PURDUE NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEEK OF MARCH 5-9 This digest contains summaries of the following stories from Purdue News Service and Agricultural Communication Service. All these stories, and more, are available on the World Wide Web at http://news.uns.purdue.edu/html3month/3month.html (Instructions for retrieving stories and photographs via the Internet are at the end of this document.) 1. Scientists find great-granddaddy of enzyme family 2. Purdue names alumna Sally Frost Mason as provost 3. 20th annual Holocaust conference begins March 24 4. Purdue co-hosts job fair featuring more than 150 employers 5. Transportation center to offer child seat inspection, training 6. Griffin takes Burton Morgan Competition's $20,000 top prize 7. Study Abroad office extends deadlines for summer programs 8. Purdue announces increase in flight incentives 9. Hoosier farmers starting off on the right foot 10. Purdue expert: Soybean seed good, but don't plant too soon 11. Purdue to celebrate Ag Day 12. Indiana wheat crop enters homestretch in good shape 13. New testing program evaluates lamb performance 14. Concert by rapper Nelly to kick off Gala Weekend 15. Sean Curran Company brings fun, beauty of dance to Loeb 16. Convocations presents Broadway musical 'Chicago' 17. Jazz violinist Regina Carter to perform at Purdue 18. PMO groups begin singing tours of Florida, Michigan 19. Haraka Writers present spring production on March 23 20. Purdue¹s Basketball Band mixes craziness with music 21. Annual Brown Organic Chemistry Lectures begin March 24 22. Lecture examines ways to use electrical fields in medicine 23. Purdue calendar 24. Best Bets for Journalists 25. Background information for journalists 26. National Science, Engineering & Health Package 27. Inside Purdue and Perspective ------------------------------------- RESEARCH NEWS AND SPECIAL REPORTS ------------------------------------- 1. SCIENTISTS FIND GREAT-GRANDDADDY OF ENZYME FAMILY Scientists have traced a protein to the point in early evolution when it first began using a chemical, ATP, to power cells. A study of the structure of an acetate kinase, an enzyme used in converting organic matter to methane, indicates that the enzyme may be the primordial, or earliest, protein to use ATP, say scientists at Purdue and Pennsylvania State universities. http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html4ever/010306.Sanders.ancient.html ------------------------ GENERAL INTEREST NEWS ------------------------ 2. PURDUE NAMES ALUMNA SALLY FROST MASON AS PROVOST Sally K. Frost Mason, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Kansas, will return to her alma mater, Purdue, as its next provost, effective July 1. ''As the university's senior academic officer, the provost is critical to the aspirations of the university and this administration,'' said President Martin C. Jischke. ''Sally Frost Mason was our overwhelming first choice among a group of truly outstanding candidates for this critical position. She will provide tremendous leadership for the learning, discovery, and engagement enterprises that are at the heart of our academic mission.'' http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html3month/010309.FrostMason.provost.html 3. 20TH ANNUAL HOLOCAUST CONFERENCE BEGINS MARCH 24 The 20th annual Holocaust Remembrance Conference will focus on the need to affirm history and accept responsibility. Scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, March 24 and 25, on Purdue's West Lafayette campus and sites around Greater Lafayette, the conference will focus on ''Challenging Our Beliefs.'' All conference sessions are free and open to the public. http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html3month/010309.Engel.Holocaust.html 4. PURDUE CO-HOSTS JOB FAIR FEATURING MORE THAN 150 EMPLOYERS Purdue and Indiana universities are partnering to bring students and alumni in contact with more than 150 companies at the 11th Annual Indiana Collegiate Job Fair. The job fair will be March 23 at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis. http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html3month/010309.Megathlin.jobfair.html 5. TRANSPORTATION CENTER TO OFFER CHILD SEAT INSPECTION, TRAINING Purdue's Center for the Advancement of Transportation Safety announced Wednesday (3/7) that it will establish a permanent fitting station for child safety seats. The center's station will be staffed by a certified child passenger safety technician to inspect car seats and instruct families and caregivers how to properly secure seats in their vehicles. http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html3month/010309.Drake.childseat.html 6. GRIFFIN TAKES BURTON MORGAN COMPETITION'S $20,000 TOP PRIZE High-tech, entrepreneurial Purdue students showcased their concept, invention, business and marketing skills at the 14th annual Burton Morgan Entrepreneurial Competition on Thursday (3/1). ''All the participants are to be congratulated for sticking to their projects for almost a year leading up to the competition,'' said Shailendra Mehta, director of the Krannert School Entrepreneurship Initiative. ''We have seen projects grow and become transformed in that time.'' http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html4ever/010307.Mehta.burtonmorgan.html 7. STUDY ABROAD OFFICE EXTENDS DEADLINES FOR SUMMER PROGRAMS Due to a nearly 50 percent increase in the number of students applying for summer study abroad opportunities, additional spaces are being secured in a number of programs and the application deadline has been extended to March 23. http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html3month/010309.Sanson.sadeadlines.html 8. PURDUE ANNOUNCES INCREASE IN FLIGHT INCENTIVES Purdue has doubled rebates for its employees who fly on business from its airport. In November the university offered departmental rebates of $50 for faculty and staff business travel originating from the Purdue Airport. Officials have decided to continue the program through December and to increase the rebate to $100 per trip. http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html3month/010309.Burns.incentive.html -------------------- AGRICULTURAL NEWS -------------------- 9. HOOSIER FARMERS STARTING OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT In 2000 corn and soybeans yielded a bumper crop for Hoosier farmers. Corn value increased by 7 percent, while soybean value jumped 22 percent, says Ralph Gann, state statistician with the Indiana Agricultural Statistics Service located at Purdue. Despite lower grain and livestock prices, the improved return on last year's crop put money back into farmers' pockets. http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html3month/010309.Gann.agstats.html 10. PURDUE EXPERT: SOYBEAN SEED GOOD, BUT DON'T PLANT TOO SOON Seed quality for this year's soybean crop is considerably better than last; however, a Purdue agronomist says supplies are going to be tight in Indiana. In Iowa and Nebraska, late, dry weather conditions last fall produced poor seed quality. ''Because of this problem, supplies of more popular varieties will be tight since seed from the eastern Corn Belt will be needed to fill this shortfall,'' says Ellsworth Christmas, Purdue Cooperative Extension Service agronomist. http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html3month/010309.Christmas.soybeans.html 11. PURDUE TO CELEBRATE AG DAY Purdue will observe National Agriculture Day on March 20 at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Researchers from the schools of Agriculture, Consumer and Family Sciences and Science will be at the event to discuss research projects impacting Hoosier producers and consumers. http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html3month/010309.Lechtenberg.agdayhtml 12. INDIANA WHEAT CROP ENTERS HOMESTRETCH IN GOOD SHAPE Indiana's wheat crop is in good condition entering the final few months before harvest. However, the situation could change if Old Man Winter decides to take matters into his own icy hands, says Ellsworth Christmas, Purdue Cooperative Extension Service agronomist. http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html3month/010309.Christmas.wheatcrop.html 13. NEW TESTING PROGRAM EVALUATES LAMB PERFORMANCE Sheep producers are invited to participate in a new lamb testing program sponsored by Purdue and the University of Illinois. The Midwest Performance Lamb Program will take place April 14 at Purdue's Sheep Research and Education Unit near Montmorenci, Ind. http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html3month/010309.Neary.lambtest.html ------------------------------- ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT ITEMS ------------------------------- 14. CONCERT BY RAPPER NELLY TO KICK OFF GALA WEEKEND Rap star Nelly will give a 7:30 p.m. concert in the Elliott Hall of Music on Thursday, April 19, kicking off Gala Weekend on the Purdue campus. Nelly started as a member of the St. Louis hip-hop group St. Lunatics before stepping out on his own. His first album ''Country Grammar'' has spent 35 weeks on the Top 100 R&B/Hip-Hop chart. http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html3month/010307.Sommers.Nelly.html 15. SEAN CURRAN COMPANY BRINGS FUN, BEAUTY OF DANCE TO LOEB Seán Curran and his dance company will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 29, in Loeb Playhouse. In 1994, Curran was cast as an ensemble member of the rhythmic dance spectacle, ''Stomp.'' His company is known for its distinctive costumes, projected images, poems, singing and unusual props, as well as for having an artistic sense of humor. http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html3month/010309.Sommers.Curran.html 16. CONVOCATIONS PRESENTS BROADWAY MUSICAL 'CHICAGO' ''Chicago,'' the popular Broadway musical known for its tuneful score and innovative choreography, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 22, in the Elliott Hall of Music. Highlights of the show include choreography based on Bob Fosse¹s original work and songs such as ''All That Jazz,'' ''Me and My Baby'' and ''Razzle Dazzle.'' http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html3month/010309.Sommers.Chicago.html 17. JAZZ VIOLINIST REGINA CARTER TO PERFORM AT PURDUE Jazz violinist Regina Carter will perform with her quintet at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 24, in Loeb Playhouse. Carter has collaborated with artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Lauryn Hill, Mary J. Blige, Aretha Franklin and Billy Joel. http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html3month/010309.Sommers.Carter.html 18. PMO GROUPS BEGIN SINGING TOURS OF FLORIDA, MICHIGAN While some students are heading to Florida for fun and sun, the Purduettes are launching Purdue Musical Organizations' spring tours with a trip to Florida for fun and song. On April 6, the University Choir will head out on a weekend singing tour of Michigan. http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html3month/010309.Silver.tours.html 19. HARAKA WRITERS PRESENT SPRING PRODUCTION ON MARCH 23 Purdue's Haraka Writers will present its annual spring production, ''Definitive Seeds of Light'' at 7 p.m. Friday, March 23. The free event will be in the Black Cultural Center's Multipurpose Room 1. Reservations are not required, and doors open at 6:30 p.m. http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html3month/010309.Brown.Harakafest.html 20. PURDUE¹S BASKETBALL BAND MIXES CRAZINESS WITH MUSIC Come tournament time, there¹s a team in the stands with bright gold polo shirts that may be every bit as vital to the success of Purdue women¹s basketball as the team in numbered jerseys on floor. Members of the Gold and Black Sound Basketball Band (GABS) admit they are always loud, sometimes obnoxious, yet fun-loving to the end. They say they work to whip up spirit in Mackey Arena and every other gym in which they play. http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html3month/010309.Matter.GABS.html ---------------------- MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS ---------------------- 21. ANNUAL BROWN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LECTURES BEGIN MARCH 24 New developments in chemistry will be discussed during the 18th annual Herbert C. Brown Lecture Series in Organic Chemistry on Saturday, March 24, and Tuesday, March 27, at Purdue. The series, ''Organic Chemistry in the 21st Century,'' features five lectures by internationally recognized researchers in organic chemistry. All lectures are free and open to the public. http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html3month/010309.Ramachandran.chem.html 22. LECTURE EXAMINES WAYS TO USE ELECTRICAL FIELDS IN MEDICINE Colin D. McCaig, professor of biomedical sciences at the Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, will present a public talk Tuesday, March 22, at Purdue. The lecture, which is free and open to the public, will examine recent advances in using electrical fields in biology and medicine. http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html3month/010309.George.lecture.html 23. PURDUE CALENDAR http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html3month/010309.Calendar.html This calendar lists entertainment events, lectures and meetings involving Purdue people during the next month. An online calendar of Purdue events is at http://www.purdue.edu/calendar/ 24. BEST BETS FOR JOURNALISTS -- Experts trek to 87th Purdue Road School -- Purdue celebrates Ag Day at statehouse -- 20th annual Holocaust conference March 24-25 http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html3month/010309.Best.bets.html 25. BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR JOURNALISTS -- Foot and mouth disease http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html4ever/010306.B.Kenyon.ftandmouth.html 26. NATIONAL SCIENCE, ENGINEERING & HEALTH PACKAGE These stories were distributed nationally and internationally this week to about 1,400 writers, reporters, editors and other interested parties. A Web site with links to all the stories and photos in this package is at this URL: http://news.uns.purdue.edu/paks/scipak.digest.0103.html 1. Zebrafish could become genetics 'lab rat' of choice 2. Engineers will demonstrate new system to prevent power failures 3. Gerontology studies grow with aging population 4. Scientists find great-granddaddy of enzyme family 5. Hessian fly genomics research will benefit wheat farmers, others 6. Gene could convert crops to plastics factories 7. Science & engineering briefs 8. Plant genomics experts 27. INSIDE PURDUE AND PERSPECTIVE Check the online versions of Inside Purdue, the faculty/staff newspaper, and Perspective, a quarterly publication for alumni, parents of students, faculty and staff, for other news about Purdue, at http://www.purdue.edu/PER/Periodicals.html. HOW TO RETRIEVE STORIES AND PHOTOGRAPHS ELECTRONICALLY Releases, publication-quality photographs, and a searchable database of Purdue and Big 10 experts are available at the PurdueNews Web site at http://news.uns.purdue.edu. Faculty and staff may register as experts at the Web site. Publication-quality photos also are available at the PurdueNews ftp site at ftp://ftp.purdue.edu/pub/uns/. NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: The Purdue News Service also distributes full-text of news releases to the media. 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