Expert Alert
June 2006

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Aquatic invasive species
June 28, 2006

The barnacle-like zebra mussel poses a continuing threat to North America's industrial, agricultural and municipal water supplies. The zebra mussel as well as other aquatic invasive species continue to be a costly nuisance for freshwater shipping, boating, fishing, and claming as well. A University of Minnesota expert on zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species is:

Doug Jensen, University of Minnesota Sea Grant Extension Program, Duluth
Jensen is an aquatic invasive species specialist with the U’s Aquatic Invasive Species Information Center in Duluth. A zebra mussels specialist, Jensen frequently provides public presentations on zebra mussels, as well as other aquatic invasive species, and ways to prevent and minimize their impacts.

Jensen’s expertise includes other invasive species such as sea lampreys, Eurasian watermilfoil, and the, as Jensen puts it, “new kid on the block,” the New Zealand mud snail.

Jensen can also speak about a new national initiative called “Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers” - an effort to stop aquatic nuisance species aby educating or showing Minnesotans how to help minimize the spread of these invasive species in our rivers and lakes. To find out more about “Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers,” go to http://www.protectyourwaters.net/.

Another initiative Jensen can talk about is called “Habitattitude.” This effort is directed at aquarium hobbyists, backyard pond owners, water gardeners and others who are concerned about aquatic resource conservation, and gives practical advice on how to, for example, dispose of goldfish, i.e., not to flush them down the toilet.

To find out more about “Habitattitude,” go to http://www.habitattitude.net/.To interview Jensen, contact Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.

Minneapolis as an architecture destination
June 23, 2006

The new Guthrie Theater, designed by internationally-renowned architect Jean Nouvel, opens Sunday, June 25, and is the latest striking addition to Twin Cities’ architectural and cultural landscape. The Guthrie is Nouvel’s first completed North American project, and one of the largest theatrical arts building projects in the country. It’s opening comes on the heels of several arts and cultural building projects by architects with international reputations. Earlier this month, the Minneapolis Institute of Art opened a new wing, which was designed by Michael Graves. Just prior to that, the new $125 million Minneapolis Central Library, designed by Cesar Pelli, opened. The Children’s Theatre Company, designed by Michael Graves, celebrated its opening last October. And a little more than a year ago, the new Walker Art Center, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, opened. A University of Minnesota expert on Minneapolis as an architecture destination is:

Thomas Fisher, Dean of the College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, University of Minnesota
Fisher is available to speak about the changing face of Twin Cities’ architecture and how Minneapolis has become a touted destination for architects.
Fisher has served as the editorial director of Progressive Architecture and Building Renovation magazines, as the historical architect for the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office, as the Regional Preservation Officer at the Western Reserve Historical Society and as a historian with the Historic American Engineering Record. He has lectured or juried at more than 30 different schools of architecture and more than 60 professional societies.

To interview Fisher, contact Patty Mattern at (612) 624-2801, or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.

Minnesota's Wine Trail
June 22, 2006

Who needs Napa Valley when wine is flowing throughout Minnesota? This month Minnesota unveiled its first-ever wine trail, the Three Rivers Wine Trail. A University of Minnesota expert who can discuss Minnesota's wine industry is:

Kent Gustafson, professor, University of Minnesota Tourism Center
Gustafson is available to discuss Minnesota’s growing wine industry. He sees the trail as a way to create a niche tourism market around the science of making wine.
The Three Rivers Wine Trail of Minnesota includes seven wineries and vineyards that wind from Chisago City down along the Mississippi, Cannon and St. Croix rivers to Lake City. The trail invites wine connoisseurs to spend a day or weekend visiting the wineries and vineyards and, of course, sampling wine.
Twenty-five years ago, growing wine in the harsh Minnesota climate was almost impossible. Today there are 19 small wineries, thanks in part to the University of Minnesota, which developed cold-hardy grapes varieties that are both tough and tasty.
Just this spring the University of Minnesota’s Horticultural Research Center released the much-anticipated Marquette, a cold-hardy, disease-resistant grape that yields a pinot noir-like red wine comparable to that produced in sunny California. Marquette marks the fourth variety released in six years by the University’s grape-breeding program - a shot in the arm for the emerging Minnesota wine industry and an unlikely boost for traditional Minnesota agriculture.
For more information on the Three Rivers Wine Trail, visit www.threeriverswinetrail.com.

To interview Gustafson, please contact Jeff Falk at jfalk@umn.edu or (612) 626-1720, or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu. Radio stations: please specify preferred call-in time.

Superman Returns
June 21, 2006

Superman can easily leap tall buildings in a single bound, but how does he do it? “Superman Returns” premiers at theatres nationwide June 28, and it will likely be a summer blockbuster. A University of Minnesota expert who can comment on the superhero is:

Jim Kakalios, professor of physics, University of Minnesota
Kakalios, author of the book “The Physics of Superheroes,” will be available for interviews beginning June 26. Kakalios’ book takes a real, and often humorous, look at the actual science behind the powers of superheroes like Superman, Spider-Man and The Fantastic Four. Surprisingly, Kakalios found that the writers of the comics often got the science right behind some of the superheroes abilities.
Kakalios began using examples from comics to teach physics to his students in 2001. His experience with his Physics of Superheroes Freshman Seminar, and the popularity of big budget superhero movies, suggested to him that there might be a broad audience interested in learning the physics concepts that underlie our modern technological lifestyle, explained in a fun and accessible manner.

To interview Kakalios or obtain a copy of the book, contact Mark Cassutt at (612) 624-8038 or cassu003@umn.edu, or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.

June is Dairy Month
June 16, 2006

June is celebrated as Dairy Month nationwide, an opportunity to highlight Minnesota’s dairy farmers.The nation’s sixth largest milk-producing state, Minnesota’s dairy industry generates $2.7 billion in economic activity annually. The state counts 5,300 dairy farms and more than 450,000 cows. But the state’s dairy industry is facing challenges. Facing competition from farms in the western U.S.:

- The number of dairy farms in Minnesota has dropped 72 percent in the last 20 years.
- The number of dairy cows is down almost 50 percent.
- Milk production is down 23 percent.

Neil Broadwater, University of Minnesota Extension educator in dairy
Broadwater is available to discuss the state of Minnesota’s dairy industry. Broadwater says that the viability of the dairy industry in Minnesota is of great economic and food production concern to the people of Minnesota. While there are several reasons for the decline in the state’s dairy industry, Broadwater says, education can have a major impact on whether dairy continues as a growing Minnesota industry. Educating producers and industry professionals on new technologies and modernization of dairy operations will enhance profit and the lifestyle of dairy farm families across the state.

To interview Broadwater, please contact Jeff Falk at jfalk@umn.edu or 612-626-1720.

Carp Copulation
June 14, 2006

Yes, you read correctly. A combination of factors, including the time of year, fresh water, the increased water temperature and the rapid growth of aquatic plants, are all responsible for a hormonal surge in female carp. A direct result is a significantly increased amount of carp mating activity in our lakes. According to reports and professional expertise, this activity lasts for hours at a time and can be easily observed when accidentally strolling around the lake. A University of Minnesota carp expert is:

Peter Sorensen, professor, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota
Sorensen can comment on carp mating behavior as well as carp in general. The surge of hormones in female carp can be smelled, and according to Sorensen, “most freshwater fish are like dogs--they get around their environment by sniffing." Sorensen has done extensive research on pheromones and used his research for practical application in the area of population control, including carp control.

To interview Sorensen, contact Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.

Somalia
June 7, 2006

Much tension remains in Somalia as the capitol, Mogadishu, was overtaken by an Islamic militia two days ago. Somalia has been lacking an effective government since 1991, and the capitol was controlled mostly by a number of warlords who have been pushed from their strongholds in Mogadishu. A University of Minnesota expert who can speak about the situation in Somalia is:

Abdi Samatar, professor of geography, University of Minnesota
An East-African native, Samatar has taught courses on Africa and the Islamic world. His area of expertise focuses on Somalia, and he is fluent in the language. Samatar can speak about the current situation in Mogadishu and put it in a larger perspective. The outcome of the takeover, he says, will depend, in large part, on the reaction of the international community. Samatar can also comment on what this means to the Somali population in Minnesota, as many maintain relationships and strong connections with friends and family in Somalia.

To interview Samatar, contact Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.