MSU

Children play games, learn at space camp

As 10-year-old Chris McClain eagerly navigated the controls of his computer game at space camp on Wednesday, the furthest thing from his mind was that NASA could use his reactions to the game to recruit more scientists.McClain is one of 40 children at the MSU Space Pioneers Learning Adventures, a free two-week camp for fifth-and eighth-grade boys and girls interested in learning about space and science.

MSU

Redesigned Web site to hit 'U'

When thousands of students and faculty pour back into campus in August, they may notice a change to their green and white Web site. The university will officially launch its updated Web site on Aug.

MSU

Researchers study Orchids

Wake up and smell the orchids. That's the idea a team of MSU researchers have been working on in an attempt to get people more interested in growing and buying the flower.

MSU

Internet aids learning in low-income families

Use of the Internet may improve children's academic performance and doesn't have any negative effects on social behavior according to a study conducted by MSU. HomeNetToo is a three-year study that followed how low-income families use the Internet at home and what effects it had on them. "We wanted to study low-income families because there is so little research on their technology use," Linda Jackson, psychology professor and lead investigator on the project said.

MSU

DNA sequence may allow researchers to control fungus

An MSU professor and a team of researchers from across the country have discovered the DNA sequence they say can help control a fungus that cuts crop yields and produces toxins.New farming practices and climate change have made the fungus, known as Fusarium graminearum, a problem for farmers during the last 10 years.Fungicides have been used to combat the problem, but nothing has been proven effective, researchers say."We've tried to find the weak link in the disease process," said Corby Kistler, a researcher from the University of Minnesota's ARS Cereal Disease Lab.

MSU

'U' initiative funds livestock projects

Amy Davis

July 28, 2003

A team of MSU researchers have been working on a project that could produce better tasting bacon.Ronald Bates, a swine specialist with MSU's animal science department, and eight other colleagues will begin working on a unique swine population in the fall to determine how muscle mass affects the taste and quality of pork.

MSU

News briefs

Alumnus donates life sciences fellowship A fellowship will be available for students in the Eli Broad Graduate School of Management starting in 2004. The James M.

MSU

'U' offers kids a taste of college at science camp

Most children would say they'd rather spend summer days playing outside than learning. But for the more than 250 third and fourth graders who spent two weeks on campus for Kid's College, they say braving the classroom in the summer was worth it. Sitting next to a structure made of wooden dowels pegged into a board with string to hold up action figures, 10-year-old Jessie Marshall-Reeve learned about structures, gravity and architecture.

MSU

Study might link toxins to kids' health

Amy Davis

July 23, 2003

Researchers in MSU's Department of Epidemiology are trying to find out how environmental factors influence a developing fetus later on in life.

MSU

Coordinator to leave health group

Life is full of many choices in regards to what one does with his or her health.Charles Torpe, coordinator of the Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs Education Seminar, or ATODES, has taught this lesson to many MSU students during the last seven years.Sober for 12 years, Torpe said the job was therapy for his everyday life."Things I most need to remember myself are things that I need to help students be aware of," Torpe said.Torpe will be leaving the program to move with his recently graduated girlfriend.

MSU

Museum authority changes

After 106 years of reporting to the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, the MSU Museum will now be under the wing of the College of Arts and Letters.Officials say departments across campus are figuring out ways to streamline and collaborate in the face of harsh budget constraints - the museum realignment is just another example of that.

MSU

Former 'U' star chairs project

Megan Homanick

July 21, 2003

Former MSU basketball star Steve Smith and his wife Millie will be lending Sparty a hand in his transition into bronze. The two have been asked to be honorary chairpersons for the $500,000 project, slated to be completed by 2005.

MSU

Study: Anti-Muslim U.S. crimes increase

Antonio Planas

July 17, 2003

Muslims living in the United States faced more discrimination, harassment and violence last year than in previous years, according to an Islamic advocacy group.A study, called Guilt by Association, released Tuesday by the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations, reported 602 alleged incidents nationally, a 15-percent increase from the previous year.

MSU

News Briefs

'U' student dies after electrocution accident Civil engineering junior Brad Hilberg died Tuesday after being electrocuted. Hilberg, an Alpena native, was painting a home in Oneida Township with another student when the aluminum ladder he was lowering hit a power line, Eaton County Sheriff's Department said in a written statement.

MSU

Travel director honored

Timber, tourism and travel have become the lifestyle Donald Holecek has become accustomed to living. Sitting among stacks of papers, books and maps detailing Michigan, the founding director of MSU Travel, Tourism and Recreation Resource Center didn't find the room to hang the 2003 Lifetime Achievement Award he received from the Travel and Tourism Research Association.

MSU

News briefs

Professor awarded for research in Germany An MSU faculty member was recently recognized for his research and contributions in veterinary medicine.

MSU

Journalism director to start work

Bath - It's Friday morning and Jane Briggs-Bunting is sitting in the middle of her new condominium surrounded by open space, a few boxes filled with pictures and a rocking chair - one of the two places to sit in her canary yellow living room.

MSU

Test results poorer in urban areas

Antonio Planas

July 14, 2003

The majority of Michigan schools that failed to meet annual state standards on the MEAP test are located in urban areas around the state, according an MSU study released Thursday.MSU's Education Policy Center conducted the study by analyzing a list of 216 priority schools issued by the state in April.

MSU

Kresge features Inuit artwork

Three brightly colored fish captured the eye of Virginia resident Martha Ruehlmann as she walked through the Kresge Art Museum Wednesday. "Three Fish" is the title of the Jessica Oonark painting which features fish colored in blue, orange and yellow, positioned one on top of the other. "I kind of like the one with the fish because it's not really colored in," Ruehlmann said.

MSU

Employees to nominate 'U' bosses for sensitivity leadership award

Sarah Mcevilly

July 9, 2003

For years Lori Strom received phone calls from MSU employees eager to complain or praise their supervisors.So two years ago Strom, a coordinator of the MSU child and family care resources, decided to create a way to reward bosses and supervisors across campus for their understanding, sensitivity and dedication to their employees with the annual MSU Supervisor Recognition Award."It was one of those light bulb moments," she said.