News

November 2022 Maintenance
On Wednesday, November 2, 2022, MSI staff will perform scheduled maintenance and upgrades to various MSI systems. During this month's scheduled maintenance period, primary storage may be unavailable or in a read-only state throughout much of the day. Mesabi and Mangi front-end nodes will be unavailable some portion of the day. A global system reservation will start at 5:00 a.m. on November 2. Jobs that cannot be completed before 5:00 a.m. on November 2 will be held until after maintenance and then started once the system returns to production status.
Creating Soft Robots That Can Grow
In a recent paper appearing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA, MSI PIs Chris Ellison (professor, Chemical Engineering and Materials Sciences) and Timothy Kowalewski (associate professor, Mechanical Engineering) and their colleagues describe a new extrusion process that will allow soft robots to “grow” as they move.
Midwest Research Computing with Data Consortium
MSI is part of a new regional consortium for research computing and data infrastructure professionals in the Midwest. The Midwest Research Computing with Data Consortium (MW-RCD) will be led by Indiana University, who has received a $1 million grant from NSF. Information about the consortium can be found in a news release from Indiana University: IU leads new Midwest Research Computing with Data Consortium.
Nitrous Oxide Emissions From Soil
Nitrous oxide is a potent greenhouse gas. In a new study published in the journal Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, researchers at the University of Minnesota and an international group of universities and laboratories have investigated nitrous oxide emissions from the soil during non-growing seasons. They found that soil freezing and thawing create these emissions, which are greater during non-growing seasons than growing seasons. They have developed a model that accurately estimates the emissions down to the county scale in the U.S. Corn Belt.
Studying Octopus Hunting Behavior
Octopuses are excellent hunters, using their eight arms to capture prey. A recent study by MSI PI Trevor Wardill (assistant professor, Ecology, Evolution and Behavior) investigated this hunting procedure in order to find out if they prefer to use certain arms, instead of using all their arms equally. The study revealed a definite preference for certain arms, as well as different techniques based on what prey they are hunting.
Studying the Lake Superior Basin
An interdisciplinary collaboration between University of Minnesota researchers and other universities has recently been awarded a $2.8 million grant from the National Science Foundation to study the formation and evolution of the Lake Superior basin. The project is being led by MSI PI Andrew Wickert (associate professor, Earth and Environmental Sciences; St. Anthony Falls Laboratory).
MSI PI Steve Ruggles Named 2022 MacArthur Fellow
MSI PI Steven Ruggles (Regents Professor; Director, Institute for Social Research and Data Innovation (ISRDI)) has been named a 2022 MacArthur Fellow. The MacArthur Fellowship, commonly called a “Genius Grant,” is a highly prestigious award given to people who show great originality and dedication to their work.
Apples From the U of M
The University of Minnesota has a long-standing breeding program for apples that can be grown in Minnesota’s cold climate. The U’s first highly successful apple, Haralson, turns 100 years old this year. A new variety, Triumph, will be released to nurseries next year.
Warming Climate May be Disastrous for Fish in Minnesota
Using data about fish kills in Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes, plus water and lake-water temperatures, MSI PI Nick Phelps (associate professor, Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology; director, Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center) and colleagues have determined that, if temperatures continue to rise, so will the incidence of fish kills in northern lakes.
October 2022 Maintenance
On Wednesday, October 5, 2022, MSI staff will perform scheduled maintenance and upgrades to various MSI systems. During this month's scheduled maintenance period, primary storage may be unavailable or in a read-only state throughout much of the day. Mesabi and Mangi front-end nodes will be unavailable some portion of the day. A global system reservation will start at 5:00 a.m. on October 5. Jobs that cannot be completed before 5:00 a.m. on October 5 will be held until after maintenance and then started once the system returns to production status.

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