Elements in the Universe

This is where the 10 most common elements in the universe come from: Forbes – May 25

Everything found on planet Earth is composed of the same ingredients: atoms. But they’re all created in unequal amounts; here are our Universe’s top 10 (by mass).

Internal Clocks

A Monday is a Tuesday is a Sunday as COVID-19 disrupts internal clocks: Scientific American – May 27

Several research groups have taken advantage of this unplanned natural experiment to gauge the psychological impacts of time distortions and, in turn, their effects on mental health. Psychologists know that time sense links to well-being. Its perceived slower passage can represent signs of depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). “Their findings directly support the emotional connection with time perception,” says Philip Gable of The University of Alabama. He is also using survey data to examine how people across the U.S. experience time during the pandemic.

Freedom on the Move

Freedom on the Move digital archive adds K-12 lessons: News Wise – May 27

The Freedom on the Move project, an online collection devoted to fugitives from slavery in 19th century North America, has developed a series of lesson plans to make its crowdsourced database accessible to K-12 teachers and their students.   The project is a database of tens of thousands of advertisements placed by enslavers who wanted to recapture self-liberating Africans and African Americans. Housed at Cornell, Freedom on the Move was developed by a team of historians from Cornell, Ohio State University, The University of Alabama, the University of Kentucky and the University of New Orleans. The free, open-source site – a joint project of the Department of History, the Cornell Institute for Social and Economic Research and Cornell University Library – launched in February 2019.

Moody Music Building

Officials optimistic about renovations to Moody Music Building: ABC 33/40 – May 27

Moody Music Hall on The University of Alabama’s campus was damaged in a fire in April. UA administration says that demolition of parts of the building has already begun. The construction phase should begin in week or so, and they are optimistic that the building should be ready by students and staff by October.

Shutdown’s Silver Lining

Exercise might be shutdown’s silver lining: Tuscaloosa News – May 27

If there has been a silver lining to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting shutdowns, it might be that more people are getting out and exercising. Outdoor recreational purchases have been high as evidenced by the empty bike racks at Velo City Cycles, 401A 22nd Ave. in Tuscaloosa. Among those getting back into biking is Andrew Goodliffe, University of Alabama geology professor and associate dean of the graduate school. Up until about a decade ago he had been an avid biker, before a knee problem sidelined him. Seeing some of the new options such as electrically assisted bikes, Goodliffe decided to try biking again.

Pandemic Research

UA kick-starts six projects related to COVID-19 and future pandemics: NBC 13 – May 29

The University of Alabama has several research projects they hope can prevent the next pandemic. The school plans to invest $100,000 into six UA based research projects involving covid-19. They say it’s a way to better understand the consequences so that people are better prepared to deal if one happens again.
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