We’re 50th!

The Best Colleges website has ranked the top 50 most amazing college campuses in the US and the University of Minnesota has made the list…just barely, at number 50. [SEE THE LIST.] Here’s why:

Not only is the main campus of the University of Minnesota located in the “Happiest City in America” it also starts our list of the prettiest college campuses in the country. Ranked as a Public Ivy school for its excellence in academic standards, this campus boasts great facilities like the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum, and the oldest building on campus, Pillsbury Hall. Students will enjoy the view between the East and West sides of campus as they cross the Mississippi river via the Washington Avenue Bridge.

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet At The State Theatre

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet At The State Theatre

Northrop Dance at the University of Minnesota ventures to downtown Minneapolis to present Aspen Santa Fe Ballet this Tuesday, March 7. [DETAILS].

Celebrating its 15th anniversary season, the contemporary ballet troupe has taken the country by storm with their adventurous sampling of choreographers, range of dance styles, and an impressively extensive repertoire, acquiring and commissioning works from the top choreographers of the world. The company that takes “hold of your heart” (The Washington Post) performs an exhilarating program of contemporary dance exemplifying its commitment to commissioning groundbreaking work by both world renowned and emerging choreographers. Found at YouTube from TheCAMIChannel.

University Of Minnesota Scientists Create Breathing Lungs

Futurity reports: As a follow-up to the beating heart, researchers at the University of Minnesota have used a similar technique to create breathing lungs in the lab.

The process called whole organ decellularization is used to remove cells from the lungs of dead adult mice and implant healthy stem cells derived from unborn mice into the decellularized matrix, the natural framework of the lungs.

After about seven days in an incubator, the infused cells attached themselves to the matrix while breathing with the aid of a tiny, make-shift ventilator. The work is reported in the journal Tissue Engineering.

Pretty amazing. Here are the scientists talking about it. Found at YouTube from UofMAHC.

The Physics Of Football

Love it! University of Minnesota physics professor Dan Dahlberg breaks down a tackle from the Minnesota Cal game from earlier this football season when Gopher receiver Eric Decker gets slammed in the end zone by Cal’s Sean Cattouse during a touchdown catch. Dahlberg breaks down the catch and tackle and explains how much force Decker withstood when he took the hit. Found at YouTube from UniversityofMinn.

The Favre Effect

University of Minnesota sports management professor Stephen Ross examines the impact of Brett Favre potentially gearing up in a purple jersey and playing for the Minnesota Vikings. Ross explains who will have the most positive outcome if Favre was to join the Vikes and what the opinion of the fans might be.