Web Feature Story Archive

2007 Web Feature Archive

Books that Changed America: Scholars explore seven seminal works that shaped our nation's history
La Llorona's Revenge: The wailing ghost of the Southwest haunts canvasses, celluloid and cyberspace
Translating the Arab World: Language, religion and culture are keys to understanding diverse region, scholars say
Listen in on History: Untold stories of African American experience in Austin preserved in oral history project
Deep Roots? New DNA tests may reveal your ancestry, but researchers urge caution when interpreting results
Living Newspapers: High schoolers bring current events to life in curriculum adapting 1930s theater project to the classroom
Language of Love From diaries to online chats, writing about your romantic relationship may help it last, researchers find

Día de los Muertos: Unearthing Mexico’s national holiday reveals celebrations that keep the dead among the living
Banking on Love?: Psychologist uses mating budgets to take the mystery out of finding the perfect partner
Citizen Jane: Constitution helps define women’s civic membership and creates social roles, professor argues
Making the Grade: Feeling stigmatized can hurt adolescents' chances for long-term academic success, professor says
The Gospel Truth?: Scholar says Gospel of Judas and other ancient texts must be read within historical context of early Christianity
Mixed Messages: Billboards, other communications encountered in neighborhoods linked to racial inequalities in health
The Divorce Dilemma: Sociologist finds that even amicable divorces are likely to have negative effects on children
A Fetching Personality: Psychologist’s work may help dog lovers find their perfect match
Getting in the Global Groove: Professor examines how music genre unified a youth subculture
On the Edge: Professor identifies how suicide bombers work on periphery of terrorist networks
Marching on Memphis: Professor looks at how decades of discrimination fueled pivotal fight for civil rights
Emotion Control: Suppressing feelings during upsetting events may impair your memory, researcher says

The Serious Business of Toys: Sociologist examines racial, gender and class inequities in retail toy sales
You Are What You Eat: Dr. Elizabeth Engelhardt studies how your food choices can carry stories of race, class and culture
A New Look at Old Hickory: Andrew Jackson biography reveals how first populist president changed the way the nation elects its leaders
No Boys Allowed: Friendships among high school girls can promote academic success, researchers find
Spirituality and Society: Professors examine religion’s role in identity, culture and conflict
Stressed for Time?: People with more money have more options, but are left with little time, economist says
Seeing the Forest and the Trees: Researchers help indigenous communities in Ecuador manage their land and protect region’s critical resources
More Than a March of Dimes: New fund-raising tactics, intense research rivalry spurred polio cure, historian says
The Murderer Next Door: Psychologist explores the circumstances and motives that push people to kill
Can You Dig It?: Archeologist works to overturn long-held theory of when people first came to the Americas
Black Business is Her Business: With an eye on the future, researcher traces African American entrepreneurship back before the Civil War
Writing to Heal: Research shows writing about emotional experiences can have tangible health benefits

Generations to Come: Researcher examines options for Latino elders as economic realities challenge family traditions
Witch Trials: Tragic events once led people to accuse neighbors of witchcraft
The Politics of Indecision: Undecided voters face challenges as Nov. 2 election approaches, professor says
Beauty and the Business: Professor explores political, social legacy of African American women beauticians, salon owners
Safety First: From medicine to air travel, leading researchers find ways to manage human error
Will Foreign Policy Win the Vote?: University experts examine role of international affairs in elections past and present
An Anime Explosion: Challenging themes, complex characters make Japanese animation a global phenomenon
Revealing Fashion: Throughout history, fashion has conveyed the politics and culture of an era
Put a Poem in Your Pocket: National Poetry Month reminds us why poetry is "the soul of the human race"
You Can Get There From Here: Researcher helps people navigate more efficiently through their environments
Come to Chersonesos: Institute helps preserve 2,500-year-old city in Ukraine for future generations
Testosterone Dreams: Professor studies complex intersection of sports, doping and public opinion
Imagining the Inferno: Professor sparks students’ interest with award-winning Danteworlds Web site

The Science of Religion: Researchers study how religious beliefs influence people’s lives
An Encyclopedia as Big as Texas: From Amarillo to Zavalla, Texas Historical Association has the Lone Star State covered
Vampires Never Die: No one's been able to drive a stake through the heart of vampire legend, professor says
Writing Austin's Lives: More than 800 residents tell their stories in Humanities Institute community project
Utterly Blirtatious!: Your verbal reactions can affect personal relationships and health
Teaching Texas: Classes explore unexpected details of life, land and legend in the Lone Star State
What's in a Name?: Professor takes on roles of Romani activist and spokesperson to improve plight of his ethnic group
Under the Big Top: History of circus is a mirror of American society
Studying a Hip Hop Nation: Pop culture phenomenon at the intersection of race, media and youth
Tackling the Texas Teacher Shortage: UTeach turns liberal arts and natural sciences students into educators
A Working Ranch for Wordsmiths: Paisano Ranch a rustic retreat for Texas writers
An Exercise in Democracy: Deliberative Polling shows value of informed citizens

Tolkien and the Tongues of Middle Earth: Hobbits, elves and orcs teach lessons in linguistics
Fear Factor: Psychologists help people conquer anxieties and phobias
Clues to an Ancient Civilization: Archaeologists and students unearth history of the Maya in Belize
Behind the Veil: Professor reveals its political, religious and cultural significance
Shakespeare Plays Texas: Works of the Bard create dialogue between London and Austin
Born to Be a Bully?: Study shows social stress can change your mind
13,000 Years at Your Fingertips: Virtual museum showcases the rich cultural heritage of Texas
Saving a Dying Language: Graduate students help preserve endangered language in the Amazon Basin of Peru
Window to the World: Outreach program brings diverse people and cultures closer to home
Getting on the Same Page: Humanities Institute and City of Austin help build community through shared reading experience
Time Travelers: Professor transports students through gateway to another time and place
The Personality of Personal Spaces: Your office or bedroom can reveal more about you than you may think