Patricia Foster and Jeff Porter, faculty members in the University of Iowa Department of English and the Nonfiction Writing Program, will read from their new book, "Understanding the Essay," at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, in a free reading at Prairie Lights Books in downtown Iowa City. The reading also will be streamed live on the UI Writing University website.

Research shows that there is not one profession whose clients and customers wouldn’t benefit from their service providers having received multicultural training. When it comes to having a diverse population to serve, I believe educators are at the top of the list of those in this category.

Dance Marathon 2013's fund-raising total of $1.5 million brings the group's historic tally to $12.7 million, establishing its place as one of the nation's top college philanthropies.

Researchers at the University of Iowa say the human brain has a new, second gatekeeper that registers fear. The region, perhaps the brainstem, diencephalon or insular cortex, signals fear from internal dangers. The finding could lead to more precise treatment for people suffering from panic attacks and other anxiety disorders. Results appear in "Nature Neuroscience."

The University of Iowa School of Music will present a free performance by pianist Roberta Rust at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, in Riverside Recital Hall on the UI campus. The program will feature works by Mozart, Claude Debussy, Enrique Granados, John Cage, and George Gershwin.

If successful, this work could be used by semiconductor electronics companies to design high-speed, low-power electronics for computers, cell-phones, and any other device whose performance is limited by battery storage.

A study by University of Iowa researchers found significant associations between heart attacks and influenza, particularly in those over age 80.

The University of Iowa has partnered with health-care organizations to create the Iowa Liver Center. The center will expand care and patient service to people with diseases of the liver and biliary tract in central and western Iowa.

Tom Brands and Kirk Ferentz go for a polar plunge in the Iowa River Saturday, Feb. 2 to raise money for the Hawkeye Wrestling Club.

The limestone sculpture located on the grounds of the flood-damaged Hancher Auditorium will be moved northeast to the site of the new Hancher.

The University of Iowa School of Music will present a free performance by Excelsior! Trio at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, in the University Capitol Centre recital hall.

Sara Rynes, professor of management sciences in the Tippie College of Business, will discuss the need for businesses to embrace change when she delivers the university’s 30th annual Presidential Lecture on Sunday, Feb. 24 at 3:30 p.m. in the Levitt Center for University Advancement.