Salem-News.com Oregon State University articles Page 5

Activist, Author to Speak on Situation in Darfur

For more than 20 years, Prendergast has worked to combat genocide and human rights abuses, with a focus on Africa.

(CORVALLIS, Ore. ) - Noted human rights activist and author John Prendergast will give a free public lecture at Oregon State University on Friday, that will examine human rights abuse in Darfur.

His free public talk, “Darfur and Beyond: What We Can Do to Confront the Human Rights Crisis in Africa,” begins at 7:00 p.m. in Austin Auditorium of the LaSells Stewart Center on the OSU campus. The center is located at 26th Street and Western Boulevard in Corvallis.

Microbiologists Discover New Parasite Killing Ducks, Other Species

Myxozoa are a group of microscopic, parasitic animals that live in marine and freshwater aquatic habitats, and one or more species are found in virtually all fish.

(CORVALLIS, Ore. ) - Microbiologists at Oregon State University have discovered a new species of “myxozoan” parasite that has been found for the first time to infect a warm blooded animal – in this case, ducks - after evolving from its relatives that are common in cold-blooded fish and aquatic worms.

Western States Facing Waterways Inundated with Non-Native Fish, Amphibians

The most widespread non-native species were brook, rainbow and brown trout, which were found in 14-17 percent of the streams surveyed.

(CORVALLIS, Ore. ) - A new study by researchers at Oregon State University and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found that more than half of the stream and river miles surveyed in 12 western states contained non-native fish and amphibians.

Oregon and Washington had fewer non-native species, yet 20-21 percent of the stream miles in the Pacific Northwest still had fish or amphibians that were not present when Lewis and Clark first explored the region.

Study Links Preschool Behavior to Academic Success

Results found that every seven-point increase in behavioral regulation over the school year predicted between three weeks and 2.8 months of learning gains in vocabulary, math and literacy.

(CORVALLIS, Ore.) - A study by an Oregon State University faculty member shows that preschool age children who do not master basic self-regulation skills such as paying attention and following instructions may fall behind in academic subjects including math and reading.

The findings contradict a recent controversial study that found weak or no association between children’s socioemotional skills – including attention – and learning.

Oregon State University Launches $625 Million Campaign

OSU plays an important role in the state’s prosperity, said Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski.

(CORVALLIS, Ore.) - Oregon State University leaders have officially launched “The Campaign for OSU,” a $625-million fundraising effort and the university’s first ever comprehensive capital campaign. Supporters have already committed $350 million toward the goal.

As part of the event, OSU President Ed Ray also announced $77 million in private and public commitments toward a major campaign initiative: the Linus Pauling Science Center and its associated research and education programs.

Oregon State to Open Childcare Center for Student Parents

An open house and grand opening for Our Little Village-Library will be from noon to 2:30 PM on Tuesday, Nov. 6th.

(CORVALLIS, Ore. ) - In order to help Oregon State University student parents in need of care for their children, the Associated Students of OSU and the Valley Library have teamed up to create Our Little Village-Library.

Any currently enrolled student can drop off their children ages six months to 10 years old on a first-come, first-served basis for a maximum of two to three hours.

Beaver Nation Asked to Help California Wildfire Victims

“This tragedy has affected many, many people, including some of our very own student-athletes and staff,” Director of Athletics Bob De Carolis said.

(CORVALLIS, Ore. ) - The Oregon State University Department of Athletics is asking “Beaver Nation” to help those affected by the wildfires in Southern California by making a donation at this Saturday’s game at Reser Stadium against the Stanford Cardinal. Kickoff is slated for 3:35 PM.

Monetary donations will be accepted at Fan Fair, located at Parker Plaza, and at the Reser Stadium gates from 1:30 - 4:00 PM.

OSU to Create Statewide Emergency Traffic Management System

During the first year of the project, the focus will be on creating a unified incident management program for Oregon’s interstates and highways.

(CORVALLIS, Ore. ) - Oregon State University has signed an agreement with the Oregon Department of Transportation to help create the first step toward an “intelligent” statewide emergency traffic management system that coordinates and manages resources and communication.

During the next 18 months to two years, OSU software engineers develop components to a program that will unify the state’s five traffic regions, align communication between ODOT and the Oregon State Police, and better coordinate messages to the public.

Oregon State Researchers Study Deadly Rip Currents

Rip currents annually kill an estimated 100 persons in the United States alone

(CORVALLIS, Ore. ) - Strong “rip currents” have been blamed for several incidents along the Oregon coast in the past week, including the disappearance of a teenager swimming near Cannon Beach.

Experts say these rip currents are more common than rare, and can at times be deadly.

OSU Researchers Calling for Aggressive Health Screening of Female Athletes

In their quest to be lean, female athletes can trigger a hormonal imbalance that leads to poor bones.

(CORVALLIS, Ore. ) - Coaches, doctors and parents need to heed the signs and symptoms of what researchers call the “Female Athlete Triad” – inadequate food intake, menstrual disruption and low bone density.

In a paper scheduled for fall publication in the Journal of Sports Science, Oregon State University Professor Melinda Manore and two co-authors – OSU doctoral student Lynn Cialdella Kam and Ohio University Professor Anne B. Loucks – call for comprehensive screening of athletes and active females to detect energy deficits and eating disorders, as well as wider education about a syndrome that too often goes undetected.