Rochester top college destination for African leadership students
The University ranks as the number one destination for graduates of the African Leadership Academy (ALA), a selective college preparatory program in South Africa. Last week the University hosted the academy’s 4th annual indaba, meaning “gathering” in Zulu – the largest conference in North America for students who have graduated from ALA.
Alternate mechanism of species formation picks up support, thanks to a South American ant
A newly-discovered species of ant supports a controversial theory of species formation. “Most new species come about in geographic isolation,” said Christian Rabeling, assistant professor of biology at the University of Rochester. “We now have evidence that speciation can take place within a single colony.”
Debut novel explores betrayal, brotherhood in the South
Tough economic times can bring out the worst in people, especially when you mix in family, desperation, and the drive to get ahead in business. This is one of the messages in Bluff City Pawn by professor Stephen Schottenfeld.
Mapping the optimal route between two quantum states
As a quantum state collapses, it will follow a path known as a quantum trajectory. In a new paper featured this week on the cover of Nature, scientists have shown that it is possible to track these quantum trajectories and compare them to a theory, recently developed by University of Rochester physicists, for predicting the most likely path a system will take.
When temperatures drop, newly-discovered process helps fruit flies cope
Rochester biologist Michael Welte and his team made their discovery while studying the internal mechanisms of the egg cell of the fruit fly, known as Drosophila. What keeps the assembly line functioning—based on the new research—is a protein called Klar.
Bend in Appalachian mountain chain finally explained
Rochester researchers now know what causes the bend in the otherwise straight line of the Appalachian Mountains, and this new understanding of the region’s underlying structures could inform debates over the practice of hyrdrofracking.
Women feel threatened by ‘the lady in red’
In a new study, psychology graduate student Adam Pazda found that women believe that other women who wear red are more sexually promiscuous and were less likely to introduce their husband or boyfriend to a woman wearing red.
Beth Olivares appointed dean for diversity initiatives in Arts, Sciences & Engineering
As dean, Olivares will serve as the senior strategist on student and faculty diversity, responsible for providing a vision and a strategy to help AS&E administration proactively create an inclusive environment.
Monkeys also believe in winning streaks, study shows
Humans have a well-documented tendency to see winning and losing streaks in situations that, in fact, are random. Now in the first study in non-human primates of this systematic error in decision making, researchers find that monkeys also share our unfounded belief in lucky streaks.
Celebrating 59 Days of Independence
In their 59 Days of Independence project, artist and senior lecturer Heather Layton and Brian Bailey ‘09W (PhD) invite people around the world to celebrate the independence of countries other than their own. “By recognizing someone else’s independence, you’re showing that you care about his or her well-being in the same way you care about your own,” says Layton.