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Nutritional supplements improve memory in old dogs; humans next?
Nutritional supplements have successfully been used to improve the memory, ability to learn and cognitive function of old dogs, and might be able to do the same thing with humans. These supplements, acetyl-l-carnitine and alpha lipoic acid, are continuing to be studied in work with humans, and scientists believe they may provide a new approach to the neurodegeneration and cognitive decline common with aging. More . . .

"Value-added" has major impact on Oregon's agricultural economy
Value-added processing and handling of crop and livestock products is a major force within Oregon's agricultural economy, and an indicator of how the state's agriculture industry shifts to meet growing global competition, according to a report just released by the OSU Extension Service. OSU economists studying 2005 data found that value added to $4.1 billion in crop and livestock sales (farmgate sales) generated another $2.1 billion in first-handler economic activity, a 53 percent increase over the value of farmgate sales alone. More . . .

New winter hooded barley selections ready for testing
Oregon State University has announced the release of new winter habit selections of hooded barley for testing and potential licensing. These selections have the forage yield and quality of "Hoody" plus barley stripe rust resistance, scald resistance, higher grain yield and better test weight, according to Pat Hayes, head of the OSU barley breeding program in the College of Agricultural Sciences. In order to further develop the market for winter hooded varieties, these selections are offered for testing through a materials transfer agreement with OSU. Interested growers should contact Hayes at 541-737-5878. More . . .

Volunteers sought for study on smoking, cancer risk
Researchers at OSU are seeking volunteers for a study to evaluate biomarkers for smoking-related cancer risk. The research is being coordinated through the Department of Biomedical Sciences at OSU, which studies human and animal health, including cancer chemoprevention and treatment. A team of researchers from biomedical sciences, the Linus Pauling Institute at OSU and Samaritan Health Services in Corvallis will conduct the study. More . . .

Western Oregon may be cooler, wetter and snowier this winter
In his years of producing a fall and winter weather forecast for the state, George Taylor has rarely if ever predicted snow for western Oregon and, true to form, he won't go too far out on a limb this year. But Taylor, who manages the Oregon Climate Service at OSU, concedes that it is a good likelihood this year. "The stars are lined up that way," he said with a laugh. More . . .

Future teachers learn diversity through community involvement
This fall, students who enter OSU's Portland-based Master of Arts in Teaching immersion track will not only complete required course work for the master's degree, but will enhance their teaching effectiveness by learning the importance of understanding a student's community. Administered by the College of Education and Extended Campus, the early childhood and elementary education program that previously met formally in local classrooms will hold classes at the Talking Drum Bookstore and Reflections Coffee House in northeast Portland to increase cultural awareness and provide local resources for tomorrow's teachers. More . . .

Oregon Sea Grant director announces retirement
Oregon Sea Grant director Robert E. Malouf has announced his retirement after 16 years leading the marine research, outreach and education program based at OSU. Malouf has had overall responsibility for all Sea Grant activities, including its competitive grants, the visitor center of the OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center, and active programs in communication, education and extension. Oregon Sea Grant employs more than 40 people on a budget that exceeds $5 million in state and federal funds annually. More . . .

Ancient chemical battle caught in amber
A new study by OSU researchers has identified a soldier beetle, preserved almost perfectly in amber, which was in the process of using chemical repellants to fight off an attacker when an oozing flow of sap preserved the struggle for eternity. The discovery is the earliest fossil record of a chemical defense response, scientists say, and indicates that this type of protective mechanism, now common in the insect world, has been around for more than 100 million years. More . . .

New tools available to tackle Swiss Needle Cast epidemic
Forestry researchers at OSU have developed a computerized risk analysis system to help predict the vulnerability of specific sites to Swiss Needle Cast, a serious problem in Coast Range forests that can cut tree growth and causes losses of more than $200 million a year. More . . .

OSU Seed Lab stays busy during grass seed harvest
Millions of bags of Oregon grass seed will be shipped around the world this year, and many of them will be bearing a blue tag issued by the OSU Seed Certification Service. The blue tag assures buyers of the authenticity and quality of the seeds, verified by tests conducted by the OSU Seed Laboratory. More . . .

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