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The Spectator
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY |
THE SPECTATOR |
| October 30, 2009 |
Text-to-Speech Technology May Soon Be Available in Computer Labs Throughout Campusby Julia Litzky '12Science & Technology Editor October 30, 2009 About 20 students and faculty members gathered in the Bristol Hub last Thursday for the Accessibility Software Brown Bag Lunch to discuss the technology that the Text-to-Speech committee has decided would be most effective in helping students with learning disabilities keep up with their coursework. The meeting began with an introduction by associate dean of students for diversity and accessibility, Allen Harrison, who reported that "in the three years I've been here I've seen an increase in students that we have coming to Hamilton that are in need of this service…we service in our office on average about 100 students each academic year…At least 10-15 percent probably have a need for this type of technology." Then, the ITS Text-to-Speech, Speech-to-Text Committee, which consists of four members of ITS, presented the five programs they are encouraging the school or students with a disability to acquire. More... |
Senior Thesis Previews: What Some Science Majors Are Researching for Their Final ProjectsOctober 30, 2009Making an ADHD Model in Rats Using Dopamineby Sam Colalillo '10Neuroscience Major For my senior thesis, I am working with Professor Weldon to make an ADHD model in rats. ADHD is thought to involve a deficit of dopaminergic activity in the brain and current treatment involves drugs that increase dopamine. Currently, ADHD models in rats completely deplete dopamine or lead to long-term behavioral deficits unassociated with ADHD that give these models little face validity. More... |
Science Events on The HillNitrogen ice cream a succeess, HEAG participates in 350 Day, upcoming Family Weekend eventsby Ben Trachtman '12Science & Technology Editor October 30, 2009 National Chemistry Week: Nitrogen Ice CreamThe Hamilton College Chemical Society and Student Assembly co-sponsored a chemistry exhibition in the Science Center Atrium last Thursday to celebrate National Chemistry Week. The demonstration involved using liquid nitrogen to make ice cream. It's a relatively simple process, but one that never ceases to amaze! The ice cream is made up in the traditional fashion, but instead of being put in a container packed in ice and salt, the liquid nitrogen is poured directly in. This method produces thick, billowing clouds of fog—and some good dessert. More... |
Off-Campus Science News This Week....October 30, 2009NYU to Digitize LibraryNew York University (NYU) has announced plans to digitize a portion of its library. This change would make the library more accessible to students at NYU's satellite campus in the Persian Gulf country of Abu Dhabi. The process is being funded by the government of Abu Dhabi, which is also providing financial backing for the campus itself. More... |
This Week: What to Do with Broken CFL Bulbsby Ben Trachtman '12Science & Technology Editor October 30, 2009 One of the easiest ways to cut down on electricity costs is to turn off the lights, but another great way to save energy is to change the lights to make them more efficient even when they're on. Compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs, use 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent light bulbs and last as much as ten times longer. More... |
HEAG's Corner: Survey on TraysOctober 30, 2009This semester, the Hamilton Environmental Action Group (HEAG) has taken on the mission of making our dining halls more environmentally friendly. In this effort ,HEAG, in conjunction with Bon Appetitte, suggested that trays be removed from the dining halls to minimize food waste and the volume of items that require water for washing. More... |