http://www.newwest.net/index.php/city/main/C11/L8/ New West Network: The Voice of the Rocky Mountains en info@newwest.net Copyright 2008 Sun, 07 Sep 2008 09:38:26 MDT Sun, 07 Sep 2008 09:38:26 MDT http://www.newwest.net/city/article/monparasite_researchers_score_a_prestigious_triple/C11/L8/ Wed, 20 Dec 2006 17:50:00 MDT It's a well-known notion that pregnant women should avoid changing cat litter, but because of fears relating to the global AIDS crisis and concerns about bioterrorism, researchers at Montana State University are getting real mileage this month from insights they've reached about a common parasite called Toxoplasma gondii that can harm moms and their unborn children. According to the scientists, the parasite should be a concern to anyone with weakened or compromised immune systems. The fact that their work is featured in the latest issues of the journals "Nature" and "Science" gives them and MSU prestigious affirmation as a research institution working on big issues of the day. Writer Evelyn Boswell of the MSU News Service has the story. http://www.newwest.net/city/article/insa_fights_pr_battle/C11/L8/ Tue, 11 Apr 2006 16:36:10 MDT The Inland Northwest Space Alliance announced Tuesday that it has been selected to help develop a small secondary payload spacecraft as part of a NASA project to search for water on the moon in 2008. The INSA’s role in the project seems small, especially when compared to the investigation surrounding the Missoula non-profit’s ties to the University of Montana, and more than 3 million in NASA grants that the organization has not sufficiently accounted for. http://www.newwest.net/city/article/investigation_on_insa_on_track/C11/L8/ Thu, 16 Mar 2006 14:54:18 MDT The investigation into a former University of Montana vice president’s involvement with a non-profit organization that received $3 million in NASA grants is on track to finish by early June, Montana's legislative auditor said Thursday. The investigation is in the preliminary stages and will require combing the financial records for not only the university and the INSA, but could also delve into the employment records of two of Montana’s biggest politicians: Sen. Conrad Burns and Rep. Denny Rehberg. Monday’s unexpected resignation the Board of Regents Chairman John Mercer won't affect the progress of the investigation, said Scott Seacat, the state's legislative auditor. Seacat said Commissioner of Higher Education Shelia Sterns will keep the investigation going. “The commissioner isn’t going to let this leave her sights,” Seacat said. http://www.newwest.net/city/article/um_space_center_sparking_controversy/C11/L8/ Mon, 06 Mar 2006 20:49:13 MDT Despite a mission statement as a non-profit company working to stimulate private business in the aerospace industry for Montana, an aerospace company with ties to the University of Montana has little proof that significant work is being done. As a result, the chairman of the Montana Board of Regents wants to know what happened to more than $3 million in NASA grants the Inland Northwest Space Alliance has received since its creation in 2003. According to its records, the center has promoted some educational outreach programs for schoolchildren, held a benefit golf tournament, begun fundraising for a multi-million dollar children's space camp and little else. Regents also believe the center was created without their knowledge or approval, casting doubt on the University of Montana's process for such projects and the practices of the university's top administrators. But Dan Dwyer, vice president of research and development at UM, says despite the spotlight on the investigation into the INSA, the university is not in jeopardy of losing out on other federal grants. "We have lots and lots of projects that are being run by the books," Dwyer said. "This is just one." http://www.newwest.net/city/article/not_spring_but_not_bad/C11/L8/ Mon, 30 Jan 2006 15:45:39 MDT Things have been heating up on a couple of the local rivers recently but winter's a long way from over. This time of year, you don't have the luxury of waiting, so the moral of the story is to get it while it's good! http://www.newwest.net/city/article/let_winter_begin/C11/L8/ Tue, 18 Oct 2005 14:01:40 MDT Well there is some big news in the winter sports scene!! Loveland Pass in Colorado has opened its lifts for the 05-06 season, again becoming the first resort to open up. Last week's amazing snow storm added to the early opening and has everyone itching for a little Montana snow! Also, on the snowboard scene, local boardshop, Edge of the World is having their annual snowboard party with tons of fun lined up like bobbing for discounts, ninjas, and music. The party is on Saturday, Oct. 22, and should be a good time to do some meetin' and greetin'! http://www.newwest.net/city/article/art_goes_alt_skateboards_for_bucks/C11/L8/ Thu, 06 Oct 2005 17:03:40 MDT And the bidders are off!! Today bidding began on almost 60 skateboard decks that have been painted and customized from utilitarian tools to works of art. All of this is part of a fundraiser for the new Missoula Skatepark and has brought out some amazing artists and artwork. If you have ever wanted to own a piece of skateboarding then THIS is your chance! Remeber, bidding ends at 5 p.m. MST on Oct. 14, 2005, so get YOUR'S now! http://www.newwest.net/city/article/a/C11/L8/ Tue, 04 Oct 2005 18:32:29 MDT In the Kaimin today there is a story about a 15-year-old girl who alleges that she was raped by the tennis courts after the Atmosphere concert in the UC on Sept. 27, 2005. Also an interesting note, a 16-year-old girl, Mathy-Zvaifler, was killed at the Sunshine Theater in Alberquerque, New Mexico, on July 16, 2003 after an Atmosphere show. The group then came back and did a benefit show for the family and to raise awareness for women's self-defense. http://www.newwest.net/city/article/wheels_on_the_bus_go_anti_war/C11/L8/ Mon, 03 Oct 2005 17:29:00 MDT Today campus is buzzing with word of a big bio-diesel bus, splattered in pastel greens and doves, spouting off pamphlets and anti-war messages. The Wheels of Justice, rolled up onto the Oval today, and its members have been talking all day about the war in Iraq and the conflict in Palestine. Wheels of Justice is an organization that calls for non-violent actions and education all in the effort of bringing peace to us all. There will be a lecture tonight at 7 p.m. in the Urey Lecture Hall. You can see the bios of these speakers here, and if you are wondering a little bit more about The Wheels of Justice Tour, then click here to get information on what they are driving for. They have been traveling all over the country spreading the message. After UM it is off to Butte, and then back on the road. http://www.newwest.net/city/article/new_web_portal_could_change_um/C11/L8/ Fri, 30 Sep 2005 15:32:41 MDT Sometimes, with a new tool like blogging people are slow to come around. Here at the University and the J-School, technology Has not exactly been up-to-date. So it was a surprise to me when I dug up a little nook of forward motion here at the University. Tucked away in the most obscure corner of the Social Science building, is the IT-Services department. Rooms filled with broken sofas from the 80's burning brown and tacky and through mountains of computers and wires there is a mini-Manhattan Project brewing. For the past two years a few techies have been building a Web Portal, or a one-stop-shop for all students and faculty of UM. I got a sneak peak at what they are building and what I saw looks like it will change the way students interact with each other, faculty and the community.