News About the U 06/08/09 - United Press International - Different genes can cause same effects U.S. biologists have found the loss of pelvises and body armor in two species of stickleback fish was caused by different genes. The finding surprised University of Utah researchers, who expected the same genes would control the same evolutionary changes in both related fish. Note: This research by Mike Shapiro, assistant professor of biology, is also featured on the National Science Foundation's Web site at http://news.science360.gov/archives/20090608.aspx. It was also featured in Science Daily. 05/25/09 - Los Angeles Times - Dust Storms Darken the Rockies Thomas Painter, director of the Snow Optics Lab at the University of Utah, gives a presentation on the dynamic that includes a photo of his son hiking in Southern Utah, trailing a stream of dust. "All of us who are users [of public lands] are contributors," he said. "There are more ATVs on the landscape than 30 years ago. More mountain bikers, more hikers." Note: Also ran in Chicago Tribune 05/25/09 - New York Times - A Conversation With Pauline Wiessner: Where Gifts and Stories Are Crucial to Survival The anthropologist Pauline Wiessner, at the University of Utah, studies the value of social networks among hunter-gatherers like the !Kung of South Africa (the exclamation point represents a click sound characteristic of their language). I spoke with Dr. Wiessner, who is 61 and goes by the name Polly, during a break at last month's "Origins" symposium at Arizona State University and later in an interview in New York City. An edited version of the conversations follows.   05/12/09 - Deseret News - Students studying and realizing social change "These students not only dream about a world with 'no judgments,' they're doing something about it," said Caitlin Cahill, assistant professor of urban studies in the University of Utah's College of Architecture and Planning. She and collaborators Matt Bradley of the U.'s Honor College and David Quijada of the U.'s department of education, culture and society, mentor the students engaged in the participatory action research program. Participating students receive a stipend, college credit and valuable experience in conducting research and using their findings to help change attitudes and social policy. 04/23/09 - KSL - Researchers discover 'electric motor' in inner ear "What we're reporting here is a new motor that really hasn't been understood in the past. It's in the stereo cilia, the little tubes on top of the cell," explained Richard Rabbitt, of the University of Utah's bioengineering department. Also in Deseret News

Recent News Releases

Releases from the last 45 days (May 18th, '09 to Jul 2nd, '09)...

July 1, 2009

U of U Office for Equity & Diversity Awarded The Suder Foundation Grants
The University of Utah announced today that The Suder Foundation (TSF) has awarded two grants to the Office for Equity and Diversity for research and planning toward the creation of The Suder Scholars Program, a new national scholarship program designed to improve graduation rates of selected first-generation college-bound students.
See Full Story

June 30, 2009

Prescott Muir Takes Reins of Utah's School of Architecture
Prescott Muir, award-winning architect practicing in Salt Lake City, Utah and southern California since 1976, is the new director of the School of Architecture at the University of Utah, officials announced today. The School of Architecture is a department in the College of Architecture + Planning.
See Full Story

June 29, 2009

DESERT DUST ALTERS ALPINE MEADOW ECOLOGY
Tom Painter, a University of Utah geographer, has conducted a number of studies showing how snowmelt is accelerated by wind-blown dust falling on mountains. His latest study - a collaboration with Colorado scientists - will be published Monday in the online edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.
See Full Story

June 28, 2009

Reading the Brain without Poking It
Experimental devices that read brain signals have helped paralyzed people use computers and may let amputees control bionic limbs. But existing devices use tiny electrodes that poke into the brain. Now, a University of Utah study shows that brain signals controlling arm movements can be detected accurately using new microelectrodes that sit on the brain but don't penetrate it.
See Full Story

June 15, 2009

Summertime, and the Reading is Easy
School is out, summer is on, and many young students will spend it transported through story to other worlds. Yet for many others, summer is merely a pause in their ongoing struggles with literacy.
See Full Story

June 14, 2009

Father's Day Gift? Special Packaging for Genes in Sperm
June 14, 2009 -- It was long believed that conception does not involve a meeting of equals. The egg is a relatively large, impressive biological factory compared with the tiny sperm, which delivers to the egg one copy of the father's genes. However, a new study from Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah reveals that the father's sperm delivers much more complex genetic material than previously thought. The findings could lead to a diagnostic test to help couples deal with infertility.
See Full Story

June 10, 2009

University of Utah Announces Prestigious Jon and Karen Huntsman Presidential Professorships in Cancer Research
The University of Utah is pleased to announce a remarkable gift to support cancer research. The Jon and Karen Huntsman Presidential Professorships in Cancer Research will benefit the critical cancer research programs at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI). The professorships were made possible by a generous donation from Utah philanthropists Jon M. and Karen Huntsman, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Huntsman Cancer Institute this year. These esteemed professorships honor individuals for both their outstanding scholarship and their contributions to HCI's mission, vision and values.
See Full Story

June 9, 2009

U Names New Dean of College of Social and Behavioral Science
M. David Rudd has been named dean of University of Utah's College of Social and Behavioral Science, effective July 1, 2009. He will replace Steve Ott, who will divide his time between directing the Institute of Public and International Affairs and the Center for Public Policy and Administration, teaching and academic research.
See Full Story

June 4, 2009

'Pelvis Has Left the Building'
New research shows that when two species of stickleback fish evolved and lost their pelvises and body armor, the changes were caused by different genes in each species. That surprised researchers, who expected the same genes would control the same changes in both related fish.
See Full Story

June 3, 2009

PRIMA! University of Utah Singers Win First Prize at International Competition in Germany
The University of Utah Singers, an elite choral ensemble of the U's School of Music, has been awarded first prize at the 11th annual International Chamber Choir Competition in Marktoberdorf, Germany.
See Full Story

May 27, 2009

U LOOKS INSIDE FOR NEW GRADUATE SCHOOL DEAN
Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Undergraduate Studies Charles A. Wight has been selected from a pool of nearly a dozen candidates to be the new Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Utah. He replaces David Chapman who will return to teaching and academic research.
See Full Story

May 21, 2009

Extra Gene May Explain Why Down's Syndrome Patients are Much Less Susceptible to Most Cancers
A study by a group of national and international researchers has identified, in part, why Down's syndrome patients rarely get most types of cancer: an extra copy of a gene they carry helps suppress tumor growth by stopping blood vessel formation.
See Full Story

May 19, 2009

Big Survey of Utah's Gay, Bisexual Men
The University of Utah and community groups statewide plan to survey 1,000 gay and bisexual men about their health risks starting June 6 in an effort to better target future services such as education to prevent AIDS.
See Full Story

May 19, 2009

The University of Utah's Alumni Association Welcomes Six New Board Members
The University of Utah Alumni Association recently welcomed six prominent U of U alumni to its Board of Directors. In addition to assisting with the myriad activities sponsored by the Association throughout the year, they represent the Association across campus and in the community. The six new members, representing professionals in the fields of business, law, and education, join 18 other U of U alumni currently active on the board.
See Full Story

May 19, 2009

David Eccles School of Business Welcomes New Dean
Taylor Randall, associate dean of academic affairs at the David Eccles School of Business, will replace Jack Brittain as the dean of the David Eccles School of Business on July 1, 2009. While Randall will not formally become dean until July 1, he will be in the leadership role immediately with Brittain's support as he makes the transition.
See Full Story

May 18, 2009

U of U School of Medicine to Graduate 96 New Doctors
WHAT: University of Utah School of Medicine Commencement Ceremony WHEN: Saturday, May 23, at 10 a.m. Graduates will line up for procession at 9 a.m. WHERE: Kingsbury Hall, 1395 E. President's Circle, U of U Campus WHO: 2009 U of U School of Medicine Graduates, Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)President Darrell G. Kirch, M.D., Friends, Family, Faculty and Administration.
See Full Story

News Archives