Thursday, June 14, 2007

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

What’s wrong with Mommy?

Legislation that would increase federal funding for education, detection and treatment of postpartum depression is pending in Congress. Dr. Kimberly Ujcich-Ward, associate professor of psychology and mother of three, says, “Dealing with the emotional impact of the new role (of motherhood) can be a trigger for depressive symptoms. Women and families need to be educated about how to identify these symptoms and how to get help if/when they occur. Medication is one way to help alleviate some depressive symptoms, but psychotherapies such as cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal therapies can help new mothers effectively learn to handle both the physical and emotional changes associated with their new roles.”

Contact Ujcich-Ward at 615-898-2188.
ujcich@mtsu.edu

Chinese checklist

The Center for Science in the Public Interest says some Chinese restaurant food can be bad for your waistline and blood pressure. Not even vegetables are exempt. A serving of eggplant in garlic sauce has 1,000 calories and 2,000 milligrams of sodium. “Unfortunately, Chinese food American style is no different than the American versions of Italian or Mexican food,” Dr. Lisa Sheehan-Smith, human sciences, says. “These foods are delivered to customers in large portions, often fried and covered with rich sauces. Simple and nutrient-rich foods like vegetables and lean meats end up high in calories, fat and/or sodium. … Planning ahead and watching the portion sizes are key pointers to follow to ensure that eating out fits into a healthy lifestyle.”

Contact Sheehan-Smith at 615-898-2090.
lsheehan@mtsu.edu

A work of genus

During an expedition to northern Australia in 1997, Dr. George Benz, biology, encountered two new kinds of parasites. He determined that these creatures required the establishment of a new genus, a scientific category below a family and above a species, with which to classify them. Benz started that work while he was working at and director of the Tennessee Aquarium Research Institute, but he could not finish his work there. However, he managed to complete his work at MTSU this past year. Hence, we have “Janinecaira darkthread,” parasites that infect the gills of ornate eagle rays in the Beagle Gulf. They are named for one of Benz’s colleagues, Dr. Janine Caira of the University of Connecticut. Benz and his collaborators published their findings in the Journal of Parasitology.

Contact Benz at 615-898-5021.
gbenz@mtsu.edu

TR EXTRA

WELCOME TO THE WORLD--As part of International FolkFest 2007, a free performance of the music of India is slated for 1:30 p.m. today in front of the James E. Walker Library at MTSU. A presentation of the International Folkloric Society, “The festival, which began in 1982, was responsible for bringing musical and dance groups from over 50 countries to Rutherford County,” according to http://www.mboro-international-folkfest.org/. The event, which will continue through June 17th, will conclude with day-long festivities on the north side of the public square in Murfreesboro and the circle around the Rutherford County courthouse. For more information, contact Steve Cates at 615-896-3559 or Appdancer@aol.com or Scott McCurley at 615-885-2631 or Boomer322@aol.com.

GETTING TEENS TO READ AND WRITE--The Tennessee Center for the Study & Treatment of Dyslexia at MTSU will sponsor the Adolescent Literacy Institute on Friday, June 15, in the Business and Aerospace Building. This institute is designed for middle and high school teachers (teaching language arts, English, ESL, resource reading, special education, and the content areas) who are interested in fostering and improving adolescent literacy. Dr. Steve Graham, Currey Ingram Professor of Literacy at Vanderbilt University, will deliver the keynote address on “Teaching Writing to Adolescents: Specifically-Supported Practices” at 8:15 a.m. Workshop topics include “Making the Reading and Writing Connection Effective and Fun” and “Vocabulary: Building Word Consciousness.” For more information, contact M. Tara Joyce, Ed.D., Adolescent Literacy Institute Director, at 615-494-8880 or ali@mtsu.edu.

THAT’S A TAKE!--Don’t wait to give your child an exciting, fulfilling way to spend part of his or her summer! Registration runs through June 15 for another recording workshop for children ages 12-17 at MTSU. The workshop will be conducted from June 21-July 15 in the John Bragg Mass Communication Building under the tutelage of Ryan York, who also teaches guitar, bass and drums at Chambers Guitars and Musical Instruments in Murfreesboro. For a fee of $125 per student, York will introduce the youngsters to cassette four-track recording, digital eight-track, computer recording and electronic music. The workshop is sponsored by the Youth Culture and Arts Center, a project of Youth Empowerment through Arts and Humanities, a nonprofit organization. For more information, or to enroll, contact York at bororecording@gmail.com.

THE GRIDIRON GIRLS, WHOSE THEME SONG IS “THANK YOU FOR BEING AN END”--MTSU Head Football Coach Rick Stockstill and the MTSU football staff invite you to join them for the 2007 Ladies Football Clinic on Saturday, July 14 in Murphy Center. The clinic, which will feature seminars on strategy, equipment, training and rules, will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with registration slated to start at 8 a.m. Ladies will be encouraged to take part in coaches’ drills and demonstrations. The goal is to provide a fun learning experience. Participants will receive commemorative T-shirts and lunch will be provided. The cost of the clinic is $25 dollars. For the children, the Rick Stockstill Youth Camp for rising 1st through 8th graders will be held June 4-7. For more information, contact Danny Lewis at 615-898-2311.