UMNews Feature Stories

A truly global course

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:14:00 UT

Sixteen years ago, Jason Hill stood before some 30 students in one of his first classes as a teaching assistant at the University of Minnesota. This June, more than 10,000 students will log on to take his class "Sustainability of Food Systems: A Global Life Cycle Perspective."

Ecologist nets top honor

Mon, 13 May 2013 17:00:00 UT

Sarah Hobbie, whose studies of carbon and nutrient cycling have revealed hidden complexities, is elected to the National Academy of Sciences.

Adapting to extreme weather

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:23:00 UT

Last year’s heat and drought and this year’s belated spring have added extra stress to lawns and trees across the state. University of Minnesota Extension experts are here to help.

History Day: changing futures

Tue, 07 May 2013 19:57:00 UT

Discovery of the past is changing the future for many of Minnesota's young minds.

Electrifying potential

Mon, 06 May 2013 13:53:00 UT

Two researchers discover previously hidden talents of microbes that can live on electricity alone.

Nanomedicine: a new frontier

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:18:00 UT

Meet some of the U researchers making waves in the burgeoning field of nanomedicine.

Reaching more farmers

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:15:00 UT

Since its inception in 1909, University of Minnesota Extension has worked with farmers to find solutions to their biggest challenges. And, since we all eat—our biggest challenges. Today, Extension's research and education helps feed a growing population while protecting the environment.

A prize-winning view of the world

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:45:00 UT

Former University student and Pulitzer Prize winner Steve Sack talks about the art of creating editorial cartoons and how he began his craft at the Minnesota Daily.

Revolutionary treatment begins

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:57:00 UT

The special powers of umbilical cord blood may save a young patient with AIDS and leukemia.

Starwatch May 2013

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:32:00 UT

Jupiter, Venus and Mercury mix and mingle in the twilight in the second half of May.

Keeping mental health in mind

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:00:00 UT

The U’s annual Mental Health Awareness Day underscores efforts to ensure that people talk about mental illness freely and seek the help they need.

Stars of the Big 10

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:04:00 UT

U robotics expert Nikos Papanikolopoulos, whose Scout robots can perform reconnaissance in risky military, hostage, or rescue situations, is featured in a Big Ten Network video.

What a difference a 3-D makes

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 16:31:00 UT

3-D CT scanners give U veterinarians the whole picture of an animal's injuries—including those of Gauge, a dog that fell five stories.

A few hours to connect

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 23:04:00 UT

Joseph Pyfferoen is dedicating his life to professional acting. And he has questions.

Dissertation Driven

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 20:30:00 UT

The Doctoral Research Showcase on April 9 gives more than 60 of the University’s best and brightest graduate students the chance to share their research in science, medicine, engineering, the social sciences, and the humanities. Learn more about Angela Hewitt and other doctoral fellows.

A NOvA experience for students

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:18:00 UT

At least 169 scientists and engineers around the world depend on the work of U students assembling the elements of neutrino detectors.

Benefits of birch bark

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:28:00 UT

Take one of the planet's oldest tree species, grow and harvest it sustainably, remove a waste product from its use in paper production, and what do you get? An environmentally sustainable source of natural chemicals for nutritional supplements, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals—and the basis for a startup company.

Business partnerships are a 'win-win'

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:00:00 UT

When it comes to leveraging brainpower, resources, and business savvy, the U and industry have found a perfect union.

The world behind 'Body Worlds'

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 20:03:00 UT

The U has one of the country's few labs that preserve organs and organ segments via plastination, a process that yields realistic specimens—minus the formaldehyde fumes.

A perfect season!

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 02:08:00 UT

The undefeated Gopher women’s hockey team finished off its magical season in impeccable style, downing Boston University 6-3 at Ridder Arena for a second straight national championship.

Starwatch April 2013

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:53:00 UT

Saturn is at its best this month, and Leo reaches its highest point in the evening sky.

Why health care needs science

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 16:46:00 UT

The U goes all out to help doctors, nurses, and other health professionals incorporate scientific evidence into their practice.

A voice for the energy in us

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 22:34:00 UT

Alumnus Craig Minowa, leader of the band Cloud Cult, is a voice for the environment … and for the University of Minnesota's Discovery Illuminates Everyone campaign.

To protect and defend...our food

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 21:17:00 UT

The University of Minnesota National Center for Food Protection and Defense: Protecting our nation's food supply.

One brain-y student

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 20:43:00 UT

The minute she walked into Yang Zhang’s lab, freshman Erin Diamond became a researcher. Two and a half years later, she looks ahead to a career studying the brains of bilingual people.

Mending the Minnesota

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 21:05:00 UT

The state's namesake river carries a heavy burden of sediment and nutrients. An intense study begins the process of renewal.

Occupying a place in U history

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 23:00:00 UT

Alum Horace Huntley, who helped blaze a trail for African Americans and expand the U’s curriculum, reflects on his time at the University and the importance of U engagement with the greater community.

Chew on this

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 21:31:00 UT

Like to eat? A robotic mouth at the U of M guides the development of new dental materials that will help you keep your chompers.

Shattering the classroom walls

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 12:30:00 UT

From interactive flipped learning spaces to MOOCs—the U opens new frontiers in eLearning.

IT efficiency at CBS

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 17:29:00 UT

Operational excellence at the U of M is not just about purely saving money. It's about a better way to do things. A look at how CBS is making IT work harder for academics, while saving money in the process.

Starwatch March 2013

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:57:00 UT

A new comet appears this month; will it be a delight or a dud?

Dow + U = lab safety

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 21:22:00 UT

Led by U graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, a new lab safety campaign features input from Dow Chemical.

Can we feed the world?

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 22:11:00 UT

Key food crops in many regions of the world could be in jeopardy, according to a study led by IonE research fellow Deepak Ray.

Breast cancer DNA mutator found

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 18:01:00 UT

One member of a virus-fighting family of proteins causes mutations in breast cancer.

A humanitarian and a scholar

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:00:00 UT

U alumna Lesa Nord talks about her experiences as a Fulbright Scholar and the individualized education she received through the College of Liberal Arts.

Seeing through smoke

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:43:00 UT

U researchers have designed smart gloves that use ultrasonic sensors to help first responders like firefighters find their way in smoky conditions.

U expertise in a changing climate

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 16:00:00 UT

While reports detail climate change in the Midwest and globally, U researchers are working to get ideas and solutions out into the world.

Jurassic Park molecules?

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:58:00 UT

Researchers evolve an enzyme whose "body plan" may harken back to the earliest days of evolution—and help with modern problems.

Supporting the Agricultural Life

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 18:35:00 UT

Agriculture is a primary engine of Minnesota’s economy, accounting for 20 percent of the state's GDP. So it makes sense to keep the men and women behind the curtain—the farmers—healthy. U of M School of Public Health faculty are on the job.

The cost of commitment

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 21:58:00 UT

While working to become a pharmacist who brings health care to Minnesota's refugee communities, Joy Hwang could take on $200,000 in student loan debt. The U wants to cut her debt.

Google Apps at the U

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 20:01:00 UT

Google Apps at the U is changing the way students, faculty, and staff interact, work, and learn. It's also saving millions.

How rejection is rejected

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 17:07:00 UT

A young researcher finds the short answer to the question, "Why doesn't a mother's immune system reject a fetus?"

Starwatch February 2013

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 22:16:00 UT

In February the bright winter constellations are at their best and Saturn starts rising before midnight.

Winning streak hits 30 games

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 22:00:00 UT

The No. 1 and undefeated Gopher women’s hockey team continued its remarkable roll with a weekend sweep of North Dakota at Ridder Arena.

Legacy of a Dream

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 18:20:00 UT

Innovative scholarships, combined with tested federal TRiO programs, are helping first-generation college students close the gap.

Pore research = great science

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:07:00 UT

New molecular lattices promise to slash industrial energy consumption and costs.

Starwatch January 2013

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:54:00 UT

The bright winter constellations come into their own in January, this year with Jupiter as an added ornament.

Going abroad to be better at home

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 20:09:00 UT

Future physician Brian Eby is spending a year immersed in Germany's health care system. He hopes to return with a new perspective and more.

A new way of caring

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:46:00 UT

The U lands a national center to lead the way into the new team-based approach to health care delivery.

Want to join a map quest?

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 16:56:00 UT

Through Snapshot Serengeti, you are invited to help U researchers map iconic animals in Africa's Serengeti National Park.

All in the family kitchen

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 13:00:00 UT

The U’s HOME Plus program offers hands-on nutrition education to families and engages children in preparing their own healthy meals and snacks.

Keep on truckin'?

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:00:00 UT

Your cell phone and social network could help deliver packages for you while saving money and energy, a study finds.

A friend in the fight against cancer

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 17:36:00 UT

Research at the U on cancer in dogs is providing more options for pet owners and potential new therapies for people.

Stand up for yourself

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 22:35:00 UT

Researcher Mark Pereira is out to get people with desk jobs up and moving at work.

Starwatch December 2012

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 15:05:00 UT

Jupiter steals the show this month as Earth laps the giant planet in the orbital race.

Shaking out sugars

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 22:39:00 UT

Diabetes researcher John Bantle gives the lowdown on the effects of different sugars—and some unanswered questions.

Counting bites, not calories

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 16:00:00 UT

New University of Minnesota research suggests that careful attention to unhealthy food intake can lead to faster satiation and the lessening of desire.

Is healthy too hard?

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 18:43:00 UT

The poor diets and physical condition of many children and teens are partly due to factors beyond their control, researchers say.

Barley getting by

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:57:00 UT

New research is a step toward securing the global food supply and restoring a Minnesota crop that took a big hit in the '90s.

Sinking teeth into rural Minnesota

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:23:00 UT

The only shortage in Minnesota when it comes to dental care—is the dentists themselves—especially in rural areas. But for the last eight years, the U’s School of Dentistry has been tackling the access to dental care challenge in underserved communities through a variety of creative strategies.

In search of 'greener' grass

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 11:30:00 UT

New research led by University of Minnesota scientists could result in more sustainable and drought-resistant grass options.

Starwatch November 2012

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 16:03:00 UT

Bright planets in the morning and evening skies and a favorable outlook for the Leonid meteor shower are all on tap as November rolls around.

Bricks and Mortar

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:35:00 UT

It takes a lot of energy, equipment, and money to keep nearly 30 million square feet of buildings humming. With higher education hyper-focused on finding savings that it can reinvest in its core mission—research, academics, outreach—Facilities Management has and will continue to play an important role in supporting a quality education. And they're finding big savings.

A tradition is born

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 15:23:00 UT

At Huntley House, black male students find companions and support.

Setting life to music

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 11:30:00 UT

The School of Music celebrates Dominick Argento at its annual Collage Concert October 20.

On the red carpet

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 20:22:00 UT

Emily Ehlert never imagined she'd end up standing by Will Ferrell at his film's Hollywood premiere. But it happened.

The right to vote

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 16:19:00 UT

A lot is up for grabs this November in America, but almost six million Americans will sit out the 2012 elections because of something they’ve done. They’re felons—perpetrators, at some point in their lives, of a serious crime. U criminologist Christopher Uggen’s latest research quantifies the landscape going into November.

Islands in the Sun

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 11:00:00 UT

Earth's cities are warming at twice the rate of the rest of the planet. U of M scientists are answering Why? and What to do?

New digs at Itasca

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 14:45:00 UT

By the headwaters of the Mississippi, the U breaks ground for a new facility at its Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories.

Starwatch October 2012

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 20:31:00 UT

Jupiter and the autumn constellations make this month a good one for evening starwatchers.

The social lives of plants

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 20:47:00 UT

New research shows how plants work together and rely on each other more over time, a surprising discovery with wide implications.

The serious side of gaming

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 11:30:00 UT

The U’s School of Nursing is working to develop a host of web-based, interactive games to aid in education and training.

Bicycling U

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 18:16:00 UT

Between the west and the east banks on the Minneapolis campus, more than 6,500 bikers cross the iconic Washington Avenue Bridge every day. There are 9,000 places to (legally) park a bike on campus. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors bike for exercise, for transportation, for fun and recreation—for all of this and more—and the U is supporting their efforts.

Storm-chasing spacecraft

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 15:00:00 UT

Two NASA spacecraft carry U-led experiments to probe the heart of the radiation belts that circle the Earth.

Be a fan. Get a fan.

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 11:30:00 UT

Minnesota fair-goers can learn more about the U’s impact in their area of the state when they visit the “Support the U” booth.

2012 football preview

Sun, 26 Aug 2012 22:30:00 UT

In Jerry Kill’s second year as head coach, the Gophers hope to rebound from back-to-back 3-9 seasons.

Caring for baby animals

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 18:30:00 UT

The world would be a far less interesting place without animals. And Minnesota wouldn’t be nearly as nice without the howl of its wolves, the “whoo ooh” of its owls, or the wet noses of its puppies. For 120 years, the University of Minnesota has been providing veterinary care to the region’s animals.

See U at the fair

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 11:30:00 UT

Once again, the University will showcase its research, education, and outreach activities at the Minnesota State Fair.

Starwatch September 2012

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 15:00:00 UT

Saturn sinks into the sun's afterglow this month, while the moon visits Jupiter and Venus in the morning sky.

Key to graduate school

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 19:00:00 UT

Advising can make the difference between failure and success. Four U students and their faculty advisers talk about their work together.

Great news for a Great Lake

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 14:00:00 UT

Researchers at the University of Minnesota, Duluth's Large Lakes Observatory have a new tool at their disposal. New autonomous profilers will help keep tabs on Lake Superior year-round.

U finds big savings in purchasing

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 21:36:00 UT

By operating more efficiently, especially in common-good or shared-services areas, the U of M is putting more time and money back where it belongs—into academics. Over the last two years a strategic sourcing initiative examined where the U spends money and how it might be better spent.

Fish-tailing robots

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 21:24:00 UT

Robotic carp-tracking boats promise to help control the fish.

Why speak of human rights?

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 11:30:00 UT

Geoff Dancy traveled to Northern Ireland, Sri Lanka, and Israel in studying whether human rights law does more harm or good.

Microbes in the Mississippi

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 11:30:00 UT

Michael Sadowsky leads a project to learn how—and ultimately why—the Mississippi's microbial life changes as it winds through Minnesota.

Extreme heat is not so hot

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 16:30:00 UT

U cardiologist Daniel Duprez explains how the intense summer heat can take a toll on our bodies.

Gophers going for gold

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 19:15:00 UT

As their own country, the Gophers' four medals in London would put them tied for 42nd in the medal count—ahead of 162 other countries.

Translating ancient documents

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 16:33:00 UT

University of Minnesota researchers are employing technology and the discerning eyes of tens of thousands of volunteers around the world to decipher texts salvaged from that ancient trash pile.

Speeding to St. Paul

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 11:30:00 UT

Cheer on the U's race car Centaurus III on July 21 when the 1,600-mile American Solar Challenge finishes at the Minnesota State Capitol.

Ribbeting research

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 11:30:00 UT

People with hearing loss could benefit from Mark Bee's studies of how frogs single out a potential mate's call in a noisy pond.

Helping to write history

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 19:45:00 UT

Kathleen O’Brien retired as vice president for University Services on June 30. On one of her last days in Morrill Hall, O’Brien sat down and allowed herself some time to reflect on what it has been like to oversee the U’s entire non-academic enterprise for a decade.

The medium is the message

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 22:05:00 UT

A new e-book developed by 130 U of M faculty, staff, and students showcases the shifting landscape of academic technology.

Starwatch August 2012

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 22:17:00 UT

August gives us two full moons and the Perseid meteor shower, plus a tight grouping of two planets and a star in the evening sky.

Gecko feet don't stick around

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 21:00:00 UT

The lovable lizards' feet have gained and lost sticky toes many times, a finding that may guide the design of robotic wall-walkers.

Something brewing

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 19:54:00 UT

Could the University of Minnesota do for hop farming and the craft beer brewing industry what it has done for cold-hardy grapes and winemaking in Minnesota?

Bees at the Bell

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 11:30:00 UT

Fifth-graders from two Twin Cities schools explore bees, flowers, and the scientific method at the U's Bell Museum.

Starwatch July 2012

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 21:36:00 UT

Venus, having transited the sun on June 5, now appears in the morning sky below Jupiter.

Board of Regents meeting summary, June 2012

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 21:16:00 UT

The University's Board of Regents worked through a robust agenda at its June board meeting.

Guiding the U

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 20:23:00 UT

Board of Regents executive director and corporate secretary Ann Cieslak will retire after 13 years. It's been quite a ride.

Nocturnal wanderings

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 11:30:00 UT

New research shows that sleepwalking is more prevalent—and less problematic—than was previously thought.

Summertime fun at the U

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 20:00:00 UT

The University of Minnesota is abuzz with summer activities for adults and kids alike. These events are sure to keep visitors busy and brainy at the same time. So pack up and pack in the fun, Minnesota.

Prototype. Test. Repeat.

Thu, 31 May 2012 18:00:00 UT

Students in all fields are using 3D design tools to sharpen ideas—fast.

10 plants that changed Minnesota

Fri, 25 May 2012 15:11:00 UT

Which plants changed Minnesota and transformed how we live today? Drumroll, please… See the top ten.

Clean energy from CO2?

Tue, 22 May 2012 11:30:00 UT

Carbon dioxide could help reduce its own atmospheric level and also supply electricity, a University-invented technology suggests.

Starwatch June 2012

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:26:00 UT

June’s best star watching happens in the daytime, as Venus makes a rare transit across the face of the sun. Try not to miss it; this is the last transit of Venus until December 2117.

Board of Regents meeting summary, May 2012

Tue, 15 May 2012 16:15:00 UT

At the May 2012 meeting the board reviewed President Kaler’s proposed FY13 operating budget and the 2013 Annual Capital Improvement Budget. In other news the board approved Norwood Teague as the new director of Gopher Athletics, and passed a motion for President Kaler to sign a Letter of Intent to open TCF Bank Stadium to use by the Minnesota Vikings.

Powering Global Companies

Mon, 14 May 2012 21:25:00 UT

From the cereal that powers you to the gas that powers your car, College of Science and Engineering grads are fueling the companies that power the world.

You have 74 seconds

Mon, 14 May 2012 18:00:00 UT

Can you spot the president's buddy? East bank ninjas? Concert cavern? Patient pets? Your pizza truck?

U budget eases burden on students

Fri, 11 May 2012 14:30:00 UT

The proposed new University budget for fiscal year 2013 focuses on tuition relief for students and academic investments.

Voice(s) of comedy

Wed, 09 May 2012 15:30:00 UT

University of Minnesota alumna Maria Bamford gains fame as a comic, voice actress, and quirky TV ad character.

Modeling a healthy life

Mon, 07 May 2012 11:30:00 UT

Debra Eardley's dream is to teach people how to take good care of their health—body, mind, and soul.

A clue to Parkinson's

Fri, 04 May 2012 11:30:00 UT

Parkinson's disease may result from a wayward protein forming toxic clumps inside neurons, U researchers find.

Forget happily ever after

Wed, 02 May 2012 11:30:00 UT

U student designers explored the dark side of fairy tales in the runway fashion show No White.

Tiny Desk Concerts at the U

Tue, 01 May 2012 16:55:00 UT

Host a School of Music student (or a quintet's worth) for a concert right at your desk.

Who is Prescott Morrill?

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 11:30:00 UT

Hint: What this U student’s ancestor started 150 years ago sets American innovation apart from the rest of the world.

Not your parents' chem labs

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:30:00 UT

In today's chemistry labs, students figure out how to solve problems for themselves and learn "green" experimental methods.

Eager for the challenge

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:45:00 UT

Norwood Teague, the U's newly named director of athletics, knows firsthand the passion Gopher fans have for greater success. And he thinks the ceiling is high.

Earth in 20 years

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:52:00 UT

We asked three leading environmental researchers three big questions about the future of our planet. Read what they had to say.

Starwatch May 2012

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:21:00 UT

In May, Venus takes a spectacular fall into the sun's afterglow and we're treated to a partial solar eclipse.

City-slicker plants

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:56:00 UT

The spread of cities is lowering plant diversity and, possibly, plants' ability to weather change. But we can do something about it.

A whirlwind takes on cancer

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:30:00 UT

Cancer patients and their families have no better friend than student Zach Morris, who spends every spare moment working for them.

A-gardening-we-will-go

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:14:00 UT

Gardening in Minnesota—through the heat, the bugs, and the chilly days, the U's Extension service has the answers to your questions. Read a Q&A with Julie Weisenhorn, director of U of M Extension's Master Gardener Program.

The emperor's new close-up

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:00:00 UT

Using satellite images, U researchers count emperor penguins in Antarctica, a starting point for monitoring the species' health.

Judged on their merits

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:00:00 UT

What training and experience can help legal experts reduce the impact of stereotypes in their decision-making? Erik Girvan seeks to find out.

Can we learn to be wise?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:30:00 UT

Jason Swartwood explores wisdom as an expert decision-making skill—like in firefighting.

Preserving a language

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:30:00 UT

The U’s Department of American Indian Studies has collaborated on a groundbreaking new online Ojibwe-English dictionary.

Consolidating assets

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:30:00 UT

To unite programs and provide better support for students, the University of Minnesota is proposing a new American Indian Learning Resource Center on the Duluth campus.

Finishing with a flurry

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 22:30:00 UT

The Golden Gopher hockey and basketball teams have hit their stride in March.

Five campuses. One voice.

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:00:00 UT

Chris Tastad is uniting U of M students throughout Minnesota so they’ll be heard at the Capitol.

Starwatch April 2012

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 19:47:00 UT

This month Earth laps Saturn in the orbital race and Venus begins its descent in the western sky.

(Re-)Writing history

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 20:40:00 UT

Dale Carpenter’s work in the area of civil rights is about the larger question of how people should be treated in our society. His new book, Flagrant Conduct, is the first complete history of Lawrence v. Texas--one of most important constitutional decisions in the past half century in the history of American civil rights.

Milkweed loss hurts monarchs

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:35:00 UT

The iconic butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed plants. But milkweed is disappearing from its prime habitat: Midwestern farm fields.

Digging vegetables

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 11:30:00 UT

Pictures of vegetables on lunch trays may hold promise for getting children to voluntarily eat more of what's good for them.

Title IX turning 40

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 11:30:00 UT

Title IX, the landmark legislation passed in 1972, has "fundamentally and forever" changed the landscape of girls' and women's sports.

Your home has no water

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:00:00 UT

To wash or shower you must walk miles with a big plastic container. That's the problem Adam Witt set out to solve.

A new life for Eddy

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:30:00 UT

The U is asking the Legislature for funds to refurbish and reopen historic Eddy Hall.

'A force for the good'

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 06:00:00 UT

Sri Zaheer, new dean of the U's Carlson School of Management, wants to create the next generation of principled business leaders.

Tradition ever new

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:30:00 UT

Mni Sota: Reflections of Time and Place shows ways Native American artists innovate to preserve what's past.

State of the U: 'Balances'

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 22:45:00 UT

President Kaler outlines his vision for the U and some new initiatives in his State of the University address.

Big Sister, big rewards

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 12:30:00 UT

U student and “Big Sister” Mackenzie Haws has received an unexpected reward for her community service.

'For these who die'

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 12:30:00 UT

The U of M School of Music presents "War Requiem," a great symphonic weighing of war.

Toward predicting heart disease

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:40:00 UT

The U's Rasmussen Center is developing a simple, noninvasive and reliable indicator of heart trouble brewing.

Starwatch March 2012

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:09:00 UT

Earth passes Mars, Jupiter passes Venus—March is a busy month for planets.

To be a scientist

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 06:00:00 UT

Bob Vince’s invention of a leading AIDS drug has saved or prolonged millions of lives, and enabled the U to keep funding drug research for years to come.

Doing clean energy right

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:30:00 UT

The U’s Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment has jump-started promising research by building collaborations.

A better classroom

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:30:00 UT

Research shows that students perform better in the U of M's technology-enhanced active learning classrooms.

Punch for a poison

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 23:00:00 UT

A U of M team invents a fast-acting antidote to cyanide poisoning.

Passion for pattern

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:30:00 UT

After one class Amber Billings knew she wanted to do graphic design. Now her geometric shapes appear nationally on packs of Orbit gum.

U advocacy on display

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:30:00 UT

A record crowd packed the McNamara Alumni Center last week for the annual Legislative Briefing. Attendees heard President Kaler talk about the U’s Capital Request and the importance of sharing stories about the U, whether by postcard, phone call, or tweet.

From Eve to everybody

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:30:00 UT

Every person's path from a common ancestral woman is written in DNA. As a class of U students found, some of our paths wind a bit.

The pitfalls of too many men

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:30:00 UT

A perception that women are scarce in an environment leads men to become impulsive, save less, and borrow more.

They know the drool

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:25:00 UT

What if serious disease could be caught early, just by analyzing saliva? A research team is bringing that day closer.

Three-pronged push for children

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:30:00 UT

Three new federal grants pack the power to level the playing field for young children and their families.

For a better life

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:00:00 UT

Mindful of her family's sacrifices so she could pursue higher education in the US, Felyn Goh brings simple focus to her work.

Starwatch February 2012

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:14:00 UT

February is the best time to see Sirius, the brightest of stars.

His body of research

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:30:00 UT

Chris Decker drank Chinese green tea while studying abroad, and he kept drinking it when he got back. Then he wondered—Is it safe?

Mother of all mergers

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:30:00 UT

Researchers coax yeast into re-enacting a spectacular moment in evolution: the dawn of multicellular organisms.

The Times they are acclaimin'

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:30:00 UT

A chat with English professor Charles Baxter, whose latest work made the New York Times' 100 Notable Books of 2011 list.

Land of 10,000 logos

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:30:00 UT

In a project conceived while she was living in Arizona, U alum Nicole Meyer is designing a logo for a different lake in Minnesota every day.