Research roundups at MSU-Bozeman (#213)-The sick boat-Whither the wild dog -Near and far-Weather impacts

by Evelyn Boswell and Annette Trinity-Stevens

The sick boat

Instead of relaxation and romance, hundreds of passengers on recent Florida cruises have experienced vomiting and diarrhea. The intestinal illness is caused by the Norwalk virus, which readily spreads from person to person. The outbreak has kept MSU veterinary molecular biologist Michelle Hardy busy. She’s an expert on Norwalk virus and has fielded a number of e-mails and phone calls in the last few weeks. One call was from a vice president of Holland America, whose Amsterdam cruise ship has had four Norwalk outbreaks. Hardy is working on a vaccine to prevent the illness as well as a medication for those who get it. Her partner is LigoCyte Pharmaceuticals of Bozeman.

Whither the wild dog

"Behavioral ecology at its best" is how one recent reviewer described the work of MSU ecologist Scott Creel and his research partner and wife Nancy Marusha Creel. The Creels spent seven years studying African wild dogs in the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania. Their book, "The African Wild Dog," came out earlier this year and is one of the first to tackle the science of the species. Dog numbers are declining for reasons the Creels explore. They get eaten by lions, for one. And they compete with hyenas for the same food sources, for another. Since coming to MSU several years ago, Scott Creel has shifted his predator studies to wolves in the Yellowstone ecosystem.

Near and far

New teachers like being able to walk down the hall and consult with more experienced teachers. But they also appreciate mentors who live far away, says Elisabeth Swanson, director of the Science Math Resource Center at MSU. Swanson has been surprised by studies that show beginning teachers feel strongly about the value of outside mentors. They like the freedom of sharing their feelings and ideas with someone who doesn’t work at the school and isn’t involved in its politics. Long distance mentors may also save or prolong the careers of teachers who work in isolated areas. Swanson once taught in Healy, Alaska and was the only science teacher for 120 miles in any direction.

Weather impacts

Wind, snow, ice and rain all affect the operation of highways. To see exactly how they affect the volume, speed and capacities of rural highways, the Western Transportation Institute at MSU will analyze information from northern California, southern Oregon and possibly Montana. The information was collected between September 2001 and September 2002, says Jaime Helmuth, a research associate in charge of the project. Working with her is research associate Chris Strong and graduate student Emilie Berglund. The researchers want to make a model that will provide baseline information on how weather affects highway operations. The model will integrate roadway geometry and mountain passes with other factors.

Contact: Annette Trinity-Stevens, (406) 994-5607 or [email protected]

http://www.montana.edu/commserv/csnews/nwview.php?article=651