Alabama’s medical tent is an idea popping up all over college football
USA Today – Oct. 21
When Alabama played for the College Football Playoff title last season, its pop-up medical tent on the sideline was a matter of significant curiosity. There had never really been anything like it before in football, allowing an injured player to be examined privately without having to go back to the locker room. The collapsible tent, which is attached to the base of a trainer’s table and then pulled over the top in a matter of seconds, was a fairly genius invention both in its practicality and design. And Jeff Allen, who conceived the project and debuted it last year as Alabama’s head football trainer and assistant athletics director for sports medicine, knew it would soon be in demand across football at all levels.
Bleacher Report – Oct. 25
Alabama scientist finds mysterious energy spikes in distant galaxies
Al.com – Oct. 21
Cue the “Twilight Zone” theme music. A University of Alabama astronomer says huge and mysterious energy spikes are regenerating stars in distant galaxies when they should be destroying them. “Whatever these objects are – we just don’t know yet ….,” he said. Dr. Jimmy Irwin, an associate professor of physics and astronomy, and a three-student team found the strange stars in two galaxies. They used data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory. The stars flare up enormous energy only to “simmer (back down) to baseline energy in an hour” and repeat, a UA report said. Releasing so much energy and returning to baseline six times, as one example did, showed the flares clearly weren’t destroying their source. That is something new.
Space Daily – Oct. 25
Alabama astronomer helps us really see ‘The Neighborhood’
AL.com – Oct. 25
Thanks in part to a University of Alabama astronomer, we have a much better map of the neighborhood. Maybe we should say, “The Neighborhood.” The Whole Neighborhood. Scientists last week released the new picture of the Milky Way – our home galaxy – and the Internet immediately turned to words like “stunning” and “breathtaking” to describe it. The Internet uses “stunning” for a new hair style and “breathtaking” for a vocal performance, but the words were right this time. . . . The map was constructed from data gathered by two radio telescopes, one in Germany in the Northern Hemisphere and one in Australia in the Southern Hemisphere. Dr. Jeremy Bailin, a UA physicist and astronomer, helped gather the more than 1 million observations that make up the new map, and he’s a co-author on a new scientific paper describing it.
‘Scare-off effect’ may drive spending in congressional races
The Anniston Star – Oct. 25
U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Tuscaloosa, spent $11.4 million on his re-election effort, while his Democratic opponent has spent just $21,000, according to campaign finance reports filed earlier this month. In the race for the 3rd District congressional seat, incumbent Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Saks, spent $780,297 on his campaign. Democratic challenger Jesse Smith of Pell City spent $6,148 and has just $297 left … “They may be trying for the scare-off effect,” political science professor at the University of Alabama Stephen Borelli said. “They may want to show potential challengers that they still have their donor lists. They want to show that they can spend millions and raise it back again.”
Museums offer Veterans Day deal
Tuscaloosa News – Oct. 24
The University of Alabama Museums will offer free admission to veterans and their families on Nov. 11 in recognition of Veterans Day. The offer includes admission to the Alabama Museum of Natural History, Gorgas House Museum, Moundville Archaeological Park and the Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum. “We would like to show our appreciation to those who have given so much for their country,” William Bomar, executive director of University Museums, said in a news release. “It’s the least we can do. We hope our veterans and their families will enjoy their time together in our museums.”
WVUA 23 (Tuscaloosa) – Oct. 24
Once predictable, 2nd Congressional seat now uncertain
Dothan Eagle – Oct. 22
Many of the protesters outside U.S. Rep. Martha Roby’s speech to the Houston County Republican Women’s Club didn’t really believe her un-endorsement of Donald Trump would actually sway voters on Election Day … Carol Cassel, professor of political science at the University of Alabama, said Roby was faced with a difficult decision, but it may not cost her the Congressional seat. “Many Republican candidates are in a very difficult position because their party is divided and they need votes from both the pro- and anti-Trump forces to stay in office. But since Roby had a huge margin of victory in 2014, she’s not as much at risk as Republicans with more serious Democratic challengers. Also, she’s very conservative, which limits her electoral threat,” Cassel said.
UA to hold Sorority Row Trick-or-Treat
WIAT-CBS 42 (Birmingham) – Oct. 24
The University of Alabama’s Panhellenic Association will host its annual Trick or Treat on Sorotiy Row, tonight from 6 to 8 at the sorority houses. Tonight’s event is open to everyone in the Tuscaloosa area.
Trick or Treating on Sorority Row (gallery)
Tuscaloosa News – Oct. 24
A Tuscaloosa News photo gallery of trick-or-treaters on Sorority Row.
WVUA 23 (Tuscaloosa) – Oct. 24
Preview: The University of Alabama to celebrate Cuba Week
Crimson White – Oct. 24
The University of Alabama is celebrating Cuba Week. The week began with an address from President Stuart Bell and other panelists discussing the University’s relationship with Cuba, and will continue throughout the week with more events.
Sen. Shelby Town Hall Meeting at UA Cancelled
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – Oct. 24
If you’re planning to attend Sen. Shelby’s town hall meeting in Tuscaloosa, then we have some news you need to hear. The University of Alabama says the town hall meeting, which was originally scheduled for tonight, has been cancelled. We’re told it will be rescheduled at a later date.