U of M || University News Service || U of M Moment

December 30, 2005

Winterizing

Earlier this fall, legislators called on the governor for a special session to help elderly and low-income citizens with heating cost assistance. Everyone in the state will be paying more for heating fuel. Pat Huelman with the university's Extension Service says that there are things we can do to lower costs.

Download fully produced :90 feature

Posted by dorovic at 07:37 AM

December 29, 2005

Migrant Workers

It is widely known that migrant workers make up a workforce of somewhere between 2 and 3 million nationwide. In Minnesota, migrant workers make up a workforce of around 50,000 each summer. Lisa Sass Zaragoza, a U of M outreach worker in the department of Chicano Studies, says that Minnesota farmers have had a long relationship with workers.

Download fully produced :90 feature

Posted by dorovic at 07:35 AM

December 28, 2005

Cheddar Cheese, Blood Pressure

Cheese is great on pizza, but scientists at the University of Minnesota are discovering that cheese might also be good for your heart. U of M food science professor Lloyd Metzer says that a current study is looking at the protein in Cheese to reduce high blood pressure.

Download fully produced :90 feature

Posted by dorovic at 07:41 AM

December 27, 2005

Whole Grains

If you think all carbs are the same, think again. A growing body of evidence suggests that people should eat more whole wheat, oats and other unrefined grains. University assistant professor of nutrition Len Marquart says the trick is to make whole-grain foods tasty and accessible.

Download fully produced :90 feature

Posted by dorovic at 07:36 AM

December 26, 2005

Wind Turbine

Energy prices are on the rise, and the university's campus in Morris is on the cutting edge of research on creating hydrogen out of wind energy with its wind turbine. Director of the West Central Research and Outreach Center Greg Cuomo says that the Wind Turbine supplies 60 percent of the Morris campus's electricity.

Download fully produced :90 feature

Posted by dorovic at 08:01 AM

December 23, 2005

Immigrant Holiday Assimilation

As more immigrants settle in Minnesota, their ethnic foods and customs get blended and added to existing traditions. Donna Gabaccia, director of the U’s Immigration Research History Center, explains that this type of assimilation has been happening for years.

Download fully produced :90 feature | Download raw audio

Posted by dorovic at 07:43 AM

December 22, 2005

Tree Care

A decorated indoor holiday tree is one of the grand traditions of the season. Horticulturist Nancy Rose of the University’s Extension Service has some advice for taking care of your tree to ensure a safe and happy holiday season.

Download fully produced :90 feature | Download raw audio

Posted by dorovic at 07:38 AM

December 21, 2005

Ice Safety

Minnesota forecasters are predicting a great winter for outdoor activities, but University of Minnesota climatologist, Mark Seeley has some words of caution for winter enthusiasts before heading out onto the ice.

Download fully produced :90 feature | Download raw audio

Posted by dorovic at 07:36 AM

December 20, 2005

Holiday Overindulgence

Parents who overindulge their children during the holidays may be doing them a disservice. And it isn’t just excessive gift giving. Minnell Tralle, a family relations specialist at the U’s Extension Service explains.

Download fully produced :90 feature | Download raw audio

Posted by dorovic at 07:42 AM

December 19, 2005

Deer Avoidance Project

With the holidays coming up, many of us will embark on trips to visit family and friends. And when it comes to travel safety in Minnesota, looking out for deer tends to be a high priority. Dr. Curtis Hammond, a researcher at the U, tells us about his Deer Avoidance Project and how big the problem is for the state and it’s drivers.

Download fully produced :90 feature | Download raw audio

Posted by dorovic at 07:39 AM

December 16, 2005

Rhodes Scholar

Diana Fu, an honors student in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, was recently named a 2006 Rhodes scholar. She explains how she got the news and what it takes to be chosen a Rhodes scholar.

Download fully produced :90 feature | Download raw audio

Posted by dorovic at 07:48 AM

December 15, 2005

Frostbite

Although winter doesn’t officially begin until December 21, last week’s blast of cold air should serve as a reminder to Minnesotans about the importance of bundling up to prevent frostbite, says Mary Ann McNeil, director of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Minnesota.

Download fully produced :90 feature | Download raw audio

Posted by dorovic at 07:31 AM

December 14, 2005

Holiday Greens

Feeling blue during the holidays? Then add some green to your life. U of M horticulturist, Neil Anderson explains how to use holiday greens like holly, ivy and mistletoe to spruce up your house … inside and out.

Download fully produced :90 feature | Download raw audio

Posted by dorovic at 07:35 AM

December 13, 2005

Schools and Obesity

Do schools contribute to childhood obesity? Research at the University of Minnesota suggests it’s possible. According to a study of food-related practices at 16 Twin Cities urban and suburban middle schools, School of Nursing researcher Martha Kubik, for the first time, found a link between certain school-wide food practices and the body weight of students.

Download fully produced :90 feature | Download raw audio

Posted by dorovic at 07:44 AM

December 12, 2005

Sleep Disorders

Sleep... Most of us do it 8 hours a day and never ever give it a second thought. For others though, it’s a different story. Matthew Wolf-Meyer, a U of M researcher talks about the emergence of sleep disorders.

Download fully produced :90 feature | Download raw audio

Posted by dorovic at 08:01 AM

December 09, 2005

James 'Crash' Ryan

If you’ve ever driven a car or been a passenger on an airplane, you have probably been touched by the research of University of Minnesota professor James Ryan who was a pioneer in the field of automobile and aircraft safety and systems. Max Donath, a professor of mechanical engineering at the U, explains.

Download fully produced ;90 feature | Download raw audio

Posted by dorovic at 07:54 AM

December 08, 2005

Alternative Home Heating

The increase in prices for natural gas, propane and oil have led some homeowners to think about using wood, corn or other alternatives to heat their homes this winter. Applied economics researcher at the U, Doug Tiffany, studies the economics of energy.

Download fully produced ;90 feature | Download raw audio

Posted by dorovic at 07:38 AM

December 07, 2005

Nicotine Vaccine

In a University of Minnesota study, the nicotine vaccine NicVax appears to be potentially effective for helping smokers kick the habit. But how does it work? The University’s Dororthy Hatsukami explains.

Download fully produced :90 feature | Download raw audio

Posted by dorovic at 07:40 AM

December 06, 2005

Medicare D 101

The new Medicare drug plan takes effect Jan. 1, and for the 43 million eligible participants there are many choices. What should one do? Steve Schondelmeyer, a pharmacy researcher at the University of Minnesota, says do your homework first.

Download fully produced :90 feature | Download raw audio

Posted by dorovic at 07:39 AM

December 05, 2005

Holiday Overeating

Everybody looks forward to the upcoming holidays: enjoying the company of friends, family, and indulging in all the good foods the holiday season has to offer. Many of us however tend to overeat around the holidays. University of Minnesota professor and head of the department of food science and nutrition, Al Levine tells us why.

Download fully produced :90 feature | Download raw audio

Posted by dorovic at 07:38 AM

December 02, 2005

Learning Language

Magnetoencephalography, MEG for short, is the measurement of magnetic fields produced by the electrical activity in the brain. Yang Zhang a researcher at the U of M uses MEG to study language development in infants and as a diagnostic tool for kids with language problems.

Download fully produced :90 feature

Posted by dorovic at 07:46 AM

December 01, 2005

Depression

The end of the semester and the holiday season combined make December a very stressful time of the year for college students. For some, the stress leads to depression. University of Minnesota Parent Program director Marjorie Savage understands what students are going through.

Download fully produced :90 feature

Posted by dorovic at 07:42 AM