March 2011 – Page 2 – The Oredigger

This Week in Colorado History: Education for students and teachers

The Colorado School of Mines announced this week in 1912 that it would be offering summer courses to benefit both current and prospective students. According to “The Colorado Transcript” of March 21, 1912, the courses offered would be, “Preparatory mathematics, algebra, trigonometry, analytic geometry, calculus, mechanics of engineering, general chemistry, qualitative analysis, assaying, descriptive geometry, [and] machine design.” The Transcript supported the plan and predicted others would as well. Academics were not CSM’s only concern in the spring of 1912, as the athletic programs received attention as well. “The Colorado Transcript” was especially optimistic about the baseball and track teams as one man, William E. Johnston, was “looking forward to the most successful season in spring athletics that the school has ever known.”

Tech Break: Merger Mania

Welcome back from Spring Break, everyone! AT&T is buying T-Mobile… and CenturyLink is buying Qwest. The latter story has been out for awhile, though only recently has the federal government approved the wireline telephone giant merger. The former is hot off the presses and is by far the more worrisome of the two stories.

The stars shine brightly above Mines: The rise and fall of American space travel

From the first unmanned capsules to the fantastic array of satellites and telescopes that are launched every year, there have been stunning stories of the moments that will capture the human mind forever. Yet from the perspective of those living during the height of the space race, it would be surprising to see that humans have not been to the Moon since 1972 or even made concentrated efforts to go anywhere beyond our pale blue dot.

The Adjustment Bureau a great Friday night flick

“The Adjustment Bureau.” Even the name screams mysterious government agency. This action thriller follows the life of David Norris (Matt Damon), a man who rose from an impoverished life in the Bronx to become a New York State senator, while being manipulated by the invisible hand of the Adjustment Bureau.

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Geek of the Week: Peter Jaron, Freshman, Mechanical

This week’s edition of Geek of the Week joins the Oredigger from the freshman class. A mechanical engineer and resident of Weaver Towers, Peter Jaron sat down Thursday to share a snippet of his life with the Mines community.

Black to White with Bristow and Hejducek

The fifth installment of the Pokemon franchise has caught the attention of the gaming community. A game that was once intended for younger children is being enjoying by the nostalgic crowd and game reviewers alike. It is being referred to as the Pokemon Final Fantasy, and for this installment Pokemon brings changes such as seasons, a developed plot, and a makeover for the battle system.

The name says it all at Tequila’s

With a selection of Tequila that boggles the mind, this purveyor of Mexican cuisine leaves nothing to be desired. This fine establishment boasts the largest selection of Tequila in town. With over 100 different varieties and brands to choose from, customers would be at a loss to pick one without the assistance of the very knowledgeable staff. With prices per-shot ranging from $4 to $100, there’s sure to be something for everyone.

Chemistry Corner: How to make soap

Soap makes a unique and personal gift, especially when it is homemade. You can also sell your soap at a farmer’s market or just use it yourself and it is a great way to get rid of old grease and fat that would otherwise find it’s way to sewers or landfills.

Scientific discoveries this week: 3-21-11

Evanston, Illinois, US – New cancer treatments in the form of diamond-coated chemotherapy drugs look promising. One of the primary difficulties with battling cancer has been getting the drugs to stay in the tumor long enough to kill it. Tumors, over time, develop “pumps” that evacuate the drug before it has a chance to work. Researchers have been working on a method of binding chemotherapy drugs to diamond nanoparticles, in an attempt to get the drugs “stuck” in the tumor. The particles are too large to be pumped out. With a longer drug residence time, tumors are reduced in size much more effectively.

Shallow water CSEM makes strides

Controlled Source Electromagnetic (CSEM) surveying is becoming possible in shallow water as well as deep, reported exploration advisor Frieder Roth at the March 10 Heiland lecture. He then explained the technical challenges of shallow water CSEM surveying and offered a few possible solutions.

Monthly Archives: March 2011