News

Flags lowered for former congressman Joseph D. Early

Gov. Deval L. Patrick has ordered that the U.S. and Commonwealth flags be lowered to half-staff at all state buildings until sunset on Wednesday, Nov. 14 in honor of former congressman Joseph D. Early, who died Nov. 9.

Cell biologists identify new protein key to asymmetric cell division

Recently a research team led by Wei-lih Lee, associate professor of Biology, identified a new molecular player in asymmetric cell division, a regulatory protein named She1 whose role in chromosome- and spindle positioning wasn’t known before. Asymmetric cell division is important in the self-renewal of stem cells and because it ensures that daughter cells have different fates and functions.
 
When a fertilized egg develops in a fruit fly or a human being, the number of asymmetric cell divisions must be precisely balanced by symmetric cell divisions, Lee explains.

Collura participates in panel at ITS World Congess in Vienna

Professor John Collura of Civil and Environmental Engineering was an invited panelist at the Intelligent Transportation Society (ITS) World Congress, held Oct. 22-25 in Vienna, Austria.

The international panel, which included transportation researchers and educators from Europe and the Asia Pacific regions, discussed the challenges and issues facing the transportation profession around the world in educating and training its workforce to meet the needs of the 21st century.

Sidney's 'New Arcadia' is topic of Renaissance lecture

David Katz will discuss one of the Renaissance Center's hidden treasures in a lecture,  "The Countess of Pembroke's Hybrid: A presentation on the publication history of Sidney's New Arcadia" on Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 4 p.m. in the center's Reading Room.
 
The event is free, open to the public, and no reservations are needed. There will be light refreshments after the talk.

The Renaissance Center is located at 650 East Pleasant St.  and can be reached at 577-3600.

Renaissance Games Night planned for Nov. 16

A Renaissance Games Night is being held Friday, Nov. 16 from 7-9 p.m. in the Renaissance Center's Reading Room at 650 East Pleasant St.

Sponsored by the Ren Rats, the center's reading group, the evening features food, drink, and Renaissance-era board games. There will also be door prizes.

The event is free and open to the public.
 
For information, call 577-3600

Kidd Pivot’s ‘Tempest Replica’ comes to FAC Nov. 18

Kidd Pivot, based in Vancouver, B.C. and under the direction of Crystal Pite, will perform “The Tempest Replica” on Sunday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center Concert Hall.
 
In her latest dance piece, Pite blends the narrative of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” with a cinematic approach to dance. The work begins with a cast of “replicas,” dressed in all white, delivering the general plot points of the play.

Campus staff present at New England College Health Association conference

Three campus staff members presented programs at the annual New England College Health Association (NECHA) conference held Nov. 7-9 in Portland, Maine.

SuEllen Hamkins and Joshua Relin of the Center for Counseling and Psychological Health (CCPH) led a workshop titled "Promoting the Art of Strengths-Based Treatmentin Your College Counseling Service." Hamkins and Relin are mental health providers at CCPH.

Health educator Amanda Collings Vann of the Center for Health Promotion at University Health Services, presented a workshop on "Health Promotion Peer Review: What it is and How to Use it" with

UMass Hotel offers special Family & Friends rates for holidays

The UMass Hotel and Conference Center is offering “Family & Friends” rates for faculty and staff for the holiday season.
 
Rooms start as low as $79 per night single or double occupancy and the offer is valid from Nov. 21-25 and Dec. 23-31. Higher rates are in effect for third or fourth guests. The offer is also subject to availability.
 
Guests can call 877-822-2110 or make reservations online at www.umasshotel.com using the promo code F&F with their travel dates.

Neuroscience and Behavior seminar focuses on addictive processes

Helen Fox of the Yale School of Medicine will speak about "Stress Adaptations Affecting Addictive Processes: Potential Targets for Medications Development" at a Neuroscience and Behavior seminar on Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 4 p.m. in 222 Morrill II.

Alcohol and cocaine dependence are chronic relapsing disorders that are characterized by the up-regulation of core stress systems of the brain.

University Health Services offers Craft Fair on Dec. 5

The University Health Services Craft Fair is being held Wednesday, Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in 302 UHS.

Handmade items for sale will include jewelry, knitted and crocheted items, ornaments, woodwork, baked goods and other items.

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