When UI sophomore Andrew Hirst wants to escape the demands of college life, he turns to the University of Iowa student garden; for him, there is nothing like digging in the dirt to rejuvenate the soul.

UI scientists have shown that a natural steroidal compound derived from green tomatoes boosts the growth of human muscle cells in lab cultures and is a potent inhibitor of muscle atrophy in mice.

The search committee for the University of Iowa Alumni Association President/CEO has invited three finalists to interview with faculty, staff, students, and community leaders. A public forum will be held for each candidate, with the first candidate visiting the UI campus today, Monday, May 5.

More than 20 presentations were given by seniors in the UI College of Engineering Department of Biomedical Engineering on Senior Design Day, Friday, May 2, including one on a less invasive way of performing spinal fusion surgery.

Thursday, May 1, was a big day for philanthropy on the University of Iowa campus, as the UI and the UI Foundation celebrated the third annual “Phil’s Day.” Short for philanthropy, “Phil” represents all who donate to the university, as well as everyone who benefits from those gifts.

University staff, faculty, students, and alumni are accomplishing great things every day. See who's making news with awards, publications, promotion and tenure, and more.

The Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development at the University of Iowa has named a scholar in the arts and humanities as its newest faculty fellow. David Gier is a professor and director of the UI School of Music and is the third person to be selected for the Administrative Research Fellows Program, now in its second year.

The UI will recognize 20 graduating students from the UI College of Education's Realizing Educational and Career Hopes (REACH) class of 2014 on Friday, May 9. The UI REACH program is a two-year certificate for students with intellectual and learning disabilities.

The University of Iowa Mobile Museum will bring history, archaeology, and paleontology to Council Bluffs with a stop at the Western Historic Trails Center.

Herbert Hovenkamp, UI law professor and an expert in antitrust law, characterized Apple's e-book agreements and anti-poaching pact as “blatant restraints of trade.”

See a roundup of recent University of Iowa activities, research, public engagement, and campus life in Iowa Now Minute.

Hundreds of middle schoolers visited the UI Thursday as part of the African American Awareness Program in Cedar Rapids schools, which is designed to show kids what it's like to go to college.