MSU scholar contributes to study of cancer

In fall 2005, Edwin Chen’s mom was diagnosed with the early stages of colon cancer.

Student makes ninja finals

Hundreds of hopeful athletes sent videos to compete in the first G4 American Ninja Challenge, but only 10 finalists were chosen.

Sparty back for hall of fame

He’s got well-defined muscles and an intimidating stare. He can pull off a pleated skirt while still being one of the toughest, most recognized figures at MSU.

MSU switches career sites

An e-mail message in MSU students’ inbox might land them a job at school or after graduation.

Cool down, stay fit in local swim facilities

Reusable fuels boost Mich. economy

Innovations: MSU professor strives to protect tomatoes from pests, disease

With a family tree filled with farmers, Gregg Howe's interest in plants was almost inevitable. Howe's father and grandfather were both farmers, so his family spent a lot of time outdoors, he said. "I guess I just sort of have an appreciation of nature," the biochemistry and molecular biology professor said. But the defining moment for Howe's career choice was seeing a professor decapitate a rat. At the time, he was studying biology as an undergraduate at East Carolina University. They were working on the rat's liver, and the professor had to sacrifice the animal in the process, Howe said. The class stood around and watched. "That wasn't too appealing," he said with a laugh.

Young minds bloom in garden

Families wandered amid the alphabet-labeled plants and the Alice in Wonderland maze while middle and high school students read children's stories in a garden Tuesday.

Legislature faces ridicule for latest tuition increase

Sen. Mark Schauer, D-Battle Creek, agrees with most university and college boards of trustees around the state - Michigan needs to reinvest in higher education. Tuition hikes are a direct result of the Legislature's unwillingness to take an interest in the schools, Schauer said. About $26 million was cut from higher education during the 2006-07 school year, Schauer said, and it's not likely to be restored. At an MSU Board of Trustees meeting in July, the trustees agreed tuition hikes directly correlated to a lack of state aid. Universities need to hold the Legislature accountable for tuition increases, Trustee Faylene Owen said at the meeting. With uncertainty about how much schools are receiving, boards are forced to raise tuition to plan for the worst, Schauer said. "That really has forced universities to sort of throw a dart at the dart board without having guidance from the Legislature," he said. A solution to the state's budget crisis, Schauer said, could be a minor increase in the income tax and a broadening of the current 6 percent sales tax to certain high-end luxury services. "The combination of those two things would get us pretty close to where we need to be," he said. The Democrats have no reason to talk about raising taxes, said Matt Marsden, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, R-Rochester. Marsden said Democrats are continuously spending money the state does not have. "The Democrats continue to push for tax increases, but they refuse to accept any support for reforms in government," he said. Until the spending is dealt with, the Republicans and Democrats will have a stalemate, Marsden said. "We don't have a taxing problem, we have a spending problem that needs to be dealt with first," he said. Schauer said the Republicans are "stubbornly adhering to a failed ideology." "We need to step up to the plate and get our budget balanced and quickly in a way that invests in the universities and in colleges, and invests in our work force," he said. When universities cut programs, Schauer said, it makes Michigan less competitive in the job market. Marsden agreed it was unfortunate that higher education had to make some sacrifices. "We certainly support and agree that higher education is essential to moving Michigan into the 21st century," he said. He said the Republicans support an increase to higher education if possible, but won't be able to discuss specifics until they know how much of a state deficit they are dealing with. Schauer said he hopes the state listens to what Gov.

MSU vet hospital debuts new technique

When Wendy Villarreal's border collie injured its knee, a surgical technique offered at MSU's Veterinary Teaching Hospital was the perfect fit for her four-legged friend. Jennifer Au, an MSU veterinarian and orthopedic surgeon, has been performing the surgery, called Minimally Invasive Modified Retinacular Imbrication Technique for three months. The technique, which is used to repair dogs' knees, allows Au to make several small incisions in the animals' knee, instead of one large incision, like typical knee surgeries. "It allows us to make a couple small incisions and look through with a fiber optic camera," Au said.

MSU police to offer text alerts

Could a single text message save your life? That's what MSU officials believe could happen with the new text messaging emergency notification system that begins this fall. As students sit in classrooms, isolated from the media, they'd receive text messages from the university about emergency situations - from tornadoes to school shootings. Beginning fall semester, people can register their cell phone numbers through several pages on MSU's Web site, which will link to the Department of Police and Public Safety, or DPPS, said MSU police Sgt.

E.L. to wake up with 2 fresh coffee shops

Two new stores plan to brew business in East Lansing. Starbucks hosted its grand opening Thursday for its second Grand River Avenue location at 1141 E.

Professor's discovery repels plant invaders

For Sheng-Yang He, being a professor and a researcher is the perfect career - he wouldn't change it, not even if he was given the chance. He, 44, came to MSU in 1995 because of the reputation of the Department of Plant Biology. "(MSU) is an attractive place for many excellent plant scientists," He said. He's latest research hits a little closer to home.

Board of Trustees to visit Northern Mich. for annual retreat

The MSU Board of Trustees will pack their bags, hop into their cars and get down to business today - it's retreat time. MSU President Lou Anna K.

City Council work session Tuesday

East Lansing residents will have a chance to address East Lansing City Council members about the Avondale Square Neighborhood Development, also known as the Virginia Avenue project, at Tuesday night's work session. The session will be held at 7 p.m.

Second Democratic debate tonight

Break out the pretzels and partisanship - it's round two of the Democratic presidential candidate debates. The Democratic National Committee will hold the first of six planned, DNC-sanctioned debates between the party's presidential hopefuls live from 7-9 p.m.

Lansing schools offer free meals

The Summer Food Program for Children provides free breakfasts and lunches for children ages 18 and under.

International students seek smooth transitions

Daniel Ortega-Pacheco heard a bundle of stories about international students' struggles as an MSU International Students Association board member last year. Ortega-Pacheco, an agricultural economics graduate student from Ecuador, said Americans don't often understand the difficulties international students face. "What people don't see is these international students are running short on money, just like any other college students, they're homesick and they're miles and miles away from their families," he said. A series of meetings between international students and local businesses look to strengthen the connection between the business community and MSU international students. Led by the MSU Office for International Students & Scholars Director Peter Briggs, the meetings are part of the OISS effort to ease the struggles of international students coming to a new country, school and home. "We want to make sure our international students feel welcome here and that we improve some of the entry pathways for these students into more aspects of the community," Briggs said. International students contributed more than $90 million to Lansing's economy in 2006, according to the Institute of International Education. Last week's meeting was a brainstorming session between international students and CEOs of six local companies, he said.

Tour promotes safe, healthy transportation

Being on the road doesn't always mean sitting in a car. Bicycling provides riders with transportation and health benefits. It is a major cardiovascular exercises because it uses many muscle groups, said Jim Pivarnik, a professor of kinesiology and epidemiology.

Survey could help E.L. get greener

East Lansing may soon know how green its residents are - energy-wise, that is. In an effort to measure environmental attitudes, Richard Bernsten, an MSU professor from the Department of Agricultural Economics, and his students surveyed 360 East Lansing residents on topics ranging from energy-saving appliances to recycling. The students now are compiling the data and Bernsten plans to turn over the findings to the city by September. "If you want to change behavior, you have to know where people are," Bernsten said.