LAKE PEREZ FISH RELOCATED TO LITTLE JUNIATA RIVER
Thousands of rainbow trout, large-mouth bass, chain pickerel, sunfish, bluegills, white crappies and other fish that used to live in Lake Perez, the manmade lake at the Stone Valley Recreation Area, are alive and well and living in the east branch of the Little Juniata River. More than a ton of live fish were relocated Jan. 14 by eight volunteers from the state Fishing and Boating Commission, 12 Penn State faculty members, and 12 Penn State graduate students from Penn State’s fisheries management department. The fish had to be relocated because the lake has been "drawn down" or drained to facilitate a $2.8 million project to repair and upgrade the spillway at Shaver’s Creek Dam. The fish were relocated according to Commission guidelines. For the full story by Alan Janesch, see the Jan. 27 edition of Intercom at http://www.psu.edu/ur/INTERCOM
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RESEARCHER TO STUDY LUNG DISEASE IN NEWBORNS
A new study at Penn State's College of Medicine is underway to better understand the molecular dynamics and genetic defects involved with infant pulmonary hypoplasia -- small and insufficient lungs -- and its associated problems. The abnormal lung development creates respiratory distress -- up to one third of full-term newborns who die within their first week of life suffer from pulmonary hypoplasia. Mala R. Chinoy, associate professor of surgery, recently received funding from the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association to study the problem. Her research will look at fetal exposure to a herbicide or environmental toxin at a critical time during pregnancy. She will also study the differences between the blood vessel network of normal and hypoplastic lungs, and examine and identify genes and proteins that may be responsible for the regulation of normal lung development. Chinoy has recently identified several genes that possibly influence the growth and development of lungs in newborns. For a more detailed description of the research, contact science writer Leilyn Perri at the College of Medicine at (717) 531-8604.
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SPANIER TO CONNECT WITH WEST COAST ALUMNI
In a continuing series of efforts to reach out to Penn State alumni nationwide, University President Graham Spanier will visit the West Coast this weekend. At two gatherings open to all alumni, he will discuss current issues facing Penn State, update alumni on recent accomplishments and share his vision of the University’s future.
On Friday, January 28, President Spanier will meet with Penn Staters in the San Francisco area from 6-8 p.m. at the Westin St. Francis Hotel on Powell Street.
On Saturday, January 29, he will be in Los Angeles at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City from 6-8 p.m.
All Penn State alumni are welcome to attend. For additional information, please call (800) 548-5466 option 4.
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RESEARCHERS OFFER PERSPECTIVES ON OSTEOPOROSIS
Osteoporosis afflicts more than 25 million Americans today and more than half of all women over age 65 suffer from this debilitating bone disease. A group of Penn State researchers are providing expertise to improve diagnosis, management and treatment for osteoporosis through the University’s Rural Women’s Health Initiative, a program committed to improving the quality of health for women living in rural communities by enhancing the skills of the professionals who care for them. "Prevention of osteoporosis is a more attainable goal than treatment and intervention -- and the greatest challenge is to spread the word that individuals can do something about it now," says Sara Gueldner, director of the School of Nursing. The initiative is an outreach program sponsored by the College of Health and Human Development, the College of Medicine, the College of Agricultural Sciences, Continuing Education and Cooperative Extension. The full article is at http://www.outreach.psu.edu/News/Headlines.html or contact Sandy Rothrock at
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HORTICULTURALIST OFFERS ALTERNATIVES TO SALT
This week’s winter weather has sent many to the salt bag to get rid of ice on walks and driveways. But Bob Nuss, Penn State horticulturist, says salt can inhibit root growth, block nutrients and damage leaves and shoots on lawns and landscape plants. While a little fertilizer is often a good alternative since it contains salts and nutrients, he cautions that too much of it can also burn plants. A safer strategy is to shovel away as much ice and snow as possible and use environmentally friendly sawdust, sand, gravel and cat litter. These won’t melt the ice, but they will improve traction on slippery surfaces. For more agricultural news, go to http://aginfo.psu.edu
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CORRECTED WEB ADDRESS FOR LEGACIES
The correct Web address for yesterday’s story on "Legacies -- Fiddlers, Fife Players, Singer" should have been: http://wpsu.psu.edu/Legacies/legacies.html.