Benefit of a mentor: Disadvantaged teens twice as likely to attend college

Two findings from a new national study reveal the power of mentors, particularly those in the teaching profession:

BYU professor helps start the wild rumpus

Viz arts faculty storyboards for "Where the Wild Things Are"

BYU Visual arts professor Ryan Woodward helps start the wild rumpus as a storyboard artist for the film adaptation of Maurice Sendeks' popular book, Where The Wild Things Are.

Cleanliness IS next to godliness: new research shows clean smells unconsciously promote moral behavior

People are unconsciously fairer and more generous when they are in clean-smelling environments, according to a soon-to-be published study led by a Brigham Young University professor.

• Time magazine
• The Daily Telegraph (UK)
• LiveScience
• Salt Lake Tribune
• Deseret News
• Chicago Sun-Times
• Toronto Star
• Vancouver Sun

Crushed bones reveal literal dino stomping ground

Imagine the gruesome sound of bones snapping as a thirsty, 30-ton dinosaur tramples a heap of fresh carcasses on his way to a rapidly shrinking lake.

• The New York Times (via Associated Press)
• Listen on KUER
• Los Angeles Times
• Everything Dinosaur blog

What makes strawberries healthy? When will you die? ORCA grants help students find out

BYU undergrads put their $1,500 research grants to good use. One nutrition major studied compounds that make strawberries good for you. Another used his ancestor's ages to predict his own age at death. The deadline for this year's applications is Oct. 30.

Words that make sense: Visual arts film a sensory display of typography

Short piece serves as opening titles to Typophile Film Festival

Visual arts professor Brent Barson and 11 of his graphic design students display the power of typography in this short film that serves as the opening titles of a international film festival.

Sugar + weed killer = potential clean energy source

Researchers at Brigham Young University have developed a fuel cell – basically a battery with a gas tank – that harvests electricity from glucose and other sugars known as carbohydrates.

• Provo Daily Herald
• Deseret News
• Voice of America
• Digital Journal
• Edmunds' Green Car Advisor

BYU film professor lands Emmy nomination

Award ceremony set for Monday in New York City

BYU film professor Brad Barber headed off to New York City this week to find out if he and his colleagues will land an Emmy. Barber and colleagues were nominated for their editing work on "Resolved," and HBO documentary about high school debate students.

• Read more in the Deseret News
• Read more in the Daily Herald

How to spell B-Y-U with DNA

Researchers from Brigham Young University found how to shape customized segments of DNA into tiny letters that spell “BYU.” This new method of DNA origami will appear in the aptly titled journal Nano Letters.

• LiveScience
• Salt Lake Tribune

Analyzing “The Office”: BYU study merges Scranton and Shakespeare

Just in time for the season premiere of NBC’s Emmy award-winning “The Office,” a BYU humanities professor has published research showing how your favorite character from the show is likely based on a centuries-old formula for comedic greatness.