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TUESDAY, JAN. 21 – SUNDAY, JAN. 26      

RESEARCH

TORTURE PREVALENT, EFFECTIVE IN POPULAR MOVIES, STUDY FINDS — The majority of popular films, including those for children, have at least one torture scene, and the scenes are usually depicted as achieving the torturer’s goal, according to a study involving a UA researcher. Watch for a news release with more details. For assistance, contact Adam Jones in UA communications at 205-348-4328 or adam.jones@ua.edu or Jackie Bridges of  communications at Gardner-Webb University at 704-406-2542 or Jbridges9@gardner-webb.edu. Dr. Erin Kearns, the UA researcher, is only available for interviews by phone or email at emkearns@ua.edu.

BEST BETS

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR FREE JOB SKILLS TRAININGFree job skills and financial literacy training sessions will soon be available to West Alabama adults, including veterans, and teens through UA’s business college. Culverhouse LIFT, or Learning Initiative and Financial Training, will begin classes for its spring 2020 term Tuesday, Feb. 4. Registration and specific course descriptions are available on the Culverhouse LIFT website. Sponsored by the UA Culverhouse College of Business and the Culverhouse School of Accountancy, LIFT’s sessions include computer skills, bookkeeping and introduction to coding. The sessions take place at community centers around Tuscaloosa, including The EDGE and the VA Medical Center. For interviews, contact Lisa McKinney, UA accounting lecturer, by text at 205-535-0907 or lmckinne@culverhouse.ua.edu. For assistance, contact Zach Thomas in Culverhouse marketing at 205-348-8318, zthomas@culverhouse.ua.edu.

CURRENT COMMENT

HIT TV SHOW PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON DEMENTIA – A favorite character on “This is Us” is showing signs of dementia. Nearly 50 million people worldwide suffer from some form of the disease. Dr. Ian McDonough, UA assistant professor of psychology, says it’s atypical for television to depict early phases of dementia as “Rebecca” appears to be experiencing. Will this top-ranked show heighten awareness of the disease? At what points do occasional memory slips become concerning? McDonough is available for an interview today, Jan. 21, from 11-11:30 a.m. and Tuesday-Friday after 3:30 pm. Reach him directly at immcdonough@ua.edu or 205-737-3442. For assistance, contact Melissa Parker in UA communications at melissa.parker@ua.edu or 205-348-0825. 

AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION GOES A LONG WAY DURING FLU SEASON – Experts say it’s too soon to know the severity of this year’s flu season, but it’s impacting kids and young adults in particular. UA’s Dr. Tom Weida, associate dean of clinical affairs for the College of Community Health Sciences and chief medical officer of University Medical Center, stresses precautions. “Everyone six months of age and older should get a flu shot each year, especially those at risk, including people with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, those with HIV/AIDS and others. People should also practice healthy habits to prevent the flu and the spread of flu – stay home when you are sick, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze and wash your hands.” To arrange an interview with Weida, contact Bryant Welbourne in UA communications at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu or 205-348-8325.

PROPOSED RULES ‘AN ATTACK ON MAGNA CARTA OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAW’ — The White House recently proposed rules that would cripple the implementation of one of the nation’s most consequential and successful environmental statutes: The National Environmental Policy Act, says William Andreen, the Edgar L. Clarkson Professor of Law in UA School of Law. Andreen, an expert on climate change and environmental law, has analyzed the proposed policy. For more information, contact Monique Fields, manager of communications in the law school at 205-348-5195 or mfields@law.ua.edu, or contact Andreen directly at 205-348-7091 or wandreen@law.ua.edu.

LOOKING AHEAD

MEMBER OF ‘EXONERATED FIVE’ TO GIVE MLK LECTURE A wrongly convicted member of the “Central Park Five” will give the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lecture at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, in the Ferguson Center Ballroom. Yusef Salaam was 15 when he and four other teens were wrongly accused of the 1989 rape and murder of a jogger in New York City’s Central Park. The teens spent between seven and 13 years incarcerated for a crime from which DNA evidence later exonerated them. Since his release more than 20 years ago, Salaam has committed himself to educating people on the issues of mass incarceration, police misconduct, race and the law and disparities in America’s criminal justice system, especially for young men of color. To participate in an on-campus, in-person media availability with Salaam at 2 p.m. Jan. 27, contact Shane Dorrill at 205-348-8319 or shane.dorrill@ua.edu or Chris Bryant at 205-348-8323 or chris.bryant@ua.edu.

SEE A LIST OF CAMPUS EVENTS AT https://www.ua.edu/events/.

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