http://news.uchicago.edu Faculty Director Dali Yang speaks about the University of Chicago Center in Beijing. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/research-across-disciplines-and-nations The Arete Initiative http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/research-across-disciplines-and-nations Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:05 -0600 Dan Adelman, Professor of Operations Management at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, speaks about research he recently published, "Optimal Mix: Managing a Portfolio of Supply Contracts." http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/dan-adelman-managing-portfolio-supply-contracts Chicago Booth School of Business http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/dan-adelman-managing-portfolio-supply-contracts Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:26 -0600 Burhaneddin Sandıkçı, Assistant Professor of Operations Management at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, speaks about research recently published by him on "The Price of Privacy." http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/burhaneddin-sand-k-price-privacy Chicago Booth School of Business http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/burhaneddin-sand-k-price-privacy Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:42 -0600 Elizabeth G. Pontikes, Assistant Professor of Organizations and Strategy at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, speaks about her research on the evolution of categories and identity within organizations. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/elizabeth-pontikes-evolution-categories-within-organizations Chicago Booth School of Business http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/elizabeth-pontikes-evolution-categories-within-organizations Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:07 -0600 In a series of experiments, University of Chicago researchers observed the first evidence of helping behavior triggered by empathy in laboratory rats. The researchers, psychology graduate student and first author Inbal Ben-Ami Bartal and co-authors Jean Decety, the Irving B. Harris Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry, and Peggy Mason, Professor of Neurobiology, published their observation today in Science. It places the origin of pro-social helping behavior earlier in the evolutionary tree than previously thought. Though empathetic behavior has been observed anecdotally in non-human primates and other wild species, the concept had not previously been observed in rodents in a laboratory setting. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/researchers-neuroscience-find-rodents-show-empathetic-behavior-toward-each-other AAAS/Science http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/researchers-neuroscience-find-rodents-show-empathetic-behavior-toward-each-other Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:48 -0600 University, Argonne and Fermilab scientists discuss their passion for science and why they go to far-flung and sometimes dangerous locations to reap the rewards of their research. Gabriel Spitzer, WBEZ science and health reporter, moderated the panel. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/xtreme-research-interesting-places-and-unusual-challenges-panel-discussion Chicago Multimedia Initiatives Group (CMIG) http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/xtreme-research-interesting-places-and-unusual-challenges-panel-discussion Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:34 -0600 From building a lab half a mile underground in Northern Minnesota to installing $10 million worth of sophisticated instruments to measure climate change, University, Argonne and Fermilab scientists’ research has led them to sites around the world. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/xtreme-research-interesting-places-and-unusual-challenges Office of the Vice President for Research and for National Laboratories http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/xtreme-research-interesting-places-and-unusual-challenges Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:00 -0600   Children and youth who experience trauma such as maltreatment are often involved with multiple systems in the public sector, including foster care, education, and juvenile justice. Effective interventions for this vulnerable population require a perspective that is grounded in the understanding of trauma and its effects; comprehensive information about the medical, social, developmental, mental health, and educational status of the child and the adults who figure prominently in the child's life; and collaboration across public systems. Panelists Cheryl Smithgall, Ph.D., is a Research Fellow at Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago. Her research interests include child and family services, children's mental health, foster care and education, and kinship care. Gene Griffin, Ph.D., J.D., is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. His research focuses on child trauma, mental health, juvenile justice, and child welfare. Margaret Porter, M.H.S., is the Program Administrator for Youth & Justice Programs which serve vulnerable youth in Rochester, N.Y. Matthew Stagner, Ph.D., is the Executive Director of Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago (Moderator).   Part of the Chapin Hall Child & Family Policy Forum series. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/public-systems-responding-students-affected-trauma Chapin Hall http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/public-systems-responding-students-affected-trauma Tue, 15 Nov 2011 10:40 -0600 Tyler Keillor talks about his work as a paleoartist. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/tyler-keillor-paleoart-0 University of Chicago News Office http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/tyler-keillor-paleoart-0 Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:52 -0600 Preschool children who hear their parents describe the size and shape of objects and then use those words themselves perform better on tests of their spatial skills, researchers at the University of Chicago research find. Susan Levine, the Stella M. Rowley Professor in Psychology, discusses the topic. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/children-s-spatial-thinking-does-talk-about-spatial-world-matter University of Chicago News Office http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/children-s-spatial-thinking-does-talk-about-spatial-world-matter Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:47 -0600 Questions addressed: What is the evidence from animal and human studies on the lifecourse consequences of early life events? How robust is the evidence? Are there critical and/or sensitive periods in the development of cognition, mental traits and physical health? How reversible are the effects of compromised development? http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/gxe-session-1-lifecourse-consequences-early-life-events http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/gxe-session-1-lifecourse-consequences-early-life-events Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:52 -0600 Questions addressed: What are the mechanisms (both biological and socioeconomic) through which genetic factors operate, and translate into outcomes? How do we identify the short- and long-term effects of single exposures from their cumulative effects over the life cycle and the mechanisms through which they operate, from the cells to the society? http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/gxe-session-3-biological-correlates-and-pathways http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/gxe-session-3-biological-correlates-and-pathways Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:54 -0600 Questions addressed: What is the contribution of genetic and environmental factors to health and ageing? Do people make their own environments? Do they react to them? How robust is the evidence across research strategies? http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/gxe-session-4-psycho-socio-biological-linkages-across-lifespan http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/gxe-session-4-psycho-socio-biological-linkages-across-lifespan Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:54 -0600 http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/university-chicago-government-relations-office The Arete Initiative http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/university-chicago-government-relations-office Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:49 -0600 Jens Ludwig - Neighborhoods, Obesity, and Diabetes — A Randomized Social Experiment http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/jens-ludwig-neighborhoods-obesity-and-diabetes-randomized-social-experiment University of Chicago News Office http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/jens-ludwig-neighborhoods-obesity-and-diabetes-randomized-social-experiment Wed, 19 Oct 2011 10:34 -0600 May 4, 2011 John Goldsmith, Chair, Department of Computer Science John Rober "Haj" Ross, Professor of Linguistice, University of North Texas Francois Dell, Phonologist, Department of Linguistics Guest Lecturer http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/studying-linguistics-mit-first-decade-generative-grammar Department of Linguistics http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/studying-linguistics-mit-first-decade-generative-grammar Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:11 -0600 Heather Hill, Assistant Professor, The School of Social Service Administration "Impact of Recession on Children" http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/impact-recession-children-heather-hill http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/impact-recession-children-heather-hill Mon, 29 Aug 2011 17:09 -0600 Thomas Frey is Google's top rated futurist speaker. As the Executive Director and Senior Futurist at the DaVinci Institute, he develops original research studies that enable him to speak on uncommon topics. He founded the Institute after fifteen years at IBM, where he was honored with over 270 awards. He has been denoted the "Father of Invention" because his work has inspired numerous inventors and other revolutionary thinkers. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/thomas-frey-communicating-future http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/thomas-frey-communicating-future Fri, 29 Jul 2011 13:37 -0600 Paul Sereno is a paleontologist at the University of Chicago and the president and co-founder of Project Exploration. Paul Sereno teaches the world about its evolutionary past through what he calls "adventure with a purpose." His travels have brought him to discover important links in the evolution of life on earth such as his discovery of the world's largest crocodile. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/paul-sereno-art-science http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/paul-sereno-art-science Fri, 29 Jul 2011 13:55 -0600 Christopher Downey is an architect, planner and consultant who lost his sight in 2008. Instead of giving up his career, he reinvented the ways architects work to become the first successful blind architect. Today, he uses his skills and expertise to develop environments for the blind and visually impaired to thrive in, just like he did. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/chris-downey-connecting-across-visual-divide http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/chris-downey-connecting-across-visual-divide Fri, 29 Jul 2011 13:58 -0600 Currently part of the Northwestern Faculty, Robert Wolcott is the Executive Director of the Northwestern Innovation Network. Wolcott also co-founded and serves as Managing Partner of Clareo Partners LLC, a corporate strategy and innovation management consultancy specializing in new business creation and growth. Through teaching corporate innovation and entrepreneurship he has inspired countless entrepreneurs to think outside the box and develop winning strategies to shake up the world's status quo. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/robert-wolcott-innovating-your-life http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/robert-wolcott-innovating-your-life Fri, 29 Jul 2011 14:00 -0600 The Special Collections Research Center celebrated the opening of its new state-of-the-art Exhibition Gallery and renovated spaces located on the pathway between the Joseph Regenstein Library and the new Joe and Rika Mansueto Library on May 18, 2011. The new and renovated spaces provide flexible, technology-equipped facilities for the presentation, interpretation, and consultation of primary sources by individuals, groups, and classes.   The program included welcoming remarks by Thomas F. Rosenbaum, Provost and John T. Wilson Distinguished Service Professor in Physics; Judith Nadler, Director and University Librarian; and Alice Schreyer, Assistant Director for Special Collections and Preservation and Director, Special Collections Research Center. Neil Harris, Preston and Sterling Morton Professor Emeritus of History, Departments of History and Art History, delivered "Reflections on Special Collections. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/renovated-special-collections-research-center-new-exhibition-gallery-opening Special Collections Research Center/University of Chicago http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/renovated-special-collections-research-center-new-exhibition-gallery-opening Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:12 -0600 This summer, Joe Price, PhD'82, is travellng across the country, singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" at minor league ballparks, as part of his research on the ritual significance of the national anthem at baseball games. Listen to him perform while tracing his journey thus far. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/joe-price-sings-national-anthem-across-country http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/joe-price-sings-national-anthem-across-country Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:27 -0600 Melissa Gilliam, MD, discusses her vision for The Center for Sexual and Reproductive Biology, Health and Behavior with Dexter R. Voisin. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/center-reproductive-biology-health-and-behavior The Arete Initiative http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/center-reproductive-biology-health-and-behavior Thu, 07 Jul 2011 10:48 -0600 Mario Small, UChicago professor of sociology, talks about the new Urban Network, a community of inter-disciplinary scholars dedicated to studying urban issues. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/university-chicago-urban-network The Arete Initiative http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/university-chicago-urban-network Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:13 -0600 On June 6, 2011, Richard and Mary L. Gray helped found a new Center for Arts and Inquiry at the University of Chicago. The center will bring together artists and scholars to collaborate on new forms of artistic inquiry.   For more information about the center read the full announcement here. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/announcing-richard-and-mary-l-gray-center-arts-inquiry http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/announcing-richard-and-mary-l-gray-center-arts-inquiry Mon, 06 Jun 2011 10:01 -0600 The Third in a Series of Joint Speaker Events for University Faculty and Argonne and Fermilab Scientists, Researchers and Engineers.Knapp Center for BiomedicalDiscovery.Moderator: STEVE WIESENTHAL, With Panelists: JAMES CARPENTER, KAREN HELLMAN, HELMUT JAHN, JEFFREY LEE SCHANTZ, GARY VAN ZANDBERGEN, & RAFAEL VINOLY. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/architecture-science-environment-panel-discussion Argonne & Fermilab Joint Speaker Series, The University of Chicago http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/architecture-science-environment-panel-discussion Mon, 23 May 2011 13:29 -0600 Video played during the May 12, 2011 Joint Speaker Series event. Featuring Steve Wiesenthal, Associate Vice President and University Architect, UChicago, Karen Hellman, Associate Division Director, Argonne, and Gary Van Zandbergen, Project Engineer and Architect, Facilities Engineering Services Section, Fermilab. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/architecture-science-environment-video Argonne & Fermilab Joint Speaker Series, The University of Chicago http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/architecture-science-environment-video Mon, 23 May 2011 13:36 -0600  "Before the Pyramids: The Origins of Egyptian Civilization" will run from March 29 to December 31, 2011, at the museum, 1155 East 58th Street. The museum holds the Chicago area's largest collection of Egyptian art and artifacts as well as galleries devoted to the other cultures of the ancient Middle East. The new exhibition shows that the most fundamental aspects of ancient Egyptian civilization — architecture, hieroglyphic writing, a belief in the afterlife, and allegiance to a semi-divine king — can be traced to Egypt's Predynastic and Early Dynastic eras more than 1,000 years before the pyramids were built. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/oriental-institute-pyramids-origins-egyptian-civilization The Oriental Institute of the Unviersity of Chicago http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/oriental-institute-pyramids-origins-egyptian-civilization Tue, 10 May 2011 09:30 -0600 Erin Adams, Assistant Professor, Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, Committee on Immunology, The University of Chicago, and Thomas Rosenbaum, Provost, The University of Chicago, discuss how inter-disciplinary collaboration, cutting edge science research, and important societal problems factor into the creation of the Institute for Molecular Engineering at The University of Chicago. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/defining-new-type-engineering http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/defining-new-type-engineering Mon, 07 Mar 2011 10:17 -0600 Thomas Rosenbaum, Provost, The University of Chicago; Stephen Streiffer, Associate Laboratory Director, Physical Sciences & Engineering, Argonne National Laboratory; Amanda Petford-Long, Division Director, Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory; and Emilio Bunel, Division Director, Chemical Sciences & Engineering, Argonne National Laboratory, discuss the partnership between the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory that will support the Institute for Molecular Engineering. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/university-partnership-molecular-engineering-argonne-national-laboratory http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/university-partnership-molecular-engineering-argonne-national-laboratory Mon, 07 Mar 2011 10:40 -0600 Steven Sibener, Carl William Eisendrath Distinguished Service Professor in Chemistry, discusses how the Institute of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago came to be. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/steven-sibener-establishing-institute-molecular-engineering http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/steven-sibener-establishing-institute-molecular-engineering Mon, 07 Mar 2011 11:04 -0600 The University’s Arete Initiative, which encourages interdisciplinary research, has a name derived from the ancient Greek word for excellence in the fulfillment of human potential. Now in its third year, Arete is fulfilling its own potential—helping faculty and researchers at the University launch interdisciplinary projects that study solutions to global epidemics, world poverty and climate change http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/overview-arete-initiative http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/overview-arete-initiative Tue, 04 Jan 2011 11:48 -0600 The Organizations and Markets group at Chicago Booth investigates the sociology of business, management, markets, and society through an emphasis on the role of social structure. Our leadership in this area is due to our success in bringing decades of sociological research to bear on economic activity. Many aspects of social structure, such as social networks, are now hot topics in business. But social networks is just one example of an area that the Organizations and Markets group has been on the forefront of well before its current popularity, and continues to be an area we advance. Our work typically falls into two broad themes. First, we study social networks in economic life from the sociological tradition and teach courses on the role of networks in strategy, management, and innovation in both MBA and executive MBA, and non-degree executive education programs. These courses serve as platforms for sharing and building upon our intellectual strengths. Two of the selected papers featured here and described below present groundbreaking research in this area. Second, we investigate how social structures influence the emergence of new markets, technologies, and products. This novel research, with ties to marketing and strategy, is noted in the third and fourth papers in this issue. Research in this second area naturally flows into our courses on technology and organizational strategy. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/sociology-chicago-booth http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/sociology-chicago-booth Thu, 16 Dec 2010 15:19 -0600 Chapin Hall's Executive Director, Matthew Stagner, and Founding Director, Harold Richman, discuss Chapin Hall's role in developing research to impact public policy for child welfare, foster care and a number of other important areas. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/impact-research-institution-child-and-family-policy http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/impact-research-institution-child-and-family-policy Tue, 26 Oct 2010 17:25 -0600 Malcolm Bush discusses how the recession disproportionately affects low-income families, the myth of upward mobility in America, the continuing threat of the housing crisis and how public policy can be used to help combat these problems. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/impact-housing-crisis-and-recession-low-income-children-and-families http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/impact-housing-crisis-and-recession-low-income-children-and-families Tue, 26 Oct 2010 17:34 -0600 Norbert Riedel, Corporate Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of Baxter International, talks about the Chicago Innovation Pipeline, a collection of technologies available for licensing from 6 of the top research institutions in the Chicago region. The pipeline was developed by UChicagoTech for the 2010 BIO International Convention. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/uchicago-celebrates-regional-innovation-2010-bio-international-convention UChicagoTech http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/uchicago-celebrates-regional-innovation-2010-bio-international-convention Thu, 20 May 2010 12:46 -0600 The University of Chicago's Evalyn Gates calls the instrument Einstein's telescope. The instrument is actually the phenomenon of gravitational lensing, which acts as a sort of natural telescope. Gates' recently published book, Einstein's Telescope: The Hunt for Dark Matter and Dark Energy in the Universe, explains how it works.Although based on Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity, the effect is easily demonstrated. Look at a light through the bottom of a wine glass, Gates recommends, and see the resulting light distortion.Einstein's telescope is using the universe itself as a lens through which we can seek out galaxies that would otherwise be too faint to be seen, says Gates, Assistant Director of the University's Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/eyeing-universe-through-einsteins-telescope http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/eyeing-universe-through-einsteins-telescope Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:27 -0600 Steven Shevell, Professor of Psychology, Ophthalmology, Visual Science, discusses new research about how our brains process information about the color of objects. The research shows that the brain processes the shape of an object and its color in two separate pathways and, though the objects shape and color normally are linked, the neural representation of the color can survive alone. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/color-binding-brain Chicago Multimedia Initiatives Group (CMIG) http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/color-binding-brain Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:56 -0600 A 9-foot dinosaur from northeastern China had evolved all the hallmark anatomical features of Tyrannosaurus rex at least 125 million years ago. University of Chicago paleontologist Paul Sereno and five co-authors describe the newly discovered dinosaur in the Sept. 17 Science Express, advanced online edition of the journal Science. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/human-sized-dinosaur-early-ancestor-t-rex http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/human-sized-dinosaur-early-ancestor-t-rex Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:49 -0600 Pamela Martin, Assistant Professor in Geophysical Sciences, and her students discuss her Feeding the City research project, which investigates small-scale sustainable agriculture. The goal of the project, now in its pilot year, is to collect data on the direct and indirect energy inputs and outputs. Martin and her team will analyze this data to determine the energy efficiency and environmental impact of food production on urban and rural farms that practice sustainable methods. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/urban-farm-research-investigates-sustainable-agricultural-practices http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/urban-farm-research-investigates-sustainable-agricultural-practices Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:40 -0600 Chicago's South Side community, made up of one million people in more than 30 neighborhoods, has a critical need for quality health care. It's among the unhealthiest in the country, with high rates of diabetes, asthma, hypertension, and other chronic conditions. Learn about theUniversity of Chicago Medical Center's commitment to develop a true health care system in its surrounding community--one that connects doctors, nurses, health centers, and hospitals, and through meaningful collaboration ensures residents have access to quality health care and a"medical home."Explore with its leader--Eric E. Whitaker, MD'93, MPH, a Pritzker alumnus who grew up on the South Side--how the Urban Health Initiative will strengthen this network, improve the long-term health of South Side residents, and serve as a model of urban care that can be replicated in other cities across the nation with underserved communities and those affected by health disparities. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/urban-health-initiative-improving-health-care-ecosystem http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/urban-health-initiative-improving-health-care-ecosystem Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:45 -0600 Scientists and clinicians at the University of Chicago Medical Center are always seeking new ways to enhance patient care through research. In this video, researchers Neil Shubin, Funmi Olopade and Kevin White describe how their scholarship on topics ranging from breast cancer to evolutionary biology advances knowledge while benefitting patients. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/discovery-university-chicago-medical-center University of Chicago Medical Center (UCMC) http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/discovery-university-chicago-medical-center Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:14 -0600 The Oriental Institute is using modern technology to digitally record thousands of tablets that, when pieced together, will tell an unusually detailed story of the Persian Empire.These ancient tablets from the palaces of Persepolis include pieces of language and art from the center of the Persian Empire, all made when it extended from India and Central Asia to Egypt and the Mediterranean.Most have texts in impressed cuneiform characters, many have inked texts in Aramaic writing and almost all of the tablets have seal impressions. They are now being recorded and distributed with digital processes that will allow scholars and viewers across the world to examine them as if they had picked them up and rotated them under a light.With a substantial grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, a team of researchers began work in 2007. Now, with a second Mellon grant, the team will continue this work through 2010. By that time, researchers hope to have about 10,000 tablets and fragments recorded. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/oriental-institute-takes-persian-empire-digital-age The Chronicle http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/oriental-institute-takes-persian-empire-digital-age Fri, 15 May 2009 13:26 -0600 A new ice cream shop in Wicker Park founded by two alumni of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business gives the customer total control of their frozen treats. Co-owner Cora Shaw talks about how the project got started and what makes iCream so unique. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/icream-cafe http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/icream-cafe Mon, 20 Apr 2009 10:28 -0600 For a long time, economists doubted that racial bias of white employers was a significant factor in explaining black workers' lower wages relative to whites. New research revisits this issue and finds evidence as to why prejudice deserves more weight in the debate. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/capital-ideas-minding-racial-wage-gap http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/capital-ideas-minding-racial-wage-gap Wed, 08 Apr 2009 09:45 -0600 Emily Oster, assistant professor of economics at the University of Chicago Department of Economics explains how turning on the television can be a simple yet influential way of improving a woman's standing in rural India. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/capital-ideas-power-tv http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/capital-ideas-power-tv Wed, 08 Apr 2009 09:44 -0600 The Life of Meresamun: A Temple Singer in Ancient EgyptThe University of Chicago Oriental InstituteThe Oriental Institute Museum is a world-renowned showcase for the history, art, and archaeology of the ancient Near East. The museum displays objects recovered by Oriental Institute excavations in permanent galleries devoted to ancient Egypt, Nubia, Persia, Mesopotamia, Syria, Anatolia, and the ancient site of Megiddo, as well as rotating special exhibits."The Life of Meresamun: A Temple Singer in Ancient Egypt," focuses on the life of a priestess-musician in Egypt in about the year 800 BC. The exhibit's centerpiece is the coffin and mummy of Meresamun who probably lived in Thebes.The exhibit illustrates the duties of a temple singer and explores what her life was like inside, as well as outside, the temple. Her temple duties are illustrated by a selection of objects she would have used including a sistrum, an ivory clapper, a harp, and cult vessels. Other objects document ritual activities that she would have participated in, such animal cults and the consultation of divine oracles.The section of the exhibit on her life outside the temple includes an examination of the social and legal rights of women in ancient Egypt and what professions were open to them. Examples of dishes, jewelry and cosmetic vessels show what sort of objects would have been in her home. Religious rituals enacted within the home are illustrated by objects related to ancestor cults and others that sought to promote fertility.In preparation for the exhibit, the mummy of Meresamun was examined by CT scans at the University of Chicago Hospital with the newest generation of Philips scanners. A video in the exhibit reports on the examination of mummy, her health, and offers a virtual unwrapping and 3-dimenations reconstructions of her face and body.http://oi.uchicago.edu http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/life-meresamun-temple-singer-ancient-egypt-0 University of Chicago News Office http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/life-meresamun-temple-singer-ancient-egypt-0 Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:35 -0600 University of Chicago Graduate School of Business Professor Richard Thaler gives an overview of his new book: "Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness." He explains what nudges are and gives a few examples of how they can be useful. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/nudge-overview http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/nudge-overview Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:17 -0600 Thaler and Sunstein reminisce at their favorite Hyde Park lunch spot, Noodles, where they say they did some of their best work on the book. Noodles was so important to the creative process, it even made the acknowledgments. The two talk about what each brought to the project, the origin of the elephants on the book cover, their fear of forms, and their hopes for a new political consensus in the country. http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/nudge-conversation-authors http://news.uchicago.edu/multimedia/nudge-conversation-authors Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:17 -0600