IN THIS NEWSLINE ISSUED MARCH 27, 2006:

1. WOMEN'S HEALTH CONFERENCE APRIL 1
2. AMAZON RAINFOREST RESEARCH FINDINGS
3. FIREWOOD AND BARK BEETLES IN THE SOUTHWEST
4. GATEWAY RETAIL TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATE
5. ANNUAL SPRING TURFGRASS SEMINAR IN PHOENIX ON APRIL 12
6. LETTERS TO A YOUNG ACADEMIC: A NEW BOOK
7. BINATIONAL CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES AND TOXICOLOGY
8. WESTERN FLOWER THRIPS: A PEST OF YUMA AREA CROPS
9. UA CLIMATE SCIENCES PROGRAM
10. ARIZONA TEEN LEADERSHIP CAMP JUNE 12-16
11. GROWING SALAD ON MARS
12. CONVERTING A BERMUDAGRASS LAWN TO XERISCAPE
13. KILLER BEES IN CITY EARLY: BLAME THE DROUGHT

1 WOMEN'S HEALTH CONFERENCE APRIL 1

The first Interdisciplinary Women's Health Conference at The University of Arizona is designed for university and community-based researchers, practitioners, students, and educators to exchange a broad spectrum of ideas, current services, and research findings.

The agenda includes perspectives from sex-based biology, gender specific medicine, family studies, women's studies, social sciences, and many other fields. Speakers include nationally recognized experts on social structure, women's health initiatives and psycho-social structures.

The conference will be held April 1 at the University Marriott in Tucson from 8:30 a.m. until 4:15 p.m. A reception following the conference will give participants the chance to meet the speakers and network with other attendees.

Registration information can be found at the link below.

Mari Wilhelm, Institute for Children, Youth and Families

To learn more:
http://sirow.web.arizona.edu/

2 AMAZON RAINFOREST RESEARCH FINDINGS

The Amazon rainforest puts on its biggest growth spurt during the dry season, according to new research. The finding surprised the researchers.

The finding holds true only for the undisturbed portion of the rainforest.

The deep roots of trees in the undisturbed forest can reach water even in the dry season, allowing the trees to flourish during the sunnier, drier part of the year. In contrast, plants in areas that have been logged or converted to other uses cannot reach deep water in the dry season and therefore either go dormant or die.

Figuring out the metabolism of the Amazon rainforest, the largest old-growth rainforest on the planet, is crucial for understanding how rainforests and other tropical biomes function and how deforestation affects biodiversity and sustainable land use in the tropics. It will also help scientists better understand the global carbon cycle, which affects the natural sequestration and release of carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas.

Alfredo Huete, Soil, Water and Environmental Science

To learn more:
http://uanews.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/UANews.woa/10/wa/SRStoryDetails?ArticleID=12390

3 FIREWOOD AND BARK BEETLES IN THE SOUTHWEST

Bark Beetles are tiny naturally occurring insects that contribute to the death of thousands of trees in the Southwest each year. Most species of conifers are attractive to bark beetles. Even freshly cut logs are an ideal host for them. The build-up of beetle populations, whether in infested trees or firewood, can lead to attacks on nearby live trees, but precautionary steps may reduce or prevent these infestations.

A new Arizona Cooperative Extension publication called "Firewood and Bark Beetles in the Southwest" describes how to identify bark beetle-infested trees and firewood and offers recommendations for handling firewood to prevent or reduce infestations from bark beetles.

Tom DeGomez, School of Natural Resources

To learn more:
http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/insects/az1370.pdf

4 GATEWAY RETAIL TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATE

A five-year agreement established recently between Gateway and The University of Arizona has set the stage for the development of an innovative partnership with the Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. With the growth of online and catalogue retailing, and the increasing importance of understanding customer relationship managment, there is a growing need for graduates knowledgeable in retail strategy, web development, database management, and customers' use of technology in everyday life.

With support from Gateway, courses including these topics will be offered annually through a Gateway Retail Technology Certificate program. Additionally,the Gateway partnertship will also support the Gateway Multimedia Information and Technology and Computer Lab in the new Norton School building, scheduled for groundbreaking in May 2006.

Melinda Burke, Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing, Norton School

To learn more:
http://cals.arizona.edu/fcs/tlc/retail_link/spring06.pdf

5 ANNUAL SPRING TURFGRASS SEMINAR IN PHOENIX ON APRIL 12

Turfgrass managers looking for the most current information on keeping turf in top condition can learn from CALS researchers at the annual Cooperative Extension seminar in Phoenix. UA faculty will provide information on a range of topics including determining salinity levels in soils under turf; practical approaches to modifying soils for turfgrass growth; water quality and quantity; and how rain affects irrigation needs.

The workshop will be held on Wednesday, April 12 from 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Salt River Project's PERA Club, 1 Continental Drive in Tempe. Lunch is included in the $25 registration fee. Register early; the cost increases to $40 after April 5.

Kai Umeda, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension

To learn more:
http://cals.arizona.edu/turf/events_2006springturfgrassseminar.pdf

6 LETTERS TO A YOUNG ACADEMIC: A NEW BOOK

A new book by Guy McPherson, a professor in the School of Natural Resources, offers practical advice to young scholars. "Letters to a Young Academic: Seeking Teachable Moments" is intended to inspire budding academicians to become university scholars, and also to inspire university scholars to improve their ability to teach and mentor students. This compact book covers everything from "Why choose academia?" to teaching, career advancement and professional service.

Guy McPherson, School of Natural Resources

To learn more:
http://www.rowmaneducation.com/ISBN/1578863376

7 BINATIONAL CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES AND TOXICOLOGY

The University of Arizona (UA) has received $1.5 million administered through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set up a Binational Center for Environmental Sciences and Toxicology to resolve environmental health challenges along the US-Mexico Border.

The Binational Center fosters partnerships between UA scientists from six colleges--including the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences--with Mexican scientists from 10 different universities and research institutes. The multidisciplinary international team will jointly conduct collaborative research and human capacity building activities in the areas of environmental science and toxicology.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is participating in this effort through a research program dedicated to revegetating mine tailings sites. Blowing dust from these sites is laden with lead, arsenic and other metals that pose long-term health hazards.

Raina Maier, Soil, Water and Environmental Science

To learn more:
http://superfund.pharmacy.arizona.edu/news/1.5_Binational.html

8 WESTERN FLOWER THRIPS: A PEST OF YUMA AREA CROPS

Western flower thrips attack head lettuce and a wide range of other vegetable crops by sucking the leaves and scarring them, leading to market losses. The value of the Western head lettuce crop in 2004 was close to $372 million, according to the Arizona Agricultural Statistics Bulletin.

Researchers at the UA Yuma Agricultural Center are studying the ecology of Western flower thrips to assist growers in managing them. These pests can not only live out their entire life cycle in one field, they can also reproduce there before moving off to another crop. Since vegetables are grown nearly year-round in the Yuma area, the pest can jump easily from one crop to another.

John Palumbo, Yuma Agricultural Center

To learn more:
http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/general/resrpt2005/article1_2005.pdf

9 UA CLIMATE SCIENCES PROGRAM

Drought conditions in Arizona prevail despite recent rainfall. Answering questions about how weather patterns affect the state is just one of the charges of the Climate Science Applications Program (CSAP), a UA Cooperative Extension program. Focused on bringing climate science research and applications to land use planners, meterologists and other interested Arizona residents, the information is also used by those in the broader Southwest region including New Mexico, Southern California, and northern Mexico.

Research activities include new climate product development tailored to specific user group needs. Exploration into novel climate data visualization, dissemination, and analysis techniques and tools aids in the ability of users to understand sometimes complex weather patterns. Links to resources such as drought monitoring, rainfall amounts, weather patterns are included on the Web site listed below.

Michael Crimmins, Soil, Water and Environmental Science

To learn more:
http://cals.arizona.edu/climate/

10 ARIZONA TEEN LEADERSHIP CAMP JUNE 12-16

JOLT (Journey: Opportunities for Leaders of Tomorrow) is an Arizona Teen Leadership Camp that provides a positive environment and promotes personal development, team building and self-confidence.

JOLT participants enjoy activities that build trust, leadership and communication skills as well as conflict resolution and relationship building skills.

Teenagers of various Arizona locales and backgrounds, age 14 to 18 (or who have graduated from the 8th grade) are encouraged to consider JOLT. Campers develop a strong sense of teamwork, and learn to reject selfish actions that only benefit individuals. The 2006 dates for JOLT are June 12-16. The camp is held at Camp Shadow Pines in Heber, Arizona.

Gerald Olson, Mohave County Cooperative Extension

To learn more:
http://cals.arizona.edu/4-h/jolt/

11 GROWING SALAD ON MARS

"If you're wondering what we're going to eat on Mars, scientists at the University of Arizona are already working on the production of vegetables in a greenhouse-type facility which not only nurtures crops, recycles water and can produce fresh oxygen for astronauts, but could also act as a safe haven if other systems break down."

Read the rest of this story that was part of a radio broadcast in Australia, regarding the UA Controlled Environment Agriculture Center's solar growth chamber in the Antarctic.

Gene Giacomelli, Controlled Environment Agriculture Center

To learn more:
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/science/ss/stories/s1581472.htm

12 CONVERTING A BERMUDAGRASS LAWN TO XERISCAPE

The prevailing drought in Arizona may force homeowners to consider just how much lawn they are willing to irrigate. Installing a landscape that conserves water often involves the removal of a lawn. Yet it reaps dividends: removing a bermudagrass lawn can result in an estimated water savings of 50 to 75 percent.

Potential water savings come from the fact that water is applied to a limited amount of total yard space, compared to the greater water needs of a continuous grass-covered area. Also, by planting low water use plants, less maintenance is required and substantial cost savings can be realized.

It's difficult to eliminate bermudagrass without the use of herbicides. A new Cooperative Extension guide titled "Converting a Bermudagrass Lawn to Xeriscape" discusses how to remove the grass using glyphosate.

Jack Kelly, Pima County Cooperative Extension

To learn more:
http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/az1371.pdf

13 KILLER BEES IN CITY EARLY: BLAME THE DROUGHT

Killer bees are swarming early and often around Tucson this year because of the drought. Africanized bees have been forming new colonies around the city since February or even earlier this year--new colonies historically start to form in mid- to late March. It's thought that there is not enough food for the bees around existing urban colonies or in the desert where many of the bees normally live.

But while the Africanized bee's sting can be deadly, the swarms usually aren't harmful, experts say, unless the bees stay around long enough to form a hive. That doesn't usually happen. Dry conditions are thought to lead to an he increase in bees' aggressiveness and made them harder to kill.

For the full story from the March 9, 2006 Arizona Daily Star, go to the link below.

Carl Olson, Entomology

To learn more:
http://cals.arizona.edu/media/archives/11.18.html

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