More than 200 people from 35 countries are on campus for a three-day structural fire engineering conference at Kellogg Center that began Wednesday. The Sixth International Conference on Structures in Fire looks at the latest developments in the area of structural fire safety.
MSU researchers studying freshwater bodies such as the Great Lakes are studying the relationship lakes have with the surrounding streams and ecosystems. Creating the term landscape limnology — a new way to study fresh water — three MSU professors in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife said they hope their study can help protect and conserve the nation’s water.
Peanut butter and jelly is one of three new flavors recently released at the dairy store in Anthony Hall. The other newcomers are turtle sundae — a butter chocolate swirl with chocolate-covered pecans — and Omer Tracks, which is malted ice cream with chopped M&M’s and chocolate-covered waffle cone pieces, named for the raccoon mascot from Odyssey of the Mind, which was hosted May 26-29 at MSU.
The MSU Community Music School auditorium was filled Thursday night with classic melodies and the work of the Okemos and Spartan Virtuosi Strings violinists. The Spring Virtuosi Concert has been held after each semester for the past 30 years, and violin and viola instructor Susanne Garber, who has been teaching for 20 years, said it was a great opportunity for young students to learn the art of violin and viola.
An MSU professor is a part of a team examining the practicality of an alternative liquid fuel that could eventually replace gasoline. The group is receiving $1.7 million from the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy to design a reactor to test a microorganism’s production of new fuels.
A recent study performed by MSU researchers and several other groups in five states could reduce hospital stays of pneumonia patients. The College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Department of Internal Medicine was one of seven groups in the Multicenter Osteopathic Pneumonia Study in the Eldery.
Facebook and Twitter are included on the banned list of websites in the country, which also includes YouTube and most Google applications, due to their content. Although it might not be a problem for many people in the U.S., MSU students on study abroad must get accustomed to the adjustment.
Recent scientific advancements of biofuels by MSU researchers could pave the way for both new fuels and low-calorie foods. Timothy Durrett, an MSU plant biology research associate, along with visiting professor of plant biology Michael Pollard and university distinguished professor of plant biology John Ohlrogge, discovered a technique of isolating a gene responsible for the synthesis of an oil in the seeds of the Euonymus alatus — or burning bush.
Legislation providing federal funding for academic research that failed to pass in the U.S. House of Representatives last week could mean more competition for MSU faculty seeking funds in the future. The America COMPETES Act will grant more federal support to university research, but the failure to pass the reauthorization bill will spread the act’s funding over a longer time period than originally anticipated
An MSU professor on national panel contributed to a report released last Wednesday to Congress that found climate change is occurring and people are part of the cause. Tom Dietz, a professor of sociology, former director of MSU’s Environmental Science and Policy Program and vice chairman of a panel on the America’s Climate Choice project, reported his findings last week in Washington, D.C., and said pollution caused by humans accounts for a significant part of global climate change.
Artists unveiled their creations Saturday and Sunday at the 2010 MSU Spring Arts and Crafts Show at the Union. The University Activities Board, or UAB, has sponsored the annual show for 46 years and has seen it grow into one of the largest arts and crafts shows in the state.
The MSU College of Law announced Friday that it received a $15,000 grant from the Michigan Humanities Council. A mid-November production of a play written by Sandra Seaton, MSU Law’s inaugural writer, and a corresponding symposium will both be supported with the available money.
The MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center was one of four state organizations to receive a Recycler of the Year award last Wednesday from the Michigan Recycling Coalition. The award was given to the most effective and innovative recycling and waste reduction programs across the state.
The Academic Technology Services Open House and MSU Computer Store Expo was held Thursday at Computer Center to showcase some upcoming technological renovations at the university. Updates will occur in the computer labs at Berkey and Wells Halls, which will be completely upgraded with new paint, flooring, printers and computers.
Zero tolerance policies against violence used by schools across the Midwest are inadequate and unfair, according to a study conducted by MSU researchers. The actions schools are taking simply are not working, causing students to say they don’t feel safe in school.
As students moved out of the dorms this spring, some shoved a year’s worth of college into the family mini van and others, such as accounting junior Ethan Todd, dug through what was left behind and found treasures in the trash.
Two MSU studies focusing on social networking sites such as YouTube, are helping shape how people understand the Internet, researchers said. MSU researchers have applied for a $750,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to study visitors of major social networking sites, such as YouTube and Facebook. Another MSU study found inappropriate videos on YouTube regarding sex and cigarette smoking are easily accessible to children and should be better regulated.
World-renowned carillonneur Wendell Wescott died on April 30 at the age of 99, after more than 50 years of bell ringing at Beaumont Tower.
Aureal Cross, a retired MSU emeritus professor from the Department of Geological Sciences, received the McMicken Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Cincinnati on Saturday.
Michigan State’s Summer Circle Theatre celebrated its 50th anniversary Thursday with a gala and fundraiser — complete with actors in wardrobe — at the Fairchild Theatre. Proceeds from the event will toward upgrading the performers’ audio equipment.