Expert Alert
April 2007

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Arbor Day 2007 brings bad news for Minnesota’s trees
April 27, 2007

Today, Friday, April 27, is Arbor Day. On Wednesday, agriculture officials released what could be very bad news for trees in Minnesota.

Officials in Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota said that Taylors Wood Products firewood, sold at Menards and possibly some other stores, may contain emerald ash borers, which have killed more than 20 million trees in other states.

A University of Minnesota Extension expert who is available to talk about the issues surrounding emerald ash borers is:

Jeff Hahn, U of M extension entomologist
Hahn is available with information on how the emerald ash borer could make its way to Minnesota, what’s being done to stop any further spread, what consumers can do to stop the spread and much more.

To interview Hahn, contact Julie Christensen, (612) 626-4077 or Justin Ware, (612) 626-1720.

FCC moves to restrict TV violence
- U of M professor explains the history and politics behind the controversial agency -
April 26, 2007

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently urged policymakers to push violent television programming to late at night when most children are not watching. A University of Minnesota expert who can discuss this and the history and politics of the FCC is:

Michael Stamm, U of M School of Journalism and Mass Communication professor
Stamm has studied the genesis of the FCC and the politics from all sides that drive its regulations. In his History of Journalism class he says that “lobbying from both the far left and far right” is what runs the FCC’s attempts to “clamp down on the media’s biggest concerns: obscenity and violence.”

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

University of Minnesota national expert on Title IX available for media interviews
April 23, 2007

This year marks the 35th anniversary of Title IX, the landmark federal legislation requiring gender equity in education and athletics. The law was enacted on June 23, 1972. A U of M expert who can comment on Title IX is:

Mary Jo Kane, University of Minnesota professor of kinesiology
Kane is a leading national expert on Title IX who has written extensively on the social and political implications of Title IX. She is available to discuss the impact of Title IX, criticisms of Title IX and the future of the federal law.

Kane, a professor of sport sociology and the director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport in the College of Education and Human Development, Kane can discuss the numerous myths and misrepresentations surrounding Title IX, such as the myth that Title IX forces schools to drop men’s sports.

“Title IX brought about a sea change in American society when it comes to athletic opportunities for girls and women,” Kane said. "In one generation, we have gone from young girls hoping that there is a team, to young girls hoping that they'll make the team."

Kane will be among leading policy makers, scholars and public officials who will speak at the one day national conference, "Title IX Today, Title IX Tomorrow," hosted by the Stanford Center on Ethics at Stanford University on Saturday, April 25.

Media Note: Title IX anniversary is June 23, but Kane is available starting now for interviews.

To interview Kane, contacts Patty Mattern at (612) 624-2801 or matte016@umn.edu.

The death of Boris Yeltsin
April 23, 2007

Boris Yeltsin, the first democratically elected leader of Russia, died today from heart failure. The controversial politician brought revolutionary political change and the introduction of democratic principles that had been lost to years of communism. A University of Minnesota expert who can comment on the Yeltsin years is:

Thomas Wolfe, University of Minnesota history professor
Wolfe’s research focuses on post-communist Russia and the evolution of its media. He can discuss how Yeltsin’s regard for freedom of the press was “strikingly open compared to his predecessors” and what other changes the president instilled in the troubled country.

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

Communications expert says media’s overplaying of Virginia Tech gunman's
video increases odds of violent behavior
- New media expert talks on how news dissemination has changed -
April 20, 2007

The news media has become part of the story involving the Virginia Tech tragedy. One University of Minnesota expert says that replaying the gunman’s video will lead to more violence. A second U of M expert can talk about how new media has changed the distribution of the news. The experts are:

Edward Schiappa, communications studies professor at the University of Minnesota
Schiappa says television and online media are overplaying the news footage of Cho Seung-Hui. “As much as I hate to say it - if another tragedy similar to the one at Virginia Tech happens in the next few weeks, the media will be partly responsible,” Schiappa says.

Schiappa says that one of the most specific proven theories of media effects is known as the “copycat phenomenon.” This phenomenon is particularly strong with media violence. “For example, nationally televised bomb threats consistently produce copycats, as we've seen at schools and universities throughout the nation.”

“Furthermore, research on media "priming effects" (more than a dozen studies) has shown that televised violence primes this behavior among aggressive viewers and increases the odds of violent behavior,” Schiappa said.

Nora Paul, the Institute for New Media Studies director in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Paul can discuss how new media including the Internet, cell phones, blogs and social networking Web sites played a significant role in getting the first news out about the Virginia Tech massacre. Paul has tracked the way news was coming out about the massacre and found it intriguing that some of the freshest information was being posted to non-mainstream news sources and provided by non-journalists. “This is going to be one of those watershed moments that show how much alternative news feeds are informing both news organizations and news consumers.”

To interview Schiappa or Paul, contact Patty Mattern at (612) 624-2801 or matte016@umn.edu.

Virginia Tech shootings and school violence
April 17, 2007

University of Minnesota experts who can discuss the tragic shooting at Virginia Tech are:

Ross MacMillan, professor of sociology, University of Minnesota
MacMillan has taught classes on school shootings and researched the topic for nearly 20 years. He’s an expert in the field and available for interviews.

Jane Gilgun, professor of social work, University of Minnesota
Gilgun researches how people overcome adversities, the development of violent behaviors and the meaning of violence to perpetrators. Gilgun just yesterday completed a research proposal to look into what happens in “real time” to a perpetrator during an act of violence similiar to the Virginia Tech tragedy.

Gilgun has developed a checklist for detecting the potential for violence. It is available here: www.umn.edu/urelate/newsservice/downloads/detecting-the-potential.doc

Her paper, “Assessing the Potential for Violence,” is available here: www.umn.edu/urelate/newsservice/downloads/gilgun-2-violence.doc

Edward Taylor, professor of social work, University of Minnesota
Taylor recently completed 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. His current research looks at mental disorders and violence.

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.

U of M expert has early spring lawn-care tips
Warm weather doesn’t always mean your yard is ready for work
April 17, 2007

Warm weather’s return might push a lot of us outside to work on our yards. But experts at the University of Minnesota want to caution homeowners against doing too much, too fast.

Bob Mugaas, University of Minnesota Extension
Soft, wet ground is fine for reseeding, but any heavy-duty yard work should wait for dryer conditions, according to University of Minnesota lawn-care expert Bob Mugaas.

The recent cold weather has slowed down the development of most area lawns. Mugaas has tips for homeowners in the upper Midwest; what type of work should they be doing to their lawn, what they shouldn’t do and how a homeowner knows when is the right time to get work done.

“It is individualized,” said Mugaas. “In a simple way, people can be their own detective ... it’s not rocket science.”

To interview Mugaas, contact Julie Christensen at (612) 626-4077 or Justin Ware at (612) 626-1720.

Ethanol driving up grocery bills
University of Minnesota professor can give expert analysis on the effect ethanol has on corn and grocery prices
April 11, 2007

Everything from soft drinks, to cereal, to beef and poultry; food prices are going up and according to University of Minnesota researchers, the culprit is ethanol.

Brian Buhr, University of Minnesota Extension Economist
According to Buhr, taxpayers are paying for ethanol through subsidies that help ethanol producers. In addition, they’re paying for ethanol by way of higher-priced food at the grocery store.

“Most food products have some relationship with corn,” said Buhr. “Ultimately, the consumer ends up footing the bill.”

In addition to higher corn-based food costs, Buhr says the high pay out for corn crops is causing some farmers to grow more corn, which is decreasing the size of other crops like soybeans and cotton and raising prices in that way as well.

To interview Buhr, contact Julie Christensen, University of Minnesota Extension, (612) 626-4077; or Justin Ware, University News Service, (612) 626-1720.

Experts urge financial responsibility with tax refunds
Americans accruing debt and lagging in personal savings
April 11, 2007

For those of us who will be receiving a refund check from Uncle Sam this April, the temptation may be to blow that cash on some new summer apparel instead of on more financially sound options. Whether it is reducing high interest credit card debt or maxing out a retirement fund, University of Minnesota experts who can explain the best ways to make use of tax refunds are:

Cindy Petersen, University of Minnesota Extension educator
Petersen can discuss savings options no matter how large or small the refund and for either the short or long term. As a family resource management educator, she can also explain how to get out of debt and use credit wisely.

Sharon Danes, University of Minnesota family social science professor and Extension educator
Danes can discuss the best ways to be financially responsible, follow a budget and maximize retirement savings. She specializes in family financial management.

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

U of M wolf expert talks about killings
April 5, 2007

Recent reports say three wolves have been killed in northern Wisconsin since the animal has been removed from the endangered species list. That is something a University of Minnesota wolf expert says he expected, but not something he's worried will push the wolf back to the endangered list.

David Mech, professor in the U of M’s Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology
Mech (pronounced Meech) says the occasional farmer killing a wolf is unlikely to lead the overall population of wolves toward extinction. To reduce the wolf population, Mech says humans would have to kill 30 to 60 percent of the population every year in order to keep pace with the reproduction of the animals.

“That would be impossible to do without poison,” said Mech, “you can't do it by hunting alone.”

Mech has spent the better part of his life studying wolves and is available to answer questions about wolves and their relationship with humans since they've been removed from the endangered species list.

To interview Mech, contact Marty Moen at (612) 624-0793 or Justin Ware at (612) 626-1720.

The physics behind the 'curve' in a curveball
April 2, 2007

Baseball season is upon us, and even experienced major league batters will be fooled by the tricky curveball for the next seven months. The notorious pitch, if used properly, spins straight in on the batter and suddenly drops down and away. A University of Minnesota expert who can explain the physics behind this and other pitches is:

Dan Dahlberg, physics professor at the University of Minnesota
Dahlberg can break down the curveball's movement and why it fools so many players. He says the curveball can at one moment look like “gravity was turned off and then do something unexpected” when it drops. A former player himself, Dahlberg said he had trouble mastering the pitch and had to stick to the more subtle “slider.”

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