Science News Roundup: July 2016
Here is the science news, relating to George Mason University and the College of Science for the month of July 2016:
July 21
Mason ecologist helps predict new infectious diseases
Professor Alonso Aguirre co-authored the study, part of a “global effort to predict where new infectious diseases are likely to emerge”.
July 16
Mary Ellen O’Toole discusses ISIS’ involvement in Nice attack
CBS News interviews Forensic Science Department Chair, and former FBI profiler.
July 14
Mason’s Bob Weigel discusses the sun’s black holes
Weigel comments on the effect of the sun’s coronal holes on space weather, during the week in which NASA captured images of a massive dark spot spreading across the sun’s surface.
New team aims to reduce tropical species extinctions due to climate changes
Lovejoy comments on protected areas to prevent species extinction.
Padhu Seshaiyer talks about FOCUS science summer camp for girls
On ABC News 7, Seshaiyer and camp participants discussed the FOCUS Summer Camp at Mason.
July 7
New research finds California droughts controlled mainly by wind
AOES professor Paul Dirmeyer co-authored paper with new findings which increase “the understanding of how the water cycle is related to extreme events and could eventually help in predicting droughts and floods”.
Mason’s Lyme disease research gets spotlight
As part of its “Lyme and Reason” special, New York’s Fox 5 television station referenced Mason’s creation of a urine-based Lyme disease test shown in trials to be more accurate than the two-tiered test endorsed by the CDC.
July 6
Professor comments on experiment found to slow deforestation
Mason’s Thomas Lovejoy confirms a method of stopping deforestation by paying landowners.
Lovejoy to receive Lifetime Achievement Award
Professor Thomas Lovejoy will have this honor bestowed upon him at the National Council for Science and the Environment conference in January 2017.
July 5
Prof. Summer’s New Horizons Team Awarded Extended Mission
NASA has approved a mission extension for the New Horizons, which performed the first-ever flyby of Pluto in July 2015, to flyby another Kuiper Belt dwarf ice planet in 2019.
Have we missed your student, faculty or alumni news? This post is updated all month long. Let us know, and we’ll include it! As an alumnus/ae, use this Update Your Information form to tell us about your professional and personal activities! Faculty and students, email cosnews@gmu.edu to see your news added to the monthly news roundup, and spotlighted by COS social media accounts.
