Satellite images may help prevent tsunami damage
AUSTIN, Texas (U-WIRE) - Satellite images in areas affected by the Dec. 26 tsunami might save lives in the future, according to one University of Texas professor.
Civil engineering professor Ellen Rathje and two other experts in the field of geotechnical engineering presented their findings about satellite imagery and tsunami damage on Tuesday at the first national Geo-Frontiers Conference at the Austin Hilton Convention Center Hotel in Austin, Texas.
Geotechnical engineers work in a field that crosses engineering with soil science, Rathje said.
"We can use satellite imagery to get a very detailed idea of the type of damage that disasters cause," Rathje said. "With that information, we can modify our simulators and make plans to prevent such huge damage and death toll in the future."
FDA approves longer-term meningitis vaccine
BATON ROUGE, La. (U-WIRE) - A new vaccine could mean better protection against meningitis.
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The Food and Drug Administration approved the vaccine Menactra for immunizing people ages 11 to 55 against meningitis. The French maker of the drug Sanofi-Aventis said this shot lasts longer than the current vaccine, known as Menomune, which usually wears off within three to five years.
Dr. Timothy Honigman, a physician at the Louisiana State University Student Health Center, said Menactra is known as a conjugate vaccine, which means it should cause a better immune response, because it has higher levels of antibodies that last longer in the body.
Southern Illinois last to use SS numbers on student IDs
CARBONDALE, Ill. (U-WIRE) - Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is the only major state university that still uses students' Social Security numbers and clearly displays them on their student IDs despite the rise of identity theft in Carbondale and around the country.
Jeffrey Duke, assistant director of the Student Center, said the University's reluctance to change the system comes from its reliance on a system that uses Social Security numbers rather than randomly assigned numbers. Duke said it boils down to the price of the switch and the budget crisis the university is facing.
'Dear American Soldier' campaign thanks troops
GREENVILLE, N.C. (U-WIRE) - A campaign began to spread on college campuses throughout the United States entitled "Dear American Soldier," and it is geared to allow college students to thank American soldiers fighting overseas.
The campaign began Christmas morning and strives to get every American to send an e-mail to an American soldier. It also encourages students to write letters of appreciation to families of fallen soldiers.
Dept. of Education to slash Pell Grants next year
NEW YORK (U-WIRE) - Pell Grants will be considerably reduced next year, forcing millions of undergraduates - several thousand from New York University alone - to seek help from additional financial aid programs for the 2005-06 school year.
The Department of Education changed the way Pell Grants were calculated by updating tax tables from the more favorable 1988 rates to 2002's lower rates on Dec. 27.
While eligibility for Pell Grants is being tightened, President Bush is promising to increase the maximum award.
Men indicted in kidnapping of Bowling Green student
ATHENS, Ohio (U-WIRE) - Two men were indicted Monday for kidnapping a Bowling Green State University student in Athens, Ohio.
Robert Norris, 36, of Zanesville, Ohio, and Scott Stevens, 36, of Columbus, Ohio, were indicted by a grand jury of the Athens County Common Pleas Court Monday morning for the kidnapping and robbery of Kristin Wisler.
The indictments stem from Wisler's kidnapping, which occurred Jan. 16. Athens Police Chief Rick Mayer said Wisler was walking on North Congress Street when one of the two men grabbed her and shoved her into their car.
U. Mich. students remain missing after tsunami
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (U-WIRE) - The University of Michigan has been unable to get in contact with some students from tsunami-hit areas.
As the University's search draws to a close, 25 to 30 students of the 850 from the region have yet to be located, said interim Dean of Students Sue Eklund.
She added that the names of the missing students will be released after the search by the schools and academic departments is complete in the next few days. The University did not know whether the 25 to 30 students yet to be located went home to the affected countries over the break.
