Scientific team in Antarctica to grow fresh food

In a frozen land where the sun doesn't shine from March to July, scientists who endure the South Pole's harsh winters at the Amundsen-Scott Research Station crave a supply of something crunchy and fresh.

Arriving in Antarctica this week after traveling nearly 10,000 miles, a UA-built "greenhouse" will soon be quenching the scientists' desire for romaine lettuce, cucumbers, herbs, and sweet and hot peppers. [Read article]

UA graduate students want the $1 fee they pay each semester to fund the Arizona Students Association back because they say student lobbyists aren't representing them.

"We are requesting our money back because we just don't feel like the representation is here this year," said Jani Radebaugh, president of the Graduate and Professional Student Council. "We are not being represented."

There are four positions on ASA open to UA students. One is reserved for the student body president, and the other three are open to graduates and undergraduates. [Read article]

The ASUA Senate extended the candidate packet deadline last night, one week after it considered filing a complaint against the election commissioner's decision to extend the deadline without notice.

Students have until Friday to file their packets, which were originally due Jan. 23.

After the candidate list was released two weeks ago, Dan Suh, elections commissioner, realized more people were needed to run for the positions and decided to extend the deadline. [Read article]

PHOENIX - Health officials at the UA say legislation requiring dorm residents to disclose whether they'd been treated for meningitis, a potentially fatal disease, would cost the school nearly $40,000, and do little to curb the disease's occurrence.

The only group that stands to benefit from the bill is Aventis Pasteur, the company that manufactures the vaccine and is a client of lobbyists pushing the bill, said Dr. Harry McDermott, director of UA Campus Health and Wellness Service. [Read article]

Students, UA officials ignore 2000 federal act

Under a federal law passed in 2000, students convicted of drug offenses are barred from receiving financial aid. But according to campus officials, the law is not enforced.

John Nametz, director of the Office of Student Financial Aid, said the law receives little attention on campus.

Nametz said his office doesn't receive information on whether a student has been denied financial aid because of drug-related convictions, making enforcement of the law difficult. [Read article]

Junior, alumna theorize about cold weather, body hair and smoking risks

Wildcat: Hi, my name's Nathan and you're on the spot. It's cold, right? I bet you're glad you have a beard.

McIntosh: I am.

Wildcat: All right. (to Peden) Is it true? Do you think women get colder than men?

Peden: Yes, probably because they're thinner.

Wildcat: Maybe it's because you guys don't have as much body hair. You shave your armpits and stuff. [Read article]

Things you always never wanted to know

Question: "What's up with that cactus palm tree?"

Answer:

I was quick to discount this as a hoax (I'm a professional skeptic), until I saw this picture of the alleged parasitic cactus. I came up with my own theories and met with dissenting opinion.

"Parasitic cactus? What the heck are you talking about? Don't quote me on that," said Scott Keegan Moore, plant sciences junior.

But I found some on this campus who had other things to say about this prickly permutation, bonded to the palm tree at the southwest end of the Bank One parking lot. [Read article]