Millions of U.S. drivers daily use faulty or obsolete bridges, but it's too costly to fix them all or adequately monitor safety, says a University of Maryland researcher who’s developed a new, early warning system to prevent the kind of fatal bridge disaster in Minneapolis on Aug. 1, 2007. The new system is dramatically cheaper than current technology.
“Brain cap” technology being developed at the University of Maryland allows users to turn their thoughts into motion. Associate Professor of Kinesiology José 'Pepe' L. Contreras-Vidal and his team have created a non-invasive, sensor-lined cap with neural interface software that could be used to control computers, robotic prosthetic limbs, motorized wheelchairs and even digital avatars. Power of UMD team's work is shown in new study findings, new grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and a growing list of partners.
The University of Maryland has appointed Robert M. Specter as its new vice president for administrative affairs - the institution's chief fiscal and administrative officer. Specter brings more than 25 years of senior leadership experience in higher education to the post, most recently as business leader of an extensive redevelopment project at the University of Delaware, and the institution's vice president for finance.
Four Mid-Atlantic States will offer one of the nation’s most generous programs to replace old, polluting trucks – short-haul “drays”. It doubles an EPA cash-for-clunkers-style effort with public and private money. "We no longer want our ports to be the place where old trucks go to die," says University of Maryland’s Joanne Throwe, program coordinator.
The University of Maryland and the Municipal League are teaming up to assist communities plan and implement green, sustainable practices that may help them cope with tight budgets. The program guides communities through steps ultimately earning them a “Sustainability Certification” – which may eventually earn them preferences in funding.
University of Maryland archaeologists are reconstructing the inner world of early Irish immigrants - of city children taught at home to read before widespread public education or child labor laws, and insular rural communities defying assimilation. "These people helped build the Washington Monument and U.S. Capitol," says UMD’s Stephen Brighton.
When University of Maryland psychologist Andrea Chronis-Tuscano testified at an FDA hearing, it changed her mind about the risks of artificial food coloring for children, and drove her to rescan what she feeds her kids. There's still NO evidence to suggest a link with ADHD, she says, but new concerns about the dye’s wider safety for children.
University of Maryland archaeologists are uncovering an unexpectedly rich haul of household materials from an historic African American home in Annapolis. Purchased in 1850 by one of the first African Americans to work for the Naval Academy, the house reveals how the family adapted a middle class lifestyle to the realities of post-Civil War Annapolis.
The University of Maryland has named Brian Voss CIO and VP of IT. His IT experience spans 25 years, much of it in leadership positions at public, flagship, research universities, currently at LSU. He’s been active in major national higher education tech initiatives in cybersecurity, cyberinfrastructure, IT strategy and disaster recovery planning.
The University of Maryland has named Bonnie Thornton Dill dean of Arts and Humanities. Dill, long-time chair of women’s studies, is expected to serve until June 30, 2013. She is the first woman to hold the post. Internationally known for her scholarship on race and gender, Dill has led women’s studies at Maryland to national prominence.
Using a tiny bloodless worm, University of Maryland Associate Professor Iqbal Hamza and his team have discovered a large piece in the puzzle of how humans, and other organisms, safely move iron around in the body. The findings, published in the journal Cell, could lead to new methods for treating age-old scourges - parasitic worm infections, which affect more than a quarter of the world's population, and iron deficiency, the world's number one nutritional disorder.
"Size matters when it comes to research impact, and this heightens the importance of collaboration with all sectors," says Patrick O'Shea, University of Maryland’s new VP for Research. "Downsizing of long-term corporate research labs is increasing the importance of academic research. Strong university-industry ties are critical...”
For the eighth time, the University of Maryland will host the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals, May 27-30, 2011 -- just one of many programs offered at Maryland this summer. Nearly 18,000 people, including 858 teams from 33 states and 14 countries, will descend on Maryland's 1,200-acre campus for the World Finals, the largest international creative problem-solving competition. Teams, which consist of seven members ranging from elementary through college-age students, all earned a spot to represent their hometowns in the competition. These students, who represent the world's best problem solvers, tackle mind-bending challenges through the arts, performance, science, storytelling and engineering - to name a few.
Distinguished physicist Jayanth R. Banavar, whose research frequently involves interdisciplinary collaboration in the life sciences, has been named dean of the University of Maryland's newly integrated College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences. For the past 12 years, Banavar has led the physics department at Penn State University.
The University of Maryland has announced Dylan Rebois will be awarded the 2011 University Medal at the spring Commencement ceremony on May 19, 2011. The medal, awarded each year at May commencement, honors the graduating senior who best exemplifies academic distinction, outstanding character and extracurricular contributions to the university or public communities.
Under Osama bin Laden's leadership, al Qa'ida has been one of the most lethal terrorist organization in the world, responsible for more than 10,000 deaths and injuries in a dozen years - finds a new analysis by the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism at the University of Maryland (START).
University of Maryland experts in terrorism, international security, politics, and more, can discuss the ramifications of the death of Osama Bin Laden - including the grim body count from his attacks, the areas of greatest vulnerability in the future, how the U.S. has improved connecting the dots, and the risks of summary assassination.
The University of Maryland, Columbia University and the Smithsonian Institution have pooled their expertise to create the world’s first plant identification mobile app using visual search – Leafsnap. This electronic field guide allows users to identify tree species simply by taking a photograph of the tree’s leaves. In addition to the species name, Leafsnap provides high-resolution photographs and information about the tree’s flowers, fruit, seeds and bark—giving the user a comprehensive understanding of the species.
Planting trees may be an excellent gateway to further civic and political involvement, concludes a new University of Maryland study, based on work with New York volunteers. "The more a person is involved in environmental stewardship, the more s/he engages with other types of civic and political activities," says the report, released on Arbor Day.
President Wallace Loh officially took the reins of the University of Maryland promising “relentless pursuit” of four strategic goals – increased student achievement, innovation and entrepreneurship, internationalization, and service to the state. He announced a major new innovation center increase the flow of research from lab to market.
A new University of Maryland research center will focus on the human side of environmental policymaking and activism - one of the first centers of its kind in the field. "Environmental legislation and community activism doesn't just spring up in a vacuum," says sociologist Dana R. Fisher, who directs the new Center for Society and the Environment.
The University of Maryland Solar Decathlon Team has unveiled its entry in the U.S. Department of Energy competition - a high-tech structure called WaterShed, because it integrates a unique array of sustainable features designed to protect the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The student-faculty team is one of only 20 international finalists.
College students around the world report that they are 'addicted' to media, describing in vivid terms their cravings, their anxieties and their depression when they have to abstain from using media - even for one 24 hour period.
How important are links in online news - especially when explaining science, health and technology? New research from the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism suggests that non-expert audiences report more interest in and understanding of news depending on the way text and links are structured.
The University of Maryland's Home and Garden Information Center has some great tips for beginning gardeners this spring.
Predicting what happens to radioactive materials released by Japan's crippled nuclear plants is even more difficult than forecasting the weather, and depends on several key factors, University of Maryland atmospheric scientists say. They’re preparing daily long-range projections of air ‘parcel’ movements from Fukushima, and posting them online.
What happens to radioactive material released from Japan is more difficult to predict than the weather, depending on several factors, explain University of Maryland atmospheric scientists. “Projected air mass patterns vary dramatically daily, and it’s these changing conditions that control radiation dispersal,” says researcher Tim Canty.
Airborne radiation from a meltdown at Japanese nuclear plants poses no immediate risk to the continental United States, say University of Maryland public health and atmospheric scientists. Drawing on research from Chernobyl, they add that for most Japanese, the long term risk may lie in ingestion of milk, as well as direct exposure to contaminated soil.
The University of Maryland will welcome DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), as the 2011 Spring Commencement speaker. The fourth leader in the union's 41-year history, Smith represents approximately 1,700 NFL players in the collective bargaining union, which is currently negotiating a billion-dollar collective bargaining agreement with league owners.
The situation at Japan's Fukushima nuclear facility has become increasingly serious with the growing possibility of a complete meltdown, says University of Maryland energy policy expert Nathan Hultman. “Damage to the nuclear fuel containment potentially is a very serious problem that complicates efforts to prevent a total meltdown.”
The damage to three nuclear power plants in Japan will renew debate worldwide, prompting a new look at needed levels of safety and redundancy, says University of Maryland energy policy expert Nathan Hultman. “The events at Fukushima Daiichi will complicate planning for nuclear expansion for the coming years in all countries.”
The devastating Japan earthquake is the latest in a series of 'mega-quakes' over the past seven years, says University of Maryland geophysicist Laurent Montesi, an expert in earthquakes and related phenomena. "I am struck by the frequency of large seismic events we have been having since the 2004 Sumatra one," Montesi notes.
It took nearly a decade before University of Maryland researchers were allowed to talk about their work identifying the anthrax strain used in the deadly letter attacks. But now, they and the other key members of the science team have published the first account of the pioneering work, allowing bioterrorism investigators to “fingerprint” bacteria.
University of Maryland Senior Dekunle Somade is one of three finalists selected from hundreds of submissions competing in MTV/College Board's Get Schooled: College Affordability Challenge, a national competition that encourages college students and young adults to create digital tools to enhance or simplify the financial aid process.
The public is on a different page with regard to the federal budget than either the House of Representatives or the Obama Administration, bringing a different set of priorities and a greater willingness to increase some domestic spending and taxes, concludes a new analysis by the University of Maryland’s Program for Public Consultation (PPC).
New findings by a University of Maryland-led team of scientists show genetically engineered fungi carrying genes for human antibodies, scorpion toxins, etc. can be highly effective, specific and environmentally friendly tools for combating malaria, Lyme disease and other bug-borne illness. Pests like bed bugs and stink bugs can also be targeted.
The University of Maryland is awarding product development grants worth $3.7 million partnering researchers and businesses to bring novel technologies to market. The “MIPS” grants fund 16 green, bio- and high-technologies, including a biofuel-producing smokestack scrubber, advanced wind turbine, hemostatic bandages and ultra-thin batteries.
Great works and praiseworthy behavior may bring respect and admiration, but these won't help us to escape blame when we do something wrong, says a new study by researchers at the University of Maryland and Harvard University. To do that, the researchers say, one needs to be a victim not a hero!
A famous US Revolution-era building has a hidden African face, University of Maryland archaeologists say. Maryland’s “Orangery” – the only 18th century greenhouse left in North America, and made famous by Frederick Douglass – shows African American slaves played a key technical role there, and left tangible proof of their heritage.
Assistant Professor of Communication Sahar Khamis comments on today's announcement that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has stepped down after 30 years in power. Please feel free to contact her directly. All our Egypt/Middle East Experts can be found at: http://bit.ly/eRV6ck
Institute for Advanced Computer Studies Researcher Aaron Mannes of the University of Maryland comments about Hosni Mubarak's decision to leave office in Egypt after 30 years. Mannes - an expert in Terrorism, Middle East politics and Homeland Security issues is available for interviews. All our faculty experts are available at: http://bit.ly/eRV6ck
When average Americans are presented the federal budget in some detail, most can cut the deficit dramatically and solve the Social Security shortfall. "Given information and a chance to sort through their options, most Americans do better than most politicians," says UMD Senior Research Scholar Steven Kull. Try the exercise yourself online.
In a new study, scientists at the University of Maryland and the Institut Pasteur show that bacteria evolve new abilities, such as antibiotic resistance, predominantly by acquiring genes from other bacteria. The researchers new insights into the evolution of bacteria partly contradict the widely accepted theory that new biological functions in bacteria and other microbes arise primarily through the process of gene duplication within the same organism.
Highly-caffeinated energy drinks – even those without alcohol – may pose a significant threat to individuals and public health, say researchers at the University of Maryland School of Public Health and Wake Forest University School of Medicine. They recommend action by health providers, consumer, manufacturers and federal regulators.
President Obama is rebooting his administration in the State of the Union Address, “fundamentally resetting” his course, says Donald Kettl, dean of the University of Maryland School of Public Policy and author of “Next Government of the United States.” “This is… a strategy of trying to get to the middle before the Republicans can get there,” Kettl explains.
University of Maryland Speech-Language Pathologist Vivian Sisskin talks about stuttering in wake of the 12 Oscar Nominations for The King's Speech.
The frequency of suicide terrorism has increased in recent years, with over 90% of all suicide attacks from 1970-2008 occurring between 2000 and 2008. Following a suicide bombing at Domodedovo Airport in Moscow, the START Terrorism Center at the University of Maryland has compiled background information on related terrorist activity.
The new Maryland legislature significantly under-represents women compared to the general population, though African American membership is less out of balance, finds a new University of Maryland study. “Minority candidates are quite effective at winning elections, but there aren’t enough seeking office,” said UMD researcher Paul Herrnson.
President Barack Obama announced this week the nomination of Katharine G. Abraham to the Council of Economic Advisers. Abraham is a professor in the Joint Program in Survey Methodology and a faculty associate in the Population Research Center at the University of Maryland.
The impact of iPhone 4 release by Verizon on the competitive landscape boils down to one word: performance. That is, the performance of iPhone 4 on Verizon's CDMA wireless communications network.
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