EAST LANSING, Mich. — From a laser invented to detect roadside bombs to how intelligence can determine greatness to a new “wave disc” engine that could reach 60 percent efficiency and reduce auto emissions by up to 90 percent – those were just a few of the positive stories that came out of Michigan State University and were repeated in prominent national media during 2011.
According to the media database Vocus, there were 274 positive articles on the university in top national media outlets including traditional media outlets, highly influential blogs and top news aggregation services. Michigan State had positive stories in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, U.S. News & World Report, TIME magazine, Forbes, NPR, Discover Magazine, CNN and more. The university also received positive coverage in premier higher education and specialized media including Nature, Art Daily, the Chronicle for Higher Education and Diverse Issues in Higher Education.
Including all types of national media tracked by Vocus, the university had 1,223 positive national placements.
Vocus is used by MSU’s University Relations office to track its stories in online, broadcast and print media.
These stories focused on strategic areas from advancing sustainability to recognizing outstanding faculty and students. They showcased how MSU creates positive economic impact, is engaged globally and conducts pioneering research. It’s important to note that the news stories tracked do not include sports or alumni articles.
Below is just a small sample of the hits showing great placements in the areas of science, health, law, engineering, arts and business. All of the following stories are a direct result of UR news releases, which can be found at http://news.msu.edu/, or personal pitching to top journalists across the country.
Rich Lenski, evolutionary biologist, reveals that it’s better to be an adaptable tortoise than a fit hare.
http://nyti.ms/gr9KQd
http://bit.ly/fWs58N
http://bit.ly/eeYPA9
Marcos Dantus, chemistry professor, invents a laser that can detect roadside bombs.
http://on.msnbc.com/zpyD2B
http://bit.ly/oKW2JV
http://bit.ly/pOSaPG
Michael Wagner, assistant professor of fisheries and wildlife, develops an effective sea lamprey repellant.
http://usat.ly/rv2Rzh
http://bit.ly/oYyCmX
http://bit.ly/o6uzrC
Gemma Reguera, professor of microbiology, reveals how microbes generate electricity while cleaning up nuclear waste.
http://bit.ly/owPTXE
http://bit.ly/qGBq3z
The Detroit Free Press ran a piece updating readers on the progress being made on MSU’s Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. The story focused somewhat on the economic development aspect of the project. See PDF file.
MSU epidemiologist Mathew Reeves shows people who owned and walked their dogs were 34 percent more likely to meet federal benchmarks on physical activity. The results reveal promoting dog ownership and dog walking could help many Americans become healthier.
http://nyti.ms/f9fz7A
http://ti.me/hxqXMa
http://bit.ly/fVNc3h
Jie Huang of the Department of Radiology has shown for the first time why precision-tinted lenses reduce headaches for migraine sufferers, a finding that could help improve treatment options for patients battling the debilitating ailment.
http://usat.ly/lxn57t
Engineering researcher Syed Hashsham is working on bringing a low-cost, hand-held device to nations with limited resources to help physicians detect and diagnose cancer.
http://to.pbs.org/qPdYVq
http://cnet.co/phKLAX
http://bit.ly/wOl2xn
Norbert Mueller, associate professor of mechanical engineering, is developing a new automotive engine known as the wave disk that can dramatically improve efficiencies and reduce costs of electric hybrid vehicles.
http://nyti.ms/xybuDZ
http://bit.ly/gZbXqz
http://bit.ly/w10JHJ
http://bit.ly/jocZoH
A team led by MSU University Distinguished Professor of Computer Science and Engineering Anil Jain and doctoral student Brendan Klare has developed a method to automatically match hand-drawn facial sketches to mug shots that are stored in law enforcement databases.
http://bit.ly/ijF6oj
http://bit.ly/dMGAkG
Research by MSU sociologist Aaron McCright into how a person’s political views and gender affect his or her stance on climate change was covered in-depth in the New York Times.
http://nyti.ms/nvhrcu
A study by MSU psychologist Zach Hambrick on how intelligence can determine greatness led to an opinion piece by Hambrick in the New York Times on that subject. It also led to multiple follow-up columns by Hambrick as a guest writer.
Initial opinion piece (featured story in the Sunday Review section):
http://nyti.ms/ub8Er4
http://nyti.ms/tdwj7A
http://nyti.ms/xXYPBa
A study by MSU’s Phil Gardner, director of MSU's Collegiate Employment Research Institute, on the strength of the job market for college graduates.
http://on.wsj.com/vlRxfW
http://bit.ly/uUfOzG
http://bit.ly/tod6BE
MSU senior Sydney Hawthorne found paupers are less likely to have cases heard by Supreme Court.
http://bit.ly/xBK9dl
View PDF file in Washington Examiner.
MSU Museum launches largest international exhibit
http://bit.ly/gP4ins
And, finally, “Want to know what it's like to attend this school in East Lansing, Mich?” A reporter from U.S. News & World Report wanted to know, too.
http://bit.ly/rrnbAo
UR’s media communications team works in partnership with communications managers across the university to identify good stories, and we welcome suggestions from all sources. If you have a suggestion for a story that you believe has national potential, please contact Pam Jahnke at (517) 432-0304 or pam.jahnke@ur.msu.edu.
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Michigan State University has been working to advance the common good in uncommon ways for more than 150 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU focuses its vast resources on creating solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges, while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.