Bee Populations

The bees’ needs: Insect aficionados muse about consistent climate, native nectar: Crimson White – Sept. 9

For the last several years, declining bee populations have been central to conversations about shifts in global temperatures and waning coastlines. At the University, a professor and a new student group are bringing those conversations to the forefront. Jeff Lozier, an associate professor at the University, has been studying bees for about a decade. Lozier works in the field of population genetics, studying population size, migration between regions and the origins of new species, and now uses population genetics to research the decline in bee populations. His research entails studying how climate influences the ecological and evolutionary adaptations of bees. 

Music Education

Benefits of music education: NBC (Wilkes Barre – Scranton, PA) – Sept. 10

So as a parent and as educators, we decided to learn more about the benefits of music education for kids. So we committed an independent study with University of Georgia and University of Alabama, of parents of kids 7 to 17 who are taking music lessons. And what we found was really powerful. Kids who are taking music lessons got increased problem solving skills.

Mass Shooters

Fame-seeking mass shooters get more media coverage, study finds: Big Think – Sept. 11

The study examined mass shootings from 1966 to 2018, finding that shootings have become more common and more deadly since 2000. The results showed that fame-seeking mass shooters received significantly higher media coverage than their counterparts, with 97 percent of fame-seeking mass shooters getting a mention from the New York Times. “Many of these at-risk individuals recognize that murdering large numbers of men, women, or children will guarantee them fame,” wrote Adam Lankford, a criminologist at The University of Alabama who has studied the contagion effect of mass shootings. “They believe their names and faces will adorn newspapers, television, magazines, and the internet — and unfortunately, they are right.”

Federal Census

Inside the Statehouse: Omission of citizenship question will be costly for state: The Tuscaloosa News – Sept. 11

The 2020 federal census will be critical to Alabama as well as the rest of the states in the nation. The census determines the number of seats a state has in the U.S. Congress and ultimately the number of Electoral College votes each state has for president. Also, importantly, it determines the amount of federal funds states receive. Tuscaloosa’s growth is significant, primarily due to the growth of The University of Alabama. Tuscaloosa has added 11,000 people since 2010 and now has a population of more than 101,000. Auburn has added 13,900 and has a population of more than 65,000.

Artistic Creativity

Illustrator, writer Lynda Barry will speak on artistic creativity: The Tuscaloosa News – Sept. 12

“What It Is: A Talk on Creativity” by Lynda Barry,” will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Bama Theatre. So this is not your Sunday funnies, but “Ernie Pook’s Comeek,” a strip which ran for decades mostly in alternative weeklies. Seattle-raised Linda Jean Barry, who altered one letter to make it Lynda at 12 (”… I changed it to a ‘y’ for the Age of Aquarius”), had drawn cartoons at least since grade school, but turned to comic strips as an outlet and obsession while studying at the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, when a boyfriend dumped her for another girl. Barry’s appearance comes courtesy of The University of Alabama Program in Creative Writing. Any tickets that remain can be found through Eventbrite.

UA Observatory

UA telescopes offer view of full harvest moon: Tuscaloosa News – Sept. 12

People are invited to view the full harvest moon through a telescope Friday night on the University of Alabama campus. The free event, hosted by UA’s department of physics and astronomy, will be from 7:30-10 p.m. on the roof at Gallalee Hall. Attendees will also be able to look at Jupiter and Saturn. Dean Townsley of UA’s department of physics and astronomy will serve as host. For more information, go to www.astronomy.ua.edu/public-events.

Musical Audio Engineering

UA offers new degree in musical audio engineering: WVTM 13 – Sept. 12

Some of those students have a new degree option. The University of Alabama is now offering a musical audio engineering degree. Officials say it will give students an understanding about studio operations, equipment, as well as foundational engineering. We’re told only 60 students can take part in the program for now and must audition for the school of music before moving forward.

Miss University of Alabama

Miss Alabama pageant to be held at UA (Live interview): WVUA – Sept. 12

The winner of Miss University of Alabama receives a full year’s tuition scholarship from the alumni association and a textbook scholarship from the Supe Store. Candidates compete in private interview, talent, evening gown, onstage question, and social impact initiative statement. This will be the first year that the pageant has no swimsuit competition.