Breaking News
MSU environmental activities and accomplishments, from sources on and off-campus. For additional information on MSU environmental work, see these sources.
MSU's first Massive Open Online Course begins, titled "Foundations of Science"
Zoology Department
5-14-2013
The Foundations of Science course at Michigan State University is a massive open online course (MOOC). This means that it is completely online with no location requirements; It is free for those who are not seeking credit or certification, and it is open to the general public.
The course will start in May and run through June. Sign up to be notified for when you can register for the course. For more information, contact us at fos@msu.edu More»
Michigan Apple Orchards Blossom After A Devastating Year
National Public Radio's Morning Edition
5-14-2013
Last year, almost the entire Michigan apple crop was lost because of 80-degree days in March and then some freezing April nights. This year, the apples are back, but everything always depends on the weather. The state was under a freeze warning Sunday night — a scary prospect if you're an apple grower and your trees have just come into bloom.
Every Wednesday morning during apple season, growers show up at a local restaurant at 7 a.m. for a free breakfast (paid for by one of the farm chemical companies) and a briefing from Amy Irish-Brown, an extension educator from Michigan State University. She talks about spores, beetles, aphids and especially the weather.
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Thousands of failed septic tanks across the state threaten Michigan's waters
Bridge Magazine
5-14-2013
Failed septic systems are a concern because human sewage is loaded with pathogens that can threaten the health of people who swim in polluted waters or drink contaminated well water. Several experts interviewed by Bridge said water pollution from failed septic systems is a serious, but under-appreciated, problem across Michigan.
“It’s affecting our groundwater and surface waters,” said Joan Rose, a water quality expert who holds the Homer Nowlin Chair in Water Research at Michigan State University.
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Experts discuss health of Great Lakes beaches
Great Lakes Echo
5-14-2013
ESPP affiliated faculty Joan Rose, the Homer Nowlin Chair in Water Research & Co-Director of the Center for Water Sciences and Center for Advancing Microbial Risk Assessment at MSU, participated in an expert panel discussing the health of Great Lakes beaches. More»
Seabird bones reveal changes in open-ocean food chain
MSU Today
5-13-2013
A research team, led by Michigan State University and Smithsonian Institution scientists, analyzed the bones of Hawaiian petrels – birds that spend the majority of their lives foraging the open waters of the Pacific. They found that the substantial change in petrels’ eating habits, eating prey that are lower rather than higher in the food chain, coincides with the growth of industrialized fishing.
The birds’ dramatic shift in diet, shown in the current issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, leaves scientists pondering the fate of petrels as well as wondering how many other species face similar challenges.
“Our bone record is alarming because it suggests that open-ocean food webs are changing on a large scale due to human influence,” said Peggy Ostrom, co-author and MSU zoologist. “Our study is among the first to address one of the great mysteries of biological oceanography – whether fishing has gone beyond an influence on targeted species to affect nontarget species and potentially, entire food webs in the open ocean.” More»
Stink bug invasion set to strike Michigan
The Huffington Post
5-11-2013
Spring is finally here! That’s the good news. Now here’s the bad: Michigan is starting to see the beginning of a stink bug infestation, according to Michigan State University entomologist Matt Grieshop.
Grieshop says the “Brown Marmolated” — or Asian stink bug is showing up all over the state. The bug is Asian in origin and was first reported in the United States when it was discovered in Pennsylvania in 1996. More»
Modified mosquitoes may halt spread of malaria: study
Xinhua
5-10-2013
Mosquitoes infected with a type of bacteria may be used to stop the spread of malaria as they show signs of resistance to the parasite that causes the disease, according to a new study published online in the U.S. journal Science.
The mosquitoes infected with the bacterium called Wolbachia, which is naturally found in up to 70 percent of insects, also have the ability to pass the bacterium to their offsprings, researchers from U.S. Michigan State University (MSU) and China's Sun Yat-Sen University reported Thursday.
"In a sense, Wolbachia acts as a vaccine of sorts for mosquitoes that could protect them from malaria parasites," said Zhiyong Xi, MSU assistant professor of microbiology and molecular genetics who leads the study. "Our study shows that in the future it's possible the entire mosquito population will lose the ability to transmit malaria to humans."
In their study, the researchers focused on Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes, the primary malaria carrier in the Middle East and South Asia, and found the key to the malaria research was identifying the correct species of Wolbachia -- wAlbB -- and then injecting it into mosquito embryos. More»
Costa Rican and MSU officials help dedicate new anaerobic digester
MSU Today
5-10-2013
Many dignitaries from the United States and Costa Rica gathered in the Central American country this week to officially commission a newly built anaerobic digester, the product of a partnership between Michigan State University and the University of Costa Rica.
An anaerobic digester takes organic waste – anything from food scraps to animal manure – and turns it into energy.
The project was funded by a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Division of Western Hemisphere Affairs. Partners included the University of Costa Rica, Nicaragua’s Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Nicaragua León, and Panama’s Universidad Autonoma de Chiriqui. More»
Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center names new center coordinator
MSU Today
5-9-2013
Ashley McFarland has been named center coordinator for the MSU Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center in Chatham. It is a new position created as the research and Extension facility begins to take shape under a newly implemented long-term plan.
The UPREC, previously the Upper Peninsula Research Center, was renamed in January to acknowledge the significant contributions made by MSU Extension to facility operations. In line with the name change, the center will focus on collaboration and integration across three programmatic systems: livestock, plants and local food systems.
McFarland hails from Iowa and has earned degrees from Central College in Pella and Iowa State University. She has spent the last five years with the University of Idaho Extension as a county Extension education and area natural resource educator.
As the new center coordinator at Chatham, McFarland will provide an important link between campus-based faculty coordinators and the implementation of programs and oversight of operations at the center and throughout the U.P. She also will work to increase visibility of the center and build relationships with stakeholders.
McFarland will start the position May 20. More»
Using bacteria to stop malaria
MSU Today
5-9-2013
Mosquitoes are deadly efficient disease transmitters. Research conducted at Michigan State University, however, demonstrates that they also can be equally adept in curing diseases such as malaria.
A study in the current issue of Science shows that the transmission of malaria via mosquitoes to humans can be interrupted by using a strain of the bacteria Wolbachia in the insects. In a sense, Wolbachia would act as a vaccine of sorts for mosquitoes that would protect them from malaria parasites. Treating mosquitoes would prevent them from transmitting malaria to humans, a disease that in 2010 affected 219 million people and caused an estimated 660,000 deaths. More»
ESPP Student Bonnie McGill wins a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
Kellogg Biological Station Long Term Ecological Research
5-9-2013
The earth and our society face such “gi-normous” problems like climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, food security—what can a little person like me do about it?
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AgBioResearch, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources announce leadership changes
MSU Today
5-2-2013
Former Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources interim dean Doug Buhler has been named director of MSU AgBioResearch and CANR senior associate dean for research. The new appointment was effective May 1.
Steve Pueppke, MSU AgBioResearch director for the past seven years, has been named director of CANR Global and Strategic Initiatives, a new position within the college. He will also continue in his role as MSU associate vice president for research and graduate studies.
The changes were announced April 30 by CANR Dean Fred Poston, who succeeded Buhler from the college leadership post in January. Buhler had served as interim CANR dean since January 2011. Prior to that, he served as CANR associate dean for research, director of Project GREEEN (Generating Research and Extension to Meet Economic and Environmental Needs) and MSU AgBioResearch associate director. More»
U.S. sociologist tracks the politics of climate change
UPI
4-29-2013
Americans who believe scientists on global warming are more likely to support government action on emissions regardless of party affiliation, a study says.
However, Michigan State University sociologist Aaron M. McCright said a political schism remains on the existence of climate change despite a scientific consensus that global warming is real. More»
'Chasing Ice' director views film with students
The State News
4-25-2013
By hosting a showing of documentary “Chasing Ice” last night, Department of Geography chair Alan Arbogast hoped to build awareness, not just for environmental issues, but for the geography major at MSU.
“First of all, we want to show a great film,” Arbogast said. “In the context of that, I want to promote the Department of Geography.”
A free screening of “Chasing Ice” was shown last night at Wells Hall. The documentary, directed by Jeff Orlowski, is the story of environmental photographer James Balog and his mission to open the public’s eyes on climate change. Balog placed time-lapse cameras across the Arctic to show how the world’s glaciers change from year to year.
“In 2013, it seems like a simple and obvious idea, but when he came up with the concept back in 2007, nobody had done timelines of glaciers like he was attempting to do, to get the cameras to get working around the world,” Orlowski said. More»
EPA: Tar sands pipelines should be held to different standards
National Public Radio's All Things Considered
4-24-2013
Michigan State University professor Stephen Hamilton thinks more regulation is needed because of the many ways that a tar sands spill can be more harmful to the environment and people than a conventional oil spill. Another example he cited is that tar sands oil is a lot stickier than conventional crude, so everything it touches, even rocks, cannot be cleaned and needs to be thrown away.
"The consequences and the costs of the cleanup, once it gets into surface water systems as we've seen in the case of the Kalamazoo River, are incredibly high," he says. "And, you know, we'll never get it all out." More»
The Experimental Lakes Area receives support from Ontario premier
International Institute for Sustainable Development
4-24-2013
International Institute for Sustainable Development president and CEO Scott Vaughan today welcomed Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne’s commitment to help save the world-renowned freshwater research facility known as the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA).
In a speech today, Wynne said Ontario will provide operating support and work toward an agreement with IISD and other partners so that the important science conducted in the ELA can continue.
“Premier Wynne’s commitment to the ELA is an important step, and we look forward to working with the province and the federal government on a plan that enables IISD to take over the operations of this extraordinary facility,” said Vaughan.
“What is special about the ELA is that it takes research out of the lab and right into the environment — so the ELA presents a rare opportunity for research, perhaps unique in the world,” said Vaughan.
Owing to its remote location in Northwestern Ontario, the ELA provides a real-world laboratory in which researchers can isolate the effects of specific pollutants on aquatic ecosystems. Over the past four decades, research conducted at the ELA has provided the scientific evidence-base on the environmental effects of acid rain, phosphorous and other pollutants that has informed policy within Canada and around the world. With new pressures like climate change, and poorly understood emerging environmental contaminants such as chromite, nanoparticles and endocrine disrupters, the logic for a research station like ELA is very strong.
“The ELA complements IISD’s work in freshwater management,” said Vaughan.
“If the ELA does come to IISD, we would work with other stakeholders to ensure it remains an independent, world-class research facility that continues to produce leading-edge freshwater ecosystems science in the public domain and in the public interest.”
Vaughan assumed his role as IISD president and CEO at the beginning of April, following five years serving as the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development for Canada. More»
ESPP Affiliated Faculty Dr. Joe Messina receives honorable mention for instructional technology
MSU Today
4-18-2013
Dr. Joe Messina (Geography, Center for Global Change and Earth Observations) has been given an Honorable Mention for Technology Enhancement for his course GEO 826: Geocomputation.
"Technology enables transition from static to dynamic," Dr. Messina said.
The 2013 AT&T Faculty-Staff Award Competition in Instructional Technology honored eight courses to "both recognize and encourage best practices in the use of technology to enhance teaching and learning."
In the coming academic year, these winners will present their innovations to the public in venues such as the Instructional Technology Brown Bag Seminar Series and the Breakfast Series: Conversations in Online and Blended Pedagogy, hosted by MSU IT Services.
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MSU Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies to become Department of Community Sustainability
MSU Today
4-18-2013
As of July 1, the Michigan State University Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies will become the Department of Community Sustainability.
“The change will better capture the essence of the department’s goals and create a framework for its teaching, research and outreach programs for now and the future,” said Fred Poston, dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The multidisciplinary department is revising its undergraduate majors to feature three majors focusing on environmental studies and sustainability; sustainable parks, recreation and tourism; and agriculture, food and natural resource education.
“As part of its evolution and increased More»
Land Policy Institute publishes guidebook on rural water quality
MSU Today
4-18-2013
The Planning and Zoning Center at Michigan State University, a part of the MSU Land Policy Institute, has developed a new planning and zoning guidebook for use by local government officials in very rural parts of Michigan.
John Warbach, LPI associate director, led the project and is a co-author, along with Mark Wyckoff, MSU professor, LPI senior associate director and PZC director; and PZC team members Mark Jones, Ryan Soucy and Jacqueline Spry.
The guidebook provides information about how land development and other activities on the land affect water quality; provides an overview of the entities engaged in water quality protection; provides educational materials on best management practices; and provides sample language for community master plans and zoning ordinances that ensures future development and other land use activities occur with little impact on the quality of water needed for our communities. More»
Red Cedar River at MSU to be stocked with steelhead to enhance fishing on campus
Royal Oak Daily Tribune
4-16-2013
The Department of Natural Resources announced Monday that approximately 3,000 steelhead were stocked this morning in the Red Cedar River at Michigan State University.
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Science festival takes over campus
The State News
4-16-2013
Campus was swarming with children last weekend as they learned about science, from water bugs swimming in small tanks to germinating seeds they could bring home to plant.
After months of planning, the MSU Science Festival came together this weekend and will continue this week.
The first MSU Science Festival began last Friday and goes through next Sunday and includes more than 150 science-related activities, lectures and tours that are free and open to the public. More»
MSU students' projects helps urban garden grow in Detroit
Detroit Free Press
4-15-2013
Michigan State University seniors Annie Melcher and Derell Griffin have been working with residents in the Detroit's Brightmoor neighborhood for more than a year, helping residents maintain an urban garden.
On Sunday, Melcher, 21, and Griffin, 22, joined about 40 other Michigan State students to complete a water-catchment system that will provide a cost-effective, sustainable and eco-friendly way of watering the garden where neighborhood youthslearn to grow and harvest vegetables. More»
New rural water quality protection guidebook prepared by Michigan State University
MSU Extension
4-13-2013
The Planning and Zoning Center at Michigan State University, a part of the Land Policy Institute, has developed a new planning and zoning guidebook for use by local government officials in rural parts of Michigan. More»
Is plastic better than pulp containers for nursery plants?
MSU Extension
4-11-2013
Recent research conducted by Michigan State University Extension specialist Tom Fernandez from the MSU Department of Horticulture evaluated the possibility that pulp-based containers could be a replacement for plastic nursery pots. He is part of a team of researchers from the states of Kentucky, Mississippi, and Texas that have been working on a USDA Specialty Crop Research Initiative project to evaluate the alternative pot options. There is quite a bit of concern over the adaption of pulp-based containers regarding whether they can stand up to the production and shipping rigors in a nursery. We know that the market demand for a more sustainable container is increasing by the end consumer. More»
Bioenergy program receives $125 million renewal grant
The State News
4-9-2013
Students and faculty conducting research in the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, or GLBRC will be able to continue research after receiving a $125 million renewal grant for the next five years from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Since the program started in 2007, Ken Keegstra has seen the research in bioenergy grow tremendously.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for students,” said Keegstra, scientific director for GLBRC at MSU and professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Department of Plant Biology. “It’s a great opportunity for training students both at the undergraduate and graduate level.” More»
Everyone goes green with sustainability
The State News
4-9-2013
For students who attended the U.S. Green Building Council Students Regional Conference this weekend, “Go Green” was more than just a cheer for the university’s colors.
The U.S. Green Building Council, or USGBC, student group at MSU hosted more than 60 students and professionals interested in sustainability on campus for the region’s first conference.
Participants watched movies about sustainable topics Friday, listened to speakers Saturday and took a tour of MSU’s sustainable efforts on campus Sunday. Students learned new ideas for sustainable practices and leadership skills to bring back to their own campus. More»
MSU botanist aids murder investigation
WKAR
4-9-2013
A Michigan State University plant biology professor is playing a unique role in piecing together a tragic West Michigan crime. Dr. Frank Telewski is part of an effort to locate a Ludington infant who was abducted and likely killed by her father in 2011. More»
MSU's new $2.4M fund will develop high-value products from bio-based feedstocks
MSU Today
4-8-2013
Thanks to a $1.09 million grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund, plus matching funds from Michigan State University, several bio-based MSU research projects will be fast-tracked for commercial development over the next three years.
MSU recently received the funding from the Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization program as part of a state-wide initiative to invest in research areas that have shown promise in the laboratory, but need further development in order to become successful in a competitive market. More»
Great Lakes wetlands may mitigate climate change
Great Lakes Echo
4-5-2013
Long valued for biological diversity and flood control, Great Lakes coastal wetlands are now seen as a tool to suck up and store excess carbon dioxide.
It’s an important function as researchers seek to blunt climate change caused by that greenhouse gas. More»
$2.4M fund to develop products from bio-based feedstocks
MSU Research
4-4-2013
Thanks to a $1.09 million grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund, plus matching funds from Michigan State University (MSU), several bio-based MSU research projects will be fast-tracked for commercial development over the next three years.
MSU recently received the funding from the Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (“M-TRAC”) program as part of a state-wide initiative to invest in research areas that have shown promise in the laboratory, but need further development in order to become successful in a competitive market. With MSU’s matching funds, a total of $2.44 million will be focused on MSU biotechnology and bioprocessing innovations that have the potential to create superior value-added products and materials from agricultural-based feedstocks, such as: More»
DOE renews funding for biofuels research partnership
MSU Today
4-4-2013
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded the University of Wisconsin and Michigan State University $125 million to continue their work on advanced biofuels.
The Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, housed at UW-Madison and includes a major partnership with MSU, will use the five-year grant to continue its work providing the basic scientific foundation for the sustainable, large-scale production of advanced cellulosic biofuels technologies to help meet the nation’s growing energy needs.
“GLBRC researchers, in partnership with the state of Wisconsin, the state of Michigan and affiliated industries, have made substantial progress toward developing the next generation of advanced biofuels,” said Tim Donohue, GLBRC director and UW-Madison professor of bacteriology.
“Renewal by the Department of Energy permits us to build on these scientific breakthroughs and accelerate our efforts to develop sustainable biofuels strategies, from growing plants for use as energy feedstocks to exploring novel ways to convert the non-edible components of plants into fuels for the automotive, diesel and aviation sector,” he said.
Rather than focus its effort on designing an ideal biomass crop or a single conversion platform, the GLBRC is taking a holistic “field to fuel approach,” that evaluates the energy efficiency, sustainability and economic viability of several technologies.
“This approach allows farmers or fuel producers in different parts of the country to select the pieces of our technology that work best for their crops, climate or fuels,” said Ken Keegstra, GLBRC scientific director and MSU Distinguished Professor of plant biology and of biochemistry and molecular biology. More»
MSU Students to adminstration: Divest in big oil
Lansing City Pulse
4-4-2013
The gathering may have been small, but the message was big. MSU Fossil Free, a re-launched student environmental group at Michigan State University, called on the school to divest the millions of dollars it has pledged to oil companies.
According to the group’s press release, MSU has “at least $13.8 million of its endowment invested in fossil fuel companies including BP, Canadian Oil Sands, and Shell International through stocks, bonds and asset backed securities.” More»
Are there health impacts from living near animal feeding operations?
MSU Extension
4-3-2013
Animal agriculture has become concentrated in many parts of the country with multiple operations in an area; each feeding large numbers of livestock. With this consolidation has come concern over human health impacts of exposures to odors and gases associated with livestock production, including manure storage and land application of manure to croplands.
A number of studies have considered the impact on human health of living near animal feeding operations. In the 1990s, Susan Schiffman, then a professor at Duke University, conducted studies that showed people who lived near large swine farms in North Carolina self-reported increased incidence of headaches, depression, nausea and vomiting as a result of exposure to odors from swine operations. More recently, a study was conducted by Stacy Sneeringer at Wellesley College that showed that infant mortality increased in communities as livestock inventories increased, based on data available from public health sources and agricultural statistics. More»
Faculty evolve into authors for Darwin book
MSU Today
4-3-2013
Three Michigan State University faculty members have contributed to one of the largest, most comprehensive books focusing on the life, labors and influence of evolutionist Charles Darwin.
The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Darwin and Evolutionary Thought covers Darwin’s background, his groundbreaking theory of evolution and evaluates his influence on science since the publication of his seminal work, On the Origin of Species. More»
Michigan winemakers experiment to get the most out of their grapes
Michigan Radio's Environment Report
4-2-2013
Paolo Sabbatini is with Michigan State University, and his mission is to help grapes thrive in Michigan.
"Every 10 years, you will get three years that will be very, very challenging. So, 30 percent of the time you are going to have problems in Michigan growing grapes or producing quality wines." More»
Great Lakes salmon are the focus of new video series
MSU Extension
4-2-2013
April is an exciting time of year for salmon and trout anglers. Big lake trolling and pier fishing starts off in the southern end of Lake Michigan and the steelhead run is in in full swing in west Michigan streams. Another story unfolds in shoreline eddies, where young wild-spawned Chinook salmon feed on stream insects and put on weight for their journey to Lake Michigan.
The modern Great Lakes salmon fishery began with stocking programs in the late 1960s. At that time, salmon were unable to spawn successfully due to poor water quality, degraded stream habitats, and dams that blocked fish passage or altered river flow. Although salmon are not native to the upper Great Lakes, the Chinook salmon, in particular, has been able to adapt and is now spawning in streams where conditions have improved. More»
Feeding the World's Future
MSU Today
4-1-2013
Researchers at Michigan State University netted a $24.5 million award from the U.S. Agency for International Development, continuing MSU’s long-term commitment to helping developing nations find sustainable and secure food sources.
The main objectives of USAID’s Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Grain Legumes, led by MSU, will be to increase the productivity of beans and other grain legumes (cowpea, chickpea, etc.) by smallholder farmers and to enhance the nutritional quality of diets of the poor in Sub-Saharan Africa, Central America and the United States. More»
Anti-fracking group gears up for new ballot initiative
Great Lakes Echo/Capital News Service
3-28-2013
Warren Wood, a hydrogeologist and geoscience professor at Michigan State University, said there’s “no question” fracking causes earthquakes, but on such a small scale that they cannot be felt in Michigan.
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Agriculture HR resources now available on new MSU FIRM Team website
MSU Extension
3-28-2013
As part of a concerted effort to provide Michigan farmers with tools, educational information, and announcements of upcoming events related to farm business management, the Michigan State University (MSU) Extension Farm Information Resource Management (FIRM) team has recently unveiled a new website.
One of the many resources on the new website is a page dedicated to labor and human resource management. The website was also highlighted at the recent 2013 Annual West Michigan Ag Labor meeting in Allendale, Mich. on March 6, 2013. More»
Measuring Great Lakes water quality today and a century ago
Great Lakes Echo/Current State, WKAR
3-27-2013
It’s been a century since the International Joint Commission conducted a Great Lakes wide bacteriological study. Scientists are now looking to recreate the 1913 study. The 100 years study will assess how water quality in the Basin has changed over time. Lead researcher, Dr. Joan Rose, is the Nowlin Endowed Chair of Water Research, Co-Director of the Center for Water Sciences, and Co-Director of the Center for Advancing Microbial Risk Assessment at Michigan State University. Dr. Rose discusses re-evaluating the Great Lakes.
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Thumbs on the scale
Lansing City Pulse
3-27-2013
Michigan’s large-scale factory farms belly up to the federal Farm Bill for tens of millions of dollars in environmental funds better spent on sustainable farming, according to a report issued Wednesday by the advocacy group Less = More.
At Michigan State University’s Wells Hall last week, a panel of experts, activists and farmers from the group called for public pressure to make Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, or CAFOs, pay their own cleanup costs. More»
CSI: Invasives
Great Lakes Echo
3-26-2013
Great Lakes researchers are using new DNA techniques to track down and control the spread of invasive species.
The techniques are sort of like what you see on all those CSI television dramas where scientists analyze DNA left at the crime scene and use it to prosecute the culprits.
Well, not quite. Fiction is faster, the scientists say. More»
Scientists confirm first two-headed bull shark
MSU Today
3-25-2013
Scientists have confirmed the discovery of the first-ever, two-headed bull shark.
The study, led by Michigan State University and appearing in the Journal of Fish Biology, confirmed the specimen, found in the Gulf of Mexico April 7, 2011, was a single shark with two heads, rather than conjoined twins.
There have been other species of sharks, such as blue sharks and tope sharks, born with two heads. This is the first record of dicephalia in a bull shark, said Michael Wagner, MSU assistant professor of fisheries and wildlife, who confirmed the discovery with colleagues at the Florida Keys Community College. More»
A changing climate's impact on water and water resources
MSU Extension
3-22-2013
Climate change information from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) agree that increased levels of greenhouse gases will impact our environment in many ways. One area of concern is the influence a changing climate will have on precipitation events. For the U.S., climate change models predict northern areas will become wetter while the western and southwest regions of the U.S. will become drier. Models also predict an increase in the frequency of extreme precipitation events, more rain over shorter periods of time. Michigan is within the region of the U.S. where increased precipitation is predicted during the winter and spring seasons but summers are expected to be drier. These anticipated changes in weather patterns have the potential to have a profound impact on agriculture production and soil and water conservation practices. More»
Carnivores, livestock, people share same space in relative peace
MSU Today
3-20-2013
In the southern Rift Valley of Kenya, the Maasai people, their livestock and a range of carnivores – from hyenas to lions and bat-eared foxes – are coexisting fairly happily, according to a visiting scholar at Michigan State University.
“I wouldn’t call the results surprising,” said Meredith Evans Wagner, a visiting scholar from the University of Florida in MSU’s Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability and part of the research team. “Other research has shown that people and carnivores can coexist, but there is a large body of thought that believes carnivores need their own protected space to survive.” More»
Meijer expands Made in Michigan initiative statewide
The Wall Street Journal Market Watch
3-19-2013
Meijer launched the Made in Michigan initiative in January 2012 with the Michigan State University Product Center for Food-Ag-Bio. Its goal is to help strengthen the state's economy by supporting Michigan small businesses. The initial offering of 49 grocery items - including marinara sauce, blueberry butter and gluten-free baking mixes - resulted in an estimated economic impact of $400,000 statewide.
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Michigan State veterinarian awarded USDA grant to study mastitis
Dairyherd Network
3-18-2013
Improving mastitis control, reducing antibiotic use, increasing the economic viability of dairy farms—these are the goals of a research team led by Ronald Erskine, professor in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Science. The researchers, from Michigan State University, University of Pennsylvania, Mississippi State University, and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, have been awarded a grant by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture for a project that aims to reduce antibiotic use among dairy cows by half and instances of mastitis in dairy cows by a third within five years.
Mastitis is the most devastating disease affecting adult dairy cattle in the United States and is the single biggest cause of antimicrobial use in the dairy industry. Mastitis-causing pathogens can be spread from cow to cow during milking, and poor sanitary and health conditions can make transmission easier. That, says Erskine, brings a whole set of costs to producers. More»
Joan Rose appointed to serve on Great Lakes Advisory Board
MSU Today
3-18-2013
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced on behalf of 16 federal agencies the membership of the first advisory board to support implementation of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
Joan Rose, the Homer Nowlin Chair in Water Research at Michigan State University, is one of the individuals named to the Great Lakes Advisory Board for a two-year appointment.
The advisory board will provide advice and recommendations to the EPA administrator, who serves as chair of the federal Interagency Task Force. EPA considered candidates from a broad range of interests including business, agriculture, foundations, environmental justice groups, youth organizations, environmental groups, academia and state, local and tribal representatives. More»
Udderly Helpful Grant Goes to MSU's Vet School
CBS Detroit
3-17-2013
Michigan State University’s school of veterinary medicine has received a $3 million federal grant to continue research on ways to reduce udder infections in dairy cattle.
The five-year grant comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture with the hope of developing an intervention process for dairy operators to prevent the costly infections from occurring. More»
MSU vet receives $3 million for dairy cow disease research
Detroit Free Press
3-17-2013
A Michigan State University veterinarian has received a $3 million federal grant to continue his research on ways to reduce udder infections in dairy cattle.
The university says the five-year grant will let Ron Erskine continue his work on mastitis. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's NationalInstitute of Food is providing the funds. More»
MSU physicist says Higgs hunt may be over
MSU Today
3-14-2013
In an announcement today, scientists said they are now more confident that the particle discovered last year in experiments done at Europe’s Large Hadron Collider is indeed the Higgs boson.
The subject of years of research, the Higgs boson is the elusive particle that is thought to explain what gives mass to matter and how the universe was formed.
Wade Fisher, a Michigan State University assistant professor of physics and astronomy, who has been actively involved in the Higgs boson research, said these are exciting times for particle physicists. More»
Current State: The future of Michigan's climate
Great Lakes Echo
3-13-2013
Climate change is continuing to influence Michigan’s environment. Last March a sudden thaw and freeze devastated the state’s berry crops. While recently, record low water levels have forced the government to spend millions on dredging. Jeff Andresen, Michigan Climatologist and assistant professor of geography at Michigan State University discusses Michigan’s climate future. More»
New grant will fund additional work to reduce mastitis in dairy cows
MSU Today
3-13-2013
Michigan State University AgBioResearch veterinarian Ron Erskine has received a nearly $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture to reduce mastitis and antimicrobial use in dairy cattle.
Mastitis, an infection of a cow’s udder, is the most common infectious disease in dairy cattle in North America. It typically costs between $300 and $600 per infection and adversely affects milk production and animal health. More»
Carnivores, livestock and people manage to share same space, study finds
Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability
3-13-2013
In the southern Rift Valley of Kenya, the Maasai people, their livestock and a range of carnivores, including striped hyenas, spotted hyenas, lions and bat-eared foxes, are coexisting fairly happily according to a team of coupled human and natural systems researchers.
“I wouldn’t call the results surprising,” said Meredith Evans Wagner, a visiting scholar from the University of Florida in the Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability (CSIS) at Michigan State University and part of the research team. “Other research has shown that people and carnivores can coexist, but there is a large body of thought that believes carnivores need their own protected space to survive.”
The paper “Occupancy patterns and niche partitioning within a diverse carnivore community exposed to anthropogenic pressures” was recently published in Biological Conservation. Other authors are Paul Schuette and Scott Creel, of Montana State University, and Aaron Wagner, postdoctoral researcher in the BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action at Michigan State. More»
Lessons from China's environmental front
Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability
3-12-2013
China’s investment of money and decades to stem the tide of environmental destruction and protect its natural resources has done more than save flora and fauna – it has also provided a roadmap for itself and the rest of the world.
Jianguo “Jack” Liu and colleagues at Michigan State University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences take a sweeping look at three enormous programs China has adopted to save natural resources. Their analysis and perspectives are presented in an article in the second edition of “Encyclopedia of Biodiversity,” which was recently released by Elsevier.
The Nature Reserve System – which now is comprised of 2,588 reserves that cover 15 percent of China’s territory -- protects valuable plants, animals and ecosystems, including the endangered giant panda. The Grain to Green Program is an effort to persuade farmers to return cropland to forest and grassland through financial incentives. The National Forest Conservation Program seeks to conserve natural forests by banning logging and creating new forests. More»
MSU, PHYCO2 collaborate on algae demonstration project
Algae Industry Magazine
3-11-2013
Santa Maria, CA-based PHYCO2, an emerging algae growth and carbon dioxide sequestration company, and Michigan State University (MSU), have announced a partnership designed to generate sustainable, clean energy sources through a new method to produce algae.
The partnership will demonstrate the patent-pending PHYCO2-developed technology to sequester CO2, reclaim water and continuously grow multiple types of algae at an accelerated rate without sunlight. The goal of the demonstration project is to meet the growing demand for algae for biofuels, pharmaceuticals, foods and other purposes. More»
Home Toxic Home
MSU Today
3-8-2013
Most organisms would die in the volcanic sulfur pools of Yellowstone and Mount Etna. Robust simple algae call it home, and their secrets to survival could advance human medicine and bioremediation.
Mike Garavito, Michigan State University professor of biochemistry and molecular biology was part of a research team that revealed how primitive red algae use horizontal gene transfer, in essence stealing useful genes from other organisms to evolve and thrive in harsh environments. More»
Two years after disaster, problems remain in Japan
MSU Today
3-8-2013
The earthquake and tsunami that claimed some 20,000 lives and caused a nuclear power plant crisis at Fukushima two years ago may seem like distant memories to many in the United States.
But for the people of northeastern Japan struggling to rebuild and recover, the March 11, 2011, triple disasters are ongoing concerns, said Ethan Segal, Michigan State University associate professor of history and an expert on East Asia.
Some Japanese residents are still living in temporary housing, unsure if it is safe and unable to borrow the needed capital to rebuild, Segal said.
Imperfect decontamination measures make it unclear if communities around Fukushima will ever be able to return, while a lack of consumer confidence in products from the northeast means that businesses struggle and unemployment remains high, he added.
"There are hopeful signs of recovery," Segal said, "but many problems remain unresolved."
Segal will be part of a panel that will commemorate the two-year anniversary of the Japan disasters on March 18 at MSU. Read more here.
Segal can be reached at (517) 884-4926 and segale@msu.edu. More»
MSU, PHYCO2 collaborate on algae growth demonstration project
MSU Today
3-4-2013
Michigan State University and PHYCO2, an emerging algae growth and carbon dioxide sequestration company, have announced a partnership designed to generate sustainable, clean-energy sources through a new method to produce algae.
The technology will be tested at MSU’s Simon Power Plant, in coordination with researchers Wei Liao and Susie Liu, faculty members in MSU’s Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering. More»
Michigan State University to celebrate the great outdoors
WILX-10
3-2-2013
Michigan State University is set to host the 98th annual Agriculture and Natural Resources Week.
This year's edition is to get under way on Saturday and run through March 9.
ANR Week is held on the school's East Lansing campus.
It features meetings, workshops and conferences on the topics of agriculture, horticulture and natural resources. More»
Reps from 6 countries say 'yes' to MSU initiative addressing global food challenges
MSU Today
3-1-2013
Representatives from six countries recently met and agreed to launch The Global Innoversity, a Michigan State University-led initiative to develop innovative ways to address the challenges and opportunities of sustainably feeding the populations of large metropolitan regions around the world.
Participants from Detroit, Hyderabad, Nairobi, Johannesburg, the Netherlands, and Singapore convened in Detroit Feb. 25-28. They exchanged ideas, identified priorities and discussed funding options for the initiative. They also witnessed programs in food, agriculture and related resources already under way in Detroit. More»
MSU leads effort to address food challenges
WSBT-TV
3-1-2013
Michigan State University is leading an effort to help develop sustainable ways of feeding people in large metropolitan areas around the world.
The East Lansing school says representatives from the U.S., India, Kenya, South Africa, the Netherlands and Singapore met this week in Detroit. They agreed to launch an effort called The Global Innoversity. Officials from Detroit also are participating in the effort.
Participants want to promote local economic development, land recovery and food security. An aim is to ensure metropolitan regions can meet the food demands of populations projected in 2050. FoodPlus Detroit was created in June as part of the effort.
Faculty from Michigan State University's colleges including Agriculture and Natural Resources are involved, as well as MSU AgBioResearch and MSU Extension. More»
Michigan's endangered species fight for their lives
Lansing State Journal
2-28-2013
Ever heard of the wavy-rayed lampmussel? The silver shiner? How about the Dickcissel?
You may not have heard of them, but if you see one, it’s a big deal. They’re among dozens of endangered and threatened species in Michigan.
It has been just over a year since the state’s most notable endangered animal — the Great Lakes gray wolf — was removed from protected status. The wolf’s recovery has been hailed as one of the biggest conservation success stories since the endangered species list was created in the 1960s.
But there are still plenty of species nearing extinction in Michigan. Here are some prominent ones. More»
'Fat Worms' inch scientists toward better biofuel production
MSU Today
2-27-2013
Fat worms confirm that researchers from Michigan State University have successfully engineered a plant with oily leaves -- a feat that could enhance biofuel production as well as lead to improved animal feeds.
The results, published in the current issue of The Plant Cell, the journal of the American Society of Plant Biologists, show that researchers could use an algae gene involved in oil production to engineer a plant that stores lipids or vegetable oil in its leaves – an uncommon occurrence for most plants.
Traditional biofuel research has focused on improving the oil content of seeds. One reason for this focus is because oil production in seeds occurs naturally. Little research, however, has been done to examine the oil production of leaves and stems, as plants don't typically store lipids in these tissues.
Christoph Benning, MSU professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, led a collaborative effort with colleagues from the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center. The team's efforts resulted in a significant early step toward producing better plants for biofuels. More»
USDA invests in research to end hunger and address food security challenges
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
2-27-2013
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan visited South Dakota State University today to announce more than $75 million in grants for research, education and extension activities to ensure greater food security in the United States and around the world. The awards were made to teams at 21 U.S. universities to conduct research that will find solutions to increasing food availability and decreasing the number of food insecure individuals. Merrigan announced the awards at the university’s campus in Brookings, S.D., with university president David L. Chicoine and Barry Dunn, dean of the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences.
Michigan State University is receiving two grants - one for $2,989,032 and a second for $2,913,199. More»
Ancient lamprey DNA decoded
MSU Today
2-24-2013
When it comes to evolution, humans can learn a thing or two from primeval sea lampreys.
In the current issue of Nature Genetics, a team of scientists has presented an assembly of the sea lamprey genome – the first time the entire sequence has been decoded. The data is compelling as the sea lamprey is one of the few ancient, jawless species that has survived through the modern era.
More»
MSU in Enviance's 'Sustainable 16' contest
The State News
2-19-2013
College basketball’s March Madness won’t start for another month, but MSU already is competing for the title of national champion.
MSU recently was named one of Enviance’s “Sustainable 16,” part of the Second Annual Environmental March Madness tournament. The tournament is designed to highlight universities’ efforts to become more sustainable on campus and in the classroom. The winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize. More»
Malawi's bountiful harvests and healthier children
MSU Today
2-16-2013
hrough research led by Michigan State University, crop yields have increased dramatically. The children of Ekwendi, Malawi, also have gained weight and are taller. These improvements bring smiles to Sieglinde Snapp, MSU ecologist, and other researchers who have worked in Malawi for many years.
Snapp, a crop and soil scientist at MSU's Kellogg Biological Station, shared the secrets of the initiative's success at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Feb. 14-18 in Boston.
One of the focal points of her research has been improvements in crop diversity and soil health, which have increased yields. Snapp has worked with local scientists, hospital staff and extension workers to rotate cereal grains with bushy legumes, which sparks soil improvement without relying solely on fertilizers. More»
Avoiding virus dangers in 'domesticating' wild plants for biofuel use
MSU Today
2-15-2013
In a presentation at this year’s meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Michigan State University plant biologist >strong
Michigan State University investigates Yucatan water quality
The Yucatan Times
2-15-2013
Researchers from Michigan State University have expressed interest to develop closer ties and cooperation with the Yucatan State Government in issues related to public health and the care of water, which would result in greater benefits for the people of Yucatan. More»
Antibiotic use in animals affect global human health
MSU Research
2-13-2013
The increasing production and use of antibiotics, about half of which are used in animal production, is mirrored by the growing number of antibiotic resistance genes, or ARGs, effectively reducing antibiotics’ ability to fend off diseases - in animals and humans. More»
Effort enlists citizens to shine light on light pollution
Great Lakes Echo
2-13-2013
Light may be one of the most overlooked environmental threats to the Great Lakes, according to a project that recently mapped them.
Researchers with the Great Lakes Environmental Assessment and Mapping Project mapped environmental stressors to the Great Lakes, including light pollution.
Excessive lighting disrupts wildlife habits and habitats, said David Allan, a professor with the School of Natural Resources and Environment at the University of Michigan who led the project. More»
Book shows evolution that joins human and environmental sciences
MSU Today
2-12-2013
Emilio Moran, who most recently was featured for his rainforest conservation work in Campinas, Brazil on MSU’s SPARTANS WILL. 360 site, is co-editor of a new book “Human-Environmental Interactions.”
Moran, Visiting Hannah Professor in the Department of Geography at MSU, makes the case that people – their motivations and indeed, how they feel – are indispensable data when it comes to saving the planet and addressing environmental problems. More»
Students campaign for 100 percent renewable energy
The State News
2-10-2013
Bundled in her striped wool mittens, printed scarf and foggy glasses, Laura Drotar stood poised with her clipboard, battling the weather while fighting for the environment.
On Friday afternoon near the rock on Farm Lane, the history, philosophy and sociology of science sophomore petitioned beside other members of MSU Greenpeace and Paulie the polar bear, asking passing students to sign a petition to expedite and better clarify MSU’s Energy Transition Plan. More»
Environmentalists Angry with Michigan State for Dumping Coal Ash
WILX-TV
2-7-2013
Under the feet of Spartan students is something they may not expect- coal ash from the 1960s. Before research and regulations on the material went public, the university dumped ash from the T.B. Power Plant at a few sites around campus.
"It was coal ash produced historically and then used as construction fill, so in order to build up the land they disposed of this construction fill," explained Susan Harley, the Michigan Policy Director for the Clean Water Fund.
In 2007, one of these coal ash sites was unearthed when MSU began construction on an overpass. The university moved some of this coal ash to Granger Landfill and some to MSU's police firearms training facility on Jolly Road. More»
MSU Student pursues patent for Current Tidal
The State News
2-7-2013
While on an internship in the New Mexican desert in Albuquerque, N.M., in 2011, an idea sparked within Jonathan DiClemente. He wanted to put windmill-type turbines in the oceans to create energy from tidal shifts, the mechanical engineering senior said.
DiClemente said he had no clue his idea would inspire and lead him to be CEO of his own company, Current Tidal, which retrofits dams to make energy. He’ll do anything to protect it. More»
Unique hen research facility lays one of a kind opportunity
The State News
2-7-2013
For animal science junior Justin Warchuck, nothing is wrong with being a little chicken, or egg-headed for that matter.
With the December addition of the nations only Laying Hen Poultry Research facility, Warchuck has a unique chance to study the science behind the widely consumed egg.
“Most people eat omelets for breakfast,” Warchuck said. “Whether you’re eating McDonald’s or buying eggs from the supermarket, More»
New Grant Aims to Help Control Deadly Dairy Cattle Disease
MSU Today
2-7-2013
A Michigan State AgBioResearch animal scientist is among a group of researchers who have received a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture to study the genetic basis of resistance or susceptibility to Johne’s disease throughout the next five years.
Paul Coussens, a professor in the MSU departments of Animal Science and Microbiology and Molecular Genetics and director of the MSU Molecular Pathogenesis Laboratory is working on the project with C. Titus Brown, an assistant professor in the MSU departments of Computer Science and Engineering, and Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, and Brian W. Kirkpatrick, an animal sciences professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. More»
Activists call on MSU to 'retire' coal plant, properly dispose of toxic ash
Lansing State Journal
2-6-2013
Student activists and others today called on Michigan State University to retire its coal plant and properly dispose of toxic coal ash that was buried on campus.
The coal ash was first discovered in 2007 during an excavation of what is now called Recycling Drive, according to a news release from the group Clean Energy Now.
Although some of the coal ash was properly disposed of in a landfill, more than 92,000 cubic yards was relocated to the university police training facility on Jolly Road, the news release said. More»
MSU colleague finishes deceased friend's book, and state takes notice
Detroit Free Press
2-3-2013
Longtime Michigan State University Museum curator J. Alan Holman died in 2006 before putting the finishing touches on his new book, "The Amphibians and Reptiles of Michigan."
It was a labor of love for his colleague and friend, Jim Harding, to help complete some details so the book could be published.
"He wanted it to be special," Harding said.
And it is -- or at least a panel of readers from across the state thinks so.
"The Amphibians and Reptiles of Michigan," which includes 54 creatures, landed on the 2013 list of Michigan Notable Books -- 20 titles that include photography, poetry, memoirs, novels and reference works such as Holman's. More»
The Cutting Edge: Campus churns out unique, compelling research, touching lives across the world
The State News
1-25-2013
At MSU, the overflow of research almost is seductive. The university attracts expert researchers from across the world, prides itself on having many unearthed scientific discoveries and budgeted more than $500 million for research in the 2011-12 academic year. More»
Panel of Experts Convenes at Michigan State University for The Intelligent Use of Water Summit XIII: Play on! Water Issues in Today's Sport Turf Environment
EON Business Wire
1-24-2013
urfgrass, environmental and water conservation experts gathered at Michigan State University this morning for a panel discussion examining the science and application sides of turf management in a water sensitive environment at Rain Bird’s Intelligent Use of Water Summit XIII: “Play on! Water Issues in Today’s Sport Turf Environment.” More»
Face time: Xiaobo Tan, Robotic Fish Developer
The State News
1-18-2013
Xiaobo Tan, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, created a robotic fish, or robofish, named Grace that can glide long distances and collect data for research. More»
New water-saving technology nearly doubles harvests
MSU Research
1-17-2013
During last summer’s drought in Michigan – the worst in the last half-century – Michigan State University researchers nearly doubled corn production on state test farms using a process that inserts soil water-saving membranes below plant root zones.
The subsurface water retention technology (SWRT) process developed by Alvin Smucker, MSU professor of soil biophysics and an AgBioResearch scientist, uses contoured, engineered films, strategically placed at various depths below a plant’s root zone to retain soil water. The SWRT membrane spacing also permits internal drainage during excess rainfall and provides space for root growth. More»
New water-saving technology nearly doubles harvests
MSU Research
1-17-2013
During last summer’s drought in Michigan – the worst in the last half-century – Michigan State University researchers nearly doubled corn production on state test farms using a process that inserts soil water-saving membranes below plant root zones.
The subsurface water retention technology (SWRT) process developed by Alvin Smucker, MSU professor of soil biophysics and an AgBioResearch scientist, uses contoured, engineered films, strategically placed at various depths below a plant’s root zone to retain soil water. The SWRT membrane spacing also permits internal drainage during excess rainfall and provides space for root growth. More»
Marginal lands are prime fuel source for alternative energy
MSU Today
1-16-2013
arginal lands – those unsuited for food crops – can serve as prime real estate for meeting the nation’s alternative energy production goals.
In the current issue of Nature, a team of researchers led by Michigan State University shows that marginal lands represent a huge untapped resource to grow mixed species cellulosic biomass, plants grown specifically for fuel production, which could annually produce up to 5.5 billion gallons of ethanol in the Midwest alone.
"Understanding the environmental impact of widespread biofuel production is a major unanswered question both in the U.S. and worldwide," said Ilya Gelfand, lead author and MSU postdoctoral researcher. “We estimate that using marginal lands for growing cellulosic biomass crops could provide up to 215 gallons of ethanol per acre with substantial greenhouse gas mitigation.” More»
Ordinance change brings fishing back to Red Cedar River on Michigan State's campus for first time since 1960s
MLive Lansing
1-15-2013
For the first time in a half-century, fishing is legal on the campus of Michigan State University.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced Tuesday a local ordinance adopted in the 1960s outlawing fishing on campus has officially been amended. MSU's Board of Trustees voted in December to change the ordinance to accommodate hook-and-line fishing from the Red Cedar River between the western edge of Brody Complex and the bridge connecting West Circle Drive to Chestnut Road (sometimes referred to as the Sparty Bridge as the Spartan statue adorns the south end). More»
Lansing-based MBI gets $2.5M grant to study biofuels
Lansing State Journal
1-14-2013
A nonprofit company affiliated with Michigan State University has been awarded a $2.5 million federal grant to study how corn sugars can be better converted into biofuels.
Lansing-based MBI and Novozymes, a global biotechnology company, were awarded the funding by the U.S. Department of Energy earlier this month.
MBI chief business officer Allen Julian said the biotech industry still face challenges in handling and transporting biomass, like corn stover, en route to refineries and then actually refining it in a cost-effective way so it can be used for bio-based fuels. More»
MSU biofuels expert makes list of Top 100 people in bioenergy
MSU Today
1-11-2013
Michigan State University AgBioResearch scientist Bruce Dale was recently ranked 22th - and was the top-ranked academic - on BioFuels Digest's list of Top 100 People in Bioenergy.
The list was determined by votes from readers of the magazine and the magazine’s editorial board.
This marks the third year Dale, a professor in the MSU Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, has received recognition in the top 100. More»
Recycled tailpipe heat may power car
Capital News Service/Great Lakes Echo
1-10-2013
It may soon be possible to use wasted heat from your vehicle’s tailpipe to power electronics in your car, thanks to a new thermoelectric material developed by researchers in Michigan.
That’s just one of many potential uses of the new material, which is based on tetrahedrites, natural minerals found in abundance. More»
Faculty Conversations: Jonathan Walton
MSU Today
1-10-2013
Jonathan Walton joined the Michigan State University faculty more than 25 years ago.
He’s been busy ever since.
In addition to teaching Plant Biology 415, which covers topics ranging from plant hormones to photosynthesis, he’s a guest lecturer in other courses around campus. He also is the director of the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, More»
MSU awarded $349,695 for bioenergy and biobased products
Huron County View
1-10-2013
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced $10 million in research grants to 29 universities to spur production of bioenergy and biobased products that will lead to the development of sustainable regional systems and help create jobs. Vilsack highlighted the announcement today with a visit to Michigan State University, a grant awardee of $349,695. More»
Anthony Hall going green after trustee vote
The State News
1-9-2013
This spring, Anthony Hall is getting an interior cleanse to make the building more energy efficient.
As a part of fulfilling MSU’s campus-wide Energy Transition Plan, the MSU Board of Trustees unanimously passed a $7 million plan to retrofit Anthony Hall with sustainability renovations at its last meeting in December 2012.
Construction is set to begin in May 2013 with substantial completion in November 2013 and final completion in May 2015, according to the meeting agenda. More»
Michigan dunes about half as young as initially thought
MSU Today
1-9-2013
Using new lighting technology, Michigan State University researchers found Lake Michigan’s northern coastal dunes to be much younger than previously thought.
In a new book by Alan Arbogast, MSU geography chair, new evidence estimates the age of Lake Michigan’s northern coast dunes between 3,500 and 2,000 years old. This is compared to eastern Lake Michigan’s southern dunes, which were formed about 5,000 years ago. More»
Tax credit extension & more uses for treated sewage
Michigan Radio
1-8-2013
ESPP affiliated faculty Dawn Reinhold, assistant professor of biosystems and agricultural engineering, explains the use of biosolids on Michigan Radio's The Environment Report. More»
Unique creature focus of MSU professor's research
The State News
1-8-2013
It’s common for many to think of MSU and jump to cows, horses, pigs -— any type of animal research — as an area of the university’s expertise.
But, some might be surprised to hear MSU’s knowledge expands far beyond the barn fence and into the African Savannah.
And we aren’t talking elephants or cheetahs, something standard: We are talking hyenas.
Hyenas, the Lion King-associated laughing creature, are world-recognized zoology professor Kay Holekamp’s area of expertise. More»
Captive hyenas outfox wild relatives
MSU Today
1-7-2013
When it comes to solving puzzles, animals in captivity are, well, different animals than their wild brethren.
Testing animals’ ability to solve new problems has been historically conducted on animals in captivity. Only recently has a shift been made to run these tests on animals in their natural habitat. In a study appearing in Animal Behaviour, however, researchers at Michigan State University found vast differences in the problem solving skills between captive and wild spotted hyenas.
Applying lessons learned from captive animals is potentially problematic because they may not accurately portray how wild animals respond to novel challenges, said Sarah Benson-Amram, former MSU zoology graduate student and the study’s lead author. More»
MSU Sustainability Report: Spartans work to grow greener each year
MLive
1-7-2013
Michigan State’s Director of Campus Sustainability Jennifer Battle discusses the university’s Environmental Stewardship Report for 2012, which highlights energy, transportation, supply chain, water, engagement and the future of a greener university. More»
Renowned Environmental Scientist Joins MSU
MSU Today
1-3-2013
Emilio F. Moran, a pioneer in the field of environmental research, will join the Michigan State University faculty today, becoming just the 11th Spartan that is a member of the National Academy of Sciences.
Moran, recruited from Indiana University, is one of only a few anthropologists worldwide to address the complex relationship between people and environmental change. His research has received more than $22 million in external grant funding, a remarkable figure for a social scientist. More»
Richard Lunt Wins NSF CAREER Grant
College of Engineering
1-3-2013
Richard Lunt, assistant professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at Michigan State University, has received a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award.
Funding from this five-year, $409,800 grant, which began January 1, 2013, will support Lunt's work in the development of transparent photovoltaics (PVs), a new paradigm for solar energy harvesting.
The project will develop a new class of near-infrared excitonic semiconductors, which can be utilized to selectively capture and convert ultraviolet and near-infrared light into electricity, and design the next generation of high efficiency transparent solar cells. More»
MSU to make its oldest science building Anthony Hall energy efficient with $7 million overhaul
Detroit Free Press
12-26-2012
Michigan State University is trying to turn one of its oldest science buildings into a model of energy efficiency under a new $7 million project at Anthony Hall.
Anthony Hall opened in 1957, and the Michigan State trustees voted Dec. 14 to begin work on improving its energy use.
The university says the goal is to cut energy consumption by 37 percent and says the work will pay for itself in 10 to 13 years.
The project's features include more efficient air ventilation in laboratories, cooling tower improvements and a conversion to direct digital climate controls. More»
Amazon deforestation affects more than originally thought
MSU Today
12-26-2012
An international team of researchers has revealed a new concern about deforestation in the Amazon rainforest – a troubling loss in the diversity among the microbial organisms responsible for a functioning ecosystem.
The group, which includes a professor from Michigan State University, sampled a 100 square kilometer area, about 38 square miles, in the Fazenda Nova Vida site in Rondônia, Brazil, a location where rainforest has been converted to agricultural use. The findings in part validated previous research showing bacteria in the soil became more diverse over the years as it was converted to pasture. More»
MSU lifts fishing ban for portion of Red Cedar
Lansing State Journal
12-21-2012
Coho and Chinook salmon run up the Red Cedar River in the fall, steelhead in the spring. The portion of the river that meanders through Michigan State University’s campus supports healthy numbers of largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegills and sunfish and walleye. More»
Challenging us to be more energy efficient
MSU Today
12-20-2012
Michigan State University has begun an energy-conservation project on one of its oldest science buildings, a project that could eventually reduce energy use by 30 percent and save millions of dollars.
At its Dec. 14 meeting, the MSU Board of Trustees gave the university the go-ahead to start the work on Anthony Hall. Among the energy-saving measures to be addressed: More efficient air ventilation in laboratories, cooling tower improvements and a conversion to direct digital climate controls. More»
WhadayaKnow? How can we improve water quality in the Great Lakes?
Great Lakes Echo
12-17-2012
This week’s expert is Jon Bartholic, director of the Institute of Water Research at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich.
He is also a professor in the departments of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies and Crop and Soil Sciences at MSU. More»
MSU Trustees move ahead with Facility for Rare Isotope Beams project
The State News
12-14-2012
The MSU Board of Trustees approved plans for the university to spend $26 milion for FRIB’s next step toward completion.
According to the meeting agenda, FRIB’s current electrical cables from the T.B. Simon Power Plant will not support the facility’s future power needs.
The plan would implement an “encased duct bank” from the power plant to FRIB that would have the capacity to transmit up to 25 megawatts of power.
“FRIB is not something you can plug into your wall socket in your house,” MSU Vice President for Finance and Operations Fred Poston said, chuckling during the meeting. “It takes a lot to support.”
This new duct bank also would facilitate some of MSU’s future power needs, and is a critical component in the FRIB project, according to the meeting agenda.
This is another piece in the project’s puzzle for completion. The entire cost of the FRIB project is $680 million, and it is supported by state and federal funds, specifically from the U.S. Department of Energy. More»
MSU to share $10 million federal research grant to develop bio-energy, bio-based products
The Detroit News
12-14-2012
Michigan State University is one of more than 20 universities to share $10 million in federal research grants to spur production of bio-energy and bio-based products, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Friday.
Michigan State — the only Michigan recipient — will receive $349,695 for projects that Vilsack said will lead to the development of sustainable regional systems and create jobs.
More»
Chestnuts roasting on a ... CT scanner?
MSU Today
12-13-2012
In an effort to make sure chestnuts make it to market in good condition, a team of Michigan State University researchers is working to develop a noninvasive method of detecting internal decay in the fruit (despite the name, chestnuts are technically a fruit).
What the researchers are doing is assessing the various imaging techniques currently available.
“We can’t destroy the product, so we are testing some of the same technologies that the medical world uses,” said Daniel Guyer, professor of biosystems and agricultural engineering who is leading the research team. More»
Faculty conversations: Kay Holekamp
MSU Today
12-13-2012
Kay Holekamp, a world-renowned expert on hyenas, recently was named a fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science – an honor she said she always hoped to achieve.
“It’s a recognition by my fellow scientists that the work I do is interesting and represents a substantial contribution to understanding nature,” said Holekamp, University Distinguished Professor of zoology.
Holekamp received the honor for her contributions to animal behavior, particularly for her work with hyenas. More»
MSU Trustees To Take Up Rare Isotope Lab
WLNS Channel 6
12-12-2012
The Michigan State University Board of Trustees meets Friday to consider whether to go ahead with construction of a new phase of a $600 million federally backed physics research facility.
The board is scheduled to vote on plans for building a 25 megawatt electrical duct bank for the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams project. More»
Laying hen facility opens new doors for research achievements at MSU
College of Agriculture & Natural Resources
12-12-2012
The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at Michigan State University (MSU) recently opened its new Laying Hen Poultry Research facility. The facility – the only one of its kind in the country – features more than 17,500 square feet of space and houses nearly 7,000 birds.
“This is a very exciting day for our students, faculty and staff,” said Janice Swanson, chair of the university’s Department of Animal Science, on the facility’s opening. “Since our founding, we’ve been leading the way in research that changes people’s lives. This facility demonstrates our commitment to research that continues to change lives, not only in Michigan but around the world.” More»
Great Lakes Protection Fund issues request for pre-proposals
ESPP
12-11-2012
The Great Lakes Protection Fund seeks to support a suite of projects that
design, deploy, and evaluate information technology-supported initiatives
that permit individuals, institutions, and/or private corporations to make
healthier choices for the Great Lakes ecosystem.
The Fund believes that new or existing information technology can connect
behaviors to ecosystem outcomes and push the collection of individual,
seemingly isolated behaviors towards a tipping point that improves Great
Lakes health. We want to support a number of project teams willing to test
specific applications of this hypothesis.
More»
Could the Farm Bill Devastate America's Birds?
New York Times
12-11-2012
Mark Rey, executive in residence at MSU's Department of Fisheries and Wildlife publishes an opinion piece in the New York Times that questions the impact on the latest federal farm bill on migratory birds. More»
Mastering Scientific Mumbo Jumbo
University Relations
12-6-2012
Warning: This class will teach students to translate scientific mumbo jumbo into understandable phrases.
Michigan State University’s first, free Massive Open Online Course, or MOOC, also promises to then teach students “to speak mumbo jumbo and amaze your friends.”
Tongue-in-cheek humor aside, Foundations of Science is intended to help students improve critical thinking skills and empower them to make intelligent decisions. If they happen to laugh along the way, that’s all the better, said Stephen Thomas, MSU assistant professor of zoology and one of the course creators. More»
Tackling urban sustainability on global scale
Phys.org
12-5-2012
As the world's urban areas continue to grow, evidenced by rampant poverty and squalor from Shanghai to Rio de Janeiro, the question becomes: How can we focus on protecting environmental resources for future generations when so many kids are dying today?
That's the dilemma posed by "Urban Sustainability," a new collection of essays by eminent scholars from around the globe. The 714-page book, edited by Michigan State University's Igor Vojnovic, probes the balance between managing city growth, environmental degradation and inequality.
More»
MSU Extension offers Agriculture Review at Taymouth Township Hall
Mlive Saginaw
12-5-2012
The Michigan State University Extension offers its 2012 Agriculture Review from 8:30 a.m. to noon Monday, Dec. 10, at Taymouth Township Hall, 4343 E. Birch Run.
Topics include corn trials, soybean trials, forage trials, wheat trials and bio-energy. Information is presented by Thumb Region field crop educators Mark Seamon, Bob Battel, Phil Kaatz and Martin Nagelkirk. More»
Michigan State University Thermoelectric Materials Research Aims for Low-cost Energy Capture
Huffington Post
12-5-2012
Researchers at Michigan State University are working on a new low-cost approach to recapturing the heat energy that is lost in car exhaust and many other industrial processes, in search of a way to improve efficiency and decrease waste.
The team is using a material based on very common naturally occurring minerals called tetrahedrites to make thermoelectric materials that have the ability to convert heat into electricity.
The project's leader is Don Morelli, a professor of chemical engineering and materials science who heads Michigan State's Center for Revolutionary Materials for Solid State Energy Conversion. More»
Great Lakes problems playing out on region's beaches
Great Lakes Echo
12-5-2012
Great Lakes beaches are known for breathtaking vistas and recreational activities that drive the region’s tourism economy, but a growing number of experts are viewing those same beaches as important indicators of ecosystem health.
“Beaches are a window to the Great Lakes,” said Cameron Davis, senior advisor to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson, at a recent Great Lakes Beach Association conference. More»
Leader in global fisheries sustainability to visit MSU
University Relations
12-5-2012
Ian Cowx, an internationally renowned champion of conserving global freshwater fish communities and fisheries, will deliver the 2012 Rachel Carson Distinguished Lecture at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 12 in the Red Cedar Room of the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center.
As a fisheries ecologist, Cowx is known for his blend of research and teaching and for being a dynamic advocate for the scientific understanding and management of the world's freshwater fisheries.
A professor of applied fisheries science and director of Hull International Fisheries Institute at the University of Hull in the United Kingdom, Cowx has trained more than 30 Ph.D. and 300 master's students from more than 80 countries. His current research focuses on fish capture techniques, stock assessment for management purposes, rehabilitation of inland fisheries and aquatic resource management planning. More»
State's poinsettia growers aim to get on more shoppers' holiday lists
Crain's Detroit Business
12-4-2012
The economic importance of the plant is one of the messages of a campaign, now in its second year, to promote the purchase of live, Michigan-grown poinsettias and Christmas trees. The "Make It a Real Michigan Christmas" campaign, supported by a $75,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture specialty-crop grant, is an effort by the Michigan Christmas Tree Association, Michigan Floriculture Growers Council and Michigan Floral Association, in conjunction with the AgBioResearch department at Michigan State University. More»
MSU promotes, leads in sustainability
The State News
12-2-2012
MSU always has made a commitment to the environment, pledging not only to cheer “Go green,” but to operate in an environmentally conscious manner.
Now, as the world continues to grow in population while resources remain limited, MSU is committing to making campus living more sustainable by reducing waste and promoting environmentally friendly habits among the student body.
The university has embraced a multitude of environmentally friendly practices, including a Clean Plates at State program, which encourages students to be mindful of how much food they are taking and how much food they are leaving on their plate at the end of a meal. More»
MSU: Catching waste energy with common materials
Lansing State Journal
12-2-2012
Researchers at Michigan State University are working on a new low-cost approach to recapturing the heat energy that is lost in car exhaust and many other industrial processes, in search of a way to improve efficiency and decrease waste.
The team is using a material based on very common naturally occurring minerals called tetrahedrites to make thermoelectric materials that have the ability to convert heat into electricity.
The project’s leader is Don Morelli, a professor of chemical engineering and materials science who heads Michigan State’s Center for Revolutionary Materials for Solid State Energy Conversion More»
Clean and green
MSU officials, students partnering to drive campus sustainability effort
The State News
11-27-2012
From a new Be Spartan Green Fund that provides grants for student sustainability projects to MSU’s Energy Transition Plan, it seems Spartans are working hard to become even greener. More»
Energy savings - easy as dirt, heat, pressure
Phys.org
11-27-2012
MSU researcher Donald Morelli leads a team that has developed a new thermoelectrical material. The materials are used in cars, computers and other devices to capture waste heat are turn it into useable energy. More»
Hearty organisms discovered in bitter-cold Antarctic brine
University Relations
11-26-2012
Where there’s water there’s life – even in brine beneath 60 feet of Antarctic ice, in permanent darkness and subzero temperatures.
While Lake Vida, located in the northernmost of the McMurdo Dry Valleys of East Antarctica, will never be a vacation destination, it is home to some newly discovered hearty microbes. In the current issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, Nathaniel Ostrom, Michigan State University zoologist, has co-authored “Microbial Life at -13ºC in the Brine of an Ice-Sealed Antarctic Lake."
Ostrom was part of a team that discovered an ancient thriving colony, which is estimated to have been isolated for more than 2,800 years. They live in a brine of more than 20 percent salinity that has high concentrations of ammonia, nitrogen, sulfur and supersaturated nitrous oxide – the highest ever measured in a natural aquatic environment. More»
MSU Christmas tree team helps Mich. tree growers
The State News
11-26-2012
Across the state, Michigan tree growers just completed one of their busiest weeks — the week of Thanksgiving, when they prepare their trees to be sold across the country — and likely won’t see a break until after the holidays.
But the trees just don’t appear overnight, and many Michigan tree growers seek help from MSU’s Christmas Tree Area of Expertise Team, or Christmas Tree AoE, as they care for trees on their farms year-round, said Marsha Gray, executive director of the Michigan Christmas Tree Association.
Michigan is the third-largest tree-growing state and exports pines across the U.S., Gray said. More»
Summer drought causes hay shortage in Michigan
Ventura County Star
11-24-2012
The Michigan State University Extension estimates overall hay yields dropped 15 to 30 percent in the Midwest.
The lower yields forced prices upward. Hay costs $2 to $6 per bale in a normal year, but now is anywhere from $6 to $15, said Don Coe, a managing partner of Black Star Farms in Leelanau County. Coe sits on the Michigan Commission of Agriculture & Rural Development.
More»
EPA grant to lamprey testing
Traverse City Record-Eagle
11-24-2012
A $392,000 Environmental Protection Agency grant will pay for testing sea lamprey repellent on three to-be-named spawning streams in the state.
The project is expected to be completed within the 10 years the EPA requires.
Sea lamprey are attracted to the smell of their young and repulsed by the stench of their dead, said Michael Wagner, lead researcher on the project and an assistant professor of fisheries and wildlife at Michigan State University. More»
Experiments That Keep Going and Going and Going
KUHF-FM 88.7 (Houston, TX)
11-23-2012
Richard Lenski began his evolution experiment in 1988 with a simple question: Does evolution always lead to the same end point? If he started with 12 identical flasks, full of identical bacteria, would they all change over time in the same way? Or would random mutations send each bottle's population spinning off in a different direction? More»
MSU experts study mystery of ornamental animals
Lansing State Journal
11-22-2012
Evolutionary biologists long have puzzled over the hows and whys of cartoonishly large animal ornaments: the tail of the peacock, the tumescent pincer claws of some crab species, supersized spreads of antlers.
“Looking these big extravagant traits, whether it’s a peacock tail or the horns of these beetles, most people go, ‘This is the most bizarre looking thing I’ve ever seen, how can it possibly function and do what it’s doing?’ ” said Ian Dworkin, an MSU zoology professor. More»
GLBRC supports new science education framework
University Relations
11-21-2012
Teachers aiming to meet new federal standards for science education have a new resource at the
Dr. Zachary Blount, Michigan State University - Evolving Bacteria
WAMC, Northeast Public Radio
11-21-2012
In today’s Academic Minute, Dr. Zachary Blount of Michigan State University explains how scientists have observed bacteria evolve new capabilities over thousands of generations. More»
Gov. Snyder to speak about energy and the environment next Wednesday; live feed slated for energy center in Muskegon
MLive Muskegon
11-21-2012
Gov. Rick Snyder will be making his energy and environment policy address next Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. from the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station in Hickory Corners, northeast of Kalamazoo. But two off-site locations will be electronically connected to the governor’s event in Hickory Corners. More»
MSU, wake up!
WKZO
11-20-2012
The Michigan Farm Bureau’s new policy encourages MSU to refocus its efforts on core programs such as agronomy, animal science, agriscience education, horticulture, forestry, food industry management and other agricultural and natural resource programs. More»
Face Time: Dr. Gerald Urquhart
The State News
11-20-2012
Dr. Gerald Urquhart, assistant professor in the Lyman Briggs College and the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, will head into the rainforests of Nicaragua for one purpose: to help save an endangered species known as Baird’s tapir, which are related to elephants. They have been eating farmers’ crops and have been largely hunted by farmers. More»
'Build-A-Plant' initiative at Impression 5 Science Center
University Relations
11-20-2012
Play - Create - Challenge, the newest initiative at the Impression 5 Science Center, is taking form in its interactive family-friendly exhibit, MI Nature, with a new feature called "Build-A-Plant."
Inspired by the research of local scientists, as well as an international network, and constructed by Impression 5's very own talented designers, this is science with a local flair for the imaginative soul. This new initiative goes through the month of November at Impression 5 Science Center in Lansing. More»
Grants will help Great Lakes region adapt to climate change
University Relations
11-19-2012
Michigan State University scientists and their colleagues at the University of Michigan have awarded six grants to help communities in the Great Lakes basin adapt to climate change.
The grants were awarded by the Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessments Center, a federally funded collaboration between MSU and U-M. GLISA researchers study issues related to climate change and variability in the Great Lakes basin and how the region can respond to climate-related risks, such as potential damages from changes in long-term temperature and precipitation patterns.
“Climate change is expected to have significant impacts on the Great Lakes region, and it’s important for us to understand and prepare for them,” said GLISA program manager David Bidwell, a research fellow at U-M’s Graham Sustainability Institute. “These projects are laboratories for learning best practices for making decisions informed by climate science.” More»
Deer bait market has advantages for Michigan farmers, MSU Extension reports
Kalamazoo Gazette
11-18-2012
Top-grade apples, corn, sugar beets or carrots are sold for human consumption. The same products, dinged and damaged, can also be packaged to attract deer.
The controversy over deer baiting -- the practice of intentionally attracting deer, to observe them or to shoot them -- continues to rage across the the Midwest. But regardless of one's take on baiting, the foods used as bait are agricultural products, and the baiting market offers advantages for some Michigan producers.
According to a report published by Michigan State University Extension's James DeDecker, "the deer bait market provides an outlet for this lower quality produce. In the 1990s, prior to restriction of deer baiting in Michigan, the farm gate value of cull carrots for bait was estimated to total $2.2 million statewide." More»
MSU receives money to aid global development
The State News
11-17-2012
What do you do when 2 billion people show up for dinner?
This is one of the challenging questions Ajit Srivastava, co-director of the Global Center for Food Systems Innovation, or GCFSI, and department chair of the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, posed to John Bonnell.
“He phrases that in a way to show population growth and urbanization,” said Bonnell, a doctoral student and contributor to the GCFSI. “Specifically, how populations are not only growing, but they are moving to urban areas (and the) challenges around feeding urban areas (as a) trend; MSU’s program is based on these global trends.” More»
MSU Extension millage failure won't shut down programs - at least in the short run
Flint Journal
11-17-2012
Michigan State University Extension programs here will continue to operate -- at least for now -- despite voters' rejection of a proposed new property tax to support them.
Extension District Coordinator Deanna East said she wants to work out a funding plan for extension programs like 4-H and master gardening with the county Board of More»
Collaring endangered Baird's tapirs to help them survive
University Relations
11-16-2012
A team of Michigan State University researchers will soon be heading into the rainforests of Nicaragua to help an endangered species known as a Baird’s tapir co-exist with local farmers whose crops are being threatened by the animals.
The animals were thought to be extinct in that part of the world until just two years ago when the MSU team discovered them still living there through the use of “camera trapping” – the setting up of still and video cameras in order to “capture” the animal.
Now a battle is under way between the Baird’s tapir, one of four species of the elephant look-alike animals, and local farmers who say they are eating their crops.
The MSU team, led by Lyman Briggs College assistant professor Gerald Urquhart, will attempt to capture a number of the animals and place a GPS collar on them to monitor their movements. More»
MSU creating Global Center for Food Systems
Michigan Radio
11-15-2012
Michigan State University is creating a Global Center for Food Systems Innovation thanks to a 25 million dollar award.
The award comes from US AID, the federal agency overseeing foreign assistance to developing countries.
MSU will fund research targeting improved agriculture production and cost effective, sustainable solutions for developing areas of the world.
Ajit Srivastava is leading MSU’s efforts and says the long term focus is to build global communication that lasts well beyond the grant. "The idea", he says, "is that when the grant is over, they have something that is implemented. But more importantly the team is formed which will continue to collaborate and work together in the long run to continue to establish and address these questions." More»
New Thermoelectric Material Could Pave the Way for Low-Cost Energy Solutions
MSU College of Engineering
11-15-2012
Michigan State University is home to one of the most advanced thermoelectric power generation research groups in the world. And now, a new thermoelectric material is on the horizon.
Researchers in MSU's Center for Revolutionary Materials for Solid State Energy Conversion—an Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC) funded by the U.S. Department of Energy—are developing a thermoelectric material based on natural mineral tetrahedrites. Their work was recently published in the online journal Advanced Energy Materials. More»
U-M, MSU Award Grants for Great Lakes Climate Change Research
ENews Park Forest
11-15-2012
University of Michigan scientists and their colleagues at Michigan State University have awarded six grants to organizations across the region for projects that will help decision-makers adapt to climate change and variability in the Great Lakes basin.
The grants were awarded by the Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessments Center, a federally funded collaboration between U-M and MSU. GLISA researchers study issues related to climate change and variability in the Great Lakes basin and how the region can respond to climate-related risks, such as potential damages from changes in long-term temperature and precipitation patterns. More»
Climate Change Threatens Pandas' Bamboo Food, Study Suggests
Huffington Post
11-13-2012
Though they are one of the most beloved animal species on Earth, pandas aren't safe from the devastating effects of climate change.
According to a new study, projected temperature increases in China over the next century will likely seriously hinder bamboo, almost the sole source of food for endangered pandas. Only if bamboo can move to new habitats at higher elevations will pandas stand a chance, the researchers said.
However, if conservation programs wait too long, human inhabitants and activities could claim all of the new habitats capable of supporting bamboo in a warming world.
"It is tough, but I think there's still hope, if we take action now," said research team member Jianguo Liu, a sustainability scientist at Michigan State University. "If we wait, then we could be too late." More»
MSU uses $7.8 million grant to improve farming in Africa
MSU News
11-13-2012
Michigan State University researchers will use a $7.8 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help eight African nations improve their sustainable farming methods.
The grant, from the Gates Foundation Global Development Program, will be used to help guide policymaking efforts to intensify farming methods that meet agricultural needs while improving environmental quality in Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Zambia, Ethiopia and Tanzania.
Programs like this are paramount to Africa, as demonstrated by more than $2.5 billion in annual spending by African governments on agricultural intensification, said Thomas Jayne, project co-director and MSU agricultural, food and resource economics faculty member. More»
Recycling options sparse off campus
The State News
11-9-2012
The State News editorial board urges apartment complex landlords to provide their tenants with a recycling area, such as the ones in the residence halls. More»
ESPP and the Center for Water Sciences issue a call for proposals for Water Initiative Research Grants
ESPP
11-9-2012
The Water Initiative Research Grants (WIRGs) are intended to support interdisciplinary and
transdisciplinary research efforts that advance water sciences (broadly defined) and lead to applications
for major external funding.
The WIRGs will contribute to the overall goal of making MSU a leader in water research. The MSU Global
Water Initiative and Blue Ribbon Report emphasize that interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary efforts
will help tie different components of MSU water research programs together and enable successful
competition for major funding such as the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, NSF STC and ERC programs,
NSF Climate Water and Sustainability Grants, NSF?USAID new initiatives, philanthropic foundations, etc.
Our goal for the WIRGs is to engage faculty teams to explore cutting?edge issues in water science and to
build or enhance interdisciplinary teams in order to pursue major external funding opportunities,
making MSU highly competitive for “big science” funding in water. More»
ESPP and the Center for Water Sciences issue a call for proposals for Water Initiative Research Grants
ESPP
11-9-2012
The Water Initiative Research Grants (WIRGs) are intended to support interdisciplinary and
transdisciplinary research efforts that advance water sciences (broadly defined) and lead to applications
for major external funding.
The WIRGs will contribute to the overall goal of making MSU a leader in water research. The MSU Global
Water Initiative and Blue Ribbon Report emphasize that interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary efforts
will help tie different components of MSU water research programs together and enable successful
competition for major funding such as the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, NSF STC and ERC programs,
NSF Climate Water and Sustainability Grants, NSF?USAID new initiatives, philanthropic foundations, etc.
Our goal for the WIRGs is to engage faculty teams to explore cutting?edge issues in water science and to
build or enhance interdisciplinary teams in order to pursue major external funding opportunities,
making MSU highly competitive for big science funding in water.
MSU gets $25M grant for food production research, anti-poverty effort
Battle Creek Enquirer
11-8-2012
Michigan State University will be home to one of seven development laboratories charged with finding ways to boost crop production and reduce poverty in developing areas around the world.The Global Center for Food Systems Innovation, part of MSU’s International Studies and Programs, will get $25 million over five years from the U.S. Agency for International Development to try to solve problems affecting global food production. More»
MSU professors provide 'equitarian' care to remove villages
University Relations
11-8-2012
A trio of Michigan State University professors traveled to Mexico last month to provide veterinary care to working equids – horses, mules, donkeys and burros – and educate the people who depend on the animals for their livelihood.
Susan Ewart and Hal Schott of the MSU Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences and Camie Heleski of the Department of Animal Science were part of the third Equitarian Workshop, organized by the American Association of Equine Practitioners. The term equitarian combines “equine” and “humanitarian.” More»
Sharks: bad creatures or bad image?
University Relations
11-7-2012
Historically, the media have been particularly harsh to sharks, and it’s affecting their survival.
The results of a Michigan State University study, appearing in the current issue of the journal Conservation Biology, reviewed worldwide media coverage of sharks – and the majority isn’t good.
Australian and U.S. news articles were more likely to focus on negative reports featuring sharks and shark attacks rather than conservation efforts. Allowing such articles to dominate the overall news coverage diverts attention from key issues, such as shark populations are declining worldwide and many species are facing extinction, said Meredith Gore, MSU assistant professor of fisheries and wildlife and the School of Criminal Justice. More»
Inter-disciplinary Effort Yields New Data on Lake Michigan Coastal Dunes and Archaeology
ESPP
11-7-2012
The combination of archaeological expertise, geographic knowledge and new technology which lets scientists accurately date sand have come together in a new research study on the formation, age and life cycle of Lake Michigan coastal dunes and the archaeological sites found in them.
MSU Geography Chair Alan F. Arbogast has spent years studying the evolution of coastal dunes throughout the lower Lake Michigan basin. Meanwhile, William A. Lovis, curator at the MSU Museum and professor of anthropology has undertaken archaeological studies of human habitation along Lake Michigan. And finally, G. William Monaghan, a senior research scientist and associate director of the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology at Indiana University was itching to test a new luminescence-based technology to find out the age of windblown sand deposits.
More»
Michigan researchers to lead food security study
CBS News
11-7-2012
Researchers with the University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources and Environment are leading a five-year, $4 million study of disparities in access to healthy food across the state.
The researchers with the Ann Arbor school plan to interview residents and study data in small- to mid-sized cities to better understand factors affecting so-called food security. The federally funded work also will look at how urban agriculture can get to people in those communities.
Other universities involved are University of Michigan-Flint, Michigan State University, University of Wisconsin, Lake Superior State University and Grand Valley State University.
Areas in the study include Sault Ste. Marie, parts of Chippewa County, St. Ignace, Holland, Muskegon, Benton Harbor, Grand Rapids, Flint, Saginaw, Lansing, Kalamazoo, Ypsilanti, Taylor, Southfield, Warren, Pontiac, Inkster and Dearborn. More»
WVU joins search for organic response to stinkbugs
West Virginia State Journal
11-5-2012
In addition to WVU and Rutgers, the University of Kentucky, Michigan State University, the University of Maryland, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service, Virginia Tech, the University of Tennessee, North Carolina State University, Ohio State University and the Rodale Institute are participating in the research and extension project.
More»
Irrigate Update Focuses on Michigan Water Rules
The Farmer's Exchange
11-2-2012
Michigan State University Extension and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) are working together to educate producers about three issues important to Michigan's agriculturally oriented large capacity water users.
Large capacity water users are defined as agricultural producers with the capacity to pump 70 gallons per minute of water from one or more wells or surface water pumps on the same or adjacent properties.
In an upcoming educational meeting Steve Miller from MSU Bio-Systems Engineering Department will present a review and update of Michigan's water use policy. More»
MSU researcher helping Sweden move closer to bioenergy goals
AgBioResearch
11-1-2012
AgBioResearch scientist Kris Berglund , along with scientists from a Swedish national research center called Bio4Energy, has received a grant to study a biobased acid that may be used as a food ingredient, solvent or aroma, in cosmetic applications or as a plasticizer in plastics. The studies will be conducted at an ethanol demonstration plant located in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. It is the only large-scale demonstration unit for biorefinery production of its kind in Sweden.
The Swedish government recently announced that the country will stop using oil by 2020. Sweden has no domestic oil industry, and importing petroleum has become costly. What Sweden does have is plenty of woods — nearly 70 million acres of forestland, from which it makes not just lumber, paper and other wood products but also fuel and chemicals. More»
Let cattle eat cornstalks, save hay for horses, experts advise as winter hay shortage looms
Kalamazoo Gazette
11-1-2012
Cows, with their multiple stomachs, can digest all manner of plant material.
Horses need hay, high quality hay.
As a drought-caused hay shortages looms this winter, here's an interesting strategy to stretching the short supply.
Let cattle eat cornstalks, freeing up extra hay for sale to horse owners, suggest Michigan State University scientists.
It may seem like a dirty trick to pull on the cows, but it makes sense, the MSU Extension educators explain in a recent news release.
A farmer with more cattle than feed to care for them can butcher the animals, to sell the meat or to feed his own family.
A horse owner, in this country at least, doesn't have that option.
“A creative idea is to ask the local beef farmer to come to the rescue” of horses, said Jerry Lindquist, MSU Extension grazing and crop management educator. “We have an abundant supply of cornstalks in the state that the gestating beef cow will readily consume and do well on for the first two trimesters of her pregnancy, as long as one-third of the ration is still hay. More»
Sharrows now found on south end of MSU's campus
University Relations
10-31-2012
On the south end of Michigan State University's campus, motorists and bicyclists alike are now encouraged to share the road.
Green Way and Recycling Road, near MSU Surplus and the south end of Stadium Road, have been marked with sharrows.
"Sharrows are road markings that inform motorists that bicyclists are allowed on the roads and let bicyclists know that they are safe," said Tim Potter, manager of MSU Bikes Service Center. "It's a good compromise for both motorists and bicyclists when there's not enough room in the roadway or budget to build bike lanes."
Sharrows are used when roads are not wide enough for designated bike lanes. This was the case in south campus. More»
On the Rise
MSU researchers offer input on up-and-down weather in state
The State News
10-30-2012
Jeff Andresen, MSU geography professor and a state climatologist for Michigan, said after having a record-hot March, freezing temperatures in April nearly decimated the entire fruit crop of the state, causing higher prices this fall for many of the crops, including apples and cherries.
MSU researchers now are weighing in on the impacts the weather could have on the state as temperatures dip south on the verge of winter. More»
Anaergia selected by Michigan State University for largest college campus-based renewable energy biogas plant in the U.S.
Sacramento Bee
10-30-2012
Anaergia Inc. today announced that it has been selected and initiated development on the largest college campus-based anaerobic digestion system in the United States. The anaerobic digestion system will be located at the Dairy Cattle Teaching & Research Center on the South Campus Farms at the Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing, Michigan.
"Anaerobic digestion provides the flexibility to convert a wide variety of waste streams including food scraps, manure and food processing waste into renewable energy and resources," said Ajit Srivastava, Chairperson of the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at MSU. "This project provides MSU the ability to demonstrate how anaerobic digestion can address the critical issues of society including food, environment and energy".
More»
Bailey Hall introduces year-round hoophouse
The State News
10-30-2012
Armed with pruning shears instead of scissors, the creators of the Bailey GREENhouse snipped a vine to signify the opening of the sustainable hoophouse outside Bailey Hall Tuesday evening.
The hoophouse, which features technology allowing it to function year-round, will use kitchen scraps from Brody Square to fertilize the soil while growing herbs used in the meals served in the dining hall.
“By having the herbs here it shows the closing of the cycle of food,” Culinary Services Sustainability Officer Carla Iansiti said. “That’s what the students enjoy … (the GREENhouse) shows the relationship — that’s the benefit. More»
The Fiscal Cliff & MSU's FRIB project
Michigan Radio
10-29-2012
Congress is expected to tackle the ‘fiscal cliff’ after next month’s election.
The “fiscal cliff’s” combination of programmed tax increases and spending cuts have many people concerned, including officials at Michigan State University.
The federal government is supposed to pick up most of the cost of MSU’s new nuclear physics research lab known as the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. FRIB is expected to cost more than 600 million dollars.
Mark Burnham is MSU’s vice president for governmental affairs. He’s optimistic the federal government will continue to make FRIB a priority.
Burnham points out the project has supporters in the Obama Administration and in Congress. More»
Students help clean up Red Cedar River
The State News
10-29-2012
It’s not uncommon to find bikes, shopping carts and even drug paraphernalia in MSU’s Red Cedar River — just a few of the items the Fisheries and Wildlife Club came across Saturday as it hosted its fall Red Cedar River Cleanup at MSU Bikes Service Center.
Volunteers cleaned the river using canoes, grappling hooks and waders. Fisheries and wildlife senior Carly Barnes, a member of the club, said the event is necessary to keep the Red Cedar healthy and flowing freely.
“It’s important to remove large objects, especially things that don’t decompose,” Barnes said. “Just from today, we’ve pulled out 30 bikes, just from (under) one bridge.” More»
Step by step, region waits for FRIB
Lansing State Journal
10-29-2012
Michigan State University is getting positive signals about the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, the elite, $680 million nuclear research facility that it was selected to host four years ago.
Signs are good enough that university leaders approved plans for a new, $15.5 million building at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory, which will be used for testing technology headed for the FRIB. More»
Archaeologists explore ancient farming in state
Traverse City Record-Eagle
10-28-2012
indings gathered from archaeologists suggest that ancient farmers implemented several domesticated foods and agricultural practices much earlier than previously predicted, said MSU anthropology professor William Lovis, who curated the farming exhibit at the conference.
The exhibit is on display at the MSU Museum in East Lansing.
Lovis said different and more modern methods of approaching archaeological sites helped with the discoveries, including a new process called accelerator mass spectrometer dating, that lets researchers more accurately determine the age of tiny fragments of material. More»
DFW names new director for Region 3
The (Tacoma) News Tribune
10-28-2012
Mike Livingston has been named director of the southcentral region for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Livingston has a master’s degree in wildlife science from New Mexico State University, a bachelor’s in fisheries and wildlife science from Michigan State University, and a bachelor’s in conservation science from Northern Michigan University.
More»
MSU's FRIB: New building wins approval
Lansing State Journal
10-26-2012
Michigan State University’s leaders have approved plans for a new building at its National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory, a high bay that will house assembly and testing of the technologies that will go into the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams and further the university’s ambitions to become a supplier of superconducting radio-frequency components for other accelerator facilities.
FRIB project manager Thomas Glasmacher said MSU is “leveraging FRIB to bring together folks from different departments so we become a center of the superconducting RF technology.” More»
MSU Extension to help plan for climate variability
University Relations
10-25-2012
A team of Michigan State University Extension specialists and educators has received funding from the Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessments Center to collaborate with GLISA researchers, relevant decision makers and stakeholders in two Michigan local governments units. The primary goal of the project, titled "Adapting to Climate Change and Variability: Planning Tools for Michigan Communities," is to increase community resilience by incorporating climate variability and change adaption strategies into local land use master plans and policies. The second goal of the project is to create an assessment tool that can be used by other communities throughout Michigan.
More»
Small organisms could dramatically impact world’s climate
University Relations
10-25-2012
Warmer oceans in the future could significantly alter populations of phytoplankton, tiny organisms that could have a major impact on climate change.
In the current issue of Science Express, Michigan State University researchers show that by the end of the 21st century, warmer oceans will cause populations of these marine microorganisms to thrive near the poles and may shrink in equatorial waters. Since phytoplankton play a key role in the food chain and the world’s cycles of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous and other elements, a drastic drop could have measurable consequences.
“In the tropical oceans, we are predicting a 40 percent drop in potential diversity,” said Mridul Thomas, MSU graduate student and one of the co-authors. “If the oceans continue to warm as predicted, there will be a sharp decline in the diversity of phytoplankton in tropical waters and a poleward shift in species’ thermal niches, if they don’t adapt to climate change.” More»
Head Start families help farmers extend their growing season
University Relations
10-25-2012
With the increased number of farmers' markets that are accepting food assistance benefits across the state, the Michigan Farmers Market Association, the Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems and the MSU Student Organic Farm are facilitating a program designed to introduce vulnerable families to local farmers' markets and to provide the families with the resources they need to become loyal, repeat customers.
More»
What to do about our unquenchable thirst for water
MLive
10-25-2012
Robert Glennon, author of Unquenchable: America’s Water Crisis and What To Do About It, is the Morris K. Udall Professor of Law and Public Policy in the Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona. Glennon visited MSU for a distinguished lecture series on water.
More»
Theater organization teaches science in new ways
The State News
10-24-2012
For physics professor Stuart Tessmer, his daily workload often involves inspiring the scientific minds of both college and elementary school students.
Tessmer is the adviser for the MSU Science Theatre, a student organization sponsored by the MSU Physics and Astronomy Department. Using biology, chemistry and physics demonstrations, the theatre teaches science in new and interesting ways.
“It’s important to get (students) to spark their interest (in science) as young as possible,” Tessmer said. “It’s hard to say why a person would decide to be a scientist, but I think those decisions really are often made at a young age, so getting in elementary schools is really key.” More»
Researchers get help playing "whack-a-mole" with sea lampry
Great Lakes Echo
10-24-2012
If your local river starts to smell like dead sea lamprey, you may be in luck. That smell could be the solution to a long-standing invasive species problem.
The EPA recently awarded Michigan State University more than $392,000 to test sea lamprey repellant.
Sea lamprey are attracted to the smell of their young and repulsed by the stench of their dead. Those are keys to controlling this troublesome invasive species, said Michael Wagner, the lead researcher on the project. More»
U.S. Sen. Carl Levin visits MSU researchers involved with Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
College of Engineering
10-24-2012
During a visit to campus today, U.S. Senator Carl Levin met with key Michigan State University researchers who are working on several Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grants supporting the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI).
At MSU's Engineering Research Complex, Sen. Levin observed the low-cost, smart-phone-based devices developed by Syed Hashsham, professor of civil and environmental engineering. These DNA biochips support point-of-care genetic analysis systems for water, food, agriculture, and human health. Hashsham leads the team that will create an analysis tool to monitor the lakes for invasive species such as hydrilla, golden mussel, northern snakehead, killer shrimp, and Ponto-Caspian water fleas. More»
Poston recommended as dean of MSU's CANR
University Relations
10-23-2012
Fred Poston, Michigan State University’s vice president for finance and operations, will be recommended to serve as dean of the university’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and special adviser to the president. More»
MSU grads lead grounds crews for World Series teams
University Relations
10-23-2012
MSU sports and commercial turfgrass program graduates skipper the groundskeeping squads for both the Detroit Tigers and the San Francisco Giants. The best-of-seven-games series starts Wednesday in San Francisco and moves to Detroit Saturday.
More»
MSU professor takes lead role in national STEM initiative
University Relations
10-23-2012
A Michigan State University faculty member is taking a lead role in a national initiative designed to improve the quality of undergraduate teaching and learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, the so-called STEM fields.
James Fairweather, a professor of higher, adult and lifelong education, will serve as co-principal investigator of the Association of American Universities’ project, which is working to implement new, more interactive methods of instruction in these fields, particularly in freshman and sophomore courses. More»
21 universities team up for Great Lakes Futures Project
The Environment Report, Michigan Radio
10-18-2012
A new project is going to try to predict the future of the Great Lakes.
It’s called... wait for it... the Great Lakes Futures Project. It’s a collaboration of 21 universities from the U.S. and Canada. More»
MSU student wins prestigious award for scientific excellence
University Relations
10-17-2012
Gerardine Mukeshimana, a doctoral student in the Department of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology at Michigan State University, was recently awarded a prestigious international award.
The Board for International Food and Agricultural Development awarded Mukeshimana its 2012 BIFAD Award for Scientific Excellence in a United States Agency for International Development Collaborative Research Support Program. More»
U-M, other research institutions launch Great Lakes protection project
The University Record
10-16-2012
The Great Lakes Futures Project of the Transborder Research University Network will use a cross-disciplinary, cross-sector approach to outlining alternative Great Lakes futures through science-based scenario analysis.
More»
EPA Worries Dilbit Pipeline Spill Still Threatens Kalamazoo River
Bloomberg News
10-16-2012
Steve Hamilton, a Michigan State University professor who was among the experts who worked on the study, said the recommendation for dredging was driven by concern that during flooding the pools of oil could break loose and recontaminate parts of the river. More»
MSU partners with Saudi agency to improve food safety
University Relations
10-16-2012
A network of food safety researchers and educators led by Michigan State University will soon be working with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, a new Saudi Arabian government authority responsible for regulating the safety of food, feed and pesticides in addition to drugs and medical devices. More»
GLLA Emerging Leader Program accepting applications
University Relations
10-16-2012
The Great Lakes Leadership Academy's 2013 Emerging Leader Program is now accepting applications.
Designed for developing individual leadership skills, the Emerging Leader Program brings participants together for 12 meetings between April and October 2013. Participants build their leadership and organizational development skills through individual and team projects.
Sessions focus on such topics as decision making and problem solving, meeting management, collaboration and negotiation and guiding change and transition.
The GLLA is designed to bring together current and emerging leaders in government, academia, nonprofits and industry to broaden perspectives about key sustainability issues and consider how leadership for the common good can influence Michigan's future.
Applications for the Emerging Leader Program are due Nov. 15.
The registration fee is $3,500. Scholarships are available.
To learn more about the GLLA Emerging Leader Program or find an application, go here or contact Vicki Pontz at pontzv@msu.edu or (517) 432-8685. More»
Opposing points of view: Raise renewable standard to create jobs, clean the air
Detroit Free Press
10-11-2012
A study by
Ash trees continue to hurt from beetle
Traverse City Record-Eagle
10-11-2012
The threat from a metallic green beetle continues to spread throughout ash trees in the Great Lakes region.
Many ash already are dropping leaves or changing color earlier this year than usual — both mechanisms that trees use to cope with drought, said
Plants in space!
University Relations
10-10-2012
How plants handle stress in space and what astronauts can learn from them is the subject of a new study at Michigan State University.
Federica Brandizzi, MSU plant biologist, will use a grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to shed light on how plants and humans can adapt to handle the stress of long-term space missions.
“I’ve always been fascinated with NASA and space exploration,” Brandizzi said. “Knowing that my research could contribute to the potential of a future with sustainable life in space makes my work quite rewarding.” More»
MSU to lead $1.6 million grant on crop pollination
Pork Network
10-8-2012
USDA has awarded Michigan State University $1.6 million to lead a national crop pollination research and Extension project.
The five-year program will focus on improving pollination and attracting bees to specialty farms and crops. It is part of the USDA’s $101 million initiative to support the nation’s specialty crop producers. More»
MSU receives research grants for lakes
The State News
10-8-2012
As part of the EPA’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, MSU received about $1 million in grants to conduct research to prevent invasive species from infiltrating the Great Lakes Basin, according to a university press release.
Last week, MSU received one of more than 20 grants given to research the subject.
Civil and environmental engineering professor
Michigan State University home to a collection of curiosities
Detroit Free Press
10-7-2012
For a local history buff, it's the equivalent of scoring a golden ticket to Willy Wonka's chocolate factory.
Riding the freight elevator to the Michigan State University Museum storage rooms is a journey inside a historical candy store -- and more. More»
MSU, Monsanto working to fight corn rootworm
Detroit Free Press
10-7-2012
Michigan State University said it is working with Monsanto to find ways to fight corn rootworm, one of U.S. agriculture's most damaging pests.
The university said Monsanto is pledging up to $3 million to support research on rootworm.
MSU said the Corn Rootworm Knowledge Research Program will give awards of up to $250,000 per year for up to three years for research on "corn rootworm biology, genomics and management issues." More»
New director's experience a plus for MSU, but his controversial views concern some
Lansing State Journal
10-6-2012
Stephen Hsu was an unconventional choice to lead Michigan State University’s research enterprise.
A theoretical physicist by training, Hsu has done respected work on dark energy, black holes and the more esoteric reaches of particle physics, but his only experience in academic administration was a stint last year as the director of the University of Oregon’s Institute for Theoretical Science. The institute’s budget that year was just shy of $74,000. More»
MSU hopes to create a buzz from federal grant
NBC News
10-4-2012
Michigan State University researchers say they hope to generate some buzz with a $1.6 million federal grant.
The East Lansing school announced Wednesday that the U.S. Agriculture Department grant will focus on supporting specialty crop yields and profit by supporting wild and managed bees. A team will lead a national crop pollination research and extension project. More»
MSU is helping India manage forests, reduce greenhouse gasses
University Relations
10-4-2012
Researchers at Michigan State University will use a $1.5 million grant to help India manage its forests and reduce the developing nation’s greenhouse gas emissions.
The grant, awarded by USAID, is part of an overall $14 million effort to build the nation’s capacity to measure forest carbon and reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses.
Currently, India is faced with the challenge of sustaining its rapid economic growth while dealing with climate change. Climate change may alter the distribution and quality of India's natural resources and adversely affect the livelihood of its people, said David Skole, MSU professor of forestry. More»
MSU earns EPA grants to fight high-risk invasive species
University Relations
10-3-2012
Michigan State University has received nearly $1 million in grants from the Environmental Protection Agency, funds that will be used to keep invasive species from entering the Great Lakes basin.
One grant, totaling about $600,000 will be used to develop a hand-held, genetic analysis tool to monitor the lakes for invasive species.
Syed Hashsham, a professor of civil and environmental engineering, leads the team that will create an analysis tool to monitor the lakes for invasive species such as hydrilla, golden mussel, northern snakehead, killer shrimp, and Ponto-Caspian water fleas. More»
MSU to lead $1.6 million grant on national crop pollination
University Relations
10-3-2012
The United States Department of Agriculture has awarded Michigan State University $1.6 million to lead a national crop pollination research and extension project.
The five-year project will focus on supporting specialty crop yields and profit by supporting wild and managed bees. It is part of the USDA’s $101 million initiative to support the nation’s specialty crop producers. More»
MSU hosts international student summit
University Relations
10-2-2012
International students will present research projects in the areas of food production and sustainable energy. They will spend Monday through Wednesday preparing for their presentations. Academic leaders from the students' home universities will spend those days with MSU and Tokyo University of Agriculture faculty members discussing food security, global climate change, crop protection and the role of women in agriculture. More»
Exploring MSU's "Echoes of Silent Spring" walking trail
University Relations
10-2-2012
As part of Michigan State University Museum's "Echoes of Silent Spring" exhibit, a first-of-its-kind walking trail has been set up around campus to highlight areas that relate to the book, "Silent Spring," by Rachel Carson. More»
Spartans making a difference around the world
MLive.com
10-2-2012
There are Michigan State Spartans making a difference in every corner of the earth and Russ White, producer of Greening of the Great Lakes, recently visited two such Spartans. More»
MSU's Bailey GREENhouse Opening to Celebrate Sustainable Food Cycle
Fox 47 News
10-1-2012
Grand opening events have been set to celebrate Bailey GREENhouse, Michigan State University’s newest hoop house. The herbs grown in Bailey GREENhouse will be tended to by students of the Residential Initiative for the Study of the Environment (RISE), a living-learning residential program housed in Bailey Hall. Herbs from the GREENhouse will be served at Brody Square dining hall and The State Room Restaurant at Kellogg Center. The herbs are grown in soil with composted pre-consumer food waste from Brody Square. Guests are invited to come explore the newly constructed hoop house and taste appetizers with greens from the structure. More»
Superman-strength bacteria produce gold
University Relations
10-1-2012
At a time when the value of gold has reached an all-time high, Michigan State University researchers have discovered a bacterium’s ability to withstand incredible amounts of toxicity is key to creating 24-karat gold. More»
Charles Sweeley Jr., former MSU biochemistry chairperson, dies
University Relations
10-1-2012
Charles Sweeley Jr., former chairperson of Michigan State University’s Department of Biochemistry and University Distinguished Professor Emeritus, died on Sept. 21. He was 82.
Sweeley was an MSU faculty member from 1968 until his retirement in 1992. He served as biochemistry chairperson from 1979 to 1985 and was named University Distinguished Professor of biochemistry in 1990. More»
MSU gardens are still fresh as ever
Lansing State Journal
9-30-2012
Approaching the willow sculpture of a dragon in the Michigan State University gardens, director Art Cameron is almost like a kid himself as he points out the artwork’s details. More»
New research helps protect dunes
Capital News Service
9-28-2012
New research findings about the geological and archaeological aspects of the Lake Michigan coastal dunes will help local governments and organizations protect them.
“It’s important to make sure we haven’t damaged or destroyed dunes in an archaeological site,” said state Archaeologist Dean Anderson. He said information about dunes in the past concerns not only cultural but environmental methods. More»
Deer disease spreads into Gratiot, Mecosta counties
The Morning Sun
9-27-2012
Figures released this week by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan State University Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health show evidence that the epizootic hemorrhagic disease has been confirmed in 24 of Michigan’s 83 counties. More»
Rewriting the rules of teamwork
University Relations
9-27-2012
As scientists from different disciplines and regions help design a world-class nuclear research facility at Michigan State University, a team of MSU researchers will conduct one of the first major studies of how teams work together. More»
Evolution: Scientists Grow 56,000 Generations in Lab to Watch
ABC World News
9-26-2012
ABC World News talks with Zachary Blount, postdoctoral researcher of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics at Michigan State University, about his study on the evolution of E.coli. More»
MSU, Monsanto back research to fight corn rootworm
Businessweek
9-25-2012
Michigan State says the Corn Rootworm Knowledge Research Program will give awards of up to $250,000 per year for up to three years for research on "corn rootworm biology, genomics and management issues." More»
State: DNR announces EHD now found in 24 counties
The News-Herald
9-25-2012
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan State University Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health announced that epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) has been confirmed in 24 Michigan counties. More»
Inaugural MSU Women in STEM conference takes place Oct. 22-23
University Relations
9-24-2012
Michigan State University Women in STEM will take place Oct. 22 and 23 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center.
Alumnae will have the chance to engage and connect with other MSU alumnae, expand their professional network and acquire tools and knowledge that can assist in furthering their career objectives. More»
Fall lawn care tips from MSU turfgrass expert Kevin Frank
MLive
9-19-2012
Turfgrass expert Kevin Frank is an MSU AgBioResearch scientist and professor who joins Greening of the Great Lakes to talk about fall lawn care tips for Michigan homeowners, especially after a hot, dry summer. More»
E.coli's evolutionary process documented
MSU Research
9-19-2012
A team of researchers at Michigan State University has documented the step-by-step process in which organisms evolve new functions.
The results, published in the current issue of Nature, are revealed through an in-depth, genomics-based analysis that decodes how E. coli bacteria figured out how to supplement a traditional diet of glucose with an extra course of citrate. More»
New gene could lead to better bug-resistant plants
University Relations
9-17-2012
Research led by Michigan State University and appearing on the cover of this week’s Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, demonstrates that domestic tomatoes could re-learn a thing or two from their wild cousins.
Long-term cultivation has led to tomato crops losing beneficial traits common to wild tomatoes. Anthony Schilmiller, MSU research assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, was able to identify a gene that is involved in one of these beneficial traits. More»
Investing in Science
University Relations
9-13-2012
Brad Day, associate professor of plant pathology, is featured in a National Science Foundation video. More»
Knight Center for Environmental Journalism is offering scholarships to attend the Mackinac Island beach/water quality conference
Great Lakes Echo
9-13-2012
The deadline is Friday for journalists to apply for a scholarship to attend the 12th Annual Great Lakes Beach Association Conference Oct. 16 to Oct. 18 on Mackinac Island. More»
Relieving plant stress could eventually help humans relax
University Relations
9-13-2012
Federica Brandizzi, Michigan State University plant biologist, is using a grant from the National Institutes of Health to study how plants overcome stress as they grow. These pathways used to overcome stress are a key to growth. Without them plants, and animals, would die.
“When cells grow, they undergo trauma as growth is quite stressful,” Brandizzi said. “Since it’s very likely that these pathways have much in common between humans and plants, we should be able to gain insights into how plants and animals overcome stress and continue to grow as well.” More»
Student funding available for MSU sustainability projects
University Relations
9-13-2012
Michigan State University’s Office of Campus Sustainability is now accepting applications for the Be Spartan Green Student Project Fund, a program that will provide financial support for students to explore solutions to sustainability challenges at MSU.
Up to $5,000 will be awarded to each project that meets the student fund criteria for one calendar year. Applications will be accepted on a rolling deadline until funds are no longer available. More»
Once again, MSU’s supply chain program tops in nation
University Relations
9-12-2012
Michigan State University’s supply chain program continues setting the national standard, according to U.S. News & World Report’s latest rankings of America’s Best Colleges, out today. More»
MSU Extension weather station at Applewood estate in Flint to benefit area farmers, gardeners
MLive
9-12-2012
Michigan State University Extension at Applewood has installed a new weather station to help Flint area farmers and gardeners plan for pest control and weather conditions. More»
MSU President Simon on all things green, at home and around the globe
MLive
9-11-2012
MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon speaks with Kirk Heinze as the 2012-2013 school year begins with updates on being green, initiatives in Detroit, a new museum, politics and the environment, climate change, and more. More»
Michigan State's FRIB funding likely flat for six months
Lansing State Journal
9-11-2012
A stop-gap funding bill that lawmakers hope will keep the federal government operating through March 27 would keep federal funding steady for the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams planned for Michigan State University. More»
East Lansing church hosts sustainability lecture series regarding environmental stewardship
MLive
9-10-2012
The Peoples Church in East Lansing, Mich. is hosting a lecture series addressing Michigan’s energy and sustainability issues, says Associate Pastor Reverend Penny Swartz. "Powering Michigan’s Future" will bring together members of the community to address pertinent energy issues through scientific, theological and ethical lenses, she says. More»
Museum in motion: New Walking Trail Extends 'Silent Spring' Exhibit Outdoors
MSU Museum
9-10-2012
In celebration of the 50 year anniversary of Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring," the MSU Museum has created a campus walking trail highlighting notable spots around MSU that were chronicled in the Silent Spring story and, some believe, even provided inspiration for the book's title. More»
Cover crops and bioenergy the focus of MSU Extension Field Day Oct. 4 in St. Johns
ANR Communications
9-10-2012
A variety of topics related to cover crop establishment, bioenergy generation and corn residue management will be highlighted through educational discussions and demonstrations during a free field event Oct. 4.
The Bioenergy, Cover Crops and Corn Residue Management Field Day will take place (rain or shine) from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Michigan State University (MSU) Bioenergy Farm, at 1600 N. Scott Rd., St. Johns, Mich. More»
Next step of FRIB project approved by MSU board
University Relations
9-7-2012
The Michigan State University Board of Trustees has given its approval to the next step in the development of the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, a world-class nuclear research facility that will attract scientists from all over the world to East Lansing. More»
Tigers take the night shift to coexist with people
University Relations
9-3-2012
Tigers aren’t known for being accommodating, but a new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences indicates that the carnivores in Nepal are taking the night shift to better coexist with humans. More»
Researchers receive grant to fight harmful algal blooms
MSU Department of Geological Sciences
8-31-2012
Using a $749,801 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, Michigan State University researchers, including from the Department of Geological Sciences, are hoping to curb the growth of harmful algal blooms in lakes and reservoirs across the United States. The implications, however, will resonate globally, said Jan Stevenson, MSU zoologist. More»
Infographic: Climate Change in the Great Lakes
Circle of Blue
8-31-2012
How will predicted changes to water levels and water temperatures affect the future of this region that is home to 38 million people?
Click through the interactive infographic below to learn more about how climate change will affect the economy and ecology of the Great Lakes region. More»
Scientists urge new approaches to plant research
University Relations
6-29-2012
In a new paper published last week in Science, Robert Last (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) and a colleague discuss why, if humans are to survive as a species, we must turn more to plants for any number of valuable lessons.“Metabolism of plants provides humans with fiber, fuel, food and therapeutics,” Last said. “As the human population grows and nonrenewable energy sources diminish, we need to rely increasingly on plants and to increase the sustainability of agriculture.” More»
National science panel calls MSU’s FRIB project a top priority
University Relations
6-28-2012
A report issued last week by the National Research Council outlines the accomplishments of the nuclear physics field during the last decade and recommends a strategy for the future, including, as its first recommendation, “the timely completion of the (MSU) Facility for Rare Isotope Beams and the initiation of its physics program.” More»
MSU, Detroit plant seed for urban food system innovation
University Relations
6-27-2012
Detroit and MSU have taken a significant step toward developing a broad program of food system innovation to promote local economic development, land recovery and food security. The aim is to position the city as a world center for urban food systems technology and development. A memorandum of understanding signed by Mayor Dave Bing and MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon calls for a program dubbed the MetroFoodPlus Innovation Cluster @ Detroit, laying groundwork for more detailed conversations with community stakeholders and prospective partners.
Huffington Post ran a story on the announcement. More»
Smart people discover water, and that could kick-start the blue revolution
National Geographic
6-19-2012
Author Charles Fishman, who visited MSU in April as part of the Global Water Initiative’s 2012 Distinguished Lecture Series, recognizes MSU as one of “three major research universities (that) have decided that we need big leaps of progress in water …” Fishman also calls attention to the MSU Water Sciences Center and the Center for Global Change. More»
Produce packaging influences purchase
University Relations
6-19-2012
A new MSU study found that shoppers prefer to purchase produce that come in a rigid, bio-based plastic container with a long shelf life and a low price. “Consumers believe the type of packaging material could affect the quality of the food product, and the rigid container may provide better protection compared to the flexible bag,” said Georgios Koutsimanis (Packaging). More»
Faculty conversations: Brad Rowe
University Relations
6-14-2012
Brad Rowe (Horticulture) is interviewed about his role in bringing green roofs to MSU’s campus. “When we first started doing this like 12 years ago, no one really knew what a green roof was.” Rowe said. “And now I think most people do at least have some idea what a green roof is. And they’re becoming more and more common.” More»
Scientists provide first census of the human microbiome
University Relations
6-13-2012
MSU, part of the Human Microbiome Project Consortium that conducted the research, revealed that part of each person's collection of microbes includes 100 trillion good bacteria living in or on the human body, creating their own unique microbiome. Moreover, researchers calculate that they have identified between 81 to 99 percent of all microbial species in the human body. Bacteria inhabit nearly every part of the body, including on the skin, in the gut and up the nose. Sometimes they cause sickness, but most of the time, these microbes live in harmony with their human hosts, providing vital functions essential for human survival, said Tom Schmidt (Microbiology and Molecular Genetics). More»
Kroger works with MSU to stock Michigan-made niche food items
MLive.com
6-13-2012
The Cincinnati-based grocer recently began stocking more than 55 specialty Michigan-made products at 21 of its 130 Michigan stores. The Michigan State University Product Center is managing the project and ensuring that the food products are all licensed and labeled for resale. "It allows a smaller producer to get into a large-scale supermarket environment without having to go through all the obstacles of being mainstreamed into a huge supermarket environment," said Matt Birbeck (MSU Product Center). More»
Managing waste: Household septic systems
MSU Extension
6-11-2012
MSU Extension has published part III in its series on managing household waste. This installment looks at protecting the system and knowing the signs of trouble, which can save money in costly repairs and protect individual health and the environment. More»
Population and climate change report published
Nature Climate Change
6-10-2012
A new paper co-authored by Tom Dietz (Sociology, ESPP, Animal Studies), “Human drivers of national greenhouse-gas emissions,” examines the effects of a growing human population on climate change. Dietz co-authored the paper with Washington State University research Eugene A. Rosa.
University Relations has more on the publication here. More»
Commentary: Fixing Detroit’s broken food system
The Detroit News
6-5-2012
Michigan State University is helping to cultivate agricultural projects that will help to feed these growing urban populations, as well as inspire youth to become involved. MSU's Organic Farmer Training Program is a nine-month intensive training program through which students learn how to grow vegetables, fruits, flowers and herbs on the school's 10-acre Student Organic Farm. Harvests from the farm are used to supply the campus' farm stand, Community Supported Agriculture and dining services. More»
Michigan Sea Grant: Great Lakes temps higher than usual
Petoskeynews.com
6-5-2012
According to Michigan Sea Grant's daily temperature recordings, Lake Michigan, in front of Petoskey and Charlevoix, ranged 13 and 14 degrees warmer than late May of last year. Water temperatures are up because of Michigan's warm winter, which was the fourth mildest winter in more than 100 years. And March's weather madness didn't help matters. “March was extraordinary. I don't think there's any other word for it,” said Jeff Andreson (Geography). “March was the warmest in recorded history.” More»
Swenson awarded prestigious international award
Phys.org
6-4-2012
Nathan Swenson (ESPP, Plant Biology) was awarded this year’s Ebbe Nielsen Prize by the Global Biodiversity Information Facility for his work contributing to a better understanding of how plants respond to climate change. More»
Ebert-May recognized for skills in science education
Phys.org
6-1-2012
Diane Ebert-May (Plant Biology) received the 2011-2012 Education Award from the American Institute of Biological Sciences for her expertise on teaching and learning in college biology courses. More»
Eat healthy – your kids are watching
University Relations
5-30-2012
Results from a new MSU study demonstrate that the mothers who led by example and persuaded, rather than ordered, their kids to eat their vegetables had kids with healthier diets, said Sharon Hoerr (Food Science and Human Nutrition). More»
WhadayaKnow? What’s the difference between climate and weather?
Great Lakes Echo
5-29-2012
“Every Monday, Great Lakes Echo runs video clips of random people answering questions that experts believe environmentally literate citizens should understand. In the last clip an expert explains the correct answers.” In this edition, Jeff Andresen (Geography) is the expert on the question of: “What’s the difference between climate and weather?” More»
Fungus attacks spruce trees in Michigan
Michigan Radio
5-29-2012
“These last few years saw the Emerald Ash borer leave its trail of destruction across the state. And now Michigan's spruce and pine trees are in decline. Bert Cregg (Forestry; Horticulture) says one culprit is called Phomopsis. It's a fungus that has been around for a long time. It used to affect just seedlings and smaller trees. But now it's killing larger trees, too. And scientists don't know why. "Is this an environmental set of conditions? Is there something going on with the pathogen itself? So there's really lots more questions than answers at this point, other than we're seeing a lot of trees starting to decline,” Cregg said. More»
Powerful new approach to attack flu virus
University Relations
5-27-2012
An international research team has manufactured a new protein that can combat deadly flu epidemics. The paper, featured on the cover of the current issue of Nature Biotechnology, demonstrates ways to use manufactured genes as antivirals, which disable key functions of the flu virus, said Tim Whitehead (Chemical Engineering and Materials Science). More»
WhadayaKnow? What percent of the world’s water is drinkable?
Great Lakes Echo
5-21-2012
“Every Monday, Great Lakes Echo runs video clips of random people answering questions that experts believe environmentally literate citizens should understand. In the last clip an expert explains the correct answers.” In this edition, Joan Rose (Center for Water Sciences) is the expert on the question of: “What percent of the world’s water is drinkable?” More»
MSU forges partnerships to gain energy efficiency
University Relations
5-17-2012
Although the university’s Energy Transition Plan was formally approved by the MSU Board of Trustees last month, work has been under way for several years to make the university more energy efficient – work in which MSU has partnered with a number of state and local companies, creating jobs and contributing to the local economy. More»
Isoprene research could lead to eco-friendly car tires
University Relations
5-15-2012
The world’s rubber supplies are in peril, and automobile tire producers are scrambling to seek alternative solutions. Tom Sharkey (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) believes isoprene, a gas given off by many trees, ferns and mosses, could be a viable option. Some plants use it as a mechanism to tolerate heat stress as opposed to most crops, which stay cool through evaporation. More»
Increasing predator-friendly land can help farmers reduce costs
University Relations
5-11-2012
Having natural habitat in farming areas that supports ladybugs could help increase their abundance in crops where they control pests and help farmers reduce their costs, a new MSU study says. However, natural habitats also provide vital food and shelter resources and may be more important for pest control, said Megan Woltz (Entomology), co-author of the study that appears in the current issue of Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. More»
Queen of Spades key to new evolutionary hypothesis
redOrbit.com
5-11-2012
Sleight of hand is a trait that belongs mainly to humans. Or so scientists thought.
Studies of common, microscopic ocean plankton named Prochlorococcus show that humans aren’t the only ones who can play a mean game of cards. Their method lurks in the Black Queen Hypothesis, as it’s called, after the Queen of Spades in the card game Hearts.
Scientists Jeffrey Morris and Richard Lenski (Crop and Soil Sciences; BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action) and Erik Zinser of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, knew that smaller genomes were the norm in symbiotic microbes–those that have reciprocally beneficial relationships–but wondered how non-symbionts got away with cutting out functions it appeared they needed. More»
Biosensor illuminates compounds to aid fight against TB
University Relations
5-9-2012
Robert Abramovitch (Microbiology and Molecular Genetics) has been recognized by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for his work using a synthetic biosensor that glows green in response to conditions that mimic human tuberculosis infection. He will screen for compounds that target chronic TB infection and may help shorten therapy or treat multidrug-resistant TB, which does not respond well to existing antibiotics. Abramovitch's project is one of more than 100 Grand Challenges Explorations Round 8 grants announced earlier this month by the Gates Foundation. More»
MSU plan would control deadly tsetse fly
University Relations
5-7-2012
For the first time, scientists have created a satellite-guided plan to effectively control the tsetse fly – an African killer that spreads “sleeping sickness” disease among humans and animals and wipes out $4.5 billion in livestock every year. MSU researchers developed the plan using a decade’s worth of NASA satellite images of Kenyan landscape and by monitoring tsetse movement. With unprecedented precision, the plan can tell where and when to direct eradication efforts. Current control efforts in Kenya are ineffective and waste money by targeting tsetse-free areas, said Joseph Messina (Geography). “Our model dramatically reduces the cost of controlling the tsetse, and it’s more effective,” he said. More»
MSU gets perfect score in first organic land grant report
University Relations
5-3-2012
MSU was one of six universities this month to receive a perfect score by the Organic Farming Research Foundation’s Organic Land Grant Assessment Report, which measures research, education and outreach in federally funded Land Grant universities. The schools were evaluated in the following categories: certified organic research or student farm ground, organic experiment station ground, a student organic or "sustainable" farm—a training site, an organic major, minor or certificate program, an organic course of any kind, a dedicated organic staff or faculty person, organic Extension resources and an annual organic field day. "It's important that MSU is active in – and doing well in – all eight categories they evaluated," said John Biernbaum, (Horticulture), faculty coordinator for the Student Organic Farm. More»
New book examines climate change in the Great Lakes Region
4-30-2012
A new book edited by Tom Dietz (Sociology, ESPP) and David Bidwell,
of the Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessments (GLISA)
Center, is now available through MSU Press. The genesis of the new
publication, "Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region: Navigating an
Uncertain Future," was the original climate change symposium held
several years ago at MSU. More»
New center focuses on good food initiatives
University Relations
4-30-2012
The newly formed MSU Center for Regional Food Systems is focused on bettering food systems in Michigan, across the country and across the world. The center, led by Michael Hamm, C.S. Mott professor of sustainable agriculture, will bring together the expertise and research of MSU staff and faculty to advance the understanding of and engagement with regional food systems while working to address issues such as where communities get their food, how it is produced and who has access to it. More»
Drivers pay secret road tax in $15 billion for car repair
Bloomberg
4-30-2012
“Karim Chatti (Civil and Environmental Engineering) estimates that damage linked to poor roads probably runs between $15 to $25 billion annually for car owners, not including tire damage and fuel-efficiency costs.” More»
Bananas to biogas: Campus closing food waste loop
Great Lakes Echo
4-26-2012
Michigan State University is one of the few universities in the country to implement a food waste program, said Brendan Sinclair, a university employee who manages the worm composting systems that are part of an innovative approach to managing waste... "We are taking literally food garbage and turning it into rich, fantastic soil," said Laurie Thorp (Residential Initiative on the Study of the Environment). More»
4-H’ers get positive feedback from state Senate on research
University Relations
4-26-2012
Michigan 4-H Youth Conservation Council members traveled to Lansing last month to present their research to two Senate committees and suggest solutions on invasive plant species in the state. Simple measures that the group suggested to prevent the transportation of invasive plant species are cleaning equipment before moving to a new location, avoiding infected areas of trails when moving equipment and vehicles, keeping motorized vehicles on trails, and wearing clothing and footwear that do not pick up sticky seeds. More»
Researchers give long look at who benefits from nature tourism
Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability
4-25-2012
Using nature's beauty as a tourist draw can boost conservation in China's valued panda preserves, but it isn't an automatic ticket out of poverty for the human habitants, a unique long-term study shows. The policy hitch: Often those who benefit most from nature-based tourism endeavors are people who already have resources. The truly impoverished have a harder time breaking into the tourism business. Wei Liu's (Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability) study, published in the April 25 edition of PLoS One, looks at nearly a decade of burgeoning tourism in the Wolong Nature Reserve in southwestern China. More»
Americans want more and better environmental reporting; help us get some
Great Lakes Echo
4-23-2012
The Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the Society of Environmental Journalists are hosting two workshops this summer for regional journalists and scientists interested in improving climate change reporting. Part of the plan is to improve the climate change literacy of journalists and give them access to recent newsy climate change issues. Part of it is to improve the communication skills of scientists and foster a desire within them to communicate with journalists and the public. And a big part of it is to foster a greater understanding in each group of the other group's challenges for communicating climate change issues. More»
Plant scientists find mechanism that gives plants ‘balance'
University Relations
4-23-2012
When a plant goes into defense mode in order to protect itself against harsh weather or disease, that's good for the plant, but bad for the farmer growing the plant. Bad because when a plant acts to defend itself, it turns off its growth mechanism. "What we've discovered is that some key components of growth and defense programs physically interact with each other," said Yang He (plant biology). "Communication between the two is how plants coordinate the two different situations. More»
Promiscuous queen bees maintain genetic diversity
University Relations
4-16-2012
By mating with nearly 100 males, queen bees on isolated islands avoid inbreeding and keep colonies healthy. The results, published in the current issue of PLoS ONE, focused on giant honey bee colonies on Hainan Island, off the coast of China. Since these bees have long been separated from their continental cousins, it was thought that the island bees would be prime candidates for inbreeding as well as having very different genes, said Zachary Huang (Entomology). More»
MSU proposes $100M urban research center in Detroit
Associated Press
4-16-2012
Rick Foster (Community Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies; Greening Michigan Institute) says an aim would be to make Detroit a center of research devoted to growing food inside cities. More»
Angler turns love of fishing into profession, tackling research on walleye, Asian carp
AgBioResearch
4-13-2012
When Brian Roth (Fisheries and Wildlife) was a young boy, he would walk to Lake Washington – on the eastern side of Seattle – to fish nearly every day, and now he has managed to transform his favorite childhood pastime into his livelihood. Roth teaches courses on the study of fish (ichthyology) and limnological and fisheries techniques, and conducts research on associated topics. Roth is part of a team examining ways to minimize the number of Asian carp – an invasive species that typically grow to 50 pounds – on the Illinois River and decrease the potential of it moving into the Great Lakes. Conversely, Roth is looking at ways to maximize the population of walleye – a noninvasive species – in a series of lakes and streams connected to Burt, Mullett, Crooked and Pickerel lakes, near Cheboygan.
MSU board OKs Energy Transition Plan
University Relations
4-13-2012
More than a year in the making, the plan was created by the Energy Transition Steering Committee, a 24-member group of students, faculty and staff whose charge was to develop a plan to help MSU reliably meet its future energy needs while keeping a close eye on costs and environmental impacts. The ultimate goal of the plan is to help create an environment in which the university is powered by 100 percent renewable energy. See also: MSU is working aggressively to power the university with 100 percent renewable energy (Greening of the Great Lakes). More»
MSU set to begin work on energy-producing anaerobic digester
University Relations
4-13-2012
MSU is poised to begin work on a new anaerobic digester, a system that will not only help re-use waste from MSU's farms and dining halls, but also will create energy for some on-campus buildings. At its April 13 meeting, the MSU Board of Trustees authorized the administration to begin work on the project, an approximately $5 million venture that should pay for itself in less than 15 years. "Once complete, this system will be the largest on a college campus in the United States," said Dana Kirk (Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering). More»
Divorce: The Second-Hand Smoke of Climate Change?
Psychology Today
4-13-2012
In 2007 the preeminent Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences published a study by Eunice Yu and Jianguo Liu (Fisheries & Wildlife) titled Environmental Impacts of Divorce. This pioneering research showed that worldwide, divorce inflates resource use because divorced people typically live in similar sized homes with fewer people while sustaining similar resource use levels (per person) as those living together in intact families. More»
New art residency program focuses on sustainability
University Relations
4-12-2012
Drawing on MSU's history as a land-grant university and its strong commitment to education and global engagement, the program – "The Land Grant: Art, Agriculture, Sustainability" – will support projects that educate the public and catalyze grass-roots remedies to global challenges, offering an artistic approach to "thinking globally and acting locally." Participants will have access to thought leaders across university departments as they develop projects and acres of university land. More»
Hard freeze hurts Michigan cherry crop
Michigan Radio
4-10-2012
"We're seeing history made before our eyes at least in terms of climatology," said Jeff Andresen (Geography). "And in some ways if we look at where our vegetation is and how advanced it is, it's probably a month ahead of where it typically is." More»
Journal shines spotlight on long-term ecological research
University Relations
4-9-2012
In celebration of the LTER program, which has been in existence for nearly 30 years, six new papers relating to the importance of such long-term research have been published in the scientific journal "BioScience." Phil Robertson (Crop and Soil Sciences) and Doug Landis (Entomology) – both MSU AgBioResearch scientists – are among the group of LTER researchers with articles published in the "BioScience" issue. There are more than 26 sites throughout the world, including the KBS LTER site at the MSU W.K. Kellogg Biological Station near Kalamazoo. More»
Climate change impacts Michigan blueberry industry
MSU Extension
3-27-2012
In Michigan, like in many other fruit growing regions, tree fruit and small fruit varieties have been selected over the years to fit the ranges of temperatures suitable to maximize productivity and fruit quality. However, record temperatures like the ones observed on March 21 in west Michigan are turned upside down in the fruit grower's production calendar. According to Jeff Andresen (Geography), similar warm spells in the state happened in 1945, and in the past each time unseasonably warm temperatures arrived in March they were followed by periods of freezing weather. More»
Warm March weather could bring early insects, fly anglers
Great Lakes Echo
3-19-2012
Richard Merritt (Entomology) predicts that there will be an early emergence of both mayflies and caddisflies. "The life cycle is based on heat over time," Merritt said. "Once they gather enough heat units in their bodies, they'll move on to the next stage. If it's warm they'll emerge."
Professor to oversee creation of Michigan tourism plan
University Relations
3-15-2012
Michigan's tourism industry is generating a new strategic plan to guide its activities during the next five years, and a MSU faculty member is leading the effort. Sarah Nicholls (CARRS and Geography) will oversee the preparation of the new planning document, in collaboration with the state's official tourism promotion agency, Travel Michigan, and the governor-appointed Travel Commission. More»
Bugs already out in mid-Michigan
WILX-TV
3-15-2012
"We've had these very, very high temperatures which have ended insects' hibernation a lot earlier," Ned Walker (Entomology) said.
Here come the mosquitos
WZZM-TV
3-15-2012
Carlos Garcia (Entomology) said mosquitoes often hide in wooded areas during the winter and they typically don't reappear until May or June. "Their biology starts moving faster, their metabolism is accelerating faster," says Garcia.
Most Michigan residents value wolves
WKAR
3-13-2012
MSU did a study to help the state Department of Natural Resources with wolf policy decisions. Meredith Gore (Fisheries and Wildlife) conducted the study.
Special report: Rise of the gray wolf
Lansing State Journal
3-11-2012
"The wolf is symbolic," said Michelle Lute (Fisheries and Wildlife). "It forces us to ask, 'What does it really mean to be a Michigander?'"
Bio-industry says it can boost agricultural economy
Holland Sentinel
3-7-2012
MSU has received a federal grant to help commercialize laboratory research. Douglas Gage (MSU BioEconomy Network), had this to say about it: "This effort recognizes the challenges of bridging the so-called 'valley of death' where many innovations fail," he said. "Ultimately the bio-economy will depend upon a reliable and cost-effective supply of non-food biomass." More»
Bio-industry says it can boost agricultural economy
Holland Sentinel
3-7-2012
MSU received a federal grant to help commercialize laboratory research, said Douglas Gage (BioEconomy Network). "This effort recognizes the challenges of bridging the so-called 'valley of death' where many innovations fail," he said.
Diving deep to understand health, environmental risk communications
AgBioResearch
3-6-2012
One of Maria Lapinski's (Communication Arts and Sciences) latest projects is trying to understand how risks are promoted on shark diving websites and what kinds of people are most likely to be motivated to take the risk of diving with sharks. "We wanted to understand how risks are being promoted with shark diving because that helps us understand why people actually take risks and how you design messages for high sensation seekers," said Lapinski. She and colleague Meredith Gore (Fisheries and Wildlife & Criminal Justice) and a team of student researchers did content analysis of shark diving websites to look at the extent to which the sites explicitly explained the risks of sharks to humans and the ways in which emotion was addressed on the sites.
Using plants to protect water and health
AgBio Research
3-1-2012
For MSU AgBioResearch scientist Dawn Reinhold (Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering), plants are a crucial component of natural treatment systems that can be used to protect both the environment and human health. "Plants play a very active role in helping to mitigate various pollutants," she said. "Plants are often overlooked when people are studying the environmental fate of chemicals and contaminants, but we've demonstrated time and again in our research that plants have a direct effect on improving the outcome of environmental fate by decreasing pollutant concentrations in waters and soils, which can potentially affect human health."
Creating a viable market for ecosystem services
AgBioResearch
2-29-2012
What do food crops, clean drinking water and the beauty of vegetated landscapes have in common? All of them are benefits that people derive from nature, what scientists call "ecosystem services." Despite wide recognition, however, these services typically are not valued through existing markets. MSU AgBioResearch scientist Scott Swinton (Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics) is working to measure the economic value of ecosystem services linked to agriculture and identify ways that policy can communicate those values to farmers.
New MSU Global Water Initiative
Michigan AgBio Research
2-28-2012
MSU has established the MSU Global Water Initiative (GWI) to advance innovative science to address major water problems facing society across the globe. The Initiative focuses on three themes: 1) Water and food; 2) Water and human health, including impacts of urbanization; and 3) Water and ecosystems, including climate impacts. As part of the GWI, MSU will be hiring 16 faculty positions over the next three years in the areas of water and food and water and health. These positions will be primarily in the Colleges of Natural Science, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Social Science and Engineering. A video and reports detail the initiative.
Be a part of the conversation! The next Center for Water Sciences Water Wednesday will be a discussion about the future of water research at MSU, including the Global Water Initiative. Water Wednesday is March 14, 3:30-4:30, in 152 Natural Resources. Also, a faculty survey will elicit more feedback about the Initiative and ways to advance water research at MSU. With questions, contact Erin Dreelin.
Environmental researchers win university awards
University Relations
2-28-2012
Several MSU environmental researchers have won the university’s 2012 Distinguished Faculty Award. Among the recipients are: Diane Ebert-May (Plant Biology), a pioneer in biology education research; Syed Hashsham (Civil and Environmental Engineering), whose work integrates genomics and microfluids with consumer electronics to solve issues related to human health and environmental biotechnology; and Susan Selke (Packaging), a leading scholar in sustainability and packaging.
Teacher-scholar awards are awarded to early-career faculty who have earned respect through their teaching and who show scholarly promise. Environmental researchers receiving the award are Kendra Cheruvelil (Fisheries and Wildlife & Lyman Briggs) and Daniel Kramer (Fisheries and Wildlife & James Madison).
2011-2012 Sustainability Seed Grant Winners
Office of Campus Sustainability
2-28-2012
MSU’s Office of Campus Sustainability offers annual research grants for MSU faculty, staff, and students to help increase campus sustainability. The most recent recipients of Sustainability Seed Grants are:
- “Increasing Carpooling at MSU,” led by Stan Kaplowitz (Sociology), which will use focus groups and surveys to learn about perceived barriers to carpooling at MSU
- “Promoting Campus Sustainability, Aesthetics, Environmental Behavior, and Well-being by Transforming Built Environments,” led by Eunsil Lee (School of Planning Design and Construction), which will conduct a post-occupancy evaluation on the environmental outcomes of the recently renovated Brody Square
- “Anaerobic Digestion of Pre- and Post-consumer Food Waste: Impacts and Logistics,”led by Dana Kirk (Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering), which will study delivery of pre- and post- consumer waste to the anaerobic digester.
- “Harnessing Student Creativity: Reducing Energy Consumption in Campus Buildings,” led by Andre Benard (Mechanical Engineering), which will set strategies for reducing the energy consumption in three representative buildings on campus
- “Closing the Food Cycle Loop: Connecting Campus Food Residue Composting at the Student Organic Farm and the Bailey Herb House Project,” led by John Biernbaum (Horticulture & the Student Organic Farm), which will expand composting activities.
"Going green" with more urban trees
AgBioResearch
2-28-2012
"Go Green!" is a favorite slogan at Spartan athletic events, and Michigan State University has taken that theme to heart with its "Be Spartan Green" environmental stewardship initiatives. David MacFarlane (Forestry) is helping to advance this "green" philosophy with groundbreaking research on urban treed spaces. "We have to pay more attention to how we utilize trees outside of forests because the planet is becoming more urbanized and more deforested, so trees are becoming more of a precious resource," said MacFarlane, who specializes in forest measurements and modeling.
National park staffing would be cut under Obama budget
USA Today
2-28-2012
Rather than cutting full-time staff, park superintendents across the U.S. are likely to cut back on seasonal staffers who lead tours, work at summer camps and guide visitors at information booths and visitors centers, said Dennis Propst (Forestry).
Most Michiganders like having wolves in their home state
University Relations
2-27-2012
The overwhelming majority of Michigan residents place value on having wolves in their home state while a small minority would buy a license to hunt them, according to a MSU study. However, it is important to seriously consider the responses of Upper Peninsula residents, some of whom have to live with wolves in their backyards and farms, according to Meredith Gore (Fisheries and Wildlife). "Although UP residents placed the lowest value on wolves, still 61 percent said they value them," she said. "However, they also showed the greatest interest in purchasing a hunting license. In fact, 55 percent of those surveyed said they would."
MSU concrete recycling saves dollars, environment
University Relations
2-24-2012
MSU is using more than 6,000 tons of recycled concrete for a variety of on-campus construction projects. By using the remnants of the old concrete, the university is not only saving thousands of dollars in construction costs, but also helping save the environment, as much of that concrete could have eventually found its way to a landfill. "Now we are processing a portion of the concrete waste stream to be re-used back on campus construction projects, rather than purchasing subbase materials from an outside vendor," said Adam Lawver (Landscape Services).
Just why does Mitt Romney love Michigan's trees?
Talking Points Memo
2-24-2012
"Most of our forests were cut in the 19th century in the lumber boom and much of our timber went to rebuild Chicago after the great fire," said Frank Telewski (Botany). "So our forests in some areas are still recovering as growth can be very slow on some of the deep glacial sands, especially in the northern part of 'the mitt.'"
From MSU to nation's capital to Natural Capital: An environmental economics journey
College of Agriculture & Natural Resources
2-23-2012
It's a journey she might not have expected when she left her native China for the United States but for Shan Ma (Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics) her research into the value of ecosystem services from agriculture has taken her across the country. Ma, 26, began work in December with the Natural Capital (NatCap) Project, a joint venture led by Stanford in partnership with the University of Minnesota, the Nature Conservancy and the World Wildlife Fund. The program's mission – according to a recent New York Times article – is to transform traditional conservation methods by including the value of "ecosystem services" in business, community and government decisions. "I have studied and learned from many different sources in my time at Michigan State," Shan said. "The diversity here has been wonderful. One day I hope to be able to improve the decision making as it applies to the environment and natural resources in China."
Wave Disk Engine could be new hybrid powerplant
U.S. News and World Report
2-23-2012
Later this year, an engineering research team led by Norbert Mueller (Engineering) plans to have just an engine generating power through a 25-kilowatt battery, which will be capable of driving a full-size hybrid electric-gas vehicle. "You have to be aggressive with your research in today's world if you want to get anywhere," Mueller says. "The wave disk engine is smaller, lighter and easier to manufacture."
Recipe for success: Recycled glass and cement
University Relations
2-20-2012
MSU researchers have found that by mixing ground waste glass into the cement that is used to make concrete, the concrete is stronger, more durable and more resistant to water. In addition, the use of glass helps reduce the amount of glass that ends up in landfills and helps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions which are common due to the high temperatures needed to create cement. Parviz Soroushian (Civil and Environmental Engineering) and colleagues recently had two papers published on the durability of the mixture. More»
2011 Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) report
2-20-2012
The annual GLBRC report highlights diverse MSU work on environmental aspects of the bioeconomy.
- Bruce Dale (Chemical Engineering and Materials Science) leading a team developing a less costly way of deconstructing plant biomass into its component sugars.
- Ilya Gelfand (Kellogg Biological Station and Phil Robertson (Crop and Soil Sciences) have found that converting Conservation Reserve Program land to corn and soybean production has high carbon costs.
- Pragnya Eranki, Bryan Bals, and Bruce Dale (Chemical Engineering and Materials Science) are looking at whether localized biomass processing can reduce carbon emissions and benefit local communities.
Ash-covered forest is 'Permian Pompeii'
Nature
2-20-2012
An ancient swampy forest full of long-extinct plant species has been brought to life through analyses of well-preserved fossils entombed in a layer of volcanic ash…Most forests like this one had died out elsewhere millions of years earlier — their habitats had dried as landmasses comprising the supercontinent came together and the forests ended up farther from the coasts, said Ralph Taggart (Geological Sciences). More»
Mild weather may chill maple syrup season
Detroit News
2-18-2012
The best conditions for tapping the highest-quality syrup are when the region has long stretches of daytime temperatures near 40 degrees and overnight lows below freezing — typically in late February and early March, said Richard Kobe (Forestry). "Once it gets warmer ... the trees are transporting other kinds of chemicals in their sap, and it then lowers the quality of the resulting maple syrup," Kobe said. More»
Thinking outside sustainability’s box with art and science
University Relations
2-17-2012
Science is about facts, but the science of sustainability also involves questions underpinned by values. With this in mind, Tom Dietz (Sociology & ESPP) asked scientists to consider how art can provoke people to consider their perceptions of sustainability at this year's annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.“Good decisions about the complex issues of sustainability have to be grounded in science, but science alone isn’t sufficient to make decisions that also involve our values and ethical concerns,” said Dietz.
< a href="http://csis.msu.edu/news/dietz_aaas_2012">Additional news coverage. More»
MSU Institute of Water Research: Finding global water management solutions locally
Greening of the Great Lakes
2-17-2012
"Universities come up with a lot of new ideas, approaches, technologies - we try to take those to the stage where they can be of immediate use by communities, by industry, by other development activities that are trying to be more sustainable, particularly relative to water resources," said Jon Bartholic (Institute of Water Research). More»
Hamann receives Sloan Research Fellowship
College of Natural Science
2-15-2012
Tom Hamann (Chemistry) has been awarded a Sloan Research Fellowship. The two-year fellowships are awarded yearly by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to 118 early-career scientists in recognition of distinguished performance and a unique potential to make substantial contributions to their field. His research interests in inorganic materials and electrochemistry of energy conversion and storage revolve around the theme of developing and characterizing nano-structured materials, coupled with detailed investigations of interfacial electron-transfer processes for solar energy conversion applications. More»
Water Flow Models to Help the Environment and the Jordan River Watershed
College of Natural Science
2-15-2012
For alumnus Anthony Kendall (Environmental Geosciences), what started out as a career leaning toward physics and mechanical engineering has evolved into several years of environmental research spanning everything from water resources in the High Plains to Brook trout in Northern Michigan's Jordan River. MSU's Hydrogeology Lab recently completed a 5-year study of Northern Michigan's Jordan River Watershed to determine why the river was choked with sand and how this was affecting the Brook trout and other species. Kendall presented their findings in November during a public presentation to the Friends of the Jordan River Watershed.
Ethanol mandate not the best option
University Relations
2-13-2012
Many people are willing to pay a premium for ethanol, but not enough to justify the government mandate for the corn-based fuel, an MSU economist argues. Soren Anderson (Economics and Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics) studied the demand for ethanol, or E85, in the United States. He found that when ethanol prices rose 10 cents per gallon, demand for ethanol fell only 12 percent to 16 percent on average. His study suggests that some people are, in fact, willing to pay more to help protect the environment. But from an economic perspective, mandating ethanol doesn’t appear to be the best option, Anderson said. More cost-effective approaches include giving consumers options or incentives for driving less or buying more efficient cars. More»
Controversial wood-to-ethanol plant may finally get under way in Upper Peninsula
Detroit Free Press
2-13-2012
Raymond Miller (Forest Biomass Innovation Center) has participated in a public-private effort to facilitate the project. He said the biorefinery will not deplete the forest resources. "We grow between two and three times as much wood each year as we use," he said. More»
Going hog wild: Weaning antibiotic-resistant bugs out of pork
Huffington Post
2-11-2012
"We find antibiotic resistance genes quite prevalent in all pigs, irrespective of antibiotic feeding. We think this may be partially due to the fact that at least in pig growing regions, the background flora that they pick up is already enriched with antibiotic resistance genes," said James Tiedje (Microbiology and Molecular Genetics). More»
Living with Michigan's wolves
Michigan Radio
2-7-2012"Generally, we found out that people enjoy knowing there are wolves in Michigan. This varies from place to place. We also found out that in general, the people of Michigan really support wildlife biology and wildlife science as an important way to make decisions about wolves," said Michael Nelson (Fisheries and Wildlife, Lyman Briggs). More»
Keeping climate change on regional agendas despite public apathy
Great Lakes Echo
2-6-2012
“Climate change is not an issue most people think about on a day to day basis,” Tom Dietz (Sociology & Environmental Science and Policy) said. “So the attitudes expressed in a survey, or around the coffee pot at work, may not reflect a lot of time spent thinking about the issue.” Dietz said the lack of national policy on climate change has more to do with organized lobbying than public opinion. More»
New Center for Regional Food Systems
Office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies
2-2-2012
Office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies
In an effort to leverage MSU’s scholarly eminence in agriculture – specifically in food production,nutrition, and distribution – a new multi-disciplinary center has been created, known as the Center for Regional Food Systems, under the leadership of Mike Hamm (Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies). The center will position MSU to take a leadership role in studying – and bolstering – regional, community-based food systems, within Michigan and around the world. More»
Climatologist: Mild temperatures to continue
CBS Detroit
2-2-2012
"There are hints that we may see a change in the pattern, maybe in the middle of February. But even with that right now the outlook for the month of February still suggests milder than normal temperatures and wetter than normal conditions," said Jeff Andresen (Geography). More»
Patricia Soranno: Studying how humans interact with freshwater systems
Greening of the Great Lakes
2-1-2012
Patricia Soranno (Fisheries and Wildlife) studies landscape limnology. Limnology is the study of inland freshwaters including lakes, wetlands, and streams. Typically, limnologists focus on one particular body of water at a time, but the introduction of landscape limnology has allowed researchers to study the relationships between different bodies of fresh water. “We can take this rich knowledge of the systems of a water body and place it in a broader context of how it's placed on the landscape and how it's connected to other water bodies, to human impacts and to other components of the landscape,” says Soranno. More»
There’s no containing MSU’s School of Packaging
MiBiz.com
1-31-2012
MSU’s School of Packaging is the world’s largest and best-known. Indeed, MSU invented packaging as an academic discipline in 1952, and has graduated more half of the trained packaging professionals in the U.S. Today, environmental research is an emphasis. Environmental projects include Rafael Auras’ work on bio-based materials that perform as well as the petroleum-based plastics to which consumers are accustomed, but negate or at least reduce the carbon footprint. More»
Brad Rowe: Green roofs provide economic and environmental benefits
Greening of the Great Lakes
1-31-2012
“Buildings consume 39 percent of the total energy that's used in the United States, and 71 percent of the electricity consumption goes into buildings,” explains Brad Rowe (Horticulture). Rowe is looking to curb that impact through green roof research. Rowe's research shows how green roofs impact ecosystems, including storm water management and energy consumption. More»
The new look of NIMBYism
The Daily Climate
1-29-2012
So-called "NIMBY" activism, once reserved for projects like landfills, prisons and big box stores, has started to impact proposed renewable energy projects throughout the nation….Opposition to biofuels, particularly ethanol, is a little more complex, according to Paul Thompson (Philosophy). The opposition is based, in part, on economics and the impact on food prices, notably corn-based commodities... More»
Gen Y’s embrace of hybrids may be auto market’s tipping point
University Relations
1-18-2012
Generation Y?s strong affinity for hybrid vehicles could make it the generation that leads the automotive market away from traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, according to an annual survey by Deloitte and MSU. A majority (59 percent) of Gen Y respondents surveyed prefer an “electrified vehicle” over any other type of car or truck. Moreover, Gen Y consumers heavily favor hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles (57 percent) over pure battery electric vehicles (2 percent) or vehicles with a traditional gasoline-only powertrain (37 percent). Deloitte conducted the survey in September and October 2011 with help from Clay Voorhees (Marketing). More»
Society’s standards driven by power, says MSU sociology prof
MSU Research
1-18-2012
Lawrence Busch (Sociology) is intrigued by how standards are intimately connected to power and policy. Busch, co-director of the Center for the Study of Standards in Society, examines how standards play a central role in constructing reality in his forthcoming book, Standards: Recipes for Reality. Busch’s interests include food and agricultural standards, food safety policy, biotechnology policy, agricultural science and technology policy, higher education in agriculture, and public participation in the policy process. More»
Leader of animal advocacy group to speak in Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo Gazette
1-17-2012
The leader of the Humane Society of the United States will be in Kalamazoo this week to sign copies of his book — perhaps with a following of fans and foes alike….Janice Swanson (Animal Science) agreed that the conflict between animal agriculture and the Humane Society of the United States is that, "as you ramp up regulation, that usually means that it's an unfunded mandate, and it costs" farmers money to change. More»
Study provides new insights into antibiotics and pig feeds
University Relations
1-16-2012
Antibiotics in pig feed increased the number of antibiotic resistant genes in gastrointestinal microbes in pigs, according to a study conducted by the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and MSU researchers and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. On-farm use of these medications may contribute to the development of strains of microbes resistant to conventional antibiotics, which are potentially harmful to humans and animals, said James Tiedje (Crop and Soil Sciences). Additional MSU researchers included Syed Hashsham, Robert Stedtfeld, and Woo Jun Sul from Civil and Environmental Engineering and Benli Chai James Cole, Tim Johnson, and Tiffany Stedtfeld from the Center for Microbial Ecology.
The Kalamazoo Gazette had the story. More»
MSU shares Energy Transition Plan
University Relations
1-16-2012
MSU has unveiled its Energy Transition Plan, a living document which will guide the university as it plots its energy future. More than a year in the making, the plan was created by the Energy Transition Steering Committee, a 24-member group of students, faculty and staff whose charge was to develop a plan to help MSU reliably meet its future energy needs while keeping a close eye on costs and environmental impacts. The ultimate goal of the plan is to help create an environment in which the university is powered by 100 percent renewable energy. Read the plan. More»
Yeast experiment hints at a faster evolution from single cells
New York Times
1-16-2012
In a laboratory at the University of Minnesota, brewer’s yeast cells can evolve primitive bodies in about two weeks. "This is a really interesting and important study," said editor of the paper Richard Lenski (Crop and Soil Sciences). "It shows that a major transition in evolution — going from unicellular to multicellular life forms — might not be as hard to achieve as most biologists have long thought."
For related story see Nature. More»
Ottawa County will spend $33,000 to study water quality issues
MLive.com
1-13-2012
Researchers from MSU will spend the next year studying the quality and levels of groundwater across Ottawa County. Among the study’s objectives is to minimize the impact of development on an aquifer’s ability to meet current and future water withdrawal demands, as well as limit the impact of water withdrawals as a result of development on domestic well quality, said Dave Lusch (Geography). More»
What traits make the best environmental citizens?
University Relations
1-10-2012
Patient, persistent and confident people are among those who make the best environmental citizens, according to Kyle Whyte (Philosophy) and Matt Ferkany (Teacher Education) who have pinpointed character traits of good problem solvers and deliberators. Their study was published in the journal Philosophy of Education. “In situations where people are talking about very tough issues, such as climate change and sustainability, there are certain virtues people have that help those deliberations go better,” said Whyte. “The public will have to increasingly deal with such issues so it’s important the educational system is preparing people to participate well with those who have different views.” But that’s not a focus of most environmental education programs, found Whyte and Ferkany. More»
Program enhances fishery conservation
Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability
1-9-2012
MSU is establishing an endowed scholar program to ensure healthy environments for fish and aquatic resources. The Stanislaus F. Snieszko Endowed Scholar Program in Aquatic Animal Medicine will be a catalyst to bridge science with policy and provide leadership to public and private organizations to conserve the nation’s wildlife, aquatic animals and related natural resources. Mohamed Faisal (Pathobiology, Fisheries and Wildlife) was chosen to direct this program. More»
Questions remain about organic foods grown in China
Seattle Times
1-7-2012
It's no secret that China has a tainted food problem….China is one of the largest food importers to the U.S….Only a fraction of those imports are organic — just as only a fraction is tainted, said Lawrence Busch (Sociology) who specializes in product standards and has become an expert in the third-party certification industry. More»
Visiting professor’s solar power technology receives accolades
College of Natural Science
1-5-2012
Visiting Hannah Professor Dan Nocera (Chemistry) is profiled in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Nocera has developed an artificial leaf made of inexpensive materials. The leaf’s stainless steel chip is coated with silicon so it can harvest sunlight and split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The catalysts produce enough hydrogen from a liter of water to power an average home in the developing world. More»
Grant to help fight emerald ash borer
Associated Press
1-2-2012
Ohio and Michigan researchers have received a $1.4 million federal grant to continue efforts to save ash trees from a beetle that has killed millions of the trees in parts of the United States and Canada. Researchers on the team include representatives from Ohio State's Columbus campus, Wright State University, MSU and the USDA Forest Service stations in Delaware, Ohio, and East Lansing, Mich. More»
Animal studies cross campus to lecture hall
New York Times
1-2-2012
A program at MSU allows doctoral and master's students in different fields to concentrate their work in animal studies. More»
