CALS NewsLine from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
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IN THIS NEWSLINE ISSUED March 26 , 2009 :
- BONE BUILDERS VOLUNTEER TRAINING APRIL 23-24 IN PHOENIX
- ECOLOGIST DAVID BRESHEARS AWARDED 2009 LEOPOLD LEADERSHIP FELLOWSHIP
- SALTCEDAR FOUND TO BE FRIEND, NOT FOE OF WESTERN WATERWAYS
- NEW MCCLELLAND INSTITUTE HONORS ARIZONA CHILD ADVOCATE
- RESEARCHING ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
- PLANT SALE AT BOYCE THOMPSON ARBORETUM MARCH 29
- TAKING THE PULSE OF THE PLANET
- EARLY SPRING PESTS NOW ABUNDANT IN THE DESERT
- CALS IN THE NEWS: MARCH
1 BONE BUILDERS VOLUNTEER TRAINING APRIL 23-24 IN PHOENIX
Not getting enough calcium and weight bearing exercise, especially at an early age, can cause osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease that causes fractures, disability and possibly death for 1 in 2 women and 1 in 8 older men. Bone Builders is an osteoporosis education program targeting adult women, plus older men.
Become a Bone Builders Volunteer Educator and attend training offered through University of Arizona Cooperative Extension April 23-24 in Phoenix. You will learn about osteoporosis, its risk factors, nutrition and high calcium sources, exercises to build bone density, screening, treatment, and how to teach others.
For registration information see the flyer at the link below.
Sharon Hoelscher Day, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, shday@ag.arizona.edu
To learn more: http://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/fcs/bb/Vol%20Training%20April09%201.pdf
2 ECOLOGIST DAVID BRESHEARS AWARDED 2009 LEOPOLD LEADERSHIP FELLOWSHIP
David D. Breshears, a University of Arizona professor of natural resources, has been awarded a 2009 Leopold Leadership Fellowship. The fellowship is awarded to outstanding environmental scientists with leadership abilities and a strong interest in communicating science to policy makers, media and the public.
"It's a great opportunity. What's important about trying to do environmental research is not just finding out how things work but figuring out why it matters and communicating it," Breshears said.
"We're used to mostly communicating with other scientists--so we focus a lot of times on details that are important within the scientific community, but sometimes those details get in the way of communicating effectively with broader audiences," he said.
Through peer networking, mentoring and media training and mock congressional hearings, the fellows learn both communication and leadership skills.
This year, 19 scientists from a range of disciplines, including marine science, geography and economics, will join 134 past fellows.
Previous Leopold Fellows from the UA are Julia E. Cole, associate professor of geosciences, and Lisa Graumlich, now professor and director of the UA's School of Natural Resources. Graumlich said, "Faculty and graduate students at the School of Natural Resources work on a number of critical issues such as climate change, conservation of endangered species and sustainability of rangelands. Dave's fellowship will allow him to be a more effective spokesperson for his own research as well as that of his colleagues at the school."
Read more from the March 12 UANews article at the link below.
David Breshears, School of Natural Resources, daveb@email.arizona.edu
To learn more: http://uanews.org/node/24529
3 SALTCEDAR FOUND TO BE FRIEND, NOT FOE OF WESTERN WATERWAYS
Water waster, pest plant, an alien invader, the saltcedar or tamarisk is known as a truly villainous plant, the plant that is drinking the West dry. Recent research, however, finds that the much maligned plant can be a valuable and productive member of a riparian plant community. Scientists are concerned, however, that the message has not reached many natural resource managers.
More is at stake here than the reputation of the saltcedar. Also at issue is the contribution of science to land and water management. Are resource managers using the latest research when determining water management issues? Are they even aware of such research? What must be done to get word out so that research is widely known and used?
This is an issue that concerns Ed Glenn, a researcher in the University of Arizona's Environmental Research Laboratory. Glenn is part of a research network that includes scientists from the UA, Arizona State University, U.S. Geological Survey and other agencies and institutions that have studied the saltcedar for over ten years; they argue that the environmental benefits of saltcedar outweigh arguments to eradicate the plant.
Read more from the November-December 2008 issue of Arizona Water Resource at the link below.
Ed Glenn, Environmental Research Laboratory, eglenn@ag.arizona.edu
To learn more: http://cals.arizona.edu/azwater/awr/13494048-c0a8-0162-0028-c94a8675a8d3.html
4 NEW MCCLELLAND INSTITUTE HONORS ARIZONA CHILD ADVOCATE
The Frances McClelland Institute for Children, Youth and Families at The University of Arizona has named Nadine Mathis Basha as the recipient of the institute's first biennial Vision Award.
The award recognizes individuals whose efforts have improved the lives of Arizona children and families. Basha, a former schoolteacher, is the founder of the Children's Action Alliance and board chair of the children's program First Things First.
"As educators ourselves, the staff of the Norton School and Frances McClelland Institute can relate to Mrs. Basha's passions for learning, teaching and children," said Soyeon Shim, professor and director of the Norton School. "We were delighted to receive such overwhelming support from community and business leaders throughout the state for Mrs. Basha's nomination, and couldn't have asked for a better inaugural recipient of the Vision Award."
Basha and her husband, Eddie Basha, whose family founded Basha's supermarkets, have two sons. The Bashas have received numerous honors and recognition for their business, philanthropic and educational efforts in support of children.
Read more from the March 5 UANews article at the link below.
Helen Gaebler, Frances McClelland Institute for Families, Youth and Children, hgaebler@email.arizona.edu
To learn more: http://uanews.org/node/24392
5 RESEARCHING ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
The William J. Parker Agricultural Research Complex (ARC) is a 55,000 square foot environmentally controlled facility dedicated to the study of the effects of a semi-arid environment on metabolism, endocrine function and gene expression in domestic animals. Five faculty, 4 post-docs, 10 graduate students and 6 technical staff work at the facility on a wide variety of areas including functional genomics, metabolism, nutrient requirements, physiology and molecular biology.
The facility includes large and small animal surgical suites and whole animal metabolism and environmental challenge modules for domestic animals. The environmental modules have the capability to simulate, in a controlled setting, the exterior environmental conditions of desert regions including temperature, humidity and solar radiation, and to simulate daily and seasonal cycles.
Each module is 674 square feet in size and can house 6 dairy cows, sheep or beef cows in tie stalls. Daily feed intake, water intake and milk yield can be monitored on each animal. The solar radiation capability of each room is 99% equivalent to full sunlight including infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths. The maximum solar energy load is equivalent to 1000 watts per square meter. Photoperiod and ambient circadian temperature cycles can be duplicated for each day of each season of the year for the desert southwest. The facility also includes 11,000 square feet of lab space dedicated to molecular biology, cell culture and nutritional physiology.
Read more about this facility in the fall 2008 issue of the Arizona Livestock Review at the link below.
Bob Collier, Department of Animal Sciences, rcollier@ag.arizona.edu
To learn more: http://cals.arizona.edu/ans/livestockreview/Fall_08/ARC.html
6 PLANT SALE AT BOYCE THOMPSON ARBORETUM MARCH 29
Spring is a great season for planting. Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior, Arizona, is offering a plant sale through Saturday, March 29. Thousands of drought-tolerant trees, shrubs, vines, groundcovers, succulents and other cacti will be available for purchase. The selection also includes 50 different herb seedlings. Many plants are in bloom, immediately attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.
Featured plants include potted boojum trees in various sizes, many different species of Penstemons and a great assortment of landscape size cacti and succulents, all ready to plant outside. Also featured: hard-to-find Mexican Redbuds, Turk's Cap (Malvaviscus), seed-grown native creosotes, and lemongrass.
Weekends during the Plant Sale offer opportunities to meet Arboretum horticultural staff and groundskeepers, as well as volunteers from the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Master Gardener programs.
Find out more at the link below. For a virtual tour go to http://virtualstudio13.com/media/bta/
Boyce Thompson Arboretum, BTAinfo@ag.arizona.edu
To learn more: http://cals.arizona.edu/bta/
7 TAKING THE PULSE OF THE PLANET
Volunteers across the nation are being recruited to get outdoors and help track the effects of climate on seasonal changes in plant and animal behavior. The USA-National Phenology Network, known as USA-NPN, a consortium of government, academic and citizen-scientists, is launching a new national program built on volunteer observations of flowering, fruiting and other seasonal events. Scientists and resource managers will use these observations to track effects of climate change on the Earth's life-support systems.
"This program is designed for people interested in participating in climate change science, not just reading about it," said USA-NPN executive director and U.S. Geological Survey scientist Jake Weltzin. "We encourage everyone to visit the Web site and then go outside and observe the marvelous cycles of plant and animal life."
Phenology is the study of the seasonal cycles of plant and animals, such as plants sprouting, flowering and fruiting; and animals reproducing, migrating and hibernating.
Changes in these patterns, caused by climate change or other factors, can significantly affect human economies and health.
Read more from the March 3 article in UANews at the link below.
Jake Weltzin, USA-National Phenology Network, jweltzin@usgs.gov
To learn more: http://uanews.org/node/24364
8 EARLY SPRING PESTS NOW ABUNDANT IN THE DESERT
March was ushered in by some record-breaking warm temperatures. As a result, plants responded by breaking their winter dormancy ahead of schedule.
Citrus are in full bloom, as are yellow senna, pink penstemon, red salvia and Indian hawthorn. In addition, trees, shrubs and vines of all types are sprouting new shoots and tender young leaves--"haute cuisine" for spring insect pests. Keep a watch out in your garden and landscape for these unwelcome dinner pests.
Aphids are the first in line to feed on tender young shoots of flowers and shrubs. Roses, vegetables and perennial flowers are among their favorite menu items.
To spot aphids, look for leaves with a shiny varnish-like coating of honey dew. This is the sticky-sweet excretion produced by aphids. You may also see ants climbing up the stems and over the shoots of aphid-laden plants. They feed on the honey dew and actually tend and protect the aphids from predators. Look closely at the underside of new leaves and you'll find clusters of these light-green, soft-bodied insects. As they feed, aphids draw the fluids from leaves using a straw-like aperture. As they do, leaves become cupped and curled.
It's easy to rid your plants of aphids. Just knock them off with a strong spray of water from a garden hose attachment. Be sure the water is coming out cool before spraying plants.
Find out more from the March 22 Arizona Daily Star article at the link below.
John Begeman, Pima County Cooperative Extension, jbegeman@ag.arizona.edu
To learn more: http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/285093.php
UA CROP RESEARCH MAY HELP ASTHMA SUFFERERS
University of Arizona scientists are using research methods now improving crop yields to help discover breath-saving asthma treatments.
UA BIO5 Institute researchers Rod Wing and Fernando Martinez are collaborating to combine their world-leading expertise in plant genome sequencing and respiratory disease study to identify undiscovered genetic variants present in asthmatics.
By sequencing a person's DNA, researchers will be able to determine which drugs can best treat their particular type of asthma, said Martinez, BIO5's interim director and Arizona Respiratory Center director.
"The objective is to personalize treatment for asthma," he said. "We are going to target the genes that are important to you."
Wing, director of the Arizona Genomics Institute, for years has been using cutting-edge instruments to sequence genetic material in rice and other plants. His research includes working with Chinese scientists to improve rice yields and to make West African cultivated rice more drought-tolerant to feed starving people.
"The main focus is on rice in our lab," Wing said. "We've never done asthma before."
Read more in the March 25 issue of the Tucson Citizen at http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/altss/printstory/frontpage/112865
Rod Wing, BIO5 Institute, rwing@email.arizona.edu
AT THE U. OF ARIZONA, GOALS COLLIDE WITH REALITY
To be at the University of Arizona these days is, in some ways, to be under siege.
The flagship university in one of the nation's fastest-growing states may have to eliminate some 600 jobs and merge dozens of programs to deal with two rounds of budget cuts imposed since June. Now the governor is telling the university and other state agencies to prepare for cuts of as much as 20 percent for the next fiscal year.
Last summer the university was already looking for ways to significantly overhaul its operations, but those changes alone won't be enough to offset the reductions in state aid.
Campus leaders feel that their core mission is at stake as they struggle to make a case for the research university to a governor and key legislators, many of whom have found success in life without having earned four-year degrees.
Read more from the March 27 issue of the Chronicle of Higher Education at http://chronicle.com/weekly/v55/i29/29a00101.htm
PUT DOWN THAT CHEESEBURGER, KIDDO
Apollo Middle School students were challenged last week to work on their nutrition as part of a nearly $2 million research grant to reduce the risk of obesity and diabetes over three years.
Under the grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Carol M. White Physical Education Program, the YMCA of Southern Arizona, in partnership with the University of Arizona Nutritional Sciences Department and the Sunnyside Unified School District, are working in large part through student leaders to encourage physical activity, nutrition education and character development among students in sixth through eighth grades.
Read more from the "Education Notes" section of the March 23 issue of the Arizona Daily Star at http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/285520.php. Scroll down to the title above.
Joy Winzerling, Department of Nutritional Sciences, jwinzerling@ag.arizona.edu
COMPOST PROGRAM AWAITS STATE APPROVAL
The composting project, Compost Go-Live, that could save the UA $28,000 a year by diverting food, manure, and landscaping waste from landfills, is one step closer to becoming a reality.
Lesley Ash, ASUA sustainability director, said the university has agreed to give the project $30,000 in matching funds if they receive the Waste Reduction Assistance grant from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality that they are applying for.
Read more about this project, which involves members of the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) in the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences, at http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2009/03/13/News/Compost.Program.Awaits.State.Approval-3671529.shtml
Melinda Burke, Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences, mburke@ag.arizona.edu
IN MEMORIAM: HELEN GOETZ
Dr. Helen Goetz, former faculty member in the School of Home Economics, passed away on March 4 with services held on March 12. She earned her BS in Home Economics Ed (1958) and her MS in Family Economics (1962) from the University of Arizona before joining Extension in 1958 and subsequently the School of Home Economics in 1963. In 1967 she joined the University of Alabama, but retired and returned to Tucson in 1977. She was a founder of the Council of Alumni & Friends of the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences, an active member of many other boards and committees, and received numerous awards such as the Lifetime Award from the UA College of Agriculture and the Sidney S. Woods Alumni Service Award from the UA Alumni Association.
Read the obituary at http://www.legacy.com/tucson/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=125015561
VALLEY CITRUS LEGACY GETTING SQUEEZED
Between 1966 and 1972, Art Freeman planted more than 20,000 trees, transforming 240 acres of rocky desert along the Salt River in east Mesa into a lush citrus orchard. At the time, he was part of a booming industry in Arizona.
Now, the citrus industry's days are dwindling. Rising land values long have made it more profitable to build homes than to grow citrus, and once the economy recovers, it will be only a matter of time before the last commercial groves are a thing of the past.
Even in the face of the inevitable, people like Freeman are doing their best to hang on to the lifestyle they love. And in a way, they're almost grateful for the extra time the troubled economy has bought for their farms.
Read more from this March 3 Arizona Republic article, including comments from the CALS Citrus Center's James Truman and retired faculty member Lowell True, at http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2009/02/28/20090228citrus0228.html
James Truman, Citrus Agricultural Center, jstruman@ag.arizona.edu
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