Issue: 617

................................................... AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE ................................................... The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter Iowa State University Aug. 30, 2010 No. 617 ................................................... COLLEGE NEWS ................................................... IMPRESSIVE SALARIES FOR RECENT GRADS Career Services has released its annual agriculture salary summary from Dec. 2009 and May 2010 graduates. The report includes nearly 900 data points from 14 universities across the country. Mike Gaul, career services director, said there are impressive salaries reported for numerous agribusiness sectors, food science, agronomy and technology-related majors. SCIENCE WITH PRACTICE MENTOR ORIENTATION, SEPT. 1 The Science With Practice Team is looking for participants for the fall and spring semesters. Science With Practice is a CALS experiential learning and work program for undergraduate students in agriculture and life sciences. Students work closely with faculty and staff on specific projects and/or work assignments, earn money and earn academic credit while fulfilling work responsibilities. Mentor orientation is Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 12 p.m. in 224 Curtiss. Student orientation is Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 5:30 p.m. in 224 Curtiss. FEEDING THE WORLD SEMINAR SERIES BEGINS SEPT. 8 The international seminar series, "Feeding the World: Are We Making Progress?" will begin Sept. 8 at 12 to 1 p.m. in the Ensminger Room, 1204 Kildee Hall. The first seminar will feature Dr. Montserrat Torremorell, Allen D. Leman Chair in Swine Health and Productivity, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Her seminar topic is "Climate Change and Animal Diseases: How will this affect our food supply?" The seminar series is sponsored by the M.E. Ensminger International Chair in Animal Science, Raymond and Mary Baker Chair in Global Agriculture, and the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods. Dates and topics for the fall series can be found online GIANT MISCANTHUS ON DISPLAY AT FARM PROGRESS SHOW Perennials are a path to economic stability and environmental quality, according to ISU agronomists. Research has demonstrated the economic, landscape and domestic fuel benefits of miscanthus. Giant miscanthus is on display at the Farm Progress Show, Aug. 31-Sept. 2, in the biomass plot at the north end of the ISU building. NEW WEED IDENTIFICATION FIELD GUIDE AVAILABLE ISU's Corn and Soybean Initiative and the Iowa Soybean Association have developed a new resource to help soybean growers recognize and manage weed problems. The Weed Identification Field Guide includes images and descriptions of 56 broadleaf weeds and 10 grass and grass-like weeds. The Weed Identification Field Guide will be available at the ISA and ISU exhibits at the Farm Progress Show, Aug. 31-Sept. 2. Individuals who fill out a questionnaire will receive a complimentary copy. HORTICULTURE SEMINARS BEGIN TODAY, AUG. 30 The Horticulture Department begins its fall semester seminar series today, Aug. 30, at 4:10 p.m. in 118 Horticulture Hall. Nancy Franz, director of ISU Extension to Families and associate dean of the College of Human Sciences, will be speaking on "Measuring the Impact of Extension and Outreach Programs." The full schedule for fall semester can be found online. HYBRID PROTEIN TOOLS DEVELOPED FOR GENE CUTTING, EDITING An ISU team of researchers, led by Bing Yang, genetics, development and cell biology, has developed a type of hybrid proteins that can make double-strand DNA breaks at specific sites in living cells, possibly leading to better gene replacement and gene editing therapies. Yang started his research about a year ago after seeing the results of research by Adam Bogdanove, plant pathology. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2010/aug/yang ISU PARTNERS WITH IOWA SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION TO BATTLE SDS As sudden death syndrome ravages many Iowa soybean fields, yield losses are expected to exceed 20 percent in some fields. ISU and the Iowa Soybean Association have partnered in generating much of the knowledge of SDS currently being used in the industry. ISU's SDS research team includes plant pathologists, agronomists and soybean plant breeders. AG BUSINESS STUDENT ATTENDS TAIWAN AGRICULTURE PROGRAM Scott Henry, a junior in agricultural business, was selected by CALS to participate in the Exploring Agricultural in Taiwan program held in early August. Henry says the trip expanded his understanding of the global economy and agricultural industry. BULL RANKED THIRD IN NATION FOR MARBLING TRAITS The American Angus Association ranked an ISU bull third in the nation for its marbling traits. The ranking is measured by the expected progeny difference, which is the prediction of how future progeny of each animal are expected to perform relative to the progeny of other animals listed in the database. The bull is housed at the McNay Research and Demonstration Farm near Chariton. The bull currently ranks third in the active sire list for marbling or intramuscular fat, which is related to the flavor and quality of meat. The rankings change weekly. HORTICULTURE PARTNERSHIP ENCOURAGES SCIENTIFIC WRITING The horticulture department has teamed up with the library and English departments to develop a course to teach students to research and understand literature searches and incorporate them into papers and posters. Andrea Dinkelman, Jeanine Aune and Gail Nonnecke developed the section as part of an undergraduate English communication course. A description of the collaboration was published in the 2010 Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education, published by the American Society of Agronomy, the Crop Science Society of America, and the Soil Science Society of America. More: http://www.molecularstation.com/science-news/2010/08/teaching-communica… PUBLICATION HELPS FARMERS SELECT ENERGY EFFICIENT FANS Efficient fans are essential for proper ventilation of poultry production facilities. A new publication from ISU Extension explains the factors farmers should consider to address energy efficiency when selecting or upgrading fans. "Energy Efficient Fans for Poultry Production," PM 2089H, is available to download at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/store. DEADLINES AND REMINDERS Aug. 31-Sept. 2: Farm Progress Show Sept. 7: CALS Fall Convocation, 4 p.m., Sun Room, Memorial Union. Sept. 8: Open Forum with President and Provost, 4:10 p.m., Curtiss Hall Auditorium. ................................................... EXTERNAL FUNDING ................................................... FUNDING INFORMATION, OPPORTUNITIES AND DEADLINE REMINDERS Dates listed are application deadlines. Contact: Roxanne Clemens, rclemens@iastate.edu Sept. 19 (letter of intent): Revolutionary Genome Sequencing Technologies "“ The $1000 Genome (SBIR [R43/R44]); two to seven awards, $1.5 million per year for up to four years. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HG-10-012.html Sept. 23, March 3: Environmental Health and Safety of Nantechnology; one to three years, $100,000 average award, small equipment proposals also accepted. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=501030&WT.mc_id=USNSF_3… Oct. 1: Watershed Improvement Fund for Capital Improvements; four years, $200,000, ISU participants must be subcontractors. More: http://www.iowaagriculture.gov/IWIRB/iwirbRFA.asp Oct. 4 (letter of intent): Modeling the Scientific Workforce (U01); three grants, $200,000 (direct costs) per year for four years. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-GM-11-007.html Oct. 5: Lemelson-MIT Award for Sustainability "“ Improving Lives through Sustainability; $100,000 award, nomination by peer. Oct. 12 (letter of intent): National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings (R13); $20,000. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-10-272.html Nov. 1 (letter of intent): Mechanistic Research on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Natural Products (R01); two to four year-one awards, $300,000 per year for five years. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AT-11-001.html Nov. 14 (letter of intent): Scientific Meetings for Creating Interdisciplinary Research Teams in Basic Behavioral and Social Science Research (R13); four to six new grants, $100,000 (direct costs) over two years, $325,000 total anticipated funding. Nov. 30: Schlumberger Foundation 2011 Faculty for the Future Fellowships (Ph.D. or post-doc study); $25,000 to $50,000 per year for young women from developing countries studying abroad in engineering, physical sciences and some biological sciences. More: http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/rfp_item.jhtml?id=305700019 ................................................... COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK ................................................... MOST PEOPLE NO LONGER USE PERSONS The traditional view is that "persons" is used for smaller numbers (three persons), and "people" with larger ones (millions of people). But today most people use "people" even for small groups (only three people were there). The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th ed., 2003. ................................................... INFOGRAZING ................................................... PROPOSALS FOR HONORS SEMINARS DUE SEPT. 17 The University Honors Program Committee is accepting proposals for Spring 2011 Honors Seminars. These one- or two-credit seminars, offered on a wide variety of topics, are an important part of the Honors Program and of Honors students' academic experience. More: Susan Yager, syager@iastate.edu, 4-4372. A list of current seminars is available online. OFFICE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY OFFERS GRANT PROPOSAL ASSISTANCE The Office of Biotechnology now offers resources to assist faculty or professional and scientific staff in coordination, budget development and editing of grant proposals or subcontracts related to biotechnology or instrumentation acquisitions. More: http://www.biotech.iastate.edu/publications/news_releases/082710.html NEW MEMBERS NAMED TO BIOTECHNOLOGY COUNCIL Anne Bronikowski, ecology, evolution and organismal biology, has been selected to serve a three-year term on ISU's Biotechnology Council. The Council makes recommendations to the Office of Biotechnology on program activities supporting biotechnology research, education and outreach. FOOD DRIVE TO BENEFIT STORY COUNTY UNITED WAY Monsanto, Farm Progress and United Way of Story County will sponsor America's Farmers Food Drive to benefit local Iowa food pantries during the 2010 Farm Progress Show. Monsanto also will donate $1 per every pound of food collected, up to $20,000, to United Way of Story County and the 13 food pantries it is affiliated with. Collection centers will be set up at each entrance gate. FFA members who donate a bag of food will receive free entry to the show. ................................................... INTERNAL VOICES ................................................... STUDENT HAS A BLAST TRANSPLANTING RICE IN TAIWAN "I never imagined that I'd be up to my calves in mud, drenched in sweat, transplanting rice and having a blast doing it. I learned far more than I could've imagined, experienced things I'd never even heard of and met some incredible people from around the globe." Scott Henry, a junior in agricultural business, about his experience in the Exploring Agriculture in Taiwan program held in early August. He will travel to China in September to attend the World's Fair in Shanghai. More: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/882/ ................................................... MARGINALIA ................................................... CELEBRATING MORE THAN 50 YEARS OF FARM PROGRESS SHOW SUCCESS The first Farm Progress Show took place on Oct. 2, 1953, on the Earl Bass farm in Armstrong, Ill., and hosted more than 75,000 participants. The show offered visitors an opportunity to see equipment, seed and chemicals as well as fire-fighting demonstrations, sheep dog trials, stage entertainment, a fiddlers' contest and even the WLS Barn Dance. ........................................................ AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE ........................................................ EDITOR Julie Stewart, jstewart@iastate.edu Phone: (515) 294-5616 Web site: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/ SUBSCRIBE Ag and Life Sciences Online, the newsletter for faculty and staff in Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is e-mailed every Monday. To subscribe, send your name, e-mail address and the message "Ag and Life Sciences Online subscribe" to jstewart@iastate.edu. To unsubscribe, send "Ag and Life Sciences Online unsubscribe." Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries can be directed to the Director of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, 3210 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.