Expert Alert
February 2007

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Another snow storm and tips on how to stay safe
Feb. 28, 2007

Once again, the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for most of southern and central Minnesota and a winter storm watch for the rest of the state. University of Minnesota experts who can offer winter weather advice for the coming days:

John Shutske, extension engineer and bioproducts and biosystems engineering professor
From shoveling the driveway to blazing around on the snowmobile, Shutske can discuss snow storm preparation and safety. He’ll tell you just how to deal with that heavy, wet stuff while avoiding dangerous situations and injury.

Larry Jacobson, extension engineer and bioproducts and biosystems engineering professor
Jacobson can offer preventative measures regarding snow and ice loads on large, agricultural buildings that are susceptible to high amounts of accumulation. He can also discuss the proper way to remove the snow and ice that threaten rooftops.

To interview Shutske or Jacobson, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu, or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.

What if an asteroid were about to hit earth…
Feb. 21, 2007

A group of scientists and astronauts have called on the United Nations to create emergency plans for the asteroid Apophis, which could strike earth in 2036. What would happen if the asteroid did hit, and what types of measures could be taken to prevent such a catastrophe? A University of Minnesota expert who can discuss these catastrophic scenarios is:

Terry Jones, professor of astronomy at the University of Minnesota
Jones teaches the class, “Cosmic Impacts: Scars on the Earth” where he explores the impact on humanity if such a calamity were to occur. Although the odds that an asteroid will hit are only one in 45,000, he says this is a relatively high probability and “may worry some scientists” into pursuing methods to stop it.

To interview Jones, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu, or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.

Al Franken running for Senate
Feb. 15, 2007

The former SNL comedian, author, and up until Wednesday a radio host, has announced his intentions to run for Minnesota’s U.S. Senate seat against incumbent-Republican Senator Norm Coleman in 2008. Will he be a good fit for the U.S. Senate representing Minnesota? A University of Minnesota expert who can offer commentary on this is:

Kathryn Pearson, professor of political science at the University of Minnesota
Pearson is a national political expert who is available to talk about Franken, his opponent and the political landscape nationally -- all in a nonpartisan fashion. Pearson specializes in American politics, national institutions, political parties, elections, and women and politics, with particular expertise in the U.S. Congress. Her paper, "The Political Assimilation of the Fourth Wave," is forthcoming in the book “Transforming Politics, Transforming America: The Political and Civic Incorporation of Immigrants in the United States.”Prior to joining the university's department of political science, Pearson was a Research Fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution and a scholar at the American Political Science Association's Centennial Center.

To interview Pearson, contact Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu; or Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu.

U of M professor works to decipher violence and shootings
Feb. 14, 2007

Another round of shootings in America has left nine people dead. A University of Minnesota expert who has studied these types of situations and can comment on the tragedies is:

Edward Taylor, University of Minnesota professor of social work
Taylor is available to discuss the issues surrounding the recent violence. He is currently completing a research article on the developmental histories of more than 200 people who were violent and had schizophrenia. He has also done a survey of high school students’ fears about school violence.

To interview Taylor contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.

Valentine's Day
Feb. 6, 2007

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, so better run to get those flowers and chocolates. So, how’s that relationship going? Communication going well? Perhaps you have an online Valentine this year? And what do those flowers you’ll buy really mean? University of Minnesota experts on these topics are:

Kathleen Olson, family relations educator with the University of Minnesota Extension
Olson can talk about Valentine's Day as time for a relationship check up. She can speak to common communication barriers that get in the way of relationships, and what couples (or anyone else) can do about these barriers. Olson can also provide examples of communication barriers and what to do.

Heather Haberman, researcher in the department of family social science at the University of Minnesota
Haberman can speak about Cyber Romance. Haberman has conducted research about online dating and taught classes on Cyber Romance. She can talk about how romantic relationships are initiated, developed and maintained using the Internet. She can also talk about safety precautions people should take when developing Cyber relationships. When she started her research in 1999, there were about 500 people on Match.com (an online dating site) and today there are millions of people using it, Haberman said. People can find love on the Internet, she said. In fact, research has indicated that people who start relationships online are just as successful as relationships started in more traditional ways, she said.

Wayne Caron, assistant professor in family social science, University of Minnesota
Caron can speak about intimate relationships, long distance relationships and the impact the Internet has had on people who are forming and maintaining relationships. For example, the Internet allows people to maintain multiple relationships at once-something that is much more difficult to do in the real world, Caron said. The Internet also opens up a new opportunity for people who might not get out of their homes much for a variety of reasons, he said.

Neal Anderson, University of Minnesota horticulturist
Valentine's Day is among the top days for flower sales worldwide. But how do you know you're sending your sweetheart the best roses for the money? Neal can discuss the practical aspects of flower-buying and preservation as well as the history and cultural background of giving flowers.

To interview any of the experts above, contact Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu; or Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu.

2007 Farm Bill
Feb. 1, 2007

U.S. Secretary of Agri culture Mike Johanns on Wednesday released details of the Bush Administration's proposals for agriculture spending and a 2007 Farm Bill. Congress is preparing for hearings on the bill and expects to begin discussions soon. University of Minnesota experts who are closely monitoring the process of creating a new farm bill and are available to discuss it are:

Brian Buhr, professor of applied economics, University of Minnesota
Buhr can discuss impacts of crop policies on livestock markets. He can also talk about bioenergy as it intersects livestock and food markets.

Jason Hill, research associate in applied economics, University of Minnesota
Hill can discuss aspects of renewable energy and how they relate to this bill.

Kent Olson, professor of applied economics, University of Minnesota
Olson can discuss effects of the farm bill on Minnesota agriculture.

Ed Schuh, professor at the U's Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota
Schuh can address issues related to international trade and competitiveness.

To interview any of the experts above, contact Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu; or Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu.