Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
Wayne State Receives Full Accreditation From Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs
DETROIT, Michigan, Jan. 16 -- Wayne State University issued the following news:
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Wayne State receives full accreditation from Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs
Following a rigorous evaluation process, Wayne State University's research protection program involving human participants has been renewed for full accreditation for five years by the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs Inc. (AAHRPP). Wayne State has been accredited by AAHRPP since 2007.
AAHRPP is dedicated to providing protection of the rights and welfare
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DETROIT, Michigan, Jan. 16 -- Wayne State University issued the following news:
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Wayne State receives full accreditation from Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs
Following a rigorous evaluation process, Wayne State University's research protection program involving human participants has been renewed for full accreditation for five years by the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs Inc. (AAHRPP). Wayne State has been accredited by AAHRPP since 2007.
AAHRPP is dedicated to providing protection of the rights and welfareof research participants and the promotion of scientifically meritorious and ethically sound research. AAHRPP accreditation is the "gold seal" for human participant research, requiring its member institutions to reach performance standards that surpass the threshold of state and federal requirements. AAHRPP works with organizations that conduct human research to raise the level of protection for research participants.
Seeking accreditation by AAHRPP is voluntary.
"I am pleased to learn that we have been reaccredited by AAHRPP," said Ezemenari M. Obasi, Ph.D., vice president for research & innovation at Wayne State. "This is an important recognition that demonstrates Wayne State University's unwavering commitment to the highest ethical standards in protecting human research participants. Receiving this reaccreditation shows that we work hard to provide high-quality, ethically sound research. This is a great achievement for Wayne State University."
Wayne State has approximately 2,800 active human research studies involving thousands of research participants. Research volunteers participate in studies in myriad areas, including diagnostic, social and therapeutic programs.
"Many faculty, staff and community members invest considerable time and effort throughout the year to ensure the well-being of research participants by serving on our institutional review boards and safety committees," said Obasi. "Their commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of research participants in our research studies, along with smoothing the path to success for our researchers, is an example of Wayne State's commitment to high ethical standards in research. I am especially thankful for Director Amanda Jointer and Associate Director Heather Park-May of our human research protection program and Institutional Review Board, for the critical leadership roles in securing this accreditation."
To earn accreditation and reaccreditation, organizations must demonstrate that they have built extensive safeguards into every level of their research operation, adhere to high standards for research and are committed to continuous improvement. AAHRPP accredited institutions must meet and exceed regulatory standards with commitment to continuous improvement and institutional support of the human research protection infrastructure.
""This AAHRPP re-accreditation gold seal achievement reflects the dedication of the IRB administration staff, IRB members, and continued collaboration throughout the WSU research community working together to meet and exceed the highest ethical standards of a Human Research Protection Program," said Jointer. "The hard work and commitment throughout the process, from the application submission, policy and procedure reviews to the site visit, made this re-accreditation one the most successful."
AAHRPP, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., has accredited more than 600 research entities across the U.S. and around the world. To learn more about AAHRPP, visit www.aahrpp.org. For more information about Wayne State's human research integrity programs, visit irb.wayne.edu
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Original text here: https://research.wayne.edu/news/wayne-state-receives-full-accreditation-from-association-for-the-accreditation-of-human-research-protection-programs-67909
Washington University in St. Louis: Exploring Metabolic Noise Opens Paths to Better Biomanufacturing
ST. LOUIS, Missouri, Jan. 16 (TNSjou) -- Washington University in St. Louis issued the following news:
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Exploring metabolic noise opens new paths to better biomanufacturing
Researchers find ways to put microbes back to work
By Leah Shaffer
Much like humans, microbial organisms can be fickle in their productivity. One moment they're cranking out useful chemicals in vast fermentation tanks, metabolizing feed to make products from pharmaceuticals and supplements to biodegradable plastics or fuels, and the next, they inexplicably go on strike.
Not so inexplicable anymore, as engineers at
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ST. LOUIS, Missouri, Jan. 16 (TNSjou) -- Washington University in St. Louis issued the following news:
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Exploring metabolic noise opens new paths to better biomanufacturing
Researchers find ways to put microbes back to work
By Leah Shaffer
Much like humans, microbial organisms can be fickle in their productivity. One moment they're cranking out useful chemicals in vast fermentation tanks, metabolizing feed to make products from pharmaceuticals and supplements to biodegradable plastics or fuels, and the next, they inexplicably go on strike.
Not so inexplicable anymore, as engineers atWashington University in St. Louis have found the source of the fluctuating metabolic activity in microorganisms and developed tools to keep every microbial cell at peak productivity during biomanufacturing.
The work, now published in Nature Communications, tracks hundreds of E. coli cells as they produce a yellow food pigment -- betaxanthin -- while growing, dividing and carrying out normal metabolic activities.
"Like the behavior of a person, sometimes microbes are motivated to work hard, but they 'get tired' much more quickly and easily," said Fuzhong Zhang, the Francis F. Ahmann Professor in energy, environmental and chemical engineering (EECE) and co-director of the McKelvey School of Engineering's Synthetic Biology Manufacturing of Advanced Materials Research Center. Zhang is the corresponding author of the research, along with PhD students Xinyue Mu and Alexander Schmitz.
Bioengineers and biologists have long observed large cell-to-cell variations in microbial metabolism, often called "metabolic noise" or, more generally, "cellular noise." However, it remained unclear what causes these differences and how frequently highly productive cells switch to low-productivity states. This lack of understanding has limited engineers' ability to develop effective strategies to enrich hardworking high-producing cells for biomanufacturing.
Answers lie in single cells' fluctuating behavior, which is extremely challenging to study. Researchers must be able to measure a low-abundant metabolite along with the enzyme that produces it inside a tiny single cell while that cell grows and divides. To address this challenge, the team built microfluidic devices and engineered E. coli to produce a unique, bright-yellow metabolite -- betaxanthin -- that can be easily distinguished from thousands of other cellular metabolites.
These new advances allowed them to discover that betaxanthin production fluctuates rapidly, with cells switching from high-production to low-production states within a few hours. Approximately 50% of this betaxanthin noise comes from fluctuations in the enzyme responsible for producing betaxanthin, which arise from natural randomness (stochasticity) in gene expression. Fluctuations in cell growth rate account for less than 10% of the betaxanthin variability.
Using experimental data, the team developed computational models to test four different control strategies to ramp up bioproduction. The models showed that enriching cells that stochastically overproduce the enzyme leads to substantial increases in betaxanthin production. The team later confirmed this prediction in fermentation experiments.
"We create a gene circuit that allows cells with higher stochastic enzyme expression to grow faster," Zhang said. "These cells also become high betaxanthin producers, giving us more product overall."
The work is part of ongoing efforts at the McKelvey EECE department to develop new biomanufacturing capabilities in support of a zero-waste circular economy. This includes the challenging task of keeping microbial "workers" focused on making renewable products.
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Mu X, Schmitz AC, Ding Z, Li Wei, Singh A, Zhang F. Exploring Single-Cell Biosynthetic Noise and Dynamics for Enhanced Betaxanthin Production in Escherichia coli. Nat Commun 2025 Dec 21. DOI 10.1038/s41467-025-67733-1
This work was supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under award number R35GM133797 (F.Z.), the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) of U.S. Department of Energy under award number DE-EE0010301 (F.Z.), and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency under award number HR0011-25-9-0055 (F.Z.).
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Original text here: https://source.washu.edu/2026/01/exploring-metabolic-noise-opens-new-paths-to-better-biomanufacturing/
Virginia Tech: Legacy of Hope - Buddha's Contribution to Cancer Research
BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Jan. 16 -- Virginia Tech issued the following news:
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A legacy of hope: Buddha's contribution to cancer research
By Marjorielee Christianson
The future of cancer treatment may be less about surgery and more about sound.
This foundational principle is at the heart of the work at Virginia Tech, where researchers are developing histotripsy, a non-invasive, focused ultrasound technology that is transforming care for bone cancer in dogs, with implications for humans.
"So many dogs are affected by osteosarcoma, which is a very painful disease and also very aggressive,"
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BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Jan. 16 -- Virginia Tech issued the following news:
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A legacy of hope: Buddha's contribution to cancer research
By Marjorielee Christianson
The future of cancer treatment may be less about surgery and more about sound.
This foundational principle is at the heart of the work at Virginia Tech, where researchers are developing histotripsy, a non-invasive, focused ultrasound technology that is transforming care for bone cancer in dogs, with implications for humans.
"So many dogs are affected by osteosarcoma, which is a very painful disease and also very aggressive,"said Joanne Tuohy, associate professor of surgical oncology at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and one of the researchers leading the effort. "And unfortunately, people, especially children and teenagers, are also affected by osteosarcoma in very similar ways."
But scientific breakthroughs rely on the courage of patients and families willing to step into the unknown. The harsh reality of this disease became immediate and personal for one such family and their dog, Buddha.
"Back in July, we noticed that Buddha had a lump on his right leg and he was limping, so we thought maybe he had twisted his ankle," said owner Eugenio Burgaleta. "My wife, Laurie, took him to the vet, they did X-rays, and were like, 'Well, bad news, he's got bone cancer. Osteosarcoma.' It was devastating."
Standard treatment options -- amputation, chemotherapy, and radiation -- each came with serious consequences for the large 7-year-old Rottweiler-Pyrenees mix. For the Burgaletas, traditional care meant sacrificing their dog's mobility and happiness.
"We wanted him to have a good life for as long as possible," Burgaleta said. "And we didn't feel that amputation would give that to him."
Seeking an alternative that preserved both his leg and his comfort, the family enrolled Buddha in the histotripsy clinical trial.
The science of sound
Histotripsy is a non-thermal focused ultrasound technology that uses sound waves to mechanically destroy cancerous tissue.
"Histotripsy is very precise," said Elliana Vickers, a biomedical engineering Ph.D. candidate in the Therapeutic Ultrasound and Non-Invasive Therapies Laboratory. "The focused ultrasound creates these bubbles that are expanding and collapsing, almost like a little bubble blender that just mechanically disintegrates and liquefies the cancerous tissue without harming the cells around it."
Tuohy and her College of Engineering collaborator, Eli Vlaisavljevich, Kendall and Laura Hendrick Junior Faculty Fellow in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, are focused on using this technology to combat the challenges of bone cancer.
"We embarked on this journey to develop histotripsy for ablating osteosarcoma," Tuohy said. "Our first goal is to ablate the tumor in the bone. If we can eliminate the tumor within the bone, then we could offer a non-surgical limb-sparing technique that can help dogs and people preserve their limbs."
The density of bone presents a unique physical barrier, reflecting sound waves in a way that soft tissue does not.
"It makes treating tumors inside bone more challenging," Vickers said. "Our view is more limited; it takes longer to treat, and it takes a higher dose to treat. It's just tougher. But if we can treat osteosarcoma with histotripsy, I feel like there's nothing we can't treat."
A special patient
For Buddha's family, the decision to enroll him was rooted in a desire to help others. "We were thrilled that he was part of a study that will help other dogs and hopefully other people," Burgaleta said.
From a patient perspective, Buddha embodied the ideal study candidate, primarily because he was delighted to participate. His calm and friendly temperament transformed his visits from a medical necessity into a social call.
"Buddha was just the best boy. He was a really special dog and always happy to come in and spend the day with us," said Vickers.
"Once Buddha met you, he was your friend for life," said Burgaleta. "He met Dr. Tuohy at his initial visit, and then he met Elliana and Andy, and Robyn, the whole team. Every time he came here, he couldn't wait to get out of the car because his friends were here."
Honoring a contribution
Buddha's participation in the trial provided a crucial window into the efficacy of this new treatment. The first round of therapy successfully improved his pain and quality of life, allowing him more time being his "big-bellied" joyful self back home on the farm.
Osteosarcoma, however, is a relentless disease. About three months after the start of his first treatment, the tumor returned, and the family elected to proceed with a second round of therapy.
Following this second treatment, Buddha developed an extremely unusual condition in his leg that the research team is now working to understand. Facing this new challenge, the Burgaletas recognized that the quality of life they cherished for Buddha was fading. True to their commitment to always put his well-being first, they made the compassionate decision to say goodbye.
"Even though his second round of treatments was not as successful as his first round was, we are still learning from Buddha, and his contribution to the research will always be incredibly important," said Tuohy.
"Every dog and even every individual treatment, we learn, and we make advances," Vickers said. "Buddha taught us so much and continues to teach us more about this disease and this treatment. He will always have a special place in our hearts."
The future of cancer care
Virginia Tech is at the forefront of this work, designated as a Focused Ultrasound Center of Excellence by the Focused Ultrasound Foundation.
The osteosarcoma trial is already paving the way for advancements in other areas. Tuohy is actively developing histotripsy trials for dogs affected by liver cancer and oral cancer, while other researchers at the veterinary college are exploring applications in brain tumors and equine sarcoids
The families enrolling their pets are contributing directly to medical knowledge.
"They participate because they truly believe in contributing to the well-being of other dogs and people with cancer," Tuohy said.
"These trials are important to be able to advance new treatments and new technology, which will improve outcomes and lives of pets with cancer. We gain knowledge through every patient."
Through his participation, Buddha became part of that knowledge, leaving a legacy that may help save others in the future.
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Original text here: https://news.vt.edu/articles/2026/01/vetmed-vth-success-story-buddha.html
UNC Charlotte Names MBA Program in Honor of Joe L. Price '83
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, Jan. 16 -- The University of North Carolina Charlotte campus issued the following news release:
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UNC Charlotte names MBA program in honor of Joe L. Price '83
UNC Charlotte has named its Master of Business Administration program the JL Price MBA Program in recognition of the totality of alumnus and longtime University leader Joe L. Price's decades of service and generosity. Price's latest philanthropic commitment supports the Belk College of Business, student mental health services and athletics, with both immediate-use funding and planned giving.
The Charlotte
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CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, Jan. 16 -- The University of North Carolina Charlotte campus issued the following news release:
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UNC Charlotte names MBA program in honor of Joe L. Price '83
UNC Charlotte has named its Master of Business Administration program the JL Price MBA Program in recognition of the totality of alumnus and longtime University leader Joe L. Price's decades of service and generosity. Price's latest philanthropic commitment supports the Belk College of Business, student mental health services and athletics, with both immediate-use funding and planned giving.
The CharlotteMBA, offered through the Belk College of Business, is the No. 1 part-time MBA among North Carolina's public universities and ranks No. 49 nationally in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings. The program is ranked in the top 20% of the 241 programs evaluated nationwide.
Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber says the naming reflects the lasting impact Price has had across the University.
"Joe, along with his wife, Christine, embodies what it means to invest in the full student experience," Gaber said. "Through their combined leadership, philanthropy and belief in UNC Charlotte's mission, they have strengthened academic excellence, student well-being and campus life. Their impact can be felt across our University today and will continue to help make a difference in Charlotte's future for generations to come."
Price, a 1983 graduate in accounting, believes his continued involvement with UNC Charlotte is rooted in the role the University played in his life.
"UNC Charlotte was a fundamental springboard for putting me on a path where I was positioned to succeed," Price said. "The University took a personal interest in me and provided me with the competencies needed to build a strong career and fulfilling life. From that, you can see why staying involved is both a thank you to my alma mater and a way to be part of a University that can provide that same pathway for others."
Richard Buttimer, dean of the Belk College of Business, said Price's latest gift will strengthen the MBA program's ability to serve working professionals and emerging leaders.
"Joe Price understands the power of an MBA that is deeply connected to industry and grounded in real-world problem solving," Buttimer said. "His support allows us to continue evolving the MBA program in ways that expand opportunity, enhance experiential learning and prepare graduates to lead with confidence in an increasingly complex business environment."
Price served from 2007 to 2019 on the UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees, including as chair from 2016 to 2019, during a period of significant growth for the University. He and his wife, Christine, have focused their philanthropy at the University on areas they believe support students as whole people, including significant investment in the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, housed in a building named in Christine Price's honor.
Hugh McColl, co-founder and chairman emeritus of Falfurrias Group and a University trustee, has witnessed Price's leadership in business and on campus firsthand.
"I have known Joe Price for many years as a colleague and a friend, and I have great respect for the way he approaches leadership and service," McColl said. "We share a deep belief in the importance of UNC Charlotte and the role the University plays in shaping Charlotte's future. Joe's support reflects his confidence in the University's ability to develop talent and strengthen this region in meaningful ways."
Looking ahead, Price sees investing in UNC Charlotte as an investment in the city and region's future.
"I was privileged to serve on the board for about 12 years, long enough to see a lot of our University's growth," Price said. "Our leadership is doing a tremendous job integrating the University's capabilities into Charlotte, including preparing a strong, talented workforce that contributes directly to the success of businesses across the region, being a critical partner for industry and providing civic assistance that helps shape our city's future. This all contributes to being a reason for business growth and relocation to our city. I think the University's contribution to the Charlotte region's success will only grow and become more impactful in the years to come."
More about Joe L. Price '83
Joe L. Price '83 is a business leader, investor and longtime advocate for higher education and community impact. He is a partner at Falfurrias Management Partners, where he joined full-time with Fund IV after previously supporting the firm's portfolio and leading its Industry First campaign focused on technology-enabled services for financial institutions.
Prior to joining Falfurrias, Price served in senior executive roles at Bank of America, including president of consumer and small business banking, chief financial officer and global corporate and investment banking risk management executive. Earlier in his career, he worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Price has held numerous leadership and governance roles, including chair of Habitat for Humanity's worldwide board of directors and chair of the UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees. He is also an emeritus member of the Belk College of Business Board of Advisors and has served on the Belk College Turner School of Accountancy Advisory Board. He additionally served on the Campaign Executive Committee for Exponential: The Campaign for UNC Charlotte and on committees that supported the launch of 49ers football and major athletics facilities initiatives.
He received the Belk College Distinguished Alumni Service Award in 2022 and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree that same year for his service to the University and the broader region.
Beyond UNC Charlotte, Price supports a range of national and local organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, the recent redevelopment of Discovery Place's Nature Museum, the Charlotte Symphony, Freedom Communities and local at-risk elementary schools.
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Original text here: https://inside.charlotte.edu/2026/01/15/unc-charlotte-names-mba-program-in-honor-of-joe-l-price-83/
UMass Amherst Study Shows Fragmented State and Local Authority Complicates Clean Energy Rollout
AMHERST, Massachusetts, Jan. 16 (TNSjou) -- The University of Massachusetts issued the following news:
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UMass Amherst Study Shows Fragmented State and Local Authority Complicates Clean Energy Rollout
Researchers examine trade-offs in patchwork of approval systems
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As states race to build wind and solar projects needed to curb climate change, how governments approve those projects can either speed construction or fuel delays and conflict, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
The article, published in the Policy Studies Journal, examines
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AMHERST, Massachusetts, Jan. 16 (TNSjou) -- The University of Massachusetts issued the following news:
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UMass Amherst Study Shows Fragmented State and Local Authority Complicates Clean Energy Rollout
Researchers examine trade-offs in patchwork of approval systems
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As states race to build wind and solar projects needed to curb climate change, how governments approve those projects can either speed construction or fuel delays and conflict, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
The article, published in the Policy Studies Journal, examineshow renewable energy projects in the U.S. are often slowed by complex and fragmented permitting systems that involve multiple state and local authorities, overlapping rules and poorly timed public engagement.
"The punditry ... is that if we do permit reform at the federal level, it's going to solve these permitting pipeline issues, but most of these projects are locally permitted," says Juniper Katz, assistant professor of public policy at UMass Amherst and lead author of the study.
She points out that roughly 96% of large renewable energy projects are built on private land, where federal environmental review laws typically do not apply. Most projects, such as onshore wind, solar farms, battery storage and in-state transmission lines, are approved at the state or local level--not by the federal government.
One review of 53 large wind and solar projects facing organized local opposition between 2008 and 2021, found that nearly half were ultimately canceled, with developers reporting that zoning disputes and local ordinances are the leading cause of multi-year delays.
Developers often must navigate zoning boards, environmental agencies, utility regulators and, in some cases, federal reviews. This creates what Katz and study co-author Natalie Baillargeon, a master's degree candidate at UMass Amherst, describe as a "polycentric" system with multiple centers of authority.
Twelve states leave most decisions to local governments, six place authority at the state level, six split authority between state and local governments, and 26 use a hybrid system that depends on project size or other standards.
Highly centralized systems with minimal procedures tend to move faster but provide fewer opportunities for public input. Systems with extensive procedures and multiple decision-making venues tend to offer more participation but are slower and less predictable.
Katz says it comes down to whether policymakers want to swiftly build out renewable energy infrastructure to combat warming temperatures, or encourage a more deliberate process featuring robust public engagement, layers of approval and potential delays.
"Trade-offs are real," she says. "Communities have to decide what their values are and then have the courage to follow them."
"What's really important is that community engagement starts as early as possible," Baillargeon explains. This lets developers incorporate stakeholder feedback, accelerating the process and sometimes converting a potential denial into an approval with only minor changes.
The study also highlights competing equity claims. Rural communities often argue they bear the land-use and visual impacts of renewable energy while benefits flow elsewhere. At the same time, delays in renewable energy development can prolong pollution exposure in urban and low-income communities located near fossil fuel plants.
Several states have recently overhauled their permitting systems. Massachusetts and New York have contingent approval authority based on size of project but with firm timelines and structured public hearings. Illinois imposed uniform state standards while leaving decisions with counties. Michigan allows developers to choose between state and local approval, offering incentives for communities that approve projects locally.
Ultimately, Katz and Baillargeon frame renewable energy permitting as an institutional design problem rather than a simple choice between democracy and speed.
The research was funded by the Roosevelt Institute and supported by the Elevating Equity Values in the Transition of the Energy System (ELEVATE), using funds from the U.S. National Science Foundation NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) program.
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Original text here: https://www.umass.edu/news/article/umass-amherst-study-shows-fragmented-state-and-local-authority-complicates-clean
Researchers and UOW Alumni to Take Centre Stage at TEDxWollongong
WOLLONGONG, Australia, Jan. 16 -- The University of Wollongong issued the following news release:
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Researchers and UOW alumni to take centre stage at TEDxWollongong
University experts and graduates feature prominently among speakers, reflecting UOW's influence across research, industry and community.
The University of Wollongong (UOW) researchers and alumni will feature strongly in the speaker lineup for the inaugural TEDxWollongong event on Saturday 7 March at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre (IPAC).
UOW is a major sponsor of TEDxWollongong, reinforcing its role as a driver of innovation,
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WOLLONGONG, Australia, Jan. 16 -- The University of Wollongong issued the following news release:
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Researchers and UOW alumni to take centre stage at TEDxWollongong
University experts and graduates feature prominently among speakers, reflecting UOW's influence across research, industry and community.
The University of Wollongong (UOW) researchers and alumni will feature strongly in the speaker lineup for the inaugural TEDxWollongong event on Saturday 7 March at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre (IPAC).
UOW is a major sponsor of TEDxWollongong, reinforcing its role as a driver of innovation,creativity and social impact across the Illawarra. The independently run TEDx events bring the world-renowned TED idea-sharing platform to regional communities, and the Wollongong event will showcase the depth of thinking and creativity in the Illawarra.
Researchers and alumni from UOW feature strongly in the speaker lineup. Three current UOW researchers and educators are confirmed as speakers:
* Dr Emmanuel Brusadeli, a lecturer in Clinical Psychology researching trust and help-seeking behaviour;
* Nuwangi Cooray, a Material Science PhD student investigating safer sunscreen formulas;
* Carlie Schofield, a therapist, cultural advisor and associate lecturer in Indigenous trauma and recovery practice.
Vice-Chancellor and President Professor G.Q. Max Lu AO said the University's sponsorship of the event reflected UOW's commitment to fostering innovation both on campus and in the wider community.
"I'm excited to see current UOW researchers alongside distinguished alumni and other Illawarra thought leaders on the same stage. It shows the enduring connection between our University and the Illawarra, and the flow of ideas and innovations between the University, industry and the community," Professor Lu said.
UOW graduates featured on the program include headline speaker Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, one of Australia's most recognisable science communicators, who will be joined by fellow alumni Dr Greg Ryder, Dr Meghan Dares, Kylie Moffitt, Jo Burston and Jack Brown.
The diverse mix of local thinkers, leaders and creatives will explore the theme Lookout, inspired by Wollongong's escarpment and coastline. Topics span psychology, robotics, artificial intelligence, online safety and locally developed innovations with global impact.
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Original text here: https://www.uow.edu.au/media/2026/researchers-and-uow-alumni-to-take-centre-stage-at-tedxwollongong-.php
Mysterious 'Mars bar' discovered in famous Ring Nebula
MANCHESTER, England, Jan. 16 -- The University of Manchester issued the following news release:
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Mysterious 'Mars bar' discovered in famous Ring Nebula
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A mysterious bar-shaped cloud of iron has been discovered inside the iconic Ring Nebula by a European team of astronomers.
The cloud of iron atoms, described for the first time in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, just fits inside the inner layer of the elliptically shaped nebula - a colourful shell of gas thrown off by a star as it ends the nuclear fuel-burning phase of its life. It is familiar from many images including
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MANCHESTER, England, Jan. 16 -- The University of Manchester issued the following news release:
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Mysterious 'Mars bar' discovered in famous Ring Nebula
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A mysterious bar-shaped cloud of iron has been discovered inside the iconic Ring Nebula by a European team of astronomers.
The cloud of iron atoms, described for the first time in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, just fits inside the inner layer of the elliptically shaped nebula - a colourful shell of gas thrown off by a star as it ends the nuclear fuel-burning phase of its life. It is familiar from many images includingthose obtained by the James Webb Space Telescope at infrared wavelength.
The bar's length is roughly 500 times that of Pluto's orbit around the Sun and, according to the team, which includes researchers from The University of Manchester, its mass of iron atoms is comparable to the mass of Mars.
The iron cloud was discovered in observations obtained using the Large Integral Field Unit (LIFU) mode of the WHT Enhanced Area Velocity Explorer (WEAVE) \- a new instrument installed on the Isaac Newton Group's 4.2-metre William Herschel Telescope.
The LIFU is a bundle of hundreds of optical fibres. It has enabled the team of astronomers to obtain spectra (where light is separated into its constituent wavelengths) at every point across the entire face of the Ring Nebula, and at all optical wavelengths, for the first time.
Lead author Dr Roger Wesson, based jointly at University College London and Cardiff University, said: "Even though the Ring Nebula has been studied using many different telescopes and instruments, WEAVE has allowed us to observe it in a new way, providing so much more detail than before. By obtaining a spectrum continuously across the whole nebula, we can create images of the nebula at any wavelength and determine its chemical composition at any position.
"When we processed the data and scrolled through the images, one thing popped out as clear as anything - this previously unknown 'bar' of ionized iron atoms, in the middle of the familiar and iconic ring."
Co-author Professor Albert Zijlstra, Professor of Astrophysics at The University of Manchester, added: "We selected the Ring Nebula as an early target because it is bright, well studied and ideal for testing the instrument's capabilities. However, when the data were analysed, we noticed something entirely unexpected - a bar of highly ionised iron that had gone unnoticed in decades of previous observations. Discoveries like this show how many surprises there still are to be found in even the most familiar objects in the night sky."
Iron Bar
Credit: Roger Wesson
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How the iron bar formed is currently a mystery, the authors say. They will need further, more detailed observations to unravel what is going on. There are two potential scenarios: the iron bar may reveal something new about how the ejection of the nebula by the parent star progressed, or the iron might be an arc of plasma resulting from the vaporisation of particles of iron dust embedded in the Ring Nebula.
Co-author Professor Janet Drew, also based at UCL, advises caution: "We definitely need to know more - particularly whether any other chemical elements co-exist with the newly-detected iron, as this would probably tell us the right class of model to pursue. Right now, we are missing this important information."
The team are working on a follow-up study, and plan to obtain data using WEAVE's LIFU at higher spectral resolution to better understand how the bar might have formed.
WEAVE is carrying out eight surveys over the next five years, targeting everything from nearby white dwarfs to very distant galaxies. The Stellar, Circumstellar and Interstellar Physics strand of the WEAVE survey, led by Professor Drew, is observing many more ionized nebulae across the northern Milky Way.
"It would be very surprising if the iron bar in the Ring is unique," explains Dr. Wesson. "So hopefully, as we observe and analyse more nebulae created in the same way, we will discover more examples of this phenomenon, which will help us to understand where the iron comes from."
Professor Scott Trager, WEAVE Project Scientist based at the University of Groningen, added: "The discovery of this fascinating, previously unknown structure in a night-sky jewel, beloved by sky watchers across the Northern Hemisphere, demonstrates the amazing capabilities of WEAVE. We look forward to many more discoveries from this new instrument."
This research paper was published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Full title: WEAVE imaging spectroscopy of NGC 6720: an iron bar in the Ring
DOI: 10.1093/mnras/staf2139
URL: https://academic.oup.com/ mnras /article-lookup/doi/ 10.1093/mnras/staf2139
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Original text here: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/mysterious-mars-bar-discovered-in-famous-ring-nebula/
