UNL Office of Research News and Information

Shear named Press director

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Donna A. Shear has been named director of the University of Nebraska Press effective March 1. She comes to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln from the Northwestern University Press in Evanston, Ill., where she has been director since 2003.

During her tenure at Northwestern, the press forged alliances with other divisions of the university. Collaborations with the Block Museum, Medill School of Journalism, Kellogg School of Management and the library led to joint publishing ventures. She also led successful fundraising efforts and worked with the library to develop a scholarly communications digital repository policy.

Discovery broadens view of genetic code

Thu, 8 Jan 2009 14:00:00 GMT

A discovery by University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers expands understanding of the genetic code, and may help revise a tenet of this universal language of life.

In cells, the genetic code essentially provides instructions for creating proteins, the basic structural molecules of life. The code includes a series of unique three-letter "code words," called codons. These genetic passwords dictate insertion of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. While codons may change to code for different amino acids in different organisms, a long-held precept of the genetic code is that one codon provides the password only for one amino acid in an organism.

Complete IACUC forms via NUgrant

Mon, 5 Jan 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Principal investigators now must submit their Application to Use Animals forms electronically via NUgrant, UNL's electronic research administration system. The system will tailor application questions to the investigator's research project, making the protocol approval process quicker and easier.

Prem Paul elected AAAS fellow

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Prem Paul, vice chancellor for research and economic development at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has been elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Paul was cited for his contributions to animal health through research on viral pathogenesis of respiratory and reproductive diseases that led to improved vaccines and diagnostic tests. He was selected as part of AAAS's Agriculture, Food and Renewable Resources Section.

Latest Research News newsletter online

Mon, 8 Dec 2008 14:00:00 GMT

The latest issue of Research News is available online. Check it out to learn about faculty research and accomplishments, resources to improve your success and the latest information. The UNL Office of Research produces this electronic and Web-based newsletter expressly for our campus research community. At the Research News site, you also can share stories or the entire issue via e-mail, review past issues and sign up to receive future issues.

4-H robotics lessons going national

Mon, 8 Dec 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Nebraska 4-H is emerging as a national leader in science education, thanks to a nearly $2.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation that will take its robotics and GPS/GIS curriculum national.

Site features UNL bullying research

Wed, 3 Dec 2008 14:00:00 GMT

University of Nebraska-Lincoln research on bullying is featured in a new online resource for parents at Education.com, co-sponsored by the American Association of School Administrators. Guest editors for the special online edition at Education.com are Shelley Hymel and Susan Swearer, co-directors of the Bullying Research Network headquartered at UNL.

Biology may affect political leanings

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Why does it seem many people begin with political preferences and then try to find reasons justifying their inclinations? Why is it so difficult to sway people who care deeply about politics no matter how compelling the facts or persuasive the prose? University of Nebraska-Lincoln research may help to answer these questions.

By monitoring people's physical sensitivities to things like sudden noises and threatening visual images, political scientists were able to conclude that physiological reactions help predict variations in political beliefs.

Research funding sets record

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 14:00:00 GMT

External funding for research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln set a record again this year of 105.7 million, according to the Office of Research. Total external funding awarded for university research projects increased 3.2 percent from $102.4 million a year earlier.

Partnering on climate research

Thu, 22 May 2008 14:00:00 GMT

UNL and the U.S. Geological Survey have partnered to explore creating an intensive research framework for studying the impact of climate change in the Platte River Basin and the High Plains. Details are available on the Climate Change 2008 Web site.