Missouri State Journal

Below the surface and in the clear water, mussels abound. In Missouri alone, there are at least 60 species of mussels that are actively keeping our waterways clean.

Dr. Chris Barnhart, distinguished professor of biology at Missouri State University, is an international expert on freshwater mussels. He knows their ecological value as filter feeders and helps to replenish populations where they have been depleted.

When you think “gothic,” you think about dark, foreboding, mysterious. In literature, it is all of those things. Dr. Heidi Backes says it is often constructed to tell a tale about the underlying sociopolitical environment or economy.

Backes, assistant professor in the modern and classical languages department at Missouri State University, shares about what you can see between the lines of these gothic tales.

In the state of Missouri, approximately 4.5% of students in schools are classified as English learners. Although this is half of the national average, it's a growing population. It presents unique challenges for teachers and others in the education system.

If you enjoy meeting people from other countries and learning about different cultures, consider being a host for the International Friends program at Missouri State University.

The program helps international students at Missouri State to develop quality friendships with American families in the area.

In star-studded Hollywood, Bobby Lewis hustled but had success. After being there about three years, tragedy hit his family. His mom, dad and younger sister were killed in a car accident.

Bobby Lewis, assistant professor in the department of media, journalism and film at Missouri State University, shares how this experience brought about magnificent change.

One hundred percent of living humans are aging every day. That shouldn't surprise any of us. But did you know that 10,000 Americans turn 65 every day? By 2030, 20% of the U.S. population will be older adults, which will meet or outnumber children.

Dr. Lisa Hall, coordinator of the Gerontology program within the psychology department at Missouri State University, is here to tell us how that demographic shift is changing the world we live in.

After a one-year hiatus, the Missouri Fine Arts Academy (MFAA) made its return to Missouri State University this summer.  

The residential program for Missouri high school student artists took place June 2-15. Eighty-nine students from across the state participated. 

This past January, the first batch of eight Bear POWER students began their education at Missouri State University.

Bear POWER is a two-year, five-semester inclusive college program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Kim Roam, MSU faculty advisor for Bear POWER ambassadors, Natalie Olson, MSU Bear POWER ambassador and Susie Dains, MSU Bear POWER student, talk about the program and how it’s going so far.

June is Great Outdoors Month in America. It reminds us to connect with nature and explore fun outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping and paddling. 

Nowadays, many people practice intermittent fasting, also known as IF, to lose weight and get fit.

What exactly is IF? How do you do IF? How does this diet plan help with weight loss? 

Natalie Allen, registered dietitian and clinical instructor of biomedical sciences at Missouri State University, and Leah Brooke, a Missouri State dietetic intern, answer these questions and more.

It's not what you say, it's how you say it. It's cliché, but true. For people with mental health disorders, how they say something may be quite different than someone not living with a mental illness.

Dr. Isabelle Bauman, interim department head for communication at Missouri State University, has been studying how mental health influences communication styles, and is writing a book on this work. She gives an example of communication differences. 

A carefree summer fling causes romantic clashes, bodies pile up in an Agatha Christie classic and an imposter leads the FBI on a merry chase.

That’s what Tent Theatre at Missouri State University has in store for audiences this summer during its 57th season.

Mark Templeton, managing director, tells about the lineup.

Hundreds of volcanoes exist in the United States. Most are considered dormant and haven't erupted for more than 10,000 years. That doesn't mean that they can't or won't.

Dr. Gary Michelfelder, assistant professor in the department of geography, geology and planning at Missouri State University, says that though you may not know it, volcanoes affect our lives every day. 

When you sit down to watch your favorite show do you watch just one episode? Or is your DVR full of stockpiled episodes ready for a marathon? Maybe you stream episode after episode, immersing yourself in a show. Binge watching is what we're discussing today on the Missouri State Journal.

The keto diet has become one of the most popular diets today. However, this diet is not without controversy.

Researchers are studying whether this diet, which promotes eating high-fat foods, could cause harmful effects in the long run.

Natalie Allen, registered dietitian and clinical instructor of biomedical sciences at Missouri State University, and Leah Brooke, a Missouri State dietetic intern, explain more about the keto diet.