The afterlife of a mattress
(6/24/2008) UMD's Natural Resources Research Institute is working with a recycling company in Duluth to find uses for the innards of discarded mattresses. About 300,000 used mattresses are sent to landfills annually in the Twin Cities area alone.

Being a good neighbor
(6/20/2008) The U's Stadium Area Advisory Group has awarded Good Neighbor funds to seven projects that might help ease the impact of football game days on nearby residents and businesses.

Collision course
(6/17/2008) Architectural designs pleasing to humans are often deceptive to birds--sometimes with fatal consequences. The Bell Museum's Bob Zink is leading a study on bird-building collision and their effect on bird populations.

Shop before you drop
(6/11/2008) Pooling their expertise, two University of Minnesota researchers cast some light on impulse buying. One of their findings: we're likely to buy impulsively after we've spent a good deal of time making choices and regulating our behavior.

Out from behind bars
(5/13/2008) A major report entitled "Unlocking America," coauthored by nine leading criminology and penal experts--including the University of Minnesota's Joshua Page--explores the causes of the exploding prison population and offers suggestions for reversing the numbers.

The art and the artist
(4/23/2008) Arnold Newman photographed many of the icons of 20th-century art, science, and politics, including John F. Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, and Georgia O'Keeffe. Earlier this year, Newman's son, Eric, a neuroscience professor at the U, approached the Weisman Art Museum to donate 40 of his late father's famous portraits.

Happy birthday, Minnesota!
(4/2/2008) To commemorate the state's 150th birthday, University of Minnesota faculty are leading four discussions this month on issues facing Minnesota's past, present, and future. Topics are the evolution of the suburbs, natural resources, demographic changes, and protecting the public's health.

Partnering with Hope and Dreams
(3/25/2008) The U's partnerships with Hope Community and Learning Dreams are two examples of the most common types of U-community partnerships: partnering with an existing organization and partnering with a community to create a new organization.

Rates of uninsured Minnesotans stabilize
(2/20/2008) A survey from the U's School of Public Health and Minnesota Department of Health shows that after rising between 2001 and 2004, the percentage of Minnesotans without health insurance was stable between 2004 and 2007.

Destined to lie, cheat, or steal?
(2/6/2008) New research from the University of Minnesota finds that believing in free will can keep us honest.

The role of oil prices in renewable energy
(1/9/2008) Experts who attended the University of Minnesota's E3 conference on renewable energy say the price of oil will have the greatest impact on renewable fuel development in the Midwest.

U gets creative, wins award
(12/26/2007) Following the collapse of the I-35W bridge, the gridlock that some expected on the Twin Cities campus never materialized, thanks in part to the efforts and ingenuity of the University and its Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) department. The University was recently recognized with a 2007 Commuter Choice Award in the category of Outstanding Promotion for a Large Organization.

Garden of Iron Mirrors reflects past and present
(12/21/2007) The new Education Sciences Building on the Twin Cities campus is a window into the past and present, whether you're inside looking through its many windows or outside admiring the banks of the Mississippi through the Garden of Iron Mirrors public sculpture.

Reality psych
(12/3/2007) A UMD professor transformed a class for undergraduates, beginning with a simple call to Duluth branch of Head Start.

Clack relishes honor of being Minneapolis fire chief
(11/29/2007) James Clack shares his thoughts on getting a degree from the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC), on recently taking over the state's largest fire department, and on some historic events along the way.

FIPSE awards $750,000 to U for Northside partnership
(10/25/2007) A $750,000 grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Post-Secondary Education (FIPSE) has been awarded to Senior Vice President Robert Jones and Associate Vice President Geoff Maruyama to develop collaborations as part of the University Northside Partnership.

Downtown digs: new Rochester campus
(10/23/2007) For years the U has operated joint education programs out of the Rochester Community and Technical College, located at the fringes of Minnesota's third largest city. Today, the University of Minnesota has an official campus right in the pulsing heart of Rochester. (Video included)

Food for thought--and conversation
(10/10/2007) The College of Continuing Education's Headliners series on the Twin Cities campus in St. Paul has spawned the "Roseville Headliners Salon," a group that gathers for potluck, conversation, and to attend the monthly event.

China in transition
(10/9/2007) U lecturer Seth Werner discusses how "Made in China" is giving way to "Made by China" at the recent Weisman Art Museum "China Now at Noon" event. The free lunchtime series is held in conjunction with the museum's current "Documenting China" photo exhibit.

U alum creates foundation to assist the poor
(9/26/2007) When Paul Brifo attended the University of Minnesota, Morris, he knew that one day he would share his good fortune with his fellow Africans. Today, Brifo distributes new and gently used clothing to hundreds of needy children and adults.

A new look at urban sprawl
(9/21/2007) A few fun facts about common patterns in city growth

Clearing the way to collaborate
(9/18/2007) Minnesota's largest county and its research university signed a historic agreement that will give Hennepin County easier access to U-wide expertise and students.

Dinkytown lights up again
(9/13/2007) From groovy street scene to purveyor of practical goods to nightlife hot-spot, Dinkytown's latest incarnation fills its streets at night.

Creating a community
(9/11/2007) The University is hosting six listening sessions in September to gather ideas and input for a new community being planned at the University of Minnesota Outreach, Research, and Education (UMore) Park in Dakota County, which includes 5,000 acres of land owned by the University.

Fallen bridge prompts contemplative class
(8/31/2007) When the I-35W bridge fell, a piece of the Twin Cities community fell with it. As we pick up the pieces, a new University class grapples with issues of transportation and community.

Clean Hub travels to New Orleans
(6/22/2007) The Clean Hub is a portable, self-sustained structure designed by U students that provides basic sanitation services. In June, the Clean Hub prototype was sent off to its destination--a community park in New Orleans's Lower Ninth Ward, an area ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.

Good-looking and affordable
(6/15/2007) Twofer exhibit at the Goldstein Museum of Design offers historical look at innovative and eye-catching homes in the United States for low and moderate incomes.

An urban agenda for the 21st century
(6/6/2007) To help address some of the many social and economic challenges facing the Northside of Minneapolis, the University has teamed up with the community for a collaborative effort known as the University Northside Partnership (UNP).

Wishing they were here
(3/23/2007) To help in its faculty recruiting efforts, the U recently unveiled a new Web site and brochure. The resources, with the theme "Wish You Were Here," offer a peek at what it's like to live in the Twin Cities.

Freeways and politics
(12/15/2006) A recent book-length report from the U, Politics and Freeways: Building the Twin Cities Interstate System, captures the memories and perspectives of people involved with planning the metro area's interstate system.

Powered by purpose
(12/13/2006) A new initiative between the U's Center for Spirituality and Healing and life coach Richard Leider is focused on helping people grow old--with purpose.

Putting the U in urban affairs
(12/11/2006) Professors John Adams and Judith Martin have been tapped to co-direct the new University Metropolitan Consortium, part of a larger Urban Agenda that will serve to coordinate and enhance U engagement in urban affairs.

Prepare teenage drivers for winter conditions
(11/29/2006) The snow hasn't fallen yet, but it will. And icy roads are sure to follow. The University of Minnesota Extension Service has some tips for drivers new to winter driving.

Extreme makeover: neighborhood theater edition
(11/28/2006) Reclaiming a classic was the assignment for students in Interior Design Studio 7. The seventy-five-year-old Parkway Theater in Minneapolis is in need of an overhaul to make it a flexible performing arts venue that can accommodate film, live entertainment and private events, and the students had some ideas on how to make that happen.

A long way from Lake Wobegon
(11/22/2006) "While A Prairie Home Companion is a brilliant show and much of it remains true, it casts a net of nostalgia over Minnesotan identity that I believe has the potential to be a bit dangerous," says Allison Adrian. The U student uses the Lutheran Church to discuss Minnesota identity and the Twin Cities' increasingly global landscape.

Eye on immigration
(11/10/2006) Immigration remains a hot topic among policy makers, as well as the average citizen. Recently, the U's Center for the Study of Politics and Governance invited some immigration experts and three Minnesota mayors to offer insights on U.S. immigration.

U researchers advance narrow commuter vehicle
(10/31/2006) For almost half a decade, a University research team has been developing and refining a prototype narrow commuter vehicle. Their current edition is a three-wheeled model with a driver-protective roll cage that seats one.

A drive for more biking and walking options
(4/11/2006) Examining ways to embrace non-motorized modes of transportation was the focus of Monday's James L. Oberstar Forum on Transportation Policy and Technology, titled "Transportation Choices: The Important Role of Walking and Biking."

Thinking inside the box
(3/3/2006) The Natural Resources Research Institute at the University of Minnesota, Duluth, has designed a bio-based containerized house that can be assembled in hours in disaster areas or wherever quick, reliable housing is needed.

Cities within U walls
(2/3/2006) Real and imaginary cities come to life in the U's Katherine E. Nash Gallery thanks to 10 jaw-dropping creative sculptors, photographers, and painters. Cities runs through February 16, with a discussion to define the meaning of a city on February 9.

Germ hunters go to prison
(12/20/2005) Find out what University of Minnesota researchers have learned about bacteria and virus survival in alternative wastewater treatment systems.

The benefits of going in circles
(12/13/2005) Since graduating from the U's Infrastructure Systems Engineering (ISE) master's program, a trio of engineers and self-proclaimed roundabout advocates has been working hard to encourage the use of roundabouts throughout Minnesota.

Are cities for the birds? Yes and no.
(12/1/2005) Ever wondered why we see so many pigeons and crows and so few brilliantly colored warblers in urban back yards? University researcher Robert Blair explains some of the factors that keep certain birds from making a home in the city.

The heat is on
(11/22/2005) If you think your heating bill is frighteningly high this winter, just be glad you're not heating the University of Minnesota. Granted, the Twin Cities campus alone has 253 buildings and roughly 19 million square feet of "heatable" space. Which is precisely what makes the rising cost of fuel so chilling.

Winter car care
(11/9/2005) With temperatures dipping and snow not too far away in the forecast (unless you live in Florida), it's time to winterize your car. Tony Bittner of the U's Fleet Services offers some tips on prepping your vehicle for bone- and battery-chilling weather.

Engaging in public engagement
(11/1/2005) On October 31, the University hosted a public discussion to explore outreach as a means to help it achieve its goal of being one of the top three public research universities in the world within a decade.

Celebrating 20 years of service
(10/27/2005) The University of Minnesota's Institute on Community Integration joins with partners around the state and the country to improve community services and social supports for people with disabilities and their families.

Fuel for thought
(8/10/2005) Two professors from the Carlson School of Management discuss what is fueling rising oil prices in the United States and whether or not we should expect to see more pocketbook-friendly gas prices anytime soon.

The changing face of Minnesota
(12/17/2004) The face of Minnesota is changing in some very perceptible ways--demographically, politically, culturally, and religiously--and not all residents are happy about our current state of affairs, according to findings from the Humphrey Institute's Minnesota Community Project.

Accessibility: Rethinking the way we look at transportation
(11/18/2004) When it comes to traffic, the focus is usually on congestion, but a recent meeting of the minds, part of U president Bob Bruininks's 21st Century Interdisciplinary Conference Series, explored the larger question of how--and how well--people get where they need to go.