UAF in the news: week of June 8, 2009

Submitted by Marmian Grimes
Phone: 907-474-7902
06/12/09

Asperger syndrome doesn’t keep geology enthusiast from earning degree
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
FAIRBANKS--Cole Kingsbury developed an early interest in all things related to rocks. Read more ...

Last living territorial governor honored at UAF
Anchorage Daily News
Mike Stepovich was having a little trouble with the first stair this past Mothers Day. Read more ...

Redoubt oozes lava, pressure builds
Anchorage Daily News
Since Mount Redoubt’s last explosion in April, it has quietly continued to ooze lava from its vent, creating a massive hardened dome that could blow at any moment and unleash another ash fall on Southcentral Alaska. Read more ...

Scientist finds fungus gnats survive winter half-frozen
Anchorage Daily News
A few winters ago, Todd Sformo was out gathering hibernating insects from the woods near the Fairbanks International Airport. He searched for dead balsam poplar trees, looking for a beetle that spends its winters under the loose bark, exposed to the frigid air. Read more ...

25 city students get reduced tuition
Indian Express
Twenty-five city students have been selected by University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) to get 66 per cent concession in tuition fees while doing a course at the university. Read more ...

Cultivation changed monsoon in Asia
Science News
The dramatic expansion of agriculture in India and southeastern China during the 18th century--a sprawl that took place at the expense of forests--triggered a substantial drop in precipitation in those regions, a new study suggests. Read more ...

UAF aircraft developed to help monitor seal populations
Anchorage Daily News
A drone aircraft is flying surveillance over the Bering Sea this month as scientists test its prospects for documenting little-studied ice seals at the southern edge of the ice pack. Read more ...

Retiring teacher shifts focus from students to teachers
Homer News
After 33 years and one of what he described as his best years in the classroom, Hal Neace is calling it quits. Sort of. Read more ...

Tanana Chiefs Conference, Alaska Center for Energy and Power study rural energy solutions
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
FAIRBANKS-- A research center and an Alaska Native consortium announced last month that they’ll form a partnership and explore ways to wean Interior villages from an expensive dependence on oil power. Read more ...

Planting day brings splash of color to University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
FAIRBANKS--Thanks to the green thumbs of dozens of community and university volunteers, more than 20,000 multi-colored flowers were planted around the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus Wednesday. Read more ...

Alaska Book Festival celebrates the written word, history
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
FAIRBANKS--Willie Hensley has had a vast and diverse career, having served Alaska in the House of Representatives and the Senate, held the Commerce commissioner title under Gov. Tony Knowles, was president of an Alaska village corporation, did work for the trans-alaska Pipeline in Washington, D.C., and served on various committees and boards in the state. Read more ...

UAF hosts event for Fairbanks golfers
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
FAIRBANKS--The University of Alaska Fairbanks athletic department is hosting the 25th annual IBEW Nanook Golf Scramble on June 12 at the North Star Golf Club, 330 Golf Club Dr. Read more ...

UAF student group pushes anti-discrimination measure for gays
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
FAIRBANKS--A student-based gay rights group is urging the University of Alaska to update nondiscrimination policies with a measure it said would better protect gay students and friends. Read more ...

Sculptor-painter becomes ’accidental poster artist’
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
FAIRBANKS--Despite receiving attention as a budding artist as a toddler, Nikki Kinne said she was a "reluctant artist" until about two years ago. Read more ...

Stampede Trail has a story of permafrost’s warming potential
Anchorage Daily News
Each fall, beginning in the early 1970s -- decades before the actions of Christopher McCandless made a gravel road in central Alaska the setting of a bestselling book and movie -- Tom Osterkamp was driving the Stampede Trail near Healy to reach his favorite moose-hunting areas. Read more ...

Voles take a toll on Fairbanks gardens, lawns
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
FAIRBANKS--Munching moose usually are the predator that green thumbs in Fairbanks have to contend with, but this summer it’s voracious voles that are taking a bite out of lawns, flower beds and vegetable gardens around town.
Read more ...

Study: Boys’ school issues neglected
UPI
FAIRBANKS, Alaska, June 9 (UPI) -- Both boys and girls have learning issues, but those affecting boys in school are more serious and have been neglected, a U.S. researcher says. Read more ...

Alaska’s Hyatt earns another academic honor
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
It’s been a month since Trevor Hyatt graduated with a civil engineering degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, but he is still collecting academic accolades. Read more ...

Scientist kills polar bear during first field experience
Alaska Report
Bob McNabb, 23, is just beginning what may be a long career studying glaciers. No matter how many seasons he spends on ice, he will probably never have a field experience like his first. Read more ...

Fairbanks researcher: Greenland ice sheet melting faster than expected
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
FAIRBANKS, Alaska--The Greenland ice sheet is melting faster than expected, according to a new study led by a University of Alaska Fairbanks researcher. Read more ...

UAF ponders switching hockey conferences
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
FAIRBANKS--The University of Alaska Fairbanks is considering applying to become a member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association in the future. Read more ...