Chromosomal Mutations

Studies unravel diversity of traits tied to chromosome 16 mutations: Spectrum – Aug. 3

Mutations to the chromosomal region 16p11.2 affect people in different ways, often leading to some combination of autism, intellectual disability and language difficulties. Two new studies help to account for this diversity of traits1,2… “We’re looking across different parts of the phenotype and trying to understand how all of these pieces connect together,” says Caitlin Hudac, assistant professor of psychology at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

Relaxation Response

Why liquid abstract grabs our attention and soothes our brain: Adobe Blog – Aug. 3

According to Dr. Christopher Lynn, associate professor at The University of Alabama and a specialist in biocultural medical anthropology, high-energy sensory input and slower, soothing stimuli are two sides of the same coin. “Relaxation response isn’t a neurological system over here, and stress response is a neurological system over here; they are two sides of the same integrated networks of systems. They are autonomic nervous system responses. So, what turns our stress response on, and what turns it off? That’s what we are keying in on here.”

Honors Hall

Alabama strips racist’s name from campus building: Al.com – Aug. 5

Nott Hall is no more. When students return to The University of Alabama, the building once named for a doctor who felt African Americans were an inferior race, will be known as “Honors Hall.”
WVUA (Aug. 4)
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Extreme Flooding

How China’s nature-based solutions help with extreme flooding: The Week – Aug. 8

Convincing tens of millions of people to relocate away from the Yangtze River flood plain is nearly impossible, said David Shankman, China flood expert at The University of Alabama.

Native American Festival

Moundville Native American Festival transitions to virtual experience for 2020: Tuscaloosa Thread – Aug. 8

This year’s Moundville Native American Festival will look different than any other, as the event will now be held online. The announcement came from The University of Alabama Museums social media accounts yesterday.