President Obama Honors MU Researcher with National Medal of Science

December 27th, 2012

President Barack Obama named University of Missouri researcher M. Frederick Hawthorne as recipient of the National Medal of Science, the highest honor bestowed by the country to scientists. Hawthorne is the director of the International Institute of Nano and Molecular Medicine at MU, as well as Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Radiology. Full Story

Sibling Squabbles Can Lead to Depression, Anxiety, Says MU Psychologist

House rules can help parents resolve conflicts and guard children’s mental health

December 20th, 2012

Holiday presents will soon be under the tree for millions of adolescents. With those gifts may come sibling squabbles over violations of personal space, such as unwanted borrowing of a fashionable clothing item, or arguments over fairness, such as whose turn it is to play a new video game. Those squabbles represent two specific types of sibling conflict that can have different effects on a youth’s emotional health, according to a multi-year study by a University of Missouri psychologist. With these findings, parents can learn how to bring peace to the home and encourage their children’s healthy psychological development. Full Story

Father’s Death Affects Early Adolescents’ Futures in Developing World, Says MU Anthropologist

Knowledge of effects could lead to better assistance for youths

December 17th, 2012

A father’s death can have long-term effects on a child’s later success in life and can be particularly harmful if the father passes away during a child’s late childhood or early adolescence, according to new research by a University of Missouri anthropologist. Recognizing the impact that a father’s death can have on adolescents could lead to improved counseling and assistance programs, especially for needy families in the developing world. Full Story

Three New Species of Venomous Primate Identified by MU Researcher

Research may help protect rare primate from illegal trades

December 13th, 2012

A venomous primate with two tongues would seem safe from the pet trade, but the big-eyed, teddy-bear face of the slow loris (Nycticebus sp.) has made them a target for illegal pet poachers throughout the animal’s range in southeastern Asia and nearby islands. A University of Missouri doctoral student and her colleagues recently identified three new species of slow loris. The primates had originally been grouped with another species. Dividing the species into four distinct classes means the risk of extinction is greater than previously believed for the animals but could help efforts to protect the unusual primate. Full Story

Antoine Predock to Receive Honorary Degree from MU

2,163 Graduates to Receive Degrees During MU’s Fall Commencement Ceremonies

December 12th, 2012

The University of Missouri will honor architect Antoine Predock with an honorary degree during the fall commencement ceremonies from Friday, Dec. 14 through Sunday, Dec. 16. Predock will speak at the Graduate School ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 16. Full Story

Targeted Micro-Bubbles Detect Artery Inflammation, MU Study Finds

Procedure done in pigs could potentially detect heart disease early in humans

December 12th, 2012

Heart disease is a leading cause of death throughout the world. Doctors say that it is important to detect heart disease early before it becomes too serious. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri have found a way that they believe could help detect heart disease before it progresses too far as well as identify patients who are at risk for strokes.  Full Story

Health Care Practitioners Must Cooperate to Assure Medication Management, MU Expert Says

Constant assessment of medication regimens critical to patient care

December 10th, 2012

Medication reconciliation is a safety practice in which health care professionals review patients’ medication regimens when patients transition between settings to reduce the likelihood of adverse drug effects. It is among the most complex clinical tasks required of physicians, nurses and pharmacists, who must work cooperatively to minimize discrepancies and inappropriate medication orders. Now, a University of Missouri gerontologiccal nursing expert suggests that acknowledging practitioners’ varying perspectives on the purpose of medication reconciliation and their roles in the process might increase implementation in health care institutions such as hospitals and nursing homes.  Full Story

Six MU Faculty Members Named as Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

December 10th, 2012

Six faculty members from the University of Missouri have been named as Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). AAAS members bestow the honor on their peers through an election process. The faculty members elected as fellows are: Full Story

Another Muscular Dystrophy Mystery Solved; MU Scientists Inch Closer to a Therapy for Patients

December 7th, 2012

Approximately 250,000 people in the United States suffer from muscular dystrophy, which occurs when damaged muscle tissue is replaced with fibrous, bony or fatty tissue and loses function. Three years ago, University of Missouri scientists found a molecular compound that is vital to curing the disease, but they didn’t know how to make the compound bind to the muscle cells. In a new study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academies of Science, MU School of Medicine scientists Yi Lai and Dongsheng Duan have discovered the missing pieces to this puzzle that could ultimately lead to a therapy and, potentially, a longer lifespan for patients suffering from the disease.  Full Story

Eating Fewer, Larger Meals May Prove Healthier for Obese Women, MU Research Suggests

Consuming three substantial meals instead of six small meals lowered amount of fat in women’s blood; over time, could decrease women’s risk of developing heart disease

December 6th, 2012

Media articles and nutritionists alike have perpetuated the idea that for healthy metabolisms individuals should consume small meals multiple times a day. However, new research conducted at the University of Missouri suggests all-day snacking might not be as beneficial as previously thought, especially for obese women.  Full Story

MU Police Department Receives Renewal on National Accreditation

Police department pivotal to MU’s top priority of safety

December 5th, 2012

The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. (CALEA) has awarded the University of Missouri Police Department the “Accreditation with Excellence Award." This is the fifth time that the department has received accreditation by CALEA and the first time the department has been awarded the Accreditation with Excellence Award. Full Story

Bilirubin Can Prevent Damage from Cardiovascular Disease, MU Researchers Find

December 5th, 2012

Each year, about 610,000 Americans suffer their first heart attack, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heart attacks and other symptoms of cardiovascular disease can be caused when blockage occurs in the arteries. In a new study from the University of Missouri, a scientist has discovered a natural defense against arterial blockage: bilirubin. Full Story

MU Teams with Smithsonian to Save Original Jefferson Tombstone Marker

December 4th, 2012

For more than a half-century, a six-foot tall granite cube and obelisk with a 150-200 pound marble slab insert marked the grave of Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. Following damage to the original monument by souvenir seekers and a government campaign to replace it with a larger copy, the original tombstone, including the marble slab, was presented to the University of Missouri. MU was the first public university in the Louisiana Purchase Territory that Jefferson had been instrumental in acquiring, and MU officials supported a curriculum and concept of higher education similar to those of Jefferson. In fact, the University of Missouri was modeled from the University of Virginia; thus, it seemed fitting that Jefferson’s original monument would be placed on MU’s campus. Full Story

Brief Interventions Can Help Young Adults, College Students Return to a Healthy Lifestyle, Finds MU Researcher

November 29th, 2012

The weight gain commonly known as the “Freshman 15” is a negative aspect of the college experience for many college freshmen who are independent for the first time, most making lifestyle decisions about eating and exercise. Researchers say it’s no surprise freshmen experience one of the largest weight gains in their lifetimes when they attend college. A new study from the University of Missouri has found that a brief intervention, sometimes as little as 30 minutes, can help put students back on the right track to a healthy lifestyle – a change that can impact the rest of their lives. Full Story

Less Wait Time for Safe Travel Could Reduce Drinking and Driving in People with ‘Urgency’ Personality Trait, Says MU Researcher

November 19th, 2012

Saving bar patrons’ time on their commute home could save lives. A pair of studies by University of Missouri psychologists found that people who reported drinking and driving also exhibited “urgency,” or a lack of emotional self-control, especially while drinking. This suggests that some people when intoxicated may be more likely to choose the convenience of driving themselves home instead of waiting for a taxi, said Denis McCarthy, associate professor of psychology at MU. Full Story

New Suicide Prevention Training Program Made Possible Through Program Headquartered at Mizzou

November 15th, 2012

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in Missouri; more Missourians die by suicide than by DWI or homicide. To help combat this issue, officials from Partners in Prevention, a statewide coalition of Missouri universities headquartered at the University of Missouri, will make a suicide prevention program, known as “Missouri Ask Listen Refer,” available to anyone throughout the state. Full Story

Emotional Disconnection Disorder Threatens Marriages, MU Researcher Says

Personality trait leads to loneliness, less intimate communication between spouses

November 12th, 2012

Communication can be challenging for any married couple, but a personality trait called alexithymia that keeps people from sharing or even understanding their own emotions can further impede marital bliss. University of Missouri interpersonal communication researchers found when one spouse suffers from alexithymia, the partners can experience loneliness and a lack of intimate communication that lead to poor marital quality. Full Story

Compound in Grapes, Red Wine Could be Key to Fighting Prostate Cancer

MU researcher finds that prostate tumor cells are more susceptible to treatment after being exposed to resveratrol, a compound found in grape skins and red wine.

November 8th, 2012

Resveratrol, a compound found commonly in grape skins and red wine, has been shown to have several beneficial effects on human health, including cardiovascular health and stroke prevention. Now, a University of Missouri researcher has discovered that the compound can make prostate tumor cells more susceptible to radiation treatment, increasing the chances of a full recovery from all types of prostate cancer, including aggressive tumors. Full Story

Preschoolers’ Counting Abilities Relate to Future Math Performance, MU Researcher Says

Counting, in addition to reciting, should be emphasized in early childhood education to establish foundation for future academic success

November 8th, 2012

Along with reciting the days of the week and the alphabet, adults often practice reciting numbers with young children. Now, new research from the University of Missouri suggests reciting numbers is not enough to prepare children for math success in elementary school. The research indicates that counting, which requires assigning numerical values to objects in chronological order, is more important for helping preschoolers acquire math skills. Full Story

Reynolds Foundation Guarantees Permanent Funding for MU Reynolds Journalism Institute

Continuance of RJI will ensure stronger journalism around the world

November 8th, 2012

The University of Missouri announced Thursday that it has received a $30.1 million gift to guarantee permanent funding for the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute, the 4-year-old center devoted to innovation, collaboration and research in media industries. The gift, the largest endowment gift in the history of the university, came from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. It is the second largest gift ever to the University of Missouri. Full Story

STATEMENT

November 6th, 2012

University of Missouri Police and administrators are aware of a shooting that occurred north of Women’s and Children’s Hospital on Keene Street. MUPD officers are currently assisting the Columbia Police Department with the situation. We will update this website as additional information is confirmed. Please check here for official information. Please do not distribute unconfirmed information or rumors or post or pass along rumors on social media outlets. Safety is the university’s top priority and we are working hard to assure that the campus remains safe while information is obtained and confirmed. Full Story

MU to Create Terrorism and Disaster Center with $2.4 Million Grant

Mental health providers will be trained to respond to emotional aftermath of natural and man-made disasters

November 6th, 2012

More than 70 people have been killed, millions are without power and several thousand have lost their homes in the severe storm known as Hurricane Sandy. Relief efforts will provide for victims’ immediate needs, such as housing, food and water, but the emotional consequences of natural disasters are long term and not understood very well. A University of Missouri disaster communication expert is using a $2.4 million grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to establish a Terrorism and Disaster Center that will train mental health providers to aid communities before and after natural and man-made disasters. Full Story

MU Sinclair School of Nursing Receives Nearly $15 Million for Project to Reduce Re-hospitalizations of Nursing Home Residents

Reducing avoidable hospitalizations will improve patient care, lower health care costs

November 5th, 2012

The University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing today announced a nearly $15 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Led by Curators’ Professor of Nursing Marilyn Rantz, MU researchers will use the funds, distributed over four years, to implement a project aimed at reducing avoidable re-hospitalizations among nursing home residents. Insights gained from this project could provide a nationwide model for senior care and significantly reduce national health care spending. Full Story

Virtual Reality Could Help People Lose Weight, Fight Prejudice, Says MU Researcher

Study found that online presence can positively affect physical health and well-being

November 5th, 2012

Internet-based interactive games and social media outlets have become intertwined with the physical realities of millions of people around the world. When an individual strongly identifies with the cyber representation of themselves, known as an avatar, the electronic doppelganger can influence that person’s health and appearance, according to a University of Missouri researcher’s study. Harnessing the power of the virtual world could lead to new forms of obesity treatment and help break down racial and sexual prejudices. Full Story

Change in Chinese Culture and Values Could Open Chinese Sports Market for U.S., says MU Researcher

Large, untapped market could benefit U.S. economy.

November 1st, 2012

Currently, China has a population of more than 1.3 billion people, and based on a new study from the University of Missouri, it appears that interest in American sports is growing in the country, which could open a large, untapped economic market for the U.S. Full Story

MU Deputy Chancellor Names Azizan-Gardner as Chief Diversity Officer

November 1st, 2012

Deputy Chancellor Mike Middleton has appointed Noor Azizan-Gardner as Chief Diversity Officer for the University of Missouri. Azizan-Gardner will coordinate the Chancellor’s Diversity Initiative (CDI), support MU’s commitment to equal opportunity and affirmative action, and serve as a consultant on matters of diversity initiatives being sponsored and funded by the university. Priorities of the Chancellor’s Diversity Initiative include efforts to increase the diversity of faculty, staff and students and to promote a welcoming and inclusive campus climate. Full Story

MU Chancellor Names Gibler MU Budget Director

Associate Vice Provost for Extension Management will replace Tim Rooney, who will retire in December

October 31st, 2012

Brady Deaton has announced that Associate Vice Provost for Extension Management Rhonda Gibler will replace Tim Rooney as MU’s director of budget, effective Jan. 1, 2013. Rooney announced in August that he will retire at the end of 2012. Full Story

American Consumers Overvalue U.S. Produced Apparel, MU Study Finds

Consumer trend could be damaging to American apparel manufacturing businesses and U.S. economy

October 30th, 2012

In today’s globalized economy, a large percentage of apparel products are multinational products as raw materials are produced, transported and assembled in different countries. However, consumers have little information about where and to what extent their apparel is produced domestically or overseas. Now, University of Missouri researchers have found that American consumers place a much higher value on apparel produced entirely in the U.S. with U.S. raw materials as opposed to products produced partially or entirely overseas. The value is so high, in fact, that MU experts worry it could be damaging to U.S. apparel manufacturing businesses and the overall economy. Full Story

School of Health Professions Dean Stepping Down; MU Provost Announces National Search for Replacement

October 29th, 2012

School of Health Professions Dean Richard Oliver has announced his intent to step down as dean effective at the end of the 2013 spring semester, University of Missouri Provost Brian Foster announced today. Oliver, who has spent his entire academic career at MU, is the founding dean of the School of Health Professions. Full Story

$1 Million Gift Will Support MU Student Collaboration

Archer Daniels Midland gift will fund renovations to student laboratory space in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

October 26th, 2012

Archer Daniels Midland Company, one of the world’s leading agricultural processors, which is headquartered in Decatur, Ill., has given the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources a gift of $1 million to support a dedicated laboratory space designed specifically for student experiential learning. The ADM Center for Agricultural Development, which will be located in the Agricultural Engineering building on the MU Campus, will provide space for valuable student-faculty interactions, enhanced student team learning, and capstone design projects. Full Story

Exercise and Complete Decongestive Therapy Best Ways to Manage Lymphedema, MU Expert Says

Living with chronic condition requires patients to use comprehensive self-care practices

October 22nd, 2012

Nearly 40 percent of breast cancer survivors suffer from lymphedema, a chronic condition that causes body limbs to swell from fluid buildup, as a result of lymph node removal and radiation therapy. A cure for lymphedema does not exist, so individuals with the condition must find ways to manage the symptoms throughout their lifetimes. Now, a team of researchers and clinicians working with a University of Missouri lymphedema expert has found that full-body exercise and complete decongestive therapy (CDT) are the best ways for patients to minimize their symptoms and maintain their quality of life. Full Story

Consulting Director Hired at University of Missouri Press, Provost Announces

October 19th, 2012

University of Missouri Provost Brian Foster announced today that Jane Lago, former managing editor of the University of Missouri Press, has been named as consulting director for the Press, effective Monday, Oct. 22.  Full Story

Female Pulitzer Prize Winners Require Higher Qualifications, MU Study Finds

Gender disparity in journalism still exists, but is improving

October 17th, 2012

The Pulitzer Prize in Journalism is one of the world’s most prestigious awards. Despite progress in the last few decades, gender disparities in the field of journalism have existed as long as the profession has. Now, a University of Missouri researcher has found that female Pulitzer Prize winners are more likely to have greater qualifications than their male counterparts in order to win the coveted award. Full Story

MU Researchers Expose Young Adults to News with Online Sports Game

Media organizations can customize game template to engage readers, add revenue

October 17th, 2012

More than 65 percent of Americans younger than 30 utilize the Internet as their main source for national and international news, according to the Pew Research Center. However, most young adults do not consciously seek out news online, but rather are exposed to it incidentally while searching for other information or doing non-news-related activities, such as visiting social networking sites or checking their email. Now, interdisciplinary researchers at the University of Missouri have created an Internet game that promotes school athletic spirit while engaging young people with the news. Full Story

University of Missouri Nursing Faculty Member Admitted to Institute of Medicine

October 16th, 2012

Marilyn Rantz, professor in the University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing, has been admitted to the Institute of Medicine. Rantz, a Curators’ Professor, University Hospitals and Clinics Professor of Nursing and Helen E. Nahm Chair, has spent the past 30 years working with the aging population and conducting research to improve seniors’ quality of life. Full Story

Mystery of Nematode Pest-Resistant Soybeans Cracked by MU Scientists

Gene related to soybeans’ resistance to nematodes also correlates with human diseases

October 15th, 2012

For 50 years, the world’s soybean crop has depended on the use of cyst nematode resistant varieties of beans, but no one knew how these plants fought off the nematode pests. Now, the secrets of resistant soybean plants are finally coming to light. Surprisingly, one of the genes related to nematode resistance in soybeans also has been associated with human diseases including lymphocytic leukemia, spina bifida and cardiovascular disease, according to a team of University of Missouri researchers and their colleagues, whose breakthrough was recently published in the journal Nature. Full Story

Gold Nanoparticle Prostate Cancer Treatment Found Safe in Dogs, MU Study Shows

New treatment may have fewer side effects than traditional cancer therapy

October 15th, 2012

Currently, large doses of chemotherapy are required when treating certain forms of cancer, resulting in toxic side effects. The chemicals enter the body and work to destroy or shrink the tumor, but also harm vital organs and drastically affect bodily functions. Now, scientists at the University of Missouri have proven that a new form of prostate cancer treatment that uses radioactive gold nanoparticles, and was developed at MU, is safe to use in dogs. Sandra Axiak-Bechtel, an assistant professor in oncology at the MU College of Veterinary Medicine, says that this is a big step for gold nanoparticle research. Full Story

Medication Beliefs Strongly Affect Individuals’ Management of Chronic Diseases, MU Expert Says

Health practitioners should use behavior-change tactics so patients take medications as prescribed

October 15th, 2012

Nearly half of patients taking medications for chronic conditions do not strictly follow their prescribed medication regimens. Failure to use medications as directed increases patients’ risk for side effects, hospitalizations, reduced quality of life and shortened lifespans. Now, a University of Missouri gerontological nursing expert says patients’ poor adherence to prescribed medication regimens is connected to their beliefs about the necessity of prescriptions and concerns about long-term effects and dependency. Full Story

Thirteen Faculty and Alumni to be Honored at MU Awards Ceremony

October 11th, 2012

The Mizzou Alumni Association will honor 13 outstanding faculty and alumni Friday, Oct. 12, at its 45th annual Faculty-Alumni Awards Ceremony in Reynolds Alumni Center. The Distinguished Service Award, the Distinguished Faculty Award and 11 Faculty-Alumni Awards will be presented. Full Story

$1.3 Million in Gifts Will Support Lifesaving Medical Research

MU School of Medicine estate gifts will fund cardiovascular health, ophthalmology professorships

October 11th, 2012

George and Melna Bolm, native and lifelong residents of Warren County, Missouri, have given estate gifts of more than $1.3 million to the MU School of Medicine. Through her generous gifts, Melna, who passed away in 2011, wanted to memorialize her late husband George, who passed away in 2000, as well as support important medical research. Full Story

Interstellar Travelers of the Future May be Helped by MU Physicist’s Calculations

University of Missouri’s Sergei Kopeikin may have solved the Pioneer anomaly

October 9th, 2012

Former President Bill Clinton recently expressed his support for interstellar travel at the 100 Year Spaceship Symposium, an international event advocating for human expansion into other star systems. Interstellar travel will depend upon extremely precise measurements of every factor involved in the mission. The knowledge of those factors may be improved by the solution a University of Missouri researcher found to a puzzle that has stumped astrophysicists for decades. Full Story

MU Researcher Identifies Factors to Help Parents and Professionals Recognize Teens in Distress

Youths who harm themselves should be connected with positive adult influences and mental health services before behaviors escalate

October 4th, 2012

Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for teens, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Now, a University of Missouri public health expert has identified factors that will help parents, medical professionals and educators recognize teens at risk for self-injury and suicide. Full Story

Newspaper Publishers Optimistic About the Future, MU Survey Shows

October 3rd, 2012

Despite a declining readership and a poor economy that has forced the newspaper industry to drastically cut staff and expenditures in recent years, publishers of U.S. daily newspapers remain optimistic about the future of their industry. In the largest survey of its kind, Michael Jenner, the Houston Harte Endowed Chair at the University of Missouri School of Journalism and Reynolds Journalism Institute at MU, found that nearly two-thirds of responding publishers expressed optimism for the future, while only 4 percent of respondents were not optimistic about the industry. Full Story

Amazonian Tribal Warfare Sheds Light on Modern Violence, Says MU Anthropologist

Developing a shared sense of global community could help reduce major episodes of violence

October 2nd, 2012

In the tribal societies of the Amazon forest, violent conflict accounted for 30 percent of all deaths before contact with Europeans, according to a recent study by University of Missouri anthropologist Robert Walker. Understanding the reasons behind those altercations in the Amazon sheds light on the instinctual motivations that continue to drive human groups to violence, as well as the ways culture influences the intensity and frequency of violence. Full Story

MU Students Gain Experience with Advanced Weather Tracking Technology

Students use tornado-chasing technology to research rain’s impact on stream

September 27th, 2012

With advances in meteorology technology, predicting storms is becoming easier than in the past. While most meteorology students learn about these new technologies in the classroom and don’t get a chance to use sophisticated equipment until they are on the job, a group of University of Missouri students were able to test a mobile weather tracking device, Doppler on Wheels (DOW), made famous by shows such as Discovery Channel’s Storm Chasers. Full Story

Retiring During Economic Booms Could Cause Financial Hardships for Retirees, MU Researcher Finds

September 26th, 2012

The recent economic downturn and volatile financial markets have drastically reduced the retirement accounts of many current and future retirees. In a new study, a University of Missouri financial expert has found that many Americans choose to retire when the economic markets are peaking, an action that can, ironically, cause major problems for the long-term financial stability of retirees. Full Story

As Farmers Get Older, MU Professor Encourages Students to ‘Return to the Farm’ with Class that Studies Farming Challenges

U.S. could face severe shortage of farmers in the next decade as older farmers begin to retire

September 26th, 2012

In a recent survey published by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), officials reported that more than one-third of U.S. farmers are 65 years old or older, and half of current farmers plan to retire in the next decade. With fewer young people staying home to take over their family farms, the average age of American farmers is increasing rapidly. Kevin Moore, an associate professor of agricultural economics at the University of Missouri, teaches “Returning to the Farm,” a class that prepares students to overcome the financial and personality hurdles of becoming a farmer. Full Story

News Consumption of Political Stories Not Enough to Retain Political Knowledge

Teens Must Think About and Discuss Politics to Learn, MU Study Finds

September 25th, 2012

A strong democracy depends on smart voters who choose their leaders based on their knowledge of important political issues. One of the ways that Americans learn about politics is by following the news. Now, researchers from the University of Missouri School of Journalism have found that simply following the news is not enough. Full Story

Viruses Help MU Scientists Battle Pathogenic Bacteria and Improve Water Supply

Newly developed technique can kill antibiotic-resistant germs

September 24th, 2012

Infectious bacteria received a taste of their own medicine from University of Missouri researchers who used viruses to infect and kill colonies of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, common diseas-causing bacteria. The viruses, known as bacteriophages, could be used to efficiently sanitize water treatment facilities and may aid in the fight against deadly antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Full Story

K-12 Students to Receive Free High-Tech Mapping Software Courtesy of MU Geographer’s Collaborations

Software will enable school projects and build job skills

September 19th, 2012

Interactive maps have become a part of daily life via computers, smart phones and GPS units and when coupled with demographic and environmental data, the maps become powerful research tools. Those tools are now available to Missouri students as they start the new school year. All K-12 schools and certified youth programs in the state now have free access to data and detailed maps provided by a Geographic Information System (GIS), thanks to the Missouri Geographic Alliance, which is hosted by the University of Missouri. Besides offering students and teachers a plethora of educational possibilities, the experience with GIS also will give students valuable experiences in a growing field of employment. Full Story

Children with Autism Experience Interrelated Health Issues, Says MU Expert

Clinicians, parents should watch for concurrent medical and psychiatric problems that affect treatment of ASD

September 19th, 2012

One in 88 children has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A new study by a University of Missouri researcher found that many children with ASD also experience anxiety, chronic gastrointestinal problems and atypical sensory responses, which are heightened reactions to light, sound or particular textures. These problems appear to be highly related and can have significant effects on children’s daily lives, including their functioning at home and in school. Full Story

MU Alumni Association Honors Senator Pearce, MU Student Leaders with Geyer Public Service Awards

September 18th, 2012

The Mizzou Alumni Association has announced the recipients of the 2012 Geyer Public Service Awards. Award recipients are Missouri State Sen. David Pearce for his continued efforts to support higher education public policy and MU students Steven Dickherber, Zach Toombs and Ben Levin for their advocacy efforts on behalf of the student-run “More for Less Campaign” in 2012 to protect state funding for Mizzou. Full Story

MU Police Warn Public of Football Ticket Fraud

September 13th, 2012

Following the football game against Georgia last weekend, University of Missouri Police Department officers received several reports of fraudulent tickets. When compared side-by-side, the fake tickets are nearly identical to real tickets, MUPD Captain Brian Weimer said. Full Story

Mutation Breaks HIV’s Resistance to Drugs, Says MU Researcher

Doctors can improve treatment programs using this knowledge

September 13th, 2012

The human immunodeficiency virus can contain dozens of different mutations, called polymorphisms. In a recent study an international team of researchers, including MU scientists, found that one of those mutations, called 172K, made certain forms of the virus more susceptible to treatment. Soon, doctors will be able to use this knowledge to improve the drug regiment they prescribe to HIV-infected individuals. Full Story

Facebook Profile Pictures Influence Perceived Attractiveness, MU Study Finds

Pictures with positive social cues help attract potential employers, friends

September 12th, 2012

Around the world, more than 850 million people use Facebook regularly to communicate. More and more employers also are using Facebook as a way to examine potential employees before making hires. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri have found that comments left by users on Facebook profile pictures strongly affect the level of perceived attractiveness of the profile owner physically, socially, and professionally. Full Story

MU Supports Student-Veterans with Comprehensive Services

Chancellor hosts veterans to commemorate Patriot Day

September 11th, 2012

Nearly 600,000 veterans are heading from command centers to classrooms to complete their formal educations after finishing their military service. Named a veteran-friendly school by G.I. Jobs and Military Times EDGE magazines, the University of Missouri has welcomed hundreds of these American heroes on campus. Full Story

Teens Tell Different Tales About Themselves Depending on Gender, Says MU Researcher

Parents can use knowledge to help steer teens through life changes

September 5th, 2012

During adolescence, the stories young people tell about themselves reflects their development of a personal identity and sense of self, and those autobiographical narratives vary depending on the teens’ gender, according to a University of Missouri psychologist and her colleagues. Parents can use this knowledge of how teens talk about themselves to help understand the tumultuous transitions of their children into adults. Full Story

Adolescents in Foster Care Require Guidelines for Safe Social Media Use, MU Expert Says

Children could put themselves at risk for privacy loss, cyber-bullying

September 4th, 2012

About 73 percent of online American teens use social networking sites, such as Facebook, to share photos, interests and experiences with others, according to Pew Research Center. For youths in the foster care system, sharing information online presents additional safety and privacy issues. A University of Missouri researcher recommends that child welfare agencies develop policies to guide how adolescents in foster care use social media. Full Story

Earthquake Hazards Map Study Finds Deadly Flaws, MU Researcher Suggests Improvements

August 31st, 2012

Three of the largest and deadliest earthquakes in recent history occurred where earthquake hazard maps didn’t predict massive quakes. A University of Missouri scientist and his colleagues recently studied the reasons for the maps’ failure to forecast these quakes. They also explored ways to improve the maps. Developing better hazard maps and alerting people to their limitations could potentially save lives and money in areas such as the New Madrid, Missouri fault zone.  Full Story

MU Agriculture Researchers Awarded $3 Million to Increase Breeding Efficiency

If successful, scientists could help increase reproductive rates for cattle ranchers

August 30th, 2012

Each year, in the state of Missouri, cattle ranchers breed 2 million cows. Yet, only about 85 to 90 percent of those cattle actually birth a calf. The other cows either are not able to get pregnant or they miscarry. Now, the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture has awarded a $3 million grant to University of Missouri researchers to determine if specific genes play a role in the breeding problems and other issues in the cattle industry. Finding the answers could lead to a significant increase in income for farmers and also stabilize prices at the grocery store. Full Story

Smartphone App Can Track Objects On the Battlefield as Well as On the Sports Field, Says MU Researcher

August 30th, 2012

University of Missouri researchers have developed new software using smartphones’ GPS and imaging abilities that determine the exact location of distant objects as well as monitor the speed and direction of moving objects. The software could eventually allow smartphone-armed soldiers to target the location of their enemies. On the home front, the software could be used by everyone, including golfers judging distance to the green and biologists documenting the location of a rare animal without disturbing it. Full Story

University of Missouri Extends Alden’s Contract; Reinforces Commitment to Excellence in Athletics, Academic Mission

Base salary, incentives remain the same

August 30th, 2012

University of Missouri Chancellor Brady Deaton announced today that Athletic Director Mike Alden’s contract has been extended by two years. The contract now extends through June 30, 2019. The extension is designed to provide support to Alden as he continues to oversee the successful athletic programs, student-athlete academic performance and sound financial management of the department. Full Story

MU Research Team Creates New Cancer Drug that is 10 Times More Potent

Drug efficiently targets breast, lung and colon cancer; clinical trials could start within two years.

August 29th, 2012

Legend has it that Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Build a better mousetrap, and the world will beat a path to your door.” University of Missouri researchers are doing just that, but instead of building mousetraps, the scientists are targeting cancer drugs. In a new study, MU medicinal chemists have taken an existing drug that is being developed for use in fighting certain types of cancer, added a special structure to it, and created a more potent, efficient weapon against cancer. Full Story

African-American Males Most Likely to Lose Academic Scholarships, MU Study Finds

MU researcher recommends a “holistic” approach to student scholarship retention

August 29th, 2012

College student retention and low graduation rates are the most significant problems associated with state-provided financial aid. Now, a University of Missouri researcher has found that African-American males are the most likely to lose state lottery-funded scholarships with academic stipulations. Charles Menifield, a professor in the Truman School of Public Affairs at MU, found that more than 50 percent of African-American males lost state-funded scholarships over the course of a four-year academic career. Full Story

UM President, MU Chancellor call for nominations for University of Missouri Press Advisory Committee

UM Press will transfer immediately to campus to better integrate with academic, research missions

August 28th, 2012

In an effort to more closely integrate the University of Missouri Press with the academic and research missions of the University of Missouri System, UM President Tim Wolfe and MU Chancellor Brady Deaton announced today that a University of Missouri Press Advisory Committee is being formed to provide advice and counsel on the Press as it is transferred to MU. Full Story

Chinese Credit Card Usage Growing Quickly, MU Study Finds

Lack of knowledge of credit risks could create future problem

August 28th, 2012

In the past two decades, the Chinese economy has undergone many drastic reforms in an effort to compete more effectively on the international market. These reforms included allowing foreign banks to offer credit cards to Chinese citizens. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri have found about 30 percent of Chinese urban households now own at least one credit card and the growth rate of credit card adoption has been an average of 40 percent per year between 2004 and 2009. Full Story

MU Invests $2.5 Million in Online Degree Programs; Officials Work to Make Higher Education More Accessible

August 27th, 2012

The University of Missouri continues to experience record-breaking freshman classes, soaring enrollment growth and high demand for many degree programs on campus. In an effort to increase the accessibility of undergraduate and graduate programs, university officials are announcing that $2.5 million will be invested to enhance Mizzou’s online degree offerings. This past academic year, more than 9,150 students enrolled in online undergraduate and graduate courses, generating enough revenue to pay for the new initiative. Full Story

Divorced Parents in Hostile Relationships Use Technology to Sabotage Communication, MU Study Finds

Divorce counselors should teach ex-spouses to use technology as tool rather than weapon so disagreements do not harm children

August 27th, 2012

Separated and divorced couples are increasingly using emails, texting and social media to communicate with their ex-partners about their children. However, when ex-spouses use that technology to withhold or manipulate information, the children are the ones who suffer most, according to a University of Missouri family studies expert. A new study suggests divorce counselors should teach separated parents effective ways to use communication technology in order to maintain healthy environments for their children.  Full Story

Parents and Readers Beware of Stereotypes in Young Adult Literature Says MU Researcher

Newly described teen literature genre propagates negative portrayals of the sick and disabled

August 27th, 2012

A newly defined genre of literature, “teen sick-lit,” features tear-jerking stories of ill adolescents developing romantic relationships. Although “teen sick-lit” tends to adhere to negative stereotypes of the ill and traditional gender roles, it also explores the taboo realm of sexuality, sickness and youth, says the University of Missouri researcher who named the genre in a recent study. Readers and their parents should be aware of how the presentation of disease and disability in these stories can instill prejudices and enforce societal norms in young adults, notes the researcher. Full Story

Super-Strong, High-Tech Material Found to be Toxic to Aquatic Animals by Researchers at MU and USGS

Carbon nanotubes hold promise for industry but need monitoring, say researchers

August 22nd, 2012

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are some of the strongest materials on Earth and are used to strengthen composite materials, such as those used in high-performance tennis rackets. CNTs have potential uses in everything from medicine to electronics to construction. However, CNTs are not without risks. A joint study by the University of Missouri and United States Geological Survey found that they can be toxic to aquatic animals. The researchers urge that care be taken to prevent the release of CNTs into the environment as the materials enter mass production. Full Story

MU’s Student Body Increases by More Than 900 on First Day of School

Minority, freshman and online student numbers increase

August 20th, 2012

It’s evident that the lazy days of summertime are over as Columbia’s population jumped by more than 34,000 over the weekend. Today, the University of Missouri family welcomed 900 more students to campus compared to this time last year. Mizzou set another record in total enrollment, 34,255, up 937 students compared to the first day of school last year. The number of minority students and freshmen also increased.  Full Story

Spirituality Correlates to Better Mental Health Regardless of Religion, Say MU Researchers

August 20th, 2012

Despite differences in rituals and beliefs among the world’s major religions, spirituality often enhances health regardless of a person’s faith, according to University of Missouri researchers. The MU researchers believe that health care providers could take advantage of this correlation between health - particularly mental health - and spirituality by tailoring treatments and rehabilitation programs to accommodate an individual’s spiritual inclinations. Full Story

Divorced Couples’ Co-Parenting Relationships Can Improve, MU Researcher Says

Focusing on children instead of relationship problems helps separated couples parent effectively, civilly

August 15th, 2012

New research conducted at the University of Missouri offers hope for divorced parents and suggests hostile relationships can improve when ex-spouses set aside their differences and focus on their children’s needs.  Full Story

MU Researchers Work to Further Biofuel Production without Increasing Food Prices

Team receives $5.4 million grant to study biofuel crops

August 13th, 2012

America is looking for more biofuel through the use of crops such as corn and soybeans, but concerns about higher food prices persist when land for biofuel displaces land for food crops. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri are hoping to increase biofuel production without impacting food production. This fall, MU scientists are beginning a study to determine how non-food biofuel crops, such as switchgrass, grow in marginal land along the floodplains, where most crops cannot thrive. Full Story

For Young Adults, Appearance Matters More than Health, MU Research Suggests

Research inspires interactive theater, opens dialogue

August 13th, 2012

When it comes to college-age individuals taking care of their bodies, appearance is more important than health, research conducted at the University of Missouri suggests. María Len-Ríos, an associate professor of strategic communication, Suzanne Burgoyne, a professor of theater, and a team of undergraduate researchers studied how college-age women view their bodies and how they feel about media messages aimed at women. Based on focus group research findings, the MU team developed an interactive play about body image to encourage frank discussions about conflicting societal messages regarding weight, values and healthful choices.  Full Story

Individualized Care Best for Lymphedema Patients, MU Researcher Says

MU researcher directs foundation that reviews published research; makes recommendations based on findings

August 9th, 2012

Millions of American cancer survivors experience chronic discomfort as a result of lymphedema, a common side effect of surgery and radiation therapy in which affected areas swell due to protein-rich fluid buildup. After reviewing published literature on lymphedema treatments, a University of Missouri researcher says emphasizing patients’ quality of life rather than focusing solely on reducing swelling is critical to effectively managing the condition.  Full Story

Financial Shock Model Could Lead to Forecasts of Crises, Says MU Researcher

The NSF recently awarded Christopher Otrok a grant to complete the model

August 8th, 2012

Greece’s current debt crisis is only the latest of the financial shocks that have been bouncing back and forth across the Atlantic and around the world since the beginning of the financial crisis in 2007. University of Missouri economist Christopher Otrok is working on a mathematical model designed to help explain the way financial shocks, or sudden drastic changes in the economy, spread from one country to another. Otrok’s model could eventually lead to ways of forecasting shocks and minimizing the damage they cause. Full Story

Unemployment Gap Persists Among Women, Minorities, White Men, According to MU Research

This finding refutes perceptions that women and minorities are closing the unemployment gap

August 7th, 2012

The unemployment rate differences among white males, women and minorities have decreased during the past few decades in the United States, but persistent inequalities continue among the groups, according to a study by an economist at the University of Missouri. Understanding these hidden differences in employment could help educators and policy makers develop more effective programs aimed at reducing unemployment inequality. Full Story

Press Freedom Leads to Happiness, Environmental Quality, MU Study Finds

August 6th, 2012

Freedom of the press is viewed by many as a cornerstone of democracy. But can it actually help improve people’s lives and make them happy? Researchers at the University of Missouri have found that citizens of countries with press freedom tend to be much happier than citizens of countries without free presses. Edson Tandoc, Jr., a doctoral student in the MU School of Journalism, says that press freedom directly predicts life satisfaction across the world. Full Story

Statement Concerning Aditi Avhad

August 3rd, 2012

Aditi Avhad, a University of Missouri graduate student from Mumbai, India, died last night as a result of injuries sustained in a bus accident near Litchfeld, Ill. The bus was en route from Chicago to St. Louis. Full Story

Multiple Husbands Serve as Child Support and Life Insurance in Some Cultures Says MU Researcher

August 2nd, 2012

Marrying multiple husbands at the same time, or polyandry, creates a safety net for women in some cultures, according to a recent study by an MU researcher. Extra husbands ensure that women’s children are cared for even if their fathers die or disappear. Although polyandry is taboo and illegal in the United States, certain legal structures, such as child support payments and life insurance, fill the same role for American women that multiple husbands do in other cultures. Full Story

Adolescents’ Personalities and Coping Habits Affect Social Behaviors, MU Researcher Says

Empathetic children more likely to effectively manage stress, behave prosocially

August 1st, 2012

Infants innately relieve stress by crying, turning their heads or maintaining eye contact. Adults manage emotional tension using problem-solving or by seeking support. A new study by a University of Missouri human development expert describes how adolescents’ developing personalities and coping habits affect their behaviors toward others. Full Story

MU Students Teach, Learn in El Salvador Textile Factory

MU students help factory develop own brand, apparel line

August 1st, 2012

Providing students with opportunities to learn inside and outside the classroom is a primary goal of the University of Missouri. This summer, two MU graduate students experienced this opportunity on an international level. Laura McAndrews and Stephanie Link, graduate students in the Department of Textile and Apparel Management in the College of Human Environmental Sciences, spent six weeks working in an apparel production factory in El Salvador. The MU students lent their expertise in apparel product development to the factory employees. Full Story

Economic Recession Leads to Increased Entrepreneurship, MU Study Finds

Study shows need for increased support of necessity entrepreneurs

July 31st, 2012

The recent economic recession has caused many changes in the business landscape across the country, including high unemployment rates. Due to these high rates and the struggling economy, University of Missouri researchers have found that in recent years the number of Americans engaging in entrepreneurship has risen significantly. Maria Figueroa-Armijos, a doctoral candidate in the University of Missouri Truman School of Public Affairs, says that this trend could be positive for the future. Full Story

Detecting Cancer with Lasers has Limited Use, Say MU Researchers

July 30th, 2012

One person dies every hour from melanoma skin cancer in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. A technique known as photoacoustics can find some forms of melanoma even if only a few cancerous cells exist, but a recent study by MU researchers found that the technique was limited in its ability to identify other types of cancer. Attaching markers, called enhancers, to cancer cells could improve the ability of photoacoustics to find other types of cancer and could save lives thanks to faster diagnoses, but the technique is in its early stages. Full Story

Research Team Discovers Eating Habits of Jurassic Age Dinosaur

MU researcher says findings could help scientists better understand feeding habits of giant animals

July 30th, 2012

A team of researchers from the University of Bristol, the Natural History Museum of London, the University of Missouri and Ohio University has discovered the eating habits of Diplodocus using a three-dimensional model of the dinosaur’s skull. The eating habits of the herbivore have been uncertain since its discovery more than 130 years ago. Understanding these behaviors could help scientists better understand extinct and modern ecosystems and what it takes to feed these giant herbivores, as well as today’s living animals. Full Story

Boys’ Impulsiveness May Result in Better Math Ability, Say MU Researchers

July 27th, 2012

In a University of Missouri study, girls and boys started grade school with different approaches to solving arithmetic problems, with girls favoring a slow and accurate approach and boys a faster but more error prone approach. Girls’ approach gave them an early advantage, but by the end of sixth grade boys had surpassed the girls. The MU study found that boys showed more preference for solving arithmetic problems by reciting an answer from memory, whereas girls were more likely to compute the answer by counting. Understanding these results may help teachers and parents guide students better. Full Story

Statement from MU Chancellor Brady Deaton Regarding Hugh Stephenson

July 26th, 2012

“I speak for the entire MU family when I say how very saddened we are to learn of the passing of one of the true giants in the history of the University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics and the School of Medicine, Dr. Hugh E. Stephenson, Jr.,” MU Chancellor Brady Deaton said. ”He was a distinguished cardio-thoracic surgeon, developed the first defibrillator and led the effort to establish a four-year medical school at the University of Missouri in Columbia. He faithfully and selflessly served the university as a faculty member, chair of the Department of Surgery, as interim dean and associate dean and as a member of the Board of Curators. His interests were varied, his skills were legendary and his legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of us all. Our sincere condolences to the Stephenson family as we share in this immense loss.”  Full Story

Adolescent Sexual Behavior Tied to Motion Picture Sexual Content Exposure, Says MU Researcher

Results Important to Parents/Motion Picture Industry

July 19th, 2012

Young people who watch more sexual content from movies also tend to engage in more sexual behavior and begin sexual activity at an earlier age, according to a University of Missouri researcher’s study.  Full Story

New Diversity Program Promotes Inclusive Workplace Environment for MU Staff

July 17th, 2012

For years, the Chancellor’s Diversity Initiative (CDI) at the University of Missouri has been dedicated to enhancing diversity by promoting inclusive excellence and a welcoming campus for MU faculty and students. Now, the CDI has developed a new program specifically tailored for MU staff members that serves as a professional development program devoted to issues of diversity. The Workplace Diversity Series is a monthly workshop offered to MU staff members across campus. The series approaches issues of diversity from different angles as they relate to the workplace. Noor Azizan-Gardner, interim Chief Diversity Officer at MU, says the program is unique among the university’s peers. Full Story

Gold Nanoparticles Could Treat Prostate Cancer With Fewer Side Effects than Chemotherapy, MU Researchers Find

In new study published in PNAS, scientists found that nanoparticles, produced from chemicals in tea, reduced tumors by 80 percent.

July 16th, 2012

Currently, large doses of chemotherapy are required when treating certain forms of cancer, resulting in toxic side effects. The chemicals enter the body and work to destroy or shrink the tumor, but also harm vital organs and drastically affect bodily functions. Now, University of Missouri scientists have found a more efficient way of targeting prostate tumors by using gold nanoparticles and a compound found in tea leaves. This new treatment would require doses that are thousands of times smaller than chemotherapy and do not travel through the body inflicting damage to healthy areas. The study is being published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. Full Story

Gene Therapy Treatment Extends Lives of Mice with Fatal Disease, MU Study Finds

Spinal Muscular Atrophy affects one in 6,000 children; no known cure

July 16th, 2012

A team of University of Missouri researchers has found that introducing a missing gene into the central nervous system could help extend the lives of patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) – the leading genetic cause of infantile death in the world.  Full Story

Human Eye Inspires Clog-free Ink Jet Printer Invented by MU Researcher

July 16th, 2012

Clogged printer nozzles waste time and money while reducing print quality. University of Missouri engineers recently invented a clog-preventing nozzle cover by mimicking the human eye.  Full Story

University of Missouri Announces Innovative Scholarly Communication Initiative

MU to Integrate University of Missouri Press with Campuswide Model

July 16th, 2012

In accordance with its land-grant mission to discover and disseminate new knowledge and to further its commitment to the Mizzou Advantage/Media of the Future, the University of Missouri announced today that it is launching a reimagined University of Missouri Press that will use innovative techniques for scholarly communication.  Full Story

Advertisers Could Target Online Audiences More Efficiently with Personality Scale, MU Researcher Finds

July 12th, 2012

Online advertising has become prevalent in the past five years, and social media sites, such as Facebook, have played a major role. Now, a study at the University of Missouri School of Journalism has developed a method that could help advertisers target online audiences easier by knowing their personality types. Full Story

Cyberwarfare, Environmental Conservation, and Disease Prevention Could Benefit from MU Researcher’s Network Model

July 11th, 2012

Computer networks are the battlefields in cyberwarfare, as exemplified by the United States’ recent use of computer viruses to attack Iran’s nuclear program. A computer model developed at the University of Missouri could help military strategists devise the most damaging attacks as well as guard America’s critical infrastructure. The model also could benefit other projects involving interconnected groups, such as restoring ecosystems, halting disease epidemics and stopping smugglers. Full Story

Tobacco Use More Prevalent among African-American Adolescents Living in Public Housing Communities, MU Researcher Says

Researcher says early interventions needed to curb youths’ tobacco use

July 10th, 2012

Today, nearly 4,000 adolescents in the United States will smoke their first cigarette, and about a fourth of those youth will become daily smokers, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports. A recent study by a University of Missouri researcher found that African-American youths who live in public housing communities are 2.3 times more likely to use tobacco than other African-American youths. Full Story

Like Humans Bacteria Remember (If Only for 4 Seconds), Says MU Researcher

Researcher receives NIH MERIT award for his multiple scientific contributions; Award is worth more than $5 million

July 2nd, 2012

The bacterium Escherichia coli has a rudimentary molecular “memory” that allows it to swim toward the richest sources of food. MU biochemistry Professor Gerald Hazelbauer’s continuing discoveries about how bacteria do this could shed light on human and animal sensory, memory and response systems. Full Story

Motion Sensors Detect Horse Lameness Earlier Than Veterinarians, MU Study Finds

MU-developed “Lameness Locator” system helps diagnose lameness sooner, makes treatment easier

July 2nd, 2012

The most common ailment to affect a horse is lameness. A University of Missouri equine veterinarian has developed a way to detect this problem using a motion detection system called the “Lameness Locator.” Now, Kevin Keegan, a professor of equine surgery in the College of Veterinary Medicine at MU, has found that his Lameness Locator can detect lameness earlier than veterinarians using the traditional method of a subjective eye test. Full Story

Despite Hardships, Black Men in Urban Communities Are Resilient, MU Researcher Says

Health programs should focus on men’s strengths to help them thrive amid societal stressors

June 28th, 2012

Black men, especially those living in low-income, urban areas, face many societal stressors, including racial discrimination, incarceration and poverty. In addition, these men have poorer health outcomes. Now, a University of Missouri faculty member has studied these men’s efforts to negotiate social environments that are not designed to help them attain good health and success. Full Story

MU Report Finds Missouri Average in Health, Education, Compared to Other States

Low Missouri tobacco tax rates may correlate with high rate of smokers

June 26th, 2012

According to a new report released by the University of Missouri Truman School of Public Affairs, the state of Missouri has one of the highest rates of adult smokers and the lowest cigarette tax per pack in the United States. David Valentine, a research associate professor at MU, believes that the two have a correlation.  Full Story

Toll Roads Could Boost Economy and Stop Roads from Crumbling, According to MU Researcher

June 22nd, 2012

The Interstate Highway System is crucial to American travel, commerce and civil defense. However, in recent years the Highway Trust Fund (HTF), which is responsible for maintaining the highway system, has been underfunded. With the HTF in peril of going broke, constructing new toll road systems should not be ruled out, according to a recent report from a University of Missouri engineer.  Full Story

Infants Can’t Distinguish Between Large and Small Groups, MU Researcher Finds

Research could lead to improvements in childhood education

June 18th, 2012

Human brains process large and small numbers of objects using two different mechanisms, but infants have not yet developed the ability to make those two processes work together, according to new research from the University of Missouri.  Full Story

MU Researchers Use Sensor Technologies to Remotely Monitor Aging Adults’ Health

June 14th, 2012

Many adults wish to maintain their independence as they age, but health problems often require them to live in assisted-care facilities where they can be observed by medical professionals. Now, technologies developed by University of Missouri researchers could help aging adults stay in their own homes longer while still being monitored by health care providers.  Full Story

Disrupting Protein “Factories” Could Lead to Treatments for HIV, Cancer

MU researcher selected as PEW Scholar; Will receive $240,000 to support research

June 14th, 2012

Inside the body, the ribosome is known as the protein “factory.” This large molecule creates proteins, which are responsible for many biological functions. When bacteria or a virus, such as HIV, invades the body, it disrupts the functions of the ribosome, eventually creating havoc with some biological functions. Now, a University of Missouri researcher has been nationally recognized for his work to stop this disruption and possibly create a treatment for HIV and other diseases, such as cancer. Full Story

Once-Injured Race Horse Climbs Back Into the Winner’s Circle

MU veterinary team credited with race horse’s resurgence on the track

June 14th, 2012

Using a novel therapy, a team at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine has helped a veteran race horse become a contender once again. Full Story

Childhood Obesity Linked to Math Performance, MU Researcher Says

June 14th, 2012

Childhood obesity has increased dramatically throughout the past 40 years and has been tied to many health problems. Now, a University of Missouri researcher has found that children’s weight is associated with their math performance. Full Story

Two Warmest Winter Months in Midwest History May Have Connection, MU Researcher Finds

Discoveries could help predict weather in the future

June 13th, 2012

This past March was the second warmest winter month ever recorded in the Midwest, with temperatures 15 degrees above average. The only other winter month that was warmer was December of 1889, during which temperatures were 18 degrees above average. Now, MU researchers may have discovered why the weather patterns during these two winter months, separated by 123 years, were so similar. The answer could help scientists develop more accurate weather prediction models.  Full Story

From Early Life to Biofuels: MU Researcher Receives $1.5 Million in Grants to Analyze the Past and Future of RNA

Research could lead to better plant engineering for agriculture and pharmaceuticals

June 12th, 2012

Scientists have long known that ribonucleic acid (RNA) carries the information for building proteins, but recently, researchers have found that RNA can perform other functions. Now, an investigator at the University of Missouri’s Bond Life Sciences Center is exploring how RNA could improve pharmaceuticals, agriculture and green energy. Donald Burke, who also is an associate professor of molecular microbiology and immunology in the MU School of Medicine, has received two grants totaling $1.5 million from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and NASA to study RNA’s role in the earliest life forms on Earth and to create artificial RNA for use in the future. Full Story

Health Care Disparities Exist for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, MU Researcher Says

June 11th, 2012

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) require an array of specialized health care services. With these services come higher costs for parents and insurance providers. University of Missouri researchers compared costs and types of services for children with ASD to costs and services for children with other conditions like asthma or diabetes. The researchers found children with ASD paid more for health care than children with other conditions. In addition, children with ASD used more services yet had less access to specialized care.  Full Story

Sexual Orientation Fluctuation Correlated to Alcohol Misuse, MU Researcher Finds

Understanding this phenomenon could improve psychological support systems for sexual minorities and help young people avoid alcohol problems.

June 5th, 2012

Many young adults explore and define their sexual identity in college, but that process can be stressful and lead to risky behaviors. In a new study, students whose sexual self-definition didn’t fall into exclusively heterosexual or homosexual categories tended to misuse alcohol more frequently than people who had a firmly defined sexual orientation for a particular gender, according to University of Missouri researchers. These findings could be used to improve support programs for sexual minorities. Full Story

Apple, Amazon Dominating Tablet, E-reader Market, RJI Survey Shows

Mobile devices not replacing printed newspapers as quickly as earlier predicted, MU expert says

June 4th, 2012

Two-thirds of U.S. adults now use at least one mobile media device in their daily lives, according to a national survey recently conducted by the Reynolds Journalism Institute (RJI) at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. The RJI survey found that news consumption ranks fourth among reasons people use mobile devices, behind interpersonal communications, entertainment, and Internet usage for information not provided by news organizations. Despite the large number of mobile device users, Roger Fidler, the program director for digital publishing at RJI, says that mobile news products do not appear to be replacing printed newspapers as quickly as was earlier predicted. Full Story

MU to Help Rebuild Engineering Education in Iraq

May 31st, 2012

For thousands of years, the area that is now Iraq has been a center of learning, but after decades of tyranny and war, Iraqi educational institutions face the challenge of rebuilding their programs and reentering the global academic community. Recently, the University of Missouri College of Engineering received a grant from the U.S. Department of State to collaborate with the Iraqis as they struggle to recover. MU professors will work with Iraq’s University of Technology (UoT) through a partnership with the International Research & Exchanges Board’s (IREX) University Linkage Program. Full Story

Tongue Analysis Software Developed at MU Uses Ancient Chinese Medicine to Warn of Disease

May 24th, 2012

For 5,000 years, the Chinese have used a system of medicine based on the flow and balance of positive and negative energies in the body. In this system, the appearance of the tongue is one of the measures used to classify the overall physical status of the body, or zheng. Now, University of Missouri researchers have developed computer software that combines the ancient practices and modern medicine by providing an automated system for analyzing images of the tongue. Full Story

Federal Government Looks to MU to Assist with Shortage of Nuclear Experts

University of Missouri officials will host and direct summer schools aimed at recruiting undergraduates to explore careers in nuclear science.

May 22nd, 2012

Approximately 10 percent of the nation’s experts in nuclear and radiochemistry are at or nearing retirement age, according to a recent report from the National Academies of Science. Simultaneously, not enough students are being trained in the nuclear and radiochemistry fields to replace those retiring. Now, with two grants from the U.S. Department of Energy worth approximately $1.7 million, University of Missouri officials will host and direct summer school programs designed to encourage undergraduates to consider entering nuclear science fields. Full Story

New Journalism Initiative to Study Sustainability of Long-Form Storytelling

MU researcher creates project to report on national trends, experiment with new storytelling methods

May 22nd, 2012

In recent years, online communities have formed around participants’ love for long-form storytelling, which is a method of reporting in which journalists produce in-depth stories on a single topic, rather than just skimming the surface of a news event. Now, an initiative at the University of Missouri School of Journalism and the Reynolds Journalism Institute, called Stry.us (pronounced STOHR-ee) will promote long-form storytelling and research how it can contribute to new business models for journalism organizations. Full Story

National Network of Religion Sites Fills Gap for Religion News

Websites hosted by MU School of Journalism

May 16th, 2012

In recent years, many newspapers have been forced to eliminate religion beat writer positions due to budget cuts, leaving religion news largely uncovered throughout the country. Now, the Religion News Service (RNS), which is headquartered in the University of Missouri School of Journalism, has launched a network of websites to thoroughly cover national and local religion news.  Full Story

Experts Available: Political Scientists Offer Expertise on 2012 Election

May 15th, 2012

Political experts at the University of Missouri are available to assist reporters on several issues relevant to the 2012 elections. Full Story

Breast Cancer Effectively Treated with Chemical Found in Celery, Parsley by MU Researchers

Apigenin Slowed Progression of a Human Cancer Accelerated by Hormone Replacement Therapy

May 15th, 2012

Apigenin, a natural substance found in grocery store produce aisles, shows promise as a non-toxic treatment for an aggressive form of human breast cancer, following a new study at the University of Missouri. MU researchers found apigenin shrank a type of breast cancer tumor that is stimulated by progestin, a synthetic hormone given to women to ease symptoms related to menopause. Full Story

New Biomarker Test Predicts Arthritis at Much Earlier Stage, MU Researchers Say

Early detection system would allow better treatment options

May 15th, 2012

More than 27 million adults currently suffer from osteoarthritis, which is the most common form of arthritis. In the past, doctors have been unable to diagnose patients with arthritis until they begin to show symptoms, which include joint pain and stiffness. By the time these symptoms are present, it is often too late for preventive and minimally invasive treatment options to be effective. Now, a research team from the University of Missouri's Comparative Orthopaedic Laboratory has found a way to detect and predict arthritis before patients begin suffering from symptoms.  Full Story

Tiger Spot Will Be Removed from MU’s Lowry Mall

May 14th, 2012

University of Missouri officials and artist Paul Jackson have reached an agreement to remove the Tiger Spot mosaic. The condition of the mosaic has deteriorated over the years, which has necessitated its removal. Full Story

MU Officials Move Honors Convocation Inside to Mizzou Arena

May 11th, 2012

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Due to a moderate chance of rain, University of Missouri officials have decided to move the May 2012 Honors Convocation inside to Mizzou Arena. The ceremony begins at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, May 12. “We’re very proud of graduates and want them to be able to celebrate in an environment that is comfortable for […] Full Story

Improved Waiting Area Design Increases Customer Comfort, MU Study Finds

May 8th, 2012

Many diners cringe at the thought of waiting for a table in a crowded restaurant, while restaurant managers hope they do not lose customers due to long waits. Now, a University of Missouri researcher has studied restaurant design and has recommendations for how restaurateurs can design waiting areas to be more comfortable, thus increasing diners’ willingness to wait for a table. Full Story

Happiness Model Developed by MU Researcher Could Help People Go From Good to Great

May 7th, 2012

The sayings “variety is the spice of life” and “happiness isn’t getting what you want, but wanting what you get” seem to have a psychological basis, according to a new study by an MU psychologist who identified two keys to becoming happier and staying that way. Full Story

MU Names Prewett as Financial Aid Director

May 2nd, 2012

Ann Korschgen, vice provost for enrollment management at the University of Missouri, has announced that Nick Prewett, associate director of financial aid at MU, has been named as MU’s new director of financial aid, effective May 1.  Full Story

5,795 Graduates to Receive Degrees During MU’s Spring Commencement Ceremonies

University officials will award two honorary degrees

May 2nd, 2012

Beginning Friday, May 11 and continuing through Sunday, May 13, nearly 5,800 students will receive degrees during Spring commencement exercises at the University of Missouri. University officials also will honor educator Euclid Williamson and author Ron Powers with honorary degrees at the Honors Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 12. Full Story

Uncollected Internet Sales Taxes Cost Missouri $468 Million Annually, MU Study Shows

MU researchers recommend legislative action to help local economy, state revenue

April 30th, 2012

Internet, or e-commerce, sales have increased over the past two decades, comprising nearly 17 percent of the total U.S. sales in 2009. However, many states, including Missouri, have no effective means of collecting taxes on those sales. Researchers at the University of Missouri Truman School of Public Affairs found that the state lost approximately $468 million annually in sales tax revenue during the last decade. Full Story

System Helps Public Health Officials Identify Priorities to Better Allocate Resources

MU researcher develops health risk factor prioritization system

April 30th, 2012

As the United States grapples with health care reform, much attention has focused on the importance of preventative health care. Now, a researcher at the University of Missouri has developed a system that could help public health care organizations determine the best method of allocating resources by prioritizing health risk factors and conditions – in some cases before these conditions become major health problems. Full Story

The Bright Side of Death: Awareness of Mortality Can Result in Positive Behaviors, Say MU Researchers

April 30th, 2012

Contemplating death doesn’t necessarily lead to morose despondency, fear, aggression or other negative behaviors, as previous research has suggested. Following a review of dozens of studies, University of Missouri researchers found that thoughts of mortality can lead to decreased militaristic attitudes, better health decisions, increased altruism and helpfulness, and reduced divorce rates. Full Story

Lower Food and Fuel Costs Could Result from MU Researcher’s Battle Against Soy Pest

April 26th, 2012

Americans rarely see soybeans on their plates, but soybeans account for two-thirds of the world’s animal feed and more than half the edible oil consumed in the U.S., according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). To guard the productivity of this important crop, University of Missouri plant pathologist Melissa Mitchum and colleagues at Iowa State University and North Carolina State University recently received a $466,000 grant from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to continue their research on protecting soybeans from nematode parasites, which cause $1.3 billion annually in soybean crop losses in the U.S. Full Story

MU Receives $1 Million Gift for the Study of Organizational Change

Donation will fund fellowships for doctoral students specializing in organization studies in Truman School of Public Affairs

April 26th, 2012

A $1 million gift to the University of Missouri will provide support to the Center for the Study of Organizational Change (CSOC) in the Truman School of Public Affairs. An associate of the center, Seth Allcorn, pledged the donation to support the study of organizational change in the workplace. Full Story

Safe Sleep Environments Key to Preventing Many Infant Deaths, MU Researcher Says

April 19th, 2012

Since 1992, the government’s Back-to-Sleep Campaign has encouraged parents to place infants on their backs to sleep. Still, more than 4,500 infants die unexpectedly during sleep each year in the United States. Now, a University of Missouri injury prevention researcher says that safe, separate sleep environments for infants are critical to preventing sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUIDs). Full Story

MU Veterinary Surgeons Use Advanced MRI Technology to Locate Dangerous Tumor

Procedure saves therapy dog, beloved pet from cancerous brain tumor

April 18th, 2012

Using a special piece of MRI equipment, doctors from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine were able to remove a dangerous tumor from a beloved pet and therapy dog. Callie, an eight-year-old English Setter, began developing symptoms just a few days before being diagnosed with a tumor on her brain. Callie’s owner was referred to the neurological experts at MU, who performed a complicated procedure to remove the tumor from Callie’s brain. Full Story

Distinct “God Spot” in the Brain Does Not Exist, MU Researcher Says

Study shows religious participation and spirituality processed in different cerebral regions

April 18th, 2012

Scientists have speculated that the human brain features a “God spot,” one distinct area of the brain responsible for spirituality. Now, University of Missouri researchers have completed research that indicates spirituality is a complex phenomenon, and multiple areas of the brain are responsible for the many aspects of spiritual experiences. Based on a previously published study that indicated spiritual transcendence is associated with decreased right parietal lobe functioning, MU researchers replicated their findings. In addition, the researchers determined that other aspects of spiritual functioning are related to increased activity in the frontal lobe. Full Story

New Genetically Engineered Mice Aid Understanding of Incurable Neuromuscular Disease, Say University of Missouri Researchers

April 17th, 2012

A team of scientists from the University of Missouri created a genetically modified mouse that mimics key features of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, an inherited neuromuscular disease affecting approximately 150,000 people in the United States. Full Story

As Deadly Cat Disease Spreads Nationally, MU Veterinarian Finds Effective Treatment

Cat owners should keep cats indoors, use tick preventatives to reduce chance of disease

April 17th, 2012

Lone Star ticks, which are notorious carriers of many diseases including cytauxzoonosis, or “bobcat fever,” have been spreading across the nation in recent years. As a result, cats across much of the country are now exposed to the deadly disease. University of Missouri veterinarian Leah Cohn, a small animal disease expert, and Adam Birkenheuer from North Carolina State University, have found an effective treatment for the dangerous disease. Full Story

Feelings of Immaturity Accompany Alcohol Misuse into Adulthood, Say MU Researchers

Discovery Could Improve Substance Abuse Treatment

April 16th, 2012

Tipping back one too many cocktails during an individual’s early 20s doesn’t correlate to a personal sense of immaturity; however if this habit doesn’t stop as they reach age 30, young adults can feel psychologically underdeveloped, according to a University of Missouri study. Helping young adults acknowledge their mental impulse to “sober up” as they mature can improve substance abuse intervention programs. Full Story

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Network Growing at University of Missouri

April 16th, 2012

According to a 2011 study by the Kauffman Foundation, 54 percent of people in the millennial generation want to start their own business or already have. Missouri Innovation Center (MIC), a non-profit organization affiliated with the University of Missouri since 1986, and others at MU are supporting young entrepreneurs by providing a network of tools for entrepreneurs and students to succeed in start-up firms. Full Story

MU Difficult Dialogues Initiative to Expand, Continue This Summer

April 13th, 2012

The University of Missouri has hosted the Difficult Dialogues Initiative to promote diversity and understanding in the classroom among faculty members and graduate students since 2005. This year, the initiative will launch a professional development program for MU faculty, staff and graduate students. The program will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. on June 20-22 and June 27-29. Full Story

“Chemo Brain” Not Always to Blame for Cognitive Declines in Women with Breast Cancer, MU Researcher Says

Stress and how patients manage it can affect brain function even before chemotherapy begins

April 10th, 2012

Women undergoing treatment for breast cancer can experience cognitive declines, such as decreased verbal fluency or loss of memory and attention. Often experienced by patients undergoing chemotherapy, the declines have become known as “chemo brain.” However, a health psychologist at the University of Missouri says “chemo brain” isn’t always to blame. Full Story

MU and Central Missouri Humane Society Join Forces to Help Animals

Partnership will give surgical experience to veterinary students and save animal lives

April 10th, 2012

The University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine and the Central Missouri Humane Society have begun a program that will give veterinary students hands-on surgical experience with cats and dogs from the humane society, allowing animals to receive surgical care free of charge at an MU facility.  Full Story

MU Professor Awarded 2012 Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence

April 10th, 2012

University of Missouri Chancellor Brady Deaton and Commerce Bank Chairman Jim Schatz of Commerce Bank today awarded one of the 2012 William T. Kemper Fellowships for Teaching Excellence to Joanna Hearne, an assistant professor in the department of English in the MU College of Arts and Science. Full Story

MU Announces Appointment of New Law School Dean

April 9th, 2012

Gary Myers, associate dean for research and professor of law at the University of Mississippi School of Law, has been named dean of the University of Missouri School of Law, Provost Brian Foster announced. Myers will officially begin serving as dean on Aug. 15 Full Story

Restoring Flood Plains, Creating Cash Crop, Growing Biomass are Goals of New MU Study

April 9th, 2012

Storm water runoff is key to any developer’s request when creating new roads or other impervious surfaces. Yet, storm water runoff can carry sediment, fertilizers and other chemicals directly into a stream or creek, potentially harming the waterway for years. Now, using 777 willow trees, a University of Missouri research team is beginning a two-year study to determine methods to reclaim developed flood plain land, keep the waterways free of potential pollutants, and develop a cash crop for farmers. Full Story

MU Researchers Find Identical DNA Codes in Plant Species Providing Insights into Plant and Animal Evolution

First of its kind discovery used revolutionary data crunching computer program running on 48 computer processors for 4 weeks to complete 32 billion searches.

April 9th, 2012

Analyzing massive amounts of data officially became a national priority recently when the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy announced the Big Data Research and Development Initiative. A multi-disciplinary team of University of Missouri researchers rose to the big data challenge when they solved a major biological question by using a groundbreaking computer algorithm to find identical DNA sequences in different plant and animal species. Full Story

MU Professor Awarded 2012 Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence

April 9th, 2012

University of Missouri Chancellor Brady Deaton and Commerce Bank Chairman Jim Schatz of Commerce Bank today awarded one of the 2012 William T. Kemper Fellowships for Teaching Excellence to Ines Segert, an assistant teaching professor of psychology in the MU College of Arts and Science and the associate director of the MU Honors College.  Full Story

MU Professor Awarded 2012 Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence

April 9th, 2012

University of Missouri Chancellor Brady Deaton and Commerce Bank Chairman Jim Schatz of Commerce Bank today awarded one of the 2012 William T. Kemper Fellowships for Teaching Excellence to Carol Deakyne, an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry in MU College of Arts and Science.  Full Story

MU Professor Awarded 2012 Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence

April 9th, 2012

University of Missouri Chancellor Brady Deaton and Commerce Bank Chairman Jim Schatz of Commerce Bank today awarded one of the 2012 William T. Kemper Fellowships for Teaching Excellence to Paul Crabb, a professor and director of music in the MU School of Music.  Full Story

Sexual Objectification of Female Artists in Music Videos Exists Regardless of Race, MU Study Finds

Music videos could play an influential role in young viewers’ development

April 4th, 2012

Popular music videos have been criticized as having misogynistic messages and images. While more female music artists have gained visibility and created successful “brands” in recent years, critics argue that many of these artists are pushing the boundaries of acceptable norms with regard to race, gender and sexuality in popular culture. Cynthia Frisby, an associate professor of strategic communication in the University of Missouri School of Journalism, and Jennifer Aubrey, an associate professor in the department of communication in the University of Missouri College of Arts and Science, found an abundance of sexual objectification in music videos featuring female artists. They believe these cases of sexual objectification are concerning because of potential messages it sends to young viewers. Full Story

MU Professor Awarded 2012 Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence

April 4th, 2012

University of Missouri Deputy Chancellor Mike Middleton and Commerce Bank Chairman Jim Schatz of Commerce Bank today awarded one of the 2012 William T. Kemper Fellowships for Teaching Excellence to Stephen Ball, an associate professor in the department of nutrition and exercise physiology in the MU College of Human Environmental Sciences and MU Extension fitness specialist. Full Story

MU Minority Graduate Students’ Challenges are Focus of National Study

Officials from MU’s graduate school will determine best methods to enhance success of minority graduate students in science, technology, engineering and math fields.

April 3rd, 2012

Dropout rates in doctoral programs average between 40 and 50 percent, with minority students finishing at lower rates, according to the Council of Graduate Schools. Now, a national, multi-university study of minority graduate students who major in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields will be conducted to identify specific challenges minority students face and potential solutions. The University of Missouri recently received a $30,000 grant to take part in the study. Full Story

As the Tax Deadline Looms, MU to Host Free Online Tax Preparation Site

April 3rd, 2012

With less than two weeks remaining before the deadline to file 2011 tax returns, many people have still not filed. To assist Missourians with their tax return preparation, tax experts in the personal financial planning department in the College of Human Environmental Sciences at the University of Missouri and MU Extension are hosting a Free Assisted Self Tax (FAST) preparation site on three dates in April. On April 4, April 11, and April 18, Missourians will be able to file their taxes for free online at a University of Missouri computer lab.  Full Story

Rare Animal-Shaped Mounds Discovered in Peru by MU Anthropologist

Anthropology Helps Us Understand the Past and Allows for a Deeper Understanding of the Future.

March 28th, 2012

For more than a century and a half, scientists and tourists have visited massive animal-shaped mounds, such as Serpent Mound in Ohio, created by the indigenous people of North America. But few animal effigy mounds had been found in South America until University of Missouri anthropology professor emeritus Robert Benfer identified numerous earthen animals rising above the coastal plains of Peru, a region already renowned for the Nazca lines, the ruined city of Chan Chan, and other cultural treasures. Full Story

Consumers Misunderstand “Cruelty-Free” Labeled Products, MU, Oregon Researchers Find

Researchers say a legal definition is needed to protect consumers

March 28th, 2012

Based on a recent study, University of Missouri and Oregon researchers believe a legal definition for what constitutes “cruelty-free” labeled products should be determined and manufacturers should be required to abide by the legal use of the label. Many consumers intentionally buy products manufactured in ways that do not exploit child labor or cause minimal harm to animals or the environment. Many businesses, such as shampoo, cosmetic, fragrance and pharmaceutical companies, use the term cruelty-free to attract buyers, giving consumers the impression that no animal testing was used while manufacturing and testing the products. However, that is not always the case.  Full Story

Thomas Hiles Named MU Vice Chancellor For Development and Alumni Relations

March 28th, 2012

Thomas Hiles has been named vice chancellor for development and alumni relations at the University of Missouri. His appointment will begin in early July. Hiles replaces David Housh who retired after more than ten years in this position during which he led a record-breaking $1 billion comprehensive campaign for the university. Chancellor Emeritus Richard Wallace has held the position on an interim basis since March 1. Full Story

Racial Stereotyping Increases After Being Exposed to Alcohol-Related Images Says MU Psychologist

March 26th, 2012

Accusations of racism accompanying the death of Trayvon Martin and the subsequent actions of Florida police are prevalent in the national media this week. Many are questioning the psychological motivations of everyone involved. Recent research by MU Professor of Psychological Sciences Bruce D. Bartholow has shown that consuming alcohol can lead to increased expression of racial bias. A new study by Bartholow and his colleague, Elena Stepanova of Florida Gulf Coast University, shows that simply being exposed to alcohol-related images can have similar effects, even when no alcohol is consumed. Full Story

MU Provost Announces Inaugural Dean for Truman School of Public Affairs

March 21st, 2012

University of Missouri Provost Brian Foster has announced that Barton Wechsler has been named the inaugural dean of the Truman School of Public Affairs. MU officially reclassified the Truman School as a free-standing academic unit on March 15. Wechsler has served as a professor of public affairs and director of the Truman School and the Institute of Public Policy since 2000. He will serve a two-year term as dean. Full Story

EXPERT AVAILABLE: Changes in Energy Tax Credits May Be a Surprise, MU Tax Expert Says

March 20th, 2012

Since 2005, Americans have benefitted from income tax credits promoting energy efficiency. However, a University of Missouri tax expert says those credits have changed recently, which could lead to a surprise for some filers. Full Story

Increased Collaboration Between Nursing Home RN and LPN Staff Could Improve Patient Care, MU Researcher Says

March 14th, 2012

Researchers estimate nearly 800,000 preventable adverse drug events may occur in nursing homes each year. Many of these incidents could be prevented with safety practices such as medication reconciliation, a process in which health care professionals, such as physicians, pharmacists and nurses, review medication regimens to identify and resolve discrepancies when patients transfer between health care settings. In nursing homes, both registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) often are responsible for this safety practice. A recent study by a University of Missouri gerontological nursing expert found, when observed, these nurses often differed in how they identified discrepancies. Recognizing the distinct differences between RNs and LPNs could lead to fewer medication errors and better patient care.  Full Story

Storage Time for Cartilage Transplant Tissue Doubled by MU Researchers

New method will increase likelihood of success in cartilage grafting procedures

March 13th, 2012

For years, doctors have been able to treat defects in joint cartilage by grafting cartilage donated from cadavers into patients’ bad joints. Using current methods, donated cartilage can be stored for 28 days for a transplant before the tissue becomes too degraded to transplant into a patient. Now, researchers from the University of Missouri have found a way to store donated cartilage more than twice as long. Full Story

Following Study, MU Researchers Provide Recommendations for Volunteer Tourists

March 5th, 2012

Volunteer tourism is an emerging trend in the travel industry. Tourists engage in typical vacation activities as well as volunteer in local communities; they might build schools or homes in developing countries and visit historic sites and nature reserves as part of their trips. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri have studied this emerging trend and have advice for how trip organizers can improve travelers’ experiences and enhance the impact of their volunteer work.  Full Story

Caregivers of Veterans With Chronic Illnesses Often Stressed, Yet Satisfied, MU Researcher Finds

March 5th, 2012

Veterans are almost twice as likely as the general public to have chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and heart failure. Therefore, veterans may require more assistance from informal caregivers, especially as outpatient treatment becomes more common. A University of Missouri researcher evaluated strain and satisfaction among informal caregivers of veterans with chronic illnesses. The findings show that more than one third of veterans’ caregivers report high levels of strain as a result of taking care of their relatives; yet, on average, caregivers also report being satisfied with their caregiving responsibilities.  Full Story

MU Recognizes Contributions to Diversity

March 1st, 2012

Officials from the University of Missouri Chancellor’s Diversity Initiative have awarded two MU students, two faculty members and an organization with the 2012 Inclusive Excellence Award. The award is given to individuals or groups who have made contributions to any area of diversity such as gender, racial-ethnic background, language, religious belief, sexual orientation, disabilities and economic strata. Full Story

MU Researcher Receives $300,000 Grant to Study Best Rehabilitation Practices for Amputees

Director of Brain Imaging Center looking for volunteers for the study

February 29th, 2012

When a limb is lost or absent from birth, patients have different strategies that can be used for rehabilitation. However, this rehabilitation can be mentally exhausting and extremely painful in some cases, and scientists are looking for ways to improve the rehabilitation experience. Now, with the help of a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Defense, one University of Missouri researcher will use the MU Brain Imaging Center to look for insights into the mental and physical discomfort that patients experience in an effort to improve current rehabilitation strategies. This is part of a collaboration with colleagues at the Christine M. Kleinert Institute in Louisville, Ky., which includes individuals who have undergone hand reattachments as well as recipients of hand transplants. Full Story

MU Scientists Study How to Improve Pesticide Efficiency

February 29th, 2012

In 2007, a controversial pesticide was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use on fruit and vegetable crops, mainly in California and Florida. Farm workers and scientists protested the approval of the pesticide because its active ingredient, methyl iodide, is a known carcinogen. Now, MU researchers are studying the molecular structure of the pesticide to determine if the product could be made more efficient and safer for those living near, and working in, treated fields.  Full Story

Terms for Missouri Withdrawal From Big 12 Announced

February 28th, 2012

The Big 12 announced it has reached an agreement with the University of Missouri regarding its withdrawal from the Conference effective June 30, 2012. The agreement has been approved by Missouri and the governing boards of the Big 12’s eight continuing member institutions.  Full Story

Fitness Programs for Minority Adults Lack Cultural Relevance, MU Study Finds

February 28th, 2012

Many leading causes of death are linked to unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, including inadequate physical activity. Adults in minority populations have lower levels of physical activity and higher rates of preventable deaths, according to the Department of Health & Human Services. In a new study, University of Missouri researchers found that minority adults who received exercise interventions increased their physical activity levels. However, these interventions are not culturally tailored to best assist minority populations in improving overall health.  Full Story

EXPERT AVAILABLE: MU Expert Predicts Hot, Dry Summer for Midwest

February 27th, 2012

For nearly a year, the Midwest and southwest United States have experienced drought and warmer than normal conditions. A University of Missouri expert is predicting no relief, as he expects drought and hot conditions to continue this summer.  Full Story

Video Games Depict Religion as Violent, Problematized, MU Study Shows

February 27th, 2012

In the past few years, the video game industry has grown from a niche market into a major part of mainstream media. This increase in popularity and use of technology has allowed video game developers to insert more detail and nuance into the storylines of their games. Many video games have begun incorporating religion as a key aspect to plot points and story lines. Greg Perreault, a doctoral student in the University of Missouri School of Journalism, found that the many newer-generation video games equate religion with violence in the game narratives.  Full Story

Family and Peer Relationships Essential to Mexican-American College Students’ Success, MU Researcher Says

February 24th, 2012

Hispanics are enrolling in the higher education system at a greater rate than ever, yet they are less likely than their non-Hispanic peers to enter college or earn degrees, according to the Pew Hispanic Center. A new study by a University of Missouri researcher found that Mexican-American college students’ family and peer attachments are associated with prosocial and physically aggressive behaviors that can affect their success in college.  Full Story

MU Distinguished Arts and Science Alumni Honored at Annual Banquet

February 20th, 2012

Arts and Science Week 2012 will culminate with the distinguished alumni award banquet Feb. 24 when four alumni from the college will be recognized for their successes. Honorees represent the departments of mathematics, psychological sciences, chemistry and communication. In its 31st year, the distinguished alumni awards recognize alumni whose professional contributions have enhanced their respective disciplines and the lives of others, while also reflecting well on the University of Missouri’s College of Arts and Science.  Full Story

MU Students Promote Literacy, Cultural Pride in Local Schools

February 20th, 2012

The University of Missouri Association for Black Graduate and Professional Students (ABGPS) is promoting literacy and ethnic pride during the 2012 Black History Month through its second annual reading program. ABGPS members will kick off the initiative by reading to children in their classrooms. District teachers also will read ethnic pride-themed books to their classes throughout February. Full Story

MU Engages Students, Community with New High-Tech Interactive Game

REBOOT Mizzou uses smart phone apps to interact with participants

February 15th, 2012

This week, the University of Missouri begins a one-of-a-kind technology-based online game that will engage students and community members in a new way. The game, called REBOOT Mizzou, will last for 10 weeks, from Feb. 12 to April 22. Like a traditional scavenger hunt, REBOOT players will complete multiple missions and visit assigned locations. Participants may travel by bus, bike, skateboard or on foot to specific locations where they can check in by scanning a Quick Response (QR) code with their smartphones or tablets. Hannah Sims, a REBOOT organizer and graduate student in the MU public health program, believes the game will teach participants new things about technology and the environment.  Full Story

Social Workers Should Reclaim Role in Juvenile Corrections System, MU Researcher Says

February 13th, 2012

In the pioneering days of the juvenile corrections system, social workers often served as the primary probation officers who rehabilitated young offenders. As the field of corrections became dominated by law enforcement officers, the role of social workers was marginalized. A University of Missouri expert on juvenile justice and child welfare says social workers should return to the juvenile corrections system and reclaim their role as rehabilitators.  Full Story

MU Scientists Receive $5.5 Million Gift from Kimmel Foundation to Search for the Next Big Thing in Alternative Energy

Gift given by Sidney Kimmel Foundation, created by founder of The Jones Group

February 10th, 2012

Sustainable practices and the search for safe, environmentally friendly energy has been a priority of scientists for years. With some success, researchers across the globe are continuing the hunt for an energy source that is clean and abundant. Now, scientists at the University of Missouri are the recipients of a five-year, $5.5 million gift from the Sidney Kimmel Foundation that will help focus efforts in fundamental, physical sciences in the search for new alternative energy sources. Full Story

CALENDAR ITEM: MU Law School to Host Symposium on Cyberbullying in Schools

February 9th, 2012

The University of Missouri School of Law and the Missouri Law Review will host a two-day symposium on the effects of cyberbullying among elementary and secondary students. The symposium, “Cyberbullying: Emerging Realities and Legal Challenges,” will feature an array of national experts, including keynote speaker John Palfrey, co-director of the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University and vice-dean at the Harvard School of Law. The symposium will address the extent to which the First Amendment restricts cyberbullying regulation, the psychological effects cyberbullying has on children, and practical concerns facing teachers and school administrators as they implement legislative mandates to combat cyberbullying. Full Story

MU VITA Sites Open, Provide Free Tax Preparation Help

MU Extension offers face-to-face tax education

February 8th, 2012

With the beginning of a new year comes the start of another tax season. To assist Missourians with their tax return preparation, tax experts in the personal financial planning department in the College of Human Environmental Sciences at the University of Missouri and MU Extension opened their statewide Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites this week. Andrew Zumwalt, an associate state specialist for financial planning and a member of the University of Missouri Extension faculty, says the VITA program not only helps participants file their taxes, but also provides MU students a great learning experience. Full Story

Missouri College Advising Corps, headquartered at MU, Helping to Raise State of Missouri’s College-Going Rate with Individual Advising

February 6th, 2012

Natasha Mills, from Kansas City, had always known that she wanted to go to college, but she had a problem — several actually — she didn’t know how to apply for financial aid, was unsure of the application process for many colleges and didn’t know which institution was the best fit for her.  Full Story

MU to Test Emergency Notification System

February 6th, 2012

At approximately 1:50 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 7, University of Missouri students, faculty and staff who have registered their cell phone numbers with the University’s mass notification system will receive a test text message. The text message is part of a regular test of the system by University officials. Students, faculty and staff also will receive a mass email on their university email accounts with the same message. Cell phone users will be asked to acknowledge receipt of the message. Full Story

Consumers Willing to Buy Sustainable U.S. Cotton, MU Researchers Find

Studies show importance of transparency in U.S. apparel production

February 6th, 2012

As the interest in environmentally responsible business practices grows globally, researchers are interested in how that interest translates into consumer sales. Researchers from the University of Missouri have found that United States consumers are more willing to buy clothing made from sustainably grown U.S. cotton than apparel produced using conventional practices in an unknown location. Jung Ha-Brookshire, an assistant professor in the textile and apparel management department in the College of Human Environmental Sciences at MU, says transparency is the key. Full Story

CDC’s Nowak Named First Mizzou Advantage Visiting Professional

February 2nd, 2012

University of Missouri officials have named Glen Nowak, senior adviser to the Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the inaugural Mizzou Advantage Distinguished Visiting Professional. At MU, Nowak will be a part of the Health Communication Research Center (HCRC) at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. Full Story

New Species of Ancient Crocodile, Ancestor of Today’s Species, Discovered by MU Researcher

January 31st, 2012

A University of Missouri researcher has identified a new species of prehistoric crocodile. The extinct creature, nicknamed “Shieldcroc” due to a thick-skinned shield on its head, is an ancestor of today’s crocodiles. Its discovery provides scientists with additional information about the evolution of crocodiles and how scientists can gain insight into ways to protect the species’ environment and help prevent extinction. The discovery was published this week in the journal PLoS-ONE (Public Library of Science). Full Story

Adolescents with Autism Spend Free Time Using Solitary, Screen-Based Media

MU researcher encourages capitalization on interest in screen-based technology, cautions against overuse

January 25th, 2012

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) tend to be fascinated by screen-based technology. A new study by a University of Missouri researcher found that adolescents with autism spend the majority of their free time using non-social media, including television and video-games.  Full Story

Babies Are Born With “Intuitive Physics” Knowledge, Says MU Researcher

Numerous infant studies indicate environmental knowledge is present soon after birth

January 24th, 2012

While it may appear that infants are helpless creatures that only blink, eat, cry and sleep, one University of Missouri researcher says that studies indicate infant brains come equipped with knowledge of “intuitive physics.”  Full Story

MU Student, Staff Member Receive Honorary Public Service Award from U.S. Department of Defense

Fleisher, Sewall honored for their work helping veteran students and faculty adjust to campus life

January 23rd, 2012

Carol Fleisher and Daniel Sewell from the University of Missouri Veterans Center were honored today by the Department of Defense. The two received the Outstanding Public Service Award (OPS) for their dedicated work with the MU Veterans Center and with individual veterans on campus and in the community.  Full Story

“Women Worse at Math than Men” Explanation Scientifically Incorrect, MU Researchers Say

Popular theory debunked; researchers say gender stereotype and math skills are unrelated

January 18th, 2012

A University of Missouri researcher and his colleague have conducted a review that casts doubt on the accuracy of a popular theory that attempted to explain why there are more men than women in top levels of mathematic fields. The researchers found that numerous studies claiming that the stereotype, “men are better at math” – believed to undermine women’s math performance – had major methodological flaws, utilized improper statistical techniques, and many studies had no scientific evidence of this stereotype. Full Story

MU Law Professor Wins National Award for Article on Arbitration

January 12th, 2012

S.I. (Stacie) Strong, professor of law and senior fellow of the Center for the Study of Dispute Resolution at the University of Missouri School of Law, received the Best Short Article Award from the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR Institute) at a ceremony on Jan. 11 in New York. The CPR Institute is an internationally renowned organization that promotes innovation in commercial dispute prevention and resolution. The winners of this year's awards included scholars, judges, practitioners, law firms and other organizations, with attendees coming from as far away as Italy to share in the gala evening celebration. Full Story

Finalists Announced for MU School of Law Dean Search

January 11th, 2012

The co-chairs of the University of Missouri’s School of Law Dean Search Committee, Joan Gabel, dean of the Trulaske College of Business, and Thom Lambert, associate professor of the School of Law, have announced the finalists for the School of Law’s dean position. Full Story

Emotional News Framing Affects Public Response to Crises, MU Study Finds

January 10th, 2012

When organizational crises occur, such as plane crashes or automobile recalls, public relations practitioners develop strategies for substantive action and effective communication. Now, University of Missouri researchers have found that the way in which news coverage of a crisis is framed affects the public’s emotional response toward the company involved. Full Story

MU Researchers Find Unique Protein Organization In Arteries Associated with Cardiovascular Disease

Knowledge could assist in tissue replacements, treatments for high blood pressure and diabetes

January 9th, 2012

Human arteries – some smaller than a strand of hair – stiffen as a person ages. This stiffening is a factor in cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the United States, because it contributes to the circulatory complications in disorders such as high blood pressure and diabetes. University of Missouri researchers have now used advanced 3-D microscopic imaging technology to identify and monitor the proteins involved in this stiffening process. These findings could eventually help researchers and physicians understand and treat complications associated with cardiovascular disease.  Full Story

MU Researcher’s Photoacoustic Device Finds Cancer Cells Before They Become Tumors

Commercial production will allow scientists, academia opportunity for use in cancer studies

January 5th, 2012

Early detection of melanoma, the most aggressive skin cancer, is critical because melanoma will spread rapidly throughout the body. Now, University of Missouri researchers are one step closer to melanoma cancer detection at the cellular level, long before tumors have a chance to form. Commercial production of a device that measures melanoma using photoacoustics, or laser-induced ultrasound, will soon be available to scientists and academia for cancer studies. The commercial device also will be tested in clinical trials to provide the data required to obtain U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for early diagnosis of metastatic melanoma and other cancers. Full Story

Investment Risk Tolerance Affected by Age, Economic Climate, MU Study Shows

January 4th, 2012

As the U.S. economy continues to lag, many investors remain wary about taking risks with the stock market. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri have concluded that this attitude toward investment risk-taking is influenced by the age of the investor and the economic climate of the time period. Rui Yao, an assistant professor of personal financial planning in the College of Human Environmental Sciences at MU, found that willingness to take financial risks, or “risk tolerance,” decreases as investors age.  Full Story