ANSC News & Events
Bloodless Worm Sheds Light on Human Blood, Iron Deficiency
"U.S. scientists studying a bloodless worm say they've moved closer to understanding how iron in human blood is absorbed and transported into the body. The University of Maryland researchers studying E. elegans, a common microscopic worm that lives in dirt, said their findings could lead to developing new ways to reduce iron deficiency, the world's most common nutritional disorder. Assistant Professor Iqbal Hamza (animal and avian sciences, Agriculture & Natural Resources) and his team identified previously unknown proteins that are key to transporting heme, the molecule that creates hemoglobin in blood and carries iron. 'The structure of hemoglobin has been crystallized over and over,' said Hamza, 'but no one knows how the heme gets into the globin, or how humans absorb iron, which is mostly in the form of heme." United Press International, April 16 
Estrogenic Chemicals Change Birds' Tunes
"Both natural and synthetic chemicals that mimic estrogen can change how
male birds sing by enlarging sections of their brains responsible for creating
songs. Researchers have taken these findings to the field for the first time,
showing that the more complex songs these birds sing attract more females.
But the males' immune systems and their overall reproductive success may be
compromised by exposure to the contaminants. ... Many studies have been
published on the mechanisms of hormone effects on birds, comments Mary Ann
Ottinger (animal and avian sciences, AGNR) of the University of Maryland,
but this study takes the next step toward a better understanding of how
contaminated prey might affect birds' behavior in the wild."
Environmental Science & Technology, March 19 
Top 10 Animal Sciences Departments in the nation.
Our department was ranked among the Top 10 Animal Sciences departments in the nation in the 2007 rankings published in The Chronicle of Higher Education. This is great news to us and something that we all should take pride in. This particular ranking system is based on faculty research productivity and considers publications, citations, grants, and awards in its ranking of the departments in the nation. Some might take exception to this ranking system, since it does not include metrics on other very important aspects of our mission. Teaching and outreach accomplishments are notable areas missing from this system. However, placement of our department in the Top 10 is a great reflection on our research program. We have invested much in our research program in recent years, and this effort has paid off in this national recognition. 