Thousands of miles up, there’s lots to be excited about for astrophysicist Donald Gurnett. The instruments he’s built over his 55-year career are offering new clues to the universe as the crafts they ride hurtle through space.

It's true that the void of space does not carry sound—there's no gas or other substance to transmit the waves—but UI space physicist Donald Gurnett explains that the signal Voyager detected can be played back at frequencies the human ear can understand.

Recounting the research and legacy of the UI's James Van Allen, it is noted that he "defined and invented modern space research," demonstrating how government and university partners could pursue research that also served important national and international goals.

A new study from University of Iowa researcher Ning Li finds that sometimes, leaders don’t need to be transformational to lead a highly productive group. Sometimes, it might even be better for a solid, stable manager who is seen as just one of the gang.

The Board of Regents, State of Iowa, today (Wednesday, Dec. 4) approved a request from the University of Iowa to re-name the UI Cardiovascular Research Center in honor of its founder, Francois Abboud, M.D.

“Open access” publishing allows ideas and research to be freely shared online instead of in subscription-based journals. The UI this year launched a financial-aid program to encourage its scholars to publish research in open access platforms.

The Dec. 4 University of Iowa Symphony Orchestra performance with the combined School of Music choirs and the Dec. 8 All-University String Orchestra and UI Chamber Orchestra performance will be streamed live via the Web on Iowa Now.

According to a new study out of the University of Iowa, kids who smoosh, smash, and even throw their food are actually learning as they play with their meals. The study also suggests that these messy eaters may be better and faster learners in the long run.

UI geneticist Jeff Murray warns against direct-to-consumer genetic tests because results might apply to some ethnic groups but not to others, leading consumers to think they have an elevated risk of some illness when in fact they do not.

UI researcher Nathan Holton says a difference in body size and energy demands between men and women explains why men’s noses are about 10 percent larger than women’s in populations of European descent. (Note: A paid subscription may be required.)

Next time your baby mashes his bananas, apple sauce, AND carrots all together—not to mention all over his hands, hair, and the high chair—don’t fret about the mess: Your little one just may be getting smarter in the process.

Elementary-school teachers, administrators, and interested community members are invited to a free, informal discussion about how students learn. The discussion is part of an ongoing initiative by UI psychology department researchers to develop improved learning interventions for struggling students.