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A more efficient steam-powered electricity generator, a hybrid plastic developed in part from discarded tires and a system to convert waste into renewable energy and organic fertilizer will be among the business plans presented at the second annual Cleantech Challenge March 1-2 at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel in Denver.

While snow and its effects on highways and city streets has been foremost on the minds of residents up and down Colorado's urban Front Range corridor since December, experts say snowpack levels in some mountain regions are below average and avalanche danger generally is no higher than it has been in previous years. "People have snow on their minds because it's clogged up their driveways for two months," said University of Colorado at Boulder glaciologist and avalanche expert Richard Armstrong of the National Snow and Ice Data Center. "So I understand the trigger."

A classroom exercise that addressed minority students' social concerns about "belonging" in college dramatically improved their academic performance, according to a University of Colorado at Boulder professor. The written exercise, or intervention, that expressed to minority students the notion that most college freshmen wonder about their social relationships in school, and that such concerns subside with time, was found to have a significant impact in improving their grades, according to Associate Professor Geoffrey Cohen of CU-Boulder's psychology department.

Two University of Colorado at Boulder graduate students are among a handful of young American music scholars selected to participate in separate, prestigious jazz studies programs in New York City and Washington, D.C. Kurtis Adams and Kevin Woods, who study in the CU-Boulder College of Music's jazz studies program, also are good friends who have collaborated on their first professional recording, "Ballad of the West." The jazz CD, which features performances by CU-Boulder professors Pat Bianchi on organ and Paul Romaine on drums, will be released on April 1.

The American Heart Association has awarded its 2006 Outstanding Research Award in Pediatric Cardiology to a University of Colorado at Boulder graduate student. Rui Wang, who is working toward a doctoral degree in mechanical engineering, received the award for his development of an artificial right heart ventricle for use in pediatric patients. The cardiovascular assistive device, which is only about 2 square centimeters in size, could be surgically implanted to take over a child's missing right ventricle function.

A noted University of Colorado at Boulder anthropologist will talk about his research into the lives and deaths of ancient Africans during an upcoming on-campus lecture. Dennis Van Gerven will give a presentation titled "The Mummies of Ancient Nubia: Dead and Loving It" at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13, in Farrand Hall's Reynolds Lounge. At the talk, Van Gerven will display at least two mummies from his extensive laboratory collection housed in the Hale Science Building. The lecture is free and open to the public.

A retired University of Colorado at Boulder physics professor will talk about human population growth and its impact on the world's dwindling natural resources during an upcoming environmental summit. CU-Boulder Professor Emeritus Albert A. Bartlett will give his popular presentation "Sustainability 101 and the Exponential Function," which explores the consequences of explosive worldwide population growth and unbridled consumption of nonrenewable resources.

Support for passing the proposed Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact is gaining momentum but University of Colorado law Professor Mark Squillace urges the parties in the eight Great Lake Basin states to take a step back and rethink their entire approach. He makes his argument in his soon-to-be-published article in the Michigan State Law Review, "Rethinking the Great Lakes Compact." Both the New York Assembly and the Ohio House of Representatives approved the compact late last year and it is now under review by the remaining state governments.

Hermann Scheer, a member of the German parliament and an internationally known renewable energy expert, will speak at the University of Colorado at Boulder on Tuesday, Feb. 20. Scheer will talk about his new book, "Energy Autonomy -- the Economic, Social and Technological Case for Renewable Energy," at 1:30 p.m. in Old Main Chapel. The free, public event is sponsored by the Colorado Renewable Energy Collaboratory and CU-Boulder's Energy Initiative.

CU-Boulder Athletic Director Mike Bohn announced today that a significant commitment from the Anthony H. Kruse Foundation will allow the university to immediately begin building a new indoor athletic practice facility. "This project reflects the outstanding generosity of numerous donors who all share a vision for competitive excellence," Bohn said. When constructed, the seasonal facility will accommodate athletic team practices, intramural sports, campus-wide activities and special events benefiting students, faculty, staff and the community.