Statistical software helps police ID crime series, speed apprehension of perpetrators
Scientific Computing – Aug. 12
A statistical model — now an easy-to-use software tool that local police can use to identify a series of related crimes and nab a suspect — was unveiled by Michael D. Porter during a presentation at the 2015 Joint Statistical Meetings (JSM 2015) in Seattle. Porter presented a talk titled “A Statistical Approach to Crime Linkage” during a session focused on improving analysis of defense systems using statistical methods. He collaborated on the project with Brian J. Reich, associate professor of statistics at North Carolina State University. . . . “Establishing that a set of crimes is attributable to a common offender or set of offenders is a critical first step to bringing an end to the crime spree and apprehending the criminal or criminals,” said Porter, assistant professor of statistics at the University of Alabama, during his presentation.
Is there life on Mars?
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Aug. 11
Is there life on Mars? A University of Alabama Astronomer is pretty skeptical. Images from the Mars Rover have some people believing a woman can be seen on the Red planet. UA Astronomer Jimmy Irwin says wait a minute — there is a more likely explanation for the image.
Perseid Meteor Shower
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Aug. 11
“This year the Perseid Meteor shower occurs when the moon is not out.” That means less light in the night sky and a chance to see the shooting starts. The peak – or busiest night – will be the early morning hours Thursday. UA Astronomy professor Dr. Jimmy Irwin says you can thank a comet for the show.
Mississippi ban on adoptions by same-sex couples is challenged
New York Times – Aug. 12
When Mississippi adopted a one-sentence law forbidding adoptions by same-sex couples in 2000, it was not so surprising: For decades, gays and lesbians in several states had run into roadblocks when they sought to adopt or foster children. So it was a potent marker of how fast laws and attitudes on gay rights issues have changed on Wednesday when civil rights lawyers filed suit in federal court challenging the law. Mississippi’s ban is now the only one of its kind in the nation. And legal experts said that in the wake of the United States Supreme Court’s decision upholding same-sex marriage it was highly unlikely the state’s ban could hold up in court. … “In the federal courts, I’m pretty confident Obergefell will be construed broadly,” said Ronald Krotoszynski, a constitutional law professor at the University of Alabama, referring to the Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriages. “ I think it would be hard to draw a principled distinction between marriage and adoption, so it shouldn’t be a hard case.”
UA’s UMC Northport celebrates grand opening 2015
Customs Today – Aug. 12
The University Medical Center’s (UMC) new Northport location, which is operated by The University of Alabama (UA), will hold its grand opening Aug. 26.A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at University Medical Center Northport, located in the Fitness One building, 1325 McFarland Blvd. Suite 102. It will be followed by an open house for the community. The ribbon cutting ceremony is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama.The open house, which will include patient information sessions on health related issues, will allow members of the community to familiarize themselves with the services offered at UMC Northport. Both University Medical Center and UMC Northport are operated by UA’s College of Community Health Sciences.
Montgomery natives serve as congressional interns for Roby
Noodls – Aug. 11
Four students from Montgomery – Caroline Ward, Mary Augusta Slawson, Lillian Roth and Sawyer Knowles – served as congressional interns in the Washington and Alabama offices of U.S. Representative Martha Roby (R-AL) this summer. … Roth, the daughter of Toby and Michelle Roth, is a graduate of The Montgomery Academy and a student at the University of Alabama. She will begin her sophomore year this fall at UA, where she studies public relations and political science. “My internship in Representative Martha Roby’s office this summer allowed me to further develop my own political interests, as well as learn the significance of truly working as a public servant,” Roth said. “I was inspired by the hard work and time the entire staff puts in to serving the people of Alabama’s Second District. My involvement in the political process this summer has certainly affirmed my desire to one day work in politics or governmental affairs.” Knowles, the son of Cowin and Holley Knowles, is a graduate of The Montgomery Academy and a rising senior at the University of Alabama. Knowles will graduate in May 2016 with a degree in political science. “Working for Representative Roby has been a rewarding and educational experience,” Knowles said. “From answering constituent calls to giving tours of the Capitol, my time in D.C. has helped me better understand the problems facing our country and what must be done to help ensure success in the future. Representative Roby has an incredible team working for her and I am thankful for the opportunity to have worked with them.”