Monster Takeover

Monster Takeover: Tuscaloosa Riverwalk features 19 new bronze statues: Tuscaloosa News – May 20

The creepies continue crawling: Last week 19 new bronze mini-statuettes cropped up along Tuscaloosa’s Riverwalk, representing year two of the city-sponsored Monster Takeover … The bronzes were created under the direction of Craig Wedderspoon, sculptor and professor of art at The University of Alabama, also a member of the committee.

Anti-Abortion Laws

Why Republican politicians are nervous about new anti-abortion laws ahead of 2020: Haaretz (Israel) – May 20

“I wasn’t surprised that this bill passed the legislature here in Alabama, because Republicans have a huge majority in it,” says Regina L. Wagner, a political science professor at The University of Alabama. Wagner told Haaretz that “the real story isn’t that the law passed, but that the Republicans brought it up for a vote in the first place. I don’t think they would have promoted this law if they didn’t think there was a real chance it could survive a Supreme Court challenge,” she said.

Civil War Symposium

History to come to life at Civil War Symposium: Talequah Daily Press (Oklahoma) – May 21

On June 8, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma will host three scholars for the 2019 Oklahoma Civil War Symposium. The event will begin at 2 p.m. in the Davis Hall Little Theater and is free and open to the public … Dr. George C. Rable, professor emeritus at The University of Alabama, will deliver the keynote address at 7:30 p.m., with a book signing featuring the presenters to follow.

Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy

Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy: The rare mental health problem behind the gypsy rose case: Reader’s Digest – May 21

Based on a true story, the Hulu show “The Act”—starring Patricia Arquette—is shining a light on an unusual form of child abuse known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy … Marc D. Feldman, MD, a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Adjunct Professor of Psychology at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, has devoted his career to understanding the condition and other related disorders.

Tick-Borne Illnesses

9 foolproof tricks to avoid tick-borne illnesses: MSN.com – May 22

Ticks can be infected with bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Some of the most common tick-borne diseases in the United States include Lyme disease, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention … If you are planning to hike or spend time in a park or recreational area, ask a forest ranger or another official about the current tick situation, says tick expert John Abbott, PhD, director of museum research and collections at The University of Alabama Museums in Tuscaloosa.

Wild Bee Species

Dozens of wild bee species on the decline 24a: Post-Register (Idaho) – May 23

More than a dozen wild bee species critical to pollinating everything from blueberries to apples in New England are on the decline, according to a new study …Jeff Lozier, a bee expert from The University of Alabama who did not take part in the research, called the study “interesting” and said the findings are a critical step in expanding research into lesser known species of bees.