an associate professor of biochemistry and biophysics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, to “reprogram” Hsp104, a chaperone protein found in yeast that naturally works to unravel misfolded proteins — a common characteristic of neurodegenerative diseases. Chaperone proteins function just as their name suggests, according to Caldwell. “What they do is bind to other proteins and escort them through the process of maturity,” he said.
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Jan. 16
News-Medical.com – Jan. 17
University of Alabama’s Quad makes ‘Most Beautiful and Iconic’ list
AL.com – Jan. 16
The University of Alabama’s Quad — the heartbeat of campus and tailgaters’ heaven — has been named one of the 14 “Most Beautiful and Iconic” quads in America by Business Insider. Some of UA’s most frequented buildings, like Gorgas Library, circle the grassy expanse alongside academic buildings. In addition, some of the most recognizable UA landmarks — Denny Chimes, the President’s Mansion and the Gorgas House — call the Quad home. UA shares the honor with some of the oldest and most storied universities in the country, including Harvard University’s Harvard Yard and Yale University’s Branford Courtyard.
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Jan. 16
‘Realizing the Dream’ events to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 17
This weekend’s 25th Realizing the Dream weekend, built around the holiday honoring the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., will feature a banquet with veteran newsman John Cochran tonight, a sold-out lecture by musician John Legend Sunday, and Unity Day events Monday beginning at Stillman College. … Former national and foreign news correspondent John Cochran, a UA graduate, will speak at a 6:30 p.m. banquet in Foster Auditorium. Honorees, recognized for a variety of achievements in the spirit of King, are Melanie Gotz, a UA senior, who will receive the Horizon Award; Cleophus Thomas Jr., an Anniston attorney who will accept the Call to Conscience Award; and Roger Sayers, former UA president, who will be presented the Mountaintop Award. E. Culpepper Clark, historian and former UA faculty member and administrator, will be master of ceremonies. . . . Multi-talented John Legend, who has been honored with a string of artistic and humanitarian awards, will be the featured guest in the Moody Music Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Legend will not be performing.
5 ways to set effective goals and beat burnout
US News and World Report/Denver Post – Jan. 17
The first month back at school always seems to be the busiest of the year for the University of Alabama’s Rec Center. Determined to keep whatever New Year’s resolution they’ve set for themselves, folks flock to the gym in droves, and for about 12 straight hours every day, the facility is more crowded than it’s been since … well, January last year. As much as I hate crowds, I find it difficult to be too frustrated at the massive influx of people slowing down my workouts. After all, the gym is supposedly the answer to America’s weight problem, so the more people hitting the gym the better. Plus, most of these people will be gone in two weeks, anyway. . . . Steven Holbrook is a senior majoring in journalism at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala. In addition to finishing up his degree, he is working on attaining his personal trainer certification. He wants to use his fitness journey to help others attain their own fitness and nutrition goals. He loves a good omelet, aggravating his dog allergies and superhero t-shirts. Follow him on Twitter at @iHolbrook.
New reports help answer expanding college opportunity challenge
Diverse – Jan. 17
The Education Trust advocacy organization released a pair of reports highlighting measures institutions can take to boost enrollment and graduation rates of underrepresented minorities and low-income students. In “Learning from High-Performing and Fast-Gaining Institutions” and “Leading Change: Increasing Graduation Rates at CSU-Northridge”, Education Trust researchers document case studies and strategies that institutions—ranging from those with open admissions to highly competitive flagship public universities and selective private schools—can employ to increase “success rates for low-income students and students of color.” . . . Other institutions in the report are the University of Southern California, the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and the University of Alabama.
Watson to complete UA scholar program
Hartselle Enquirer – Jan. 17
Dana Watson of Hartselle is completing her master’s degree as a University of Alabama Rural Medical Scholar at The UA College of Community Health Sciences, a regional campus of the University of Alabama School of Medicine, which is headquartered in Birmingham. … She is now working on her master’s degree in environmental health Sciences with a concentration in Rural Community Health at The University of Alabama. This scholastic year, Watson will complete her master’s degree as a a Rural Medical Scholar. She will then matriculate into University of Alabama School of Medicine at UAB in the fall of 2014. Dana aspires to one day practice medicine as a primary care physician in a rural community in Alabama. The Rural Medical Scholars Program is part of UA’s Rural Health Leaders Pipeline, which has programs for high school and minority students and serves Alabama by producing physicians and other health care professionals who can become leaders in developing healthy rural communities.
Tuscaloosa BabyPalooza scheduled Jan. 25 at Bryant Conference Center
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 17
The Tuscaloosa BabyPalooza, an expo for new and expectant parents, will be held from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Bryant Conference Center, 240 Paul W. Bryant Drive. … The event will have maternity exhibits, interactive entertainment and information about the latest products and services for expectant parents. It will also feature a display of services provided by DCH Health System and the University of Alabama Child Life Services.