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Auburn Area Ranks Top 20

By Brian Desarro/ Staff Writer | October 29

The Auburn-Opelika area is ranked No. 16 on cnnmoney.com's list of best small places to launch a business.The list, which included cities from across the country, cited the University and muted effects of the recession as key factors contributing to the area's high ranking."There are three key factors that we recognize every time," said Mayor Bill Ham.

Darkness, Silence Cause Hallucinations

By Adam Smith / STAFF WRITER | October 29

The results of a study conducted at University College London said when a group of people are placed in a dark, silent room, many start hallucinating after just a few minutes.The study, which was published in the "Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease," attempted to differentiate the subjective experience of different people undergoing sensory deprivation, depending on how predisposed they were to hallucinating.Celia Morgan, a research fellow at the university, described the process of the investigation.Morgan said participants were first given a questionnaire to determine psychotic personality expressions and other unusual perceptions.From the results of the questionnaire, researchers selected two groups, those who were more prone to hallucinations in daily life and those who were not.

Soot Problem for Birmingham

By Daniel Chesser/ Staff Writer | October 29

A study by the Southern Environmental Law Center reported Birmingham has the most soot-filled air in the South."Birmingham has been under the shroud of air pollution for far too long," said Kat McCue, senior communication manger for the SELC.

Awards Given at Photo XI Exhibition

By Samuel Solomon/ Associate News Editor | October 29

Local artists and photographers entered more than 100 photographs into the Auburn Arts Association's Photo XI photo exhibition at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center."This is one of our most popular shows," said Margaret Gluhman, exhibition coordinator.The show features 38 works by 28 photographers, Gluhman said.Frank Uhlig, professor of mathematics at Auburn University, is one of the 28 photographers.Uhlig said he has been interested in photography since he was 10 and has entered in contests as far away as Delaware.Uhlig said he looks at the top 30 percent of works to see which trends are popular."I look for what startles me," Uhlig said.Christy Stanfield, who received a jurors award last year, had one entry, called "Swimmers," this year."I enjoy seeing how my work stacks up against others," Stanfield said.John B.

Robot Simulates Sight for Blind

By Samuel Solomon/ Associate News Editor | October 29

About 314 million people worldwide are visually impaired, and almost 45 million of those are blind, according to the World Health Organization Web site.But one little robot might be able to lend a hand in bestowing the gift of sight.Its name is Cyclops, and it is the brainchild of scientists at the California Institute of Technology.Designed as a test platform for artificial retinas, the retinal prosthesis allows the robot to have the visual experience of a person using a retinal implant."How do you approximate what the blind can see with the implant so you can figure out how to make it better?" is the question posed by Wolfgang Fink, a visiting associate professor in physics at Cal Tech.This is the question researchers hope Cyclops can answer."The idea is we use the Cyclops platform in lieu of the blind subject," Fink said.Few people worldwide have received retinal implants, keeping researchers limited."A sighted person's objectivity is impaired," Fink said in a press release.

ARM Lends a Hand to Families

By Helen Northcutt / INTRIGUE EDITOR | October 29

In honor of Make a Difference Day, Oct. 24, residents from Auburn and surrounding areas put together projects to help under-served families in the community."We have been working on seven projects today," said Carla Reddle, construction coordinator for Alabama Rural Ministry.

Firehouse founders visit locations in Auburn

By Michael Hansberry/ Staff Writer | October 26

Last Thursday, Robin, 41, and Chris, 49, Sorensen, the founders of Firehouse Subs visited Auburn as part of their Founders Tour, where the two brothers visited the franchises as a store promotion.They visited the store on South College Street, which opened in 2003, the store across from Lowder Business Building, which the brothers call War Eagle that opened in 2008 and the one in Columbus, Ga."We go to college towns all over the country and encourage the franchisees to get involved with the campus," Robin said.

Chinese Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong Visits Auburn

By Nick Van Der Linden / ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR | October 23

Chinese Ambassador to the United States Zhou Wenzhong honored Auburn University with his presence the past two days. The ambassador met with University President Dr. Jay Gogue and Alabama Governor Robert Riley to discuss economics and the importance of international relations along with a few environmental issues.

Ford and Auburn University Create GPS Feature

By Blake Hamilton / Associate Campus Editor | October 22

A car's GPS is primarily known for getting one from point "A" to point "B," but it may be able to make sure one gets there alive.Ford Motor Company is working with Auburn's Department of Mechanical Engineering to develop a system linking positioning satellites to a car's stability controls.

Asphalt May be Source of 'Green' Technology

By Samuel Solomon/ Associate News Editor | October 22

Researchers are looking into a major source of green energy found not in the air, but within roadways."There are big changes that are occurring right now in the paving industry that are all related to green technologies," said Raymond "Buzz" Powell, assistant director for the National Center for Asphalt Technology in Auburn.Asphalt is on pace to serve a dual purpose.One is to provide a medium of transportation and another as a secondary energy source."Asphalt has a lot of advantages as a solar collector," said Rajib Mallick, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering for Worcester Polytechnic Institute, in a press release.

Grant Provides Funds to Students with Disabilities

By Charley Gaines/ Staff Writer | October 22

Auburn and six other East Central Alabama colleges received $3 million from the National Science Foundation to support students with disabilities and are pursuing science, technology, engineering or mathematics degrees.The Department of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs combined its efforts with Alabama State University, Auburn University Montgomery, Tuskegee University, Central Alabama Community College, Southern Union State Community College and the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind."Our mission is to bring under-represented groups into the (science, technology, engineering or mathematics) programs," said Maria Zacharias, public affairs specialist for the NSF.The program's concentration within this amount of time is to increase the amount of students graduating with degrees in the STEM areas."There are a lot of intelligent, hard working students with disabilities," said Daniela Marghitu, a co-principal investigator for the program.

City of Auburn Develops Traffic Routing Application

By Simpson Fletcher/ Staff Writer | October 22

The City of Auburn has introduced a new Web application allowing citizens to find more efficient routes around town thanks to the Information Technology Department-Geographic Information System division.The idea was a melding of two projects, said Christopher Graff, GIS coordinator for Auburn."The application not only helps the fire and police departments' response times," Graff said.

Marijuana seizure at Auburn residence

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | October 22

Police discovered 46 marijuana plants and 14 mason jars of marijuana in the basement of an unidentified Auburn residence Wednesday, Oct.

Bill Aids Scholastic War Vets

By Emily Clever/ Staff Writer | October 22

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs issued emergency funds for veterans who applied for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and have not yet received their education benefits.

Auburn Slips to 'C' Average

By Theadoris Morris/ Staff Writer | October 15

Auburn University's sustainability efforts received a "C" on the 2010 Sustainability Report Card.Auburn received a "D" for its sustainability in 2008 and a "B" average in 2009. But the University dropped to a "C" average in 2010.

Auburn Administers H1N1 Flu Vaccines to Students

By Jillian Clair/ Staff Writer | October 15

H1N1 flu vaccines will be available free for Auburn students and employees in Student Center Rm. 2223 today from 9 a.m.

New Security Technology Scans Behavior, Not Luggage

By Daniel Wallace / STAFF WRITER | October 15

The next generation of homeland security may not require the customary X-ray scans or pat downs that have become commonplace in airports around the globe.Instead, the new line of defense is aimed at spotting potential threats by targeting certain biological signals that may be given off by an individual who may be likely to commit an offense.Although still in its developmental stages, the new equipment called "Future Attribute Screening Technology" is under investigation by the Department of Homeland Security for eventual use in airports."We know your body gives off certain physiological signs when you are planning on doing something 'bad,'" said John Verrico, science and technology spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security.

Astronomers Find Ring around Saturn

By Samuel Solomon/ Associate News Editor | October 15

Saturn's rings captivated Galileo when he saw them for the first time nearly 400 years ago.But, last week, NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope discovered what Galileo missed -- a gigantic halo."This is one supersized ring," said Anne Verbiscer, an astronomer at the University of Virginia in a press release.