This article is from the archives of the UB Reporter.

TAPPING INTO TALENT. Freshman music theatre majors Zachary Wade (left) and Eva Tashjian concentrate on their steps during a recent meeting of THD 211, Tap Dance 2, in the dance studio in the Center for the Arts. (Photo: Nancy J. Parisi)

Software grades handwritten essays

UB researchers are working to develop a computational tool that not only dramatically reduces the time it takes to grade children’s handwritten essays, but also may help boost students’ reading-comprehension skills. » Full Story

Two appointed to UB Council

Robert T. Brady, chairman and CEO of Moog Inc., and Pamela Davis Heilman, a partner with Hodgson Russ LLP, have been appointed as members of the UB Council. » Full Story

Work on campaign celebrated. Individuals and units across the campuses were recognized for their work on—and generosity toward—UB’s 2007 Campaign for the Community during a celebration held last week.

Timely repair for campus icon. The Westminster chimes in the Hayes Hall clock tower soon will toll again across the South Campus after completion of what may be the most extensive renovation ever of the clock tower.

Super ads, super stocks. When TV viewers like a company’s Super Bowl commercial, the company’s stock price goes up, according to a study by researchers at UB and Cornell University.

Mental models map shared resources. UB geographer Sara Metcalf uses mental models to study shared problems like land use, urban sprawl and brownfields.

‘Poetics Plus’ offers variety. “Poetics Plus,” a literary series presented by the Poetics Program in the Department of English, returns this semester with a lineup of notable poets, performances and events.

Drug may disrupt heart rhythm. UB researchers have found that the popular arthritis drug Celebrex has been shown in laboratory studies to induce arrhythmia by inhibiting potassium channels in the heart.

Disappearing languages. UB linguist Jeff Good says he studies seldom-used languages because they can serve as vital links between the present and the prehistoric past.

Glaucoma assessment tool can track MS. New research by UB neurologists has shown that an inexpensive technique currently used to assess glaucoma could alternate with MRI to assess MS in patients.

RKN expands environment section. The Regional Institute has unveiled a major expansion of online features and completed development of the environment section of its Regional Knowledge Network.