Baby Boomers take note, especially if you carry a spare tire around your middle: eating three servings a day of whole grain foods could prolong your life. Nadine Sahyoun, of the nutrition and food science department, reports in January�s American Journal of Clinical Nutrition on her dietary study of older adults. The assistant professor and expert in nutrition for adults 60 and up says a diet rich in whole grain bread, brown rice, oats, and bran reduced her participants� risk of developing metabolic syndrome or dying of cardiovascular disease. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors--high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar levels, and abdominal obesity--found in almost half the U.S. population over 60. These factors boost the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage.

Other studies have noted the benefit of whole grains for the middle-aged, but Sahyoun�s is the first to focus on older people. Study results hold true regardless of an individual�s exercise habits or lack of, area of residence, or even other dietary habits. UM�s Newsdesk offers further information.

Imagine sitting at your computer at home or in your office and collaborating or conducting a meeting or class with people from all over the globe. And all you and your participants need is a PC, a broadband Internet connection, and downloadable software called Centra. Some features of this new technology: interactive whiteboards, yes/no feedback, hand-raising, text chat, voice and video over the Internet, advanced application sharing, breakout rooms, and online surveys and evaluations.

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) has long used videoconferencing for meetings and classes across Maryland, a necessity considering college outreach extends to every county. But through Centra, AGNR recently united learners in 8 remote locations, including New Zealand and countries in Europe and Asia. Participants engaged in live and recorded lectures as part of the Food Safety Risk Analysis E-learning Program. Last month, Dean Wei used Centra to present a �state of the college address� to 140 faculty and staff at 20 statewide locations. The college was able to save more than $10,000 in time and travel expenses.

Interested in more about Centra? Contact distance and e-learning specialist Brad Paleg of AGNR�s information and education technology department.

Wish you knew why your Scott�s pine died overnight? Want to learn the right way to start a compost heap? What about getting rid of those termites before the house collapses? The Home and Garden Information Center, which now sports a brand new website, can answer these and practically any other question concerning home and garden. Run by the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension and located in Ellicott City, the Home and Garden center, aka HGIC, offers a wide range of information: everything from nonchemical control strategies for plant pests and diseases to how to join the American Tarantula Society. HGIC�s been helping residents of Maryland and beyond for 16 years, providing unbiased, research-based information and advice. Call the hotline toll free in Maryland (800-342-2507) or email your question.

Buy a candy bar in the U.S. and the change from your dollar almost isn�t worth pocketing. But in Chinese villages where Ph.D. candidate Jia Li traveled last month, many still live each day on what to us is petty loose change. The Agricultural and Resource Economics student�s interest in rural development and environmental protection in developing countries prompted her trip to a mountainous region of Yunnan province in southwestern China. Li found the natural environment of the region and its rich resources and diverse cultures under threat by energy consumption for cooking, heating, and tourism.

Michael Godfrey may not be Superman, but like Clark Kent, the graphic designer enjoys a meaningful and rewarding second career. The 22-year veteran of the college�s marketing and media services is being honored in 2006 by the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts for his representational landscape paintings. The foundation, celebrating its 35th anniversary, has commissioned the award-winning artist to produce a painting depicting a scene at Wolf Trap National Park. The work will be auctioned at the foundation�s annual Art Uncorked wine tasting and art auction on March 11.

Godfrey, whose favorite medium is oil, exhibits nationwide and takes part in the National Museum of Wildlife Art�s annual exhibit. He�s represented by Broadway Galleries.

Welcome to 2006�s first issue of �News Bites.� I continue to be pleased with the progress the college is making promoting our excellent programs, marketing the college to prospective students, and improving morale inside the organization. Our adoption of the Centra webconferencing technology is particularly exciting because it so easily supports communication among the college�s three components� academics, Extension, and research through the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station. The technology that Centra represents is truly changing how our faculty and staff are teaching, learning, communicating, and collaborating. More and more we�re using Centra to deliver live and recorded lectures to off-campus students. Last month, during our professional development classes, 175 faculty and staff from around the state took part.