University of Minnesota Moment

Sherlock Holmes lives on at the U of M

Sherlock Holmes, one of the most well known fictional characters ever created, did most of his detective work in his home country of England. But where's the world's largest collection of Holmes documents and artifacts? Elementary my dear Watson, it's at the University of Minnesota Libraries. With more than 60,000 items it's a unique resource for the public, says Tim Johnson, curator of the collection.

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Protecting Woodward and Bernstein

Health care reform isn't the only bone of contention in Washington DC this year. Another is known as the federal shield law and it would more strongly protect journalists from revealing their anonymous sources. University of Minnesota media ethics and law professor Jane Kirtley says, when you consider high-profile or national security issues in the news, it opens up a debate about freedom of the press.

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U of M students at the Mississippi headwaters

Many know that Lake Itasca is the headwaters to the country's greatest river, the Mississippi, but few are aware of its leading scientific research and teaching facility, the Itasca Biological Station. Run by the University of Minnesota, the station is a leading scientific hub to monitor and improve the state's environment and water quality. At 100 years old, it needs repairs and is part of the university's current bonding request to the legislature. Michael Sadowsky, director of the Biotechnology Institute, is coordinating the Minnesota Mississippi Metagenome Project at the station and says it's a valuable learning opportunity for students.

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Healthy eating boot camp

Eating healthy may seem like a tough task. It takes time and money to ensure daily doses of this and that. But University of Minnesota Extension, through its Operation Frontline program, is arguing against that misconception. In chef-led courses, participants are learning how to easily make the healthiest food choices with limited resources. Executive chef Seth Bixby Daugherty is involved with the initiative and says the culinary lessons are for everyone.

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Gobble up Minnesota turkeys

It's an $800 million industry right under our beaks and most Minnesotans don't even know about it. Turkey production in the state is tops in the nation and, in a time of diet and nutrition consciousness, that's a good thing, says Sally Noll, University of Minnesota Extension professor in turkey production.

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Afghanistan War at a pivotal point

The war in Afghanistan is at a pivotal point as President Barack Obama decides on American troop levels and how to deal with a fractured Afghan government and people. University of Minnesota history professor Iraj Bashiri, who recently returned from the region, says troops have a role in the mending but the difficult and essential part is recreating the culture of Afghanistan.

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Citizenship during the H1N1 pandemic

As flu season hits its stride, the current H1N1 pandemic is certainly putting the world on alert. Countries are worried about the strain spreading across their borders and parents everywhere warily send their children to school where the flu is most likely to spread. Dr. Jeffrey Kahn, director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Bioethics, says it's a difficult balance between individual rights and protecting the public's health.

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"Behind the screams" of horror movies

There's an added layer of fear this Halloween season with the smash hit movie "Paranormal Activity" terrorizing audiences across the country. But why do we enjoy being scared? It may help us work through our fears, says University of Minnesota Art History professor Robert Silberman, an expert on horror films.

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Health care reform 101

There's likely no other issue in America right now that's as contentious as health care reform. It's difficult to tell which is rising more - the cost of care or the passion of the debate. Jean Abraham, assistant professor in the University of Minnesota's School of Public Health and a health economist, explains how we got to this point.

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Female athletes combat stereotyping through Twitter

What effect do new media like Facebook and Twitter have on female athletes? That's the question the University of Minnesota's Tucker Center is setting out to answer. Kinesiology professor Mary Jo Kane says the mainstream media traditionally depict only the femininity and sexuality of women in sport, but social media have the potential to counteract that.

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"Green Revolution" loses its father

His high-yield crop innovations have been credited with saving nearly a billion lives around the world but a part of him just wanted to be a Midwestern wrestling coach. University of Minnesota alum and Nobel Prize-winning scientist Norman Borlaug passed away last month and a close friend of his, university wrestling coach J Robinson, says, in a way, his "friend Norm" was able to live out that dream.

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Ready to run

It's Twin Cities Marathon time and runners have been preparing to hit the pavement. Whether it's the 26-mile haul or a 5K you'll be tackling down the road, University of Minnesota Family Medicine and Community Health physician Bill Roberts has some tips to stay on track.

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The U of M's Ultimate Homecoming

It'll be a Homecoming the University of Minnesota hasn't seen the likes of in 28 years. With TCF Bank Stadium now on campus, festivities like the parade and pepfest will have an added sense of excitement. Margaret Carlson, CEO of the U of M Alumni Association, says all Minnesotans are invited on October 4 for one of the week's most anticipated events. Visitors will be able to tour the stadium and experience the new and exciting academic work and research being done at the U.

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U of M energy and design student innovators compete in D.C.

Next month a group of University of Minnesota students will travel to Washington DC for the 2009 Solar Decathlon, an international competition to design, build and operate a highly energy-efficient, completely solar-powered house. Student project leader Shengyin Xu says that a priority was to incorporate the solar panels into a visually appealing design.

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Freshmen experience Gopher Nation

Not only is the incoming freshman class at the University of Minnesota one of the most accomplished in history, it's lucky enough to be the first to experience football back on campus in 28 years. During their Welcome Week orientation, the students got a chance to visit TCF Bank Stadium and hear from the leader of "Gopher Nation" himself, head coach Tim Brewster.

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