UA In the News — March 1

Cloudflare Data Breach
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – Feb. 28
The University of Alabama’s Center for Advanced Public Safety says the Cloudflare data breach could be the largest internet security incident ever.
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Feb. 27
 
Sand mining: the global environmental crisis you’ve probably never heard of
The Guardian – Feb. 27
Times are good for Fey Wei Dong. A genial, middle-aged businessman based near Shanghai, China, Fey says he is raking in the equivalent of £180,000 a year from trading in the humblest of commodities: sand … A recent study estimates that 236m cubic metres of sand are taken out of the lake annually. That makes Poyang the biggest sand mine on the planet, far bigger than the three largest sand mines in the US combined. “I couldn’t believe it when we did the calculations,” says David Shankman, a University of Alabama geographer and one of the study’s authors.
Wild Singapore – Feb. 28
 
Jewells retires from national team, now on to University of Alabama
Cape Breton (Nova Scotia) Post – March 1
Although one part of Jamey Jewells’ wheelchair basketball career is over, she’s continued her career south of the border. . . . Also retired from the national program is her husband, Adam Lancia, a two-time Paralympic gold medalist who began playing for the national men’s team in 2001. He’s now the head coach of Jewells’ newest team, the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. Jewells is on a scholarship and is studying social work. “We do a pretty good job of it,” Jewells said of having her husband as head coach. The couple has a three-year-old daughter, Lennyn. “Basketball is always going to be basketball and it’s professional. He’s a coach with a really high basketball IQ who I respect, so it works out.
 
Immigration and Crime: What Does the Research Say?
The Good Men Project – March 1
Editor’s note: In his first week in office, President Donald Trump showed he intends to follow through on his immigration promises. A major focus of his campaign was on removing immigrants who, he said, were increasing crime in American communities … Robert Adelman, University at Buffalo, and Lesley Reid, University of Alabama … Research has shown virtually no support for the enduring assumption that increases in immigration are associated with increases in crime.

Students, staff discuss what Black History Month means to them
Crimson White – March 1
February is filled with 28 days of black history, and UA students and faculty cannot go far without being reminded of the struggles that African-Americans faced, but many students and faculty use this time to address ways to move forward to better The University of Alabama in terms of awareness, unity and diversity. “This month is really a time for us to embrace our past.” said JoAnn Oliver, a professor in the College of Nursing and a speaker at the State of the Black Union address that was held on Feb.16. “I firmly believe in the importance of knowing history.”

Rising IT star Chandler Bise tempered by mixture of influences
Certification Magazine – Feb. 28
Have you ever had the enjoyable opportunity of meeting an individual who seems to have the world on a string? You know the type I’m talking about: This sort of person has loads of talent, brains, an impressive and lengthy list of accomplishments. They’re trustworthy, humble and, for good measure, even easy to like. Chandler Bise is one of these rare and remarkable individuals — extremely capable, confident, accomplished, self-effacing and really likable … Chandler is currently attending the University of Alabama and majoring in Electrical Engineering and Management Information Systems. “A lot of people told me that I didn’t need college. That I could use my certifications and get a great job,” he said.

Hand in Paw sends dogs to help students relieve stress
Crimson White – March 1
One organization based in Birmingham, Hand in Paw, is working to aid students in their fight against stress and anxiety by using a technique known as Animal-Assisted Therapy. The organization sends therapy teams that are comprised of a pet and handler to numerous facilities across central Alabama such as nursing homes, hospitals and schools to help improve people’s day to day lives. Hand in Paw also sends four or five dog teams each year to The University of Alabama for what they call “Student Stress Relief Visits” to help students specifically cope with the day to day stress that weighs on their lives. Emily Cheatwood, a program director with Hand in Paw, stands firmly behind the unconventional therapy process.

New collection in RIO Journal devoted to neuroscience projects from 2016 Brainhack events
Medical Xpress – Feb. 28
Called Mindcontrol, an open-source web-based dashboard application lets users collaboratively quality control and curate neuroimaging data. Developed by the team of Anisha Keshavan and Esha Datta, both of University of California, San Francisco, Dr. Christopher R. Madan, Boston College, and Dr. Ian M. McDonough, The University of Alabama, Mindcontrol provides an easy-to-use interface, and allows the users to annotate points and curves on the volume, edit voxels, and assign tasks to other users.

You Should Stop Making Plans With Your Friends, According to Science
True Viral News – Feb. 28
We all have that friend – hey, maybe you are that friend – who texts about Friday happy hour on Monday morning. Sure, making plans in advance might keep you from spiraling down a black hole of solo rosé and Scandal reruns. But new research suggests ditching the Google invites if you want to have fun …Malkoc notes that the study didn’t test activities spanning more than a few hours. Also, “some people are more schedulers than others,” says Philip Gable of the University of Alabama. Someone who gets a rush from color-coding her Google Calendar might enjoy happy hour even more if it’s planned in advance. Overall, though, Gable finds the methods “thorough and thoughtful.”
 
Dr. Doug Phillips of Discovering Alabama Presents, Alabama’s Private Forests
NBC 3 (Louisville, Kentucky) – Feb. 28
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at The University of Alabama is presenting “A Special Night with Doug Phillips.” Dr. Phillips will talk about, and present, a special showing of Discovering Alabama’s latest program entitled, “Alabama’s Private Forests.”

Professor: Racism Causes High Blood Pressure
The Daily Caller – Feb. 28
A professor speaking at the University of Alabama (UA) argued that race and not genetics causes high blood pressure in black people. Dr. Clarence Gravlee, an associate professor in anthropology at the University of Florida, hosted a “Sick of Race” seminar Monday, in which he discussed why he thought blacks suffered so disproportionately to whites from high blood pressure, as reported by The Crimson White.

Arlington Schools & Military, 3/2/17 edition
Inside Nova – March 1
News of the achievements of local students and members of the Armed Forces … Clara Balestrieri, Sydney Coster and Jethro Torczon of Arlington have been named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at the University of Alabama.
Inside Nova (Fairfax News) – March 1
The Sentinel Record (Arkansas) – Feb. 28
Rockford (Illinois) Register-Star – March 1

Collegiate recovery programs provide vital resources
Crimson White – Feb. 28
I distinctly remember walking into Farrah Hall late one Thursday evening, ready for UA Recovery Night to be over so that I could get back to the library and focus on my studies. I sat down in my lecture hall seat feeling both uncomfortable and unsure about what was to come, with the required attendance for my elective, Human Development 350- Addiction: Prevention, Treatment and Recovery, being the only thing keeping my legs glued to the chair. (Morgan Nicodemus is a senior majoring in public relations. Her column runs biweekly.)

University of Alabama Gears Up for Spring Collegiate Competition
United States Eventing Association – Feb. 28
The University of Alabama Eventing Team was founded in September of 2013 with the intent to accept everyone who wanted to be a part of a horse-oriented team on a very non-horsey campus. All it takes to be a part of our tight-knit team is dues, with a discount if you are not able to ride for our team. We currently have members from all over, riding at levels anywhere from Starter through Preliminary, and a few of these members did not come from an eventing background. Daly Sharbrough, our current treasurer, is a show jumper with her Fresian Sport Horse, Matthew, and Sara Watkiss competes in Saddle-Seat and Showmanship with her Arabian/Hackney cross, Blue. These two came from very different “horse worlds” and both have competed at team challenges since joining!