Whole Lot of Shaking Going On

Socorro's Quake Swarm
Written by John Fleck

Socorro has been jiggling for more than 10 days with a swarm of earthquakes, seismologists said Monday, Aug. 31.

"People are feeling them and hearing them," said Rick Aster, a professor at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro who is helping track the earthquake swarm.

Tech's instruments have detected about 80 quakes since the first was felt Aug. 19.

No damage has been reported, said Sue Bilek, a New Mexico Tech seismologist who has been monitoring the quakes. All of the quakes had magnitudes less than 3, according to Bilek.

The quakes have been centered in an area several miles north and east of Socorro.

Socorro sits atop a large body of molten magma more than 10 miles below Earth's surface. As a result, the region sees almost half of New Mexico's significant earthquakes.

While quake swarms in the area are common, this is the largest in the past decade, according to Aster.

Dark Matter Coffee

Not only is it good... it's good for you.

Scientific evidence indicates that drinking coffee from the Dark Matter Cafe at Skeen Library does wonders for your body and mind.


Pass the Java: The Healthy Side of Coffee

Coffee's full of healthful components like magnesium, potassium and vitamin B3. And coffee is the American's number one source of antioxidants, says one 2005 study from the University of Scranton. Another study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that one cup of coffee can have more antioxidants than a serving of blueberries or oranges. Antioxidants play a key role in reducing the inflammation which is associated with many health problems ranging from heart disease to rheumatoid arthritis.

Dr. Joe Vinson, a chemistry professor who led the Scranton study, says, "Antioxidants are your army to protect you from the toxic free radicals, which come from breathing oxygen and eating sugar, that start chronic diseases. Antioxidants help stave off cancer, heart disease, diabetes and stroke."

So, be sure and drop by the Dark Matter Cafe and pick up a steaming cup of health next time your at Skeen Library. Help your body defeat those dangerous free radicals.

After fueling up on some of Skeen's delicious java, you might consider busting out a move in our ongoing public chess match located at the center table of the cafe.


Simply make your move and then flip the card to indicate which side goes next.

Remember, everything goes better with a hot cup of coffee from the Dark Matter Cafe.

Caffeine is my shepherd; I shall not doze.
It maketh me to wake in green pastures:
It leadeth me beyond the sleeping masses.
It restoreth my buzz:
It leadeth me in the paths of consciousness for its name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of addiction,
I will fear no Equal:
For thou art with me; thy cream and thy sugar they comfort me.
Thou preparest a carafe before me in the presence of The Dark Matter Cafe:
Thou anointest my day with pep; my mug runneth over.
Surely richness and taste shall follow me all the days of my life:
And I will dwell in the House of Mochas forever.

~Author Unknown
True words of wisdom.

Swine Flu Concerns Continue

The H1N1 Influenza Virus


With the recent outbreak of Swine Flu, here's some preventative measures you can take to help yourself stay healthy and reduce the spread of this and all flues.

1. Wash your hands frequently. Use sanitizer.
2. Drink lots of fluids, especially water and electrolytes (like Gatorade).
3. Stay away from sick people.
4. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
6. Avoid unnecessary contact, like hand-shaking or other social touching.

TREATMENT MEASURES

1. If you experience flu-like symptoms, assume that you may have contracted the illness.
2. STAY HOME. Do not come to campus if you are sick.
3. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. Antiviral drugs are available and they are effective.
4. STAY HYDRATED. Extreme cases (like those reported in Mexico) were a result of dehydration, which led to pneumonia and further complications.

Here at Skeen Library foam hand sanitizers have been placed on all three floors next to the water fountains to help facilitate easy and convenient hand washing.

The best preventative measure is to wash your hands often.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND UPDATES:

New Mexico Tech Home Page

Pandemic Flu .gov

Math + Chewing Gum = Better Grades?

You might want to think about picking up some gum before heading off to math class next time.

Chewing gum helps raise students' math scores
By Shari Roan
Los Angeles Times

Studies have suggested that something about chewing gum reduces stress, improves alertness and relieves anxiety. But most of this research has been found in a laboratory setting. Now, the first study in people also supports the idea that chewing gum boosts academic performance.

The study was conducted by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and was sponsored by the Wrigley Science Institute. The study included 108 students, ages 13 to 16, who were assigned either to chew sugar-free gum during math class, while doing math homework and during math tests, or to refrain from gum-chewing. After 14 weeks, the students took a math test and their grades were assessed.

Those who chewed gum had a 3% increase in standardized math test scores and had final math grades that were significantly better than the other students. Teachers observed that those who chewed gum seemed to require fewer breaks, sustain attention longer and remain quieter.

Hey, maybe that 3% increase in performance will be just the 3% you need to get you through the upcoming finals.

Fun With Electrical Engineering...

and Sheepdogs.



Who knew what fun could be had?

Bravo !!!

New DVD

Skeen Library is happy to announce, by way of a patron donation, the addition to our DVD collection of 2008's Oscar movie of the year, Slumdog Millionaire.

In addition to winning "Movie of the Year" the film also won Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, and Best Original Song.

Some reviews of Slumdog Millionaire:

• Cinematic riches in 'Millionaire'
  By Ty Burr, Globe Staff
  
  
• Slumdog Millionaire
  by Roger Ebert
  
  
• Epic 'Slumdog Millionaire' is pricelessly original
  By Claudia Puig, USA TODAY

Personally, I've seen Slumdog and I highly reccomend it. It's many accolades are richly deserved.

Enjoy.

Click >>> here <<< to see the availability of Slumdog Millionaire for checkout from Skeen Library.

A Memorable Anniversary

...in the history of Skeen Library occurs this week.

April 22, 2007

The Day Pirates Attacked!!!



(Did you catch my Alfred Hitchcock moment in that clip?)
The infamous placing of the neon lime green toilet and pirate flag atop the Skeen Library clock tower remains "officially" unsolved... but stories, tales and legends abound.

Happy Pirates of the Neon Lime Green Toilet Day everyone!

Tech Scientists Hit The Jackpot

NMT Scientists are getting worldwide attention researching volcano-created lightning in Alaska
By John Larson
For The Mountain Mail

A team of three professors and two graduate students from New Mexico Tech, in collaboration with the National Science Foundation, have installed electronic equipment in the vicinity of the Redoubt Volcano near Kenai, and have been monitoring the eruptions since March 23.

Semi-retired physics professor Paul Krehbiel told the Mountain Mail the team, lead by electrical engineering professor Ronald Thomas, installed monitoring equipment at four separate locations – comprising the Lightning Mapping Array – on the eastern side of Cook Inlet. [...]

Thomas said the Tech research is unique in the scientific world.

“This leading-edge research. We’re the only ones doing it,” he said. “After doing lightning research for the last 16 years, we have the right knowledge and the right equipment.”

“This is really exciting for us,” Thomas said. “You plan and hope you can do something like this once in a lifetime. It’s hard to judge a volcano before it happens and get the sensors set up before it erupts.”

The project is being supported by the National Science Foundation, with cooperation from the University of Alaska’s Volcano Observatory, and the U.S. Geological Survey.

Meet Skeen Library's New Chief of Security

Please welcome our very own...



April fools, just kidding.

...or are we?



* Any library patron with security concerns, or wishing to be escorted to their cars after dark are encouraged to contact Campus Officer Clint Martinez, who's stationed at our main desk here at Skeen Library Sunday - Thrusday from 6-12pm and can be reached at ext. 5891.

Wii Game Night a Success

Skeen Library featured a second game night recently, this time the event was music themed and called... Wii Will Rock You.

Music games such as Donkey Konga, Samba de Amigo and Rock Band had students, staff and believe it or not faculty rockin out and eating pizza all evening long.

A good time was had by all.

Look for more game nights here at Skeen Library in the future.

Skeen DVD Inspires Local Artist

A DVD of blues guitarist Roy Buchanan, available at Skeen Library, inspired local artist Fernando Mercado's latest series of paintings.



Artist's work inspired by guitarist
T.S. Last EDC General Manager
El Defensor Chieftain

Mercado says he had heard of Roy Buchanan before, but wasn't really familiar with his music until recently when he picked up a video of a 1976 performance of Buchanan's on "Austin City Limits" at the New Mexico Tech library. He was awestruck by what he heard.

"The way he played that guitar was incredible to me," says Mercado, who doe not play an instrument. "He was doing all this different stuff, but he was able to keep it in check. I tried to get the idea of how I could translate that to an image."

Like Buchanan's music, Mercado's drawings are made up of simple elements that are put together in a way that they become expressive and unbounded.

Here's some of Fernando's paintings from his Roy Buchanan series.

This series by Fernando Mercado is curently on display at the Socorro Chamber of Commerece, located on the Socorro Plaza.

Recommended Link:

• Roy Buchanan Live at Carnegie Hall