Arts and Humanities

Building Houses...One Chicken Leg at a Time
Can food shape culture - and attitudes? Maryland American Studies Assistant Professor Psyche Williams-Forson thinks chicken and other foods have played a major role in defining the lives of African American women for centuries. "Food has always played an important role in the lives of women (of all races)," says Williams-Forson.
—University of Maryland, College Park

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Kids and TV: Researchers Urge Parents to Cut Back – and Offer Help on Pulling the Plug
Although most parents agree that their kids should watch less television, they also aren’t certain how to set and enforce limits, according to a new study by researchers at the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, RTI International in Research Triangle Park, N.C., and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
Pediatrics, Nov-2006
—RTI International

For Health's Sake, Give Thanks This Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a natural time to express our thanks and establish a ritual of giving thanks for the past year. Being thankful or grateful encourages people to think more positively about themselves, their lives and the people around them. Research even shows that gratitude may extend your life.
—Menninger Clinic

Toddlers Learn Complex Actions from Picture-Book Reading
Parents who engage in the age-old tradition of picture-book reading are not only encouraging early reading development in their children but are also teaching their toddlers about the world around them. (Embargo expired on 05-Nov-2006 at 18:00 ET)
Developmental Psychology, Vol. 42 No.6, Nov-2006
—American Psychological Association (APA)

New Hampshire Pollster Available To Discuss Tightening Of State’s Congressional Races
Andrew Smith, associate research professor of political science at the University of New Hampshire and director of the UNH Survey Center, is available to discuss the latest polling data that suggests that New Hampshire’s two Republican congressmen may be in danger of losing their seats next Tuesday in the mid-term elections.
—University of New Hampshire

Professor: Political Parties More Savvy About Latino Demographic
Latino voters could play a deciding role in some midterm elections, says a Purdue University expert.
—Purdue University

ProfNet Wire: Health & Living: Emergency Care System
1) Behavior: Political Defeat and the Psychology of Losing; 2) James Bond's Impact on American Cocktail Culture; 3) Don't "Fall" Out of Using Sunscreen This Season; 4) Reducing Stress from Long-Term Deployments; 5) Benefits of Compression Legwear for Marathon Runners
—ProfNet

East Asia Expert Available to Discuss Latest Political Moves by North Korea and China
Chris Reardon, associate professor of political science at the University of New Hampshire, is available to discuss the latest political moves as well as the politics of party elites in North Korea and China. Reardon is an expert in Chinese foreign economic policy, with special emphasis on elite politics and development strategies. Reardon can be reached at 603-862-1858 and chris.reardon@unh.edu.
—University of New Hampshire

Phys Ed Class More Effective When There's More Talking
A new approach to traditional high school gym class dramatically increases how often teens exercise outside of school. Researchers have developed and tested the new program in which students at a rural Ohio high school learned how create a personalized exercise program. The students spent one gym class each week learning the skills necessary for planning a lifelong exercise program.
J. of Adolescent Health
—Ohio State University

Former Ambassador, Diplomat Available to Speak on 50th Anniversary of Hungarian Revolution
How a Hungarian child who took flight during the night became an internationally renowned ambassador, scholar.
—Texas Tech University

Education

Supercomputer Center Boosts Storage Capacity to Mind-Boggling Numbers
None of our now-necessary devices, from the most fearsome research-computing arrays to run-of-the-mill office computers to cell-phones to iPods, can work without storage. That’s why Richard Moore, director of Production Systems at the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC), smiles as he ponders the new IBM tape drives being added to the storage “silos” in the center’s already crowded computer room.
—University of California, San Diego

University Makes President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll
University of North Carolina Wilmington is listed on the first-ever President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. UNCW was recognized for providing distinguished community service to Hurricane Katrina victims along the Gulf Coast.
—University of North Carolina Wilmington

UB Unveils Its First Solar Electric System
It may not look like your typical classroom but the 6,300 square feet of photovoltaic panels just installed on top of Norton Hall at the University at Buffalo have a mission to educate, as well as generate power for the classrooms and offices below.
—University at Buffalo

Pop Culture

'Blogwars' Examines Growing Impact Blogs Have on Campaign Ads, Fundraising
Upcoming book to examine effect of blogs on 2006 election and what to expect in 2008 election.
Blogwars
—University of Kansas

Defeat Stress This Holiday Season
The holidays are here - and for many, stress will be an unwelcome guest. University of Maryland psychology lecturer, Dr. Thomas Capo, says that holiday stress can be conquered by following some common sense tips that aim to help body, mind and pocketbook. "Your quality of life need not be diminished because of holiday stress," he says.
—University of Maryland, College Park

University to Offer First-Ever US-Based Doctorate in Psychology in Hong Kong
First doctoral program in psychology begins in Hong Kong, opening the door to mental health services virtually unknown in the far east. Modeled on a successful Tokyo program that is preparing Japan's first psychologists, the program will be offered by Alliant International University, based in California.
—Alliant International University

Jack in the Box Foundation Makes $100K Gift to Support Transportation, Scholarships
Students attending The Preuss School at the University of California, San Diego don’t have to worry as much about transportation troubles this year thanks in large part to support from The Jack in the Box Foundation. For the fourth year in a row, The Jack in the Box Foundation is providing $25,000 for busses to transport students to and from Preuss, an innovative public charter school for low-income middle and high school students.
—University of California, San Diego

Financial Aid Top Priority for University's $1.2 Billion Campaign
Tufts University announces the public phase of a $1.2 billion fund-raising campaign – the largest in the university’s history. The quiet phase of the campaign has already raised $615 million, which represents half the total goal and exceeds the amount raised in the university’s previous capital campaign.
—Tufts University

RSC Residency at Davidson Will Include Two Shakespearean Works and One New Play
Davidson has announced the 2007 Royal Shakespeare Company at Davidson Residency with special events, community outreach, workshops, exhibits, and symposia, all in celebration of the RSC repertory productions of "The Winter’s Tale" and "Pericles" from February 8 through 18, 2007. "Days of Significance," a new play by Roy Williams, will have its American premier during the residency as part of the RSC repertory offerings.
—Davidson College