HEIGHTENED STADIUM SECURITY IN PLACE FOR SEASON
The additional security measures implemented in and around Beaver Stadium for last month's Wisconsin football game will remain in effect throughout the remainder of the season, including this Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. matchup with Michigan. Immediately following the tragedies of Sept. 11, Penn State officials began reviewing and adjusting security measures and game day procedures in and around Beaver Stadium. In addition, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted Penn State's request for airspace restriction around Beaver Stadium for the Michigan game. The airspace restriction will be in effect Saturday from 1:00-9:00 p.m. Activities in the space will be restricted to a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter. For more details on security measures in place, and tips for fans planning to attend the game, go to http://www.GoPSUSports.com/football/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=1596.
GROUND BROKEN FOR LIFE SCIENCES BUILDING
University and state officials today (Oct. 5) broke ground for a new Life Sciences Building that will house interdisciplinary teaching and research activities related to fields as diverse as plant biology, neuroscience and molecular toxicology. The new facility comes in response to a growing awareness of the life sciences’ importance in solving some of the most fundamental problems of human existence. Years of steady growth in enrollment have resulted in about 5,000 Penn State students pursuing a variety of life science majors across several academic colleges. “Penn State needs a state-of-the-art facility where scholars from across the University can work collaboratively on issues that characterize the life sciences today,” said University President Graham Spanier. “We have assembled a world class team of faculty and students, but now our team must have room to grow if the University is to continue to be a leading force in the life sciences.” For the full story by Mike Bezilla, visit http://www.psu.edu/ur/2001/lifescigroundbrk.html
SUBMICROMETER-SCALE METALLIC BARCODES DEVELOPED
Researchers from Penn State and SurroMed, Inc. report in today’s (Oct. 5) issue of the journal Science on the fabrication, optical properties and initial application of microscopic metallic barcodes. When coated with biomolecules, these patterned metallic particles enable the simultaneous monitoring of multiple biological reactions in very small volumes of fluid. The researchers prepared the barcoded particles by sequentially electroplating different metals within narrow channels to form metallic rods having complex striping patterns. To “read” the pattern, they take advantage of the fact that metals such as gold and silver reflect colored light differently. The researchers prepared particles with stripes from 50 nanometers to 5 micrometers in length, with up to 13 different segments or 5 different metals, and they anticipate that barcoded particles will enable them to track and identify multiple biological components in clinical samples in a manner analogous to barcodes used in tracking inventory. For the full story, visit http://www.science.psu.edu/alert/Keating9-2001.htm..
RIVER OTTERS, FISHERS FIRMLY ESTABLISHED IN STATE
Nearly 20 years after the first river otter was reintroduced into Pennsylvania waterways, the collaboration between Penn State and other universities, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Wild Resource Conservation Fund and the Allegheny National Forest is a success for wildlife management in the Commonwealth. The reestablishment of the otters and a related repopulation of another carnivorous but not water-loving weasel, the fisher, involved releasing approximately 125 otters and 190 fishers into sparsely populated, densely forested areas in the northern part of the state. According to Robert Brooks, professor of wildlife and wetlands, most of the animals survived, some have reproduced and both populations are expanding. Both river otters and fishers were extirpated from most of Pennsylvania by the early 1900s, victims of unregulated trapping, cutting of huge tracts of dense forest and destructive mining practices. Radio collar monitoring and remotely activated cameras have shown how well the animals are doing. For the full story, visit http://aginfo.psu.edu/News/october01/otter.html.
LIPIZZANER STALLIONS TROTTING TO JORDAN CENTER
The Lipizzaner Stallions, widely appreciated as horses of nobility, will offer two performances at the Bryce Jordan Center on Penn State’s University Park campus at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20. The stallions perform acrobatic maneuvers that no other breed of horse can equal. A rare and unique breed, its history and culture include the tale of how, at the end of World War II, General George S. Patton saved them from certain extinction, creating an even greater world-wide interest in the Lipizzaner breed. Tickets are priced at $19.50 and $17.50 for adults; children (12 and under) and senior citizens (60 and over) get $2 off; groups of 15 or more get $3 off. Limited Gold Circle seating is also available for $24 (children and senior citizen discounts do not apply). All seats are reserved. Tickets are available at the Bryce Jordan Ticket Center, Eisenhower Auditorium, select Uni-Marts, Commonwealth Campus ticket outlets or charge by phone at (814) 865-5555 or (800) 863-3336, or online at http://www.bjc.psu.edu.