MONDAY, OCT.19 – SUNDAY, OCT. 25, 2015
BEST BETS
FOSSILIZED EGG SHELLS REVEAL DINOSAUR BODY TEMPERATURE – A team of researchers, including a UA geologist, used fossilized dinosaur egg shells to directly measure the body temperatures of two types of dinosaurs. Results, which grant insight into metabolic rates and activity levels of the prehistoric animals, recently published in Nature Communications. Dr. Alberto Perez-Huerta, UA associate professor of geological sciences, is a co-author of the study. In his Bevill Building laboratory are about 15 tiny samples of the fossilized egg shells used in the work. The samples range from approximately 71 million to 80 million-years-old. Contact Perez-Huerta directly at aphuerta@ua.edu or 205/348-8382. For more information, contact Chris Bryant in media relations, 205/348-8323 or cbryant@ur.ua.edu.
NATIONAL FOSSIL DAY: The Alabama Museum of Natural History invites the community to join in for a celebration of all things fossil from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21. National Fossil Day was established by the National Park Service as a way to promote fossil appreciation and stewardship. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.
UA TEAM ADVANCES IN BUSINESS START-UP CONTEST — LiteWater, a start-up company based off technology developed in the UA College of Engineering, was selected for the final phase of Alabama Launchpad, a state-wide business competition. The technology filters and eliminates harmful bacteria and viruses from tap water through a breakthrough ultraviolet water treatment technology. For more information, contact Adam Jones, engineering media relations at acjones12@eng.ua.edu, 205/348-6444
CURRENT COMMENT
IS DAILY FANTASY SPORT GAMBLING? WHAT WOULD MAKE IT SO? WHAT WOULD MAKE IT SEPARATE? – Following what equated to alleged insider trading between employees of online fantasy sports sites Draft Kings and Fan Duel, questions over the industry’s lack of regulation, in part because of how it’s classified, have grown louder and more widespread. Does daily fantasy sports play cross the line into the official label of “gambling”? Dr. Andrew Billings, telecommunication and film professor at UA, studies the motivations for play and public perception of what he calls “games within games.” “Daily fantasy sports clearly move the gaming away from skill and toward a higher degree of luck – which is gambling. The question is whether daily sports officially become gambling in the process,” Billings said. For more insight into the future of the billion-dollar industry, contact Billings at 205/345-8658 or acbillings@ua.edu.
UA EXPERT TIPS
UA MATTERS: WARNING SIGNS OF AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP — What used to be thought of as a private issue for some marriages, domestic violence is now a widely discussed and public concern. Society is no longer remaining silent about this issue; rather, it is actively encouraging victims/survivors to speak up and offering services to help end this troubling phenomenon. UA’s Dr. Tricia Witte offers some helpful information on domestic violence, as well as some warning signs if you suspect that you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship in this week’s UA Matters. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.
LOOKING AHEAD
TRICK-OR-TREAT: UA’s Panhellenic Association will host its annual Sorority Row Trick-or-Treat from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26. Children from the Tuscaloosa area ages 12 and younger are invited to dress up in Halloween costumes without masks and visit the lawns of the campus sorority houses on Magnolia and Colonial drives for candy and activities. Tutwiler and Harris residence halls will also host trick-or-treaters. UA sorority members from the Alabama Panhellenic Association, National Pan-Hellenic Council, United Greek Council, and College of Social Work will provide candy to area children. Big Al will appear on Sorority Row from 6 until 7 p.m., and children will have an opportunity to receive information about joining Big Al’s Kids Club. For details, contact Richard LeComte, media relations, rllecomte@ur.ua.edu, 205/348-3782 or Leah Seay, UA Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, 205/348-2693, greekgrad4@sa.ua.edu.
A HAUNTING AT THE MUSEUM: The Alabama Museum of Natural History and Gorgas House Museum hosts the annual Haunting at the Museum from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27. Visitors will enjoy guided, candlelit ghost walks around the Quad and hear ghostly stories in the Museum. There will also be spooky crafts for younger participants. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.