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MSU

Mosquito population climbs to 30-year high

When Natalie Warrick moved to MSU for the Summer Research Opportunity Program, she didn't expect a rousing welcome — from a platoon of blood-thirsty mosquitoes. After her first night at Owen Graduate Hall, Warrick woke up with five red lumps, the result of mosquito bites. "It's irritating me.

MSU

Ground grown energy

In the search for alternative energy sources, MSU researchers have discovered switchgrass as a valuable resource in producing other forms of fuel. At the MSU Extension in Presque Isle County, researchers are studying how to make fuel pellets out of switchgrass, which is a variety of prairie grass that grows quickly and can survive harsh weather conditions.

MSU

Worthwhile worms

Thousands of worm eggs in a glass of a sports drink could provide relief from bowel disease symptoms, MSU and University of Iowa researchers say. Linda Mansifeld, a professor of microbiology, is leading a study on how whipworms can be used to treat inflammatory bowel disease. Whipworms are thread-thin parasite worms, about an inch long when full-grown, that burrow their heads into the walls of the large intestines.

MSU

Teddy bear fix-up

A green cast covered Barry's right leg Saturday afternoon. The teddy bear also wore protective plastic sunglasses for her lazy eye and a colorful Band-Aid covered one of her wounds. Sarai Garcia's stuffed animal went through a lot at the MSU/Mid-Michigan Children's Initiative, or MSU/MMCI's, Second Annual Teddy Bear Picnic, which took place off of Service Road, across from the Clinical Center. "She had a broken leg," the 8-year-old Lansing resident said.

MSU

Organic farming

Ten acres of MSU's vast agricultural fields are reserved solely for growing organic food. The MSU Student Organic Farm, 3291 College Road, in Holt serves as a place not only to grow certified organic food, but research organic farming techniques as well, according to its Web site. The farm focuses on Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, in which the produce from the year-round farming is divided into shares and sold before the food is harvested. A share feeds up to about four adults and is not limited to one family, said farm manager and instructor Jeremy Moghtader. Shares are sold in spring, summer and fall and cost $460 per share, said Holly Markham, an environmental policy and anthropology senior, who works at the farm.

MSU

Strutting their stuff

Vinnie stomped the ground. The chestnut-colored horse was having his hooves shoed and shaped by farrier Kirk Lucas on Thursday afternoon at the west end of the Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education. Sparks flew as Lucas shaped Vinnie's new horseshoe.

MSU

MSU students graduate with more debt

Lonnie Moore expects to have about $40,000 worth of debt by the time he graduates in December. "Frankly, I see myself out of debt when they sell my body to science for dissection," the philosophy and history senior said.

MSU

Gas line hit, Olin evacuated

Construction workers hit a gas line Wednesday between 1:50 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. while working on the new parking ramp near Olin Health Center and Morrill Hall. Employees of Olin Health Center were evacuated, but there were no injuries, said Debra Dodd, spokeswoman for Consumers Energy. "The fire department thought it was best to evacuate the building since it was so near," Dodd said. No other buildings were evacuated, MSU police said. Consumers Energy officials were called to the scene to inspect and repair the damaged gas line.

MSU

Touring around town

Over the river and through the bike trails, MSU is home to acres of flower gardens, galleries full of one-of-a-kind artwork and dozens of ancient fossils — all for the public and all for free. This weekend, area officials hope to remind people of hidden jewels in their backyard as the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau presents its annual "Be a Tourist in Your Own Town" event. Tracy Padot, vice president and director of marketing communications at the bureau, said about 15,000 people participate annually. "We hear tales that people haven't been to the Capitol Building since they were in fourth grade," Padot said.

MSU

Professor joins national board

For the next five years, MSU Professor Thomas Linsmeier's job will be to ensure financial reports from companies all over the United States are clean, clear and transparent. Linsmeier was recently appointed to the Financial Accounting Standards Board, a national body that creates and determines corporate financial reporting guidelines.

MSU

Graduates receive arts award

Two MSU graduates were the recipients of the Louis Sudler Prize in the Arts, a renowned national award for their achievements in the arts. Karen Myers, an studio art and art education graduate, and Veronica Fitzpatrick, an English graduate, were informed in April that they would be receiving the prestigious award. "At first I didn't realize how big the award really was," Myers said.

MSU

MSU hosts German language camp

Elementary school students interested in learning about Germany's culture and its language can sign up for a two-week day camp hosted by MSU. The camp will run Monday through Thursday, 1-4 p.m., from July 24 to Aug.

MSU

Incident report withholds details on driver's actions

The investigation into Dannielle Brandt's on-campus death on Feb. 3 has been completed, but a copy of the incident report reveals no new information on what happened that night. The report obtained by The State News through the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, from the Meridian Township Police Department on Wednesday, has most of the information regarding the accident, driver and Brandt removed. The information that was blacked out was considered private information, said Cindy Cummings, FOIA coordinator for the Meridian Township Police Department. More than three months ago, Brandt was walking home from an event at the Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education, where she was walking her cow in preparation for an event the next day.

MSU

Distinguished Professor dies from cancer Monday

Michael Pressley, university distinguished professor of education, died Monday from cancer. Pressley was the director of the Literacy Achievement Research Center — a center focused on promoting literacy among adolescents and children. His funeral Mass will take place at 10:30 a.m.