Biology professor Daniel Pérez is caught in a struggle against nature, constantly fighting to keep mutating diseases at bay.
"I think nature is a wonderful laboratory and always finds ways to make things much worse than humans can ever imagine - like HIV, West Nile, SARS, bird flu and now swine flu," Pérez said. "It's all nature working wonders."
Cloud computing could help analyze genomes
Two university computer scientists will spend the next two years developing software that can analyze genetic information in parallel using a large computer network thanks to a $380,000 grant they received from the National Science Foundation last month.
Analyzing the vast amount of genetic information within a single genome - the set of genes/chromosomes that make up the full DNA sequence of a living being - usually takes a large amount of time and requires an expensive set of computers to be on hand. University computer science professors Mihai Pop and Steven Salzberg will attempt to use cloud computing - a method with which the researchers may purchase computing power on a distributed network of computers without needing to invest in a large amount of hardware - to speed up the DNA sequencing process. If they succeed, scientists will have an easier path to knowing the genetic makeup of more of the Earth's creatures.
Analyzing the vast amount of genetic information within a single genome - the set of genes/chromosomes that make up the full DNA sequence of a living being - usually takes a large amount of time and requires an expensive set of computers to be on hand. University computer science professors Mihai Pop and Steven Salzberg will attempt to use cloud computing - a method with which the researchers may purchase computing power on a distributed network of computers without needing to invest in a large amount of hardware - to speed up the DNA sequencing process. If they succeed, scientists will have an easier path to knowing the genetic makeup of more of the Earth's creatures.
AT&T, Verizon antennas could improve campus cell coverage
Cellular service on the campus has long been frustratingly patchy, but OIT hopes agreements with AT&T and Verizon to build antennas on the campus can help solve the problem.
Earlier this semester, AT&T agreed to provide a temporary light-weight antenna while they work to improve reception on and around the campus in other ways. The company originally was in negotiations to provide a Cell-on-Wheels - essentially a mobile cellular antenna - but instead will build a minimally obtrusive antenna pole that looks somewhat like a giant Q-Tip. Verizon Wireless installed a similar antenna in Hornbake Plaza last fall.
Earlier this semester, AT&T agreed to provide a temporary light-weight antenna while they work to improve reception on and around the campus in other ways. The company originally was in negotiations to provide a Cell-on-Wheels - essentially a mobile cellular antenna - but instead will build a minimally obtrusive antenna pole that looks somewhat like a giant Q-Tip. Verizon Wireless installed a similar antenna in Hornbake Plaza last fall.
Engineering the future
Imagine a control room filled with more than 200 people, watching a live video cast of an open-heart surgery as the operating surgeon talks to a university professor more than 30 miles away - think Microsoft Flight Simulator meets Operation.
More than 400 faculty, students and guests gathered in the engineering building yesterday for the third annual bioengineering Fischell Festival. The eight-hour event included a presentation from scientists about new surgical materials, a live videocast viewing of a heart surgery, a demonstration of a robot exoskeleton, student awards, a bioengineering career fair and various expert discussions.
More than 400 faculty, students and guests gathered in the engineering building yesterday for the third annual bioengineering Fischell Festival. The eight-hour event included a presentation from scientists about new surgical materials, a live videocast viewing of a heart surgery, a demonstration of a robot exoskeleton, student awards, a bioengineering career fair and various expert discussions.
Students turn to websites as unofficial course guides
When he was a freshman, junior government and politics major Ben Wilkoff found himself regretting his decision to take a math discussion class - he couldn't understand his teaching assistant's accented English and had trouble with the course materials. But, he said, there was no real way of knowing anything about the way the course was taught before registering.
Students registering for classes are increasingly turning to online advising alternatives instead of or as a supplement to their faculty advisers. Though many students laud the online resources for their ease, convenience and information - such as grade distribution charts and information on how often a professor actually uses the textbooks assigned - administrators warn against choosing ease over a key campus resource: the faculty.
Students registering for classes are increasingly turning to online advising alternatives instead of or as a supplement to their faculty advisers. Though many students laud the online resources for their ease, convenience and information - such as grade distribution charts and information on how often a professor actually uses the textbooks assigned - administrators warn against choosing ease over a key campus resource: the faculty.
'Father of the Internet' lectures about the future of the medium
A Google vice president who helped create the Internet spoke to a star-struck crowd of nearly 200 faculty members and students Friday.
Vint Cerf, a Google vice president and chief Internet evangelist, touched on contemporary Internet issues and emerging technologies in his speech. But the presence alone of a man occasionally called the Father of the Internet was enough to excite many in the crowd in the Kim Engineering Building.
Vint Cerf, a Google vice president and chief Internet evangelist, touched on contemporary Internet issues and emerging technologies in his speech. But the presence alone of a man occasionally called the Father of the Internet was enough to excite many in the crowd in the Kim Engineering Building.
Secure Internet communication may be made easier by invention
Imagine video-chatting with your friend or crush while, unbeknownst to you, a nosy cyber-stalker or computer-savvy, overprotective parent is eavesdropping on your conversation.
New award-winning technology created by a university-professor-led engineering team could ensure your conversations, and other sensitive information, remain safe.
New award-winning technology created by a university-professor-led engineering team could ensure your conversations, and other sensitive information, remain safe.
The benefits of a big spender
On vacation in Ocean City a few years ago, Adriana Torres accidentally broke a $100 bill while buying a pack of gum. Before she knew it, the more than $95 she received in change was gone.
"With a big bill, it's like you have something valuable," Torres said. "My change was still worth almost $100, but it just wasn't the same. I was so mad I broke the $100 bill so soon in the trip. When you're breaking a big bill it feels like you're losing more money."
The phenomenon Torres, a junior journalism major, experienced was recently diagnosed by a university professor, whose research shows people are more likely to hesitate to make a purchase when using large bills rather than smaller ones.
"With a big bill, it's like you have something valuable," Torres said. "My change was still worth almost $100, but it just wasn't the same. I was so mad I broke the $100 bill so soon in the trip. When you're breaking a big bill it feels like you're losing more money."
The phenomenon Torres, a junior journalism major, experienced was recently diagnosed by a university professor, whose research shows people are more likely to hesitate to make a purchase when using large bills rather than smaller ones.
Southwestern Co. still banned from recruiting on campus
Warren Kelley, the interim director of the University Career Center, said Southwestern Company can no longer recruit on the campus after two students complained it misrepresented the nature of its internships as business positions instead of a sales jobs.
The company said its internships give students both valuable skills and an opportunity to earn thousands of dollars in a single summer.
The company said its internships give students both valuable skills and an opportunity to earn thousands of dollars in a single summer.
Univ. scientists discover key to new TB drugs
A team of university scientists has cleared a major scientific hurdle that should lay the foundation for the development of new drugs to combat tuberculosis, a disease that killed 1.8 million people in 2007.
The team uncovered the structure and function of NAD+ synthetase, an enzyme essential for the survival of tuberculosis-causing bacteria, that could help scientists develop drugs to fight the deadly disease.
The team uncovered the structure and function of NAD+ synthetase, an enzyme essential for the survival of tuberculosis-causing bacteria, that could help scientists develop drugs to fight the deadly disease.
The ever-changing Facebook
Facebook's latest makeover has sparked outrage among its users. Just like the previous makeover did. And the makeover before that.
But despite the constant outrage, the site has continued to grow and now has more than 175 million users. The reason, students said, is because regardless of its appearance, Facebook remains a dominant form of communication on the campus.
But despite the constant outrage, the site has continued to grow and now has more than 175 million users. The reason, students said, is because regardless of its appearance, Facebook remains a dominant form of communication on the campus.
Univ. warns against travel to Mexico
Drug cartel-related violence in Mexico has prompted the U.S. federal government and the university to warn students about studying abroad and traveling there.
The university issued a travel alert for students, faculty and staff warning of increased crime and violence in Mexico and urged travelers to "avoid dangerous situations." The alert followed one release by the U.S. State Department on Feb. 20 that warned travelers of the risks involved with traveling to Mexico because of the recent growth in crime, especially near the United States border, and several unresolved kidnapping cases of U.S. citizens.
The university issued a travel alert for students, faculty and staff warning of increased crime and violence in Mexico and urged travelers to "avoid dangerous situations." The alert followed one release by the U.S. State Department on Feb. 20 that warned travelers of the risks involved with traveling to Mexico because of the recent growth in crime, especially near the United States border, and several unresolved kidnapping cases of U.S. citizens.
Campus sexpert touches on taboo topics during sex talk
Human sexuality expert or comedian? Robin Sawyer may be a bit of both.
Laughter was plentiful and no subject was taboo as Sawyer, the associate chair of the public and community health department and author of Sexpertise: Real Answers to Real Questions About Sex, spoke to a crowd of more than 100 students and faculty members in a packed special events room in McKeldin Library yesterday.
Laughter was plentiful and no subject was taboo as Sawyer, the associate chair of the public and community health department and author of Sexpertise: Real Answers to Real Questions About Sex, spoke to a crowd of more than 100 students and faculty members in a packed special events room in McKeldin Library yesterday.
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