BOZEMAN – A study published this month by researchers at Montana State University shows black holes in a new light. Instead of acting as a destructive cosmic force, at least one black hole appears to be helping to form new stars.

Published in the Jan. 20 issue of the journal Nature, the study examines Henize 2–10, a dwarf galaxy 30 million light-years from Earth in the southern constellation Pyxis, whose core contains a massive black hole with a mass of approximately one million Suns. The relatively tiny galaxy contains less than a tenth the number of stars found in our own Milky Way galaxy.

With data from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, authors Zachary Schutte, a graduate student, andAmy Reines, an assistant professor, both in the Department of Physics in MSU’s College of Letters and Science and the eXtreme Gravity Institute at MSU, found that the black hole  in Henize 2–10 is expelling ionized gases in a long filament.

Outflowing material traveling at about 1 million miles per hour is striking an area of dense gases about 230  light-years away from the black hole, where many stars have been recently formed.

“From the beginning I knew something unusual and special was happening in Henize 2–10, and now Hubble has provided a very clear picture of the connection between the black hole and a neighboring star forming region,” Reines said in a NASA press release.

In many larger galaxies, central massive black holes produce jets of radiation moving near the speed of light. Any gas clouds caught in the path would be heated beyond their ability to form new stars. But the authors say that the outflow from the black hole in the dwarf galaxy Henize 2–10 is much slower and gentler, and observations indicate that it’s actively helping star formation instead of hindering it.

“At only 30 million light-years away, Henize 2–10 is close enough that Hubble was able to capture both images and spectroscopic evidence of a black hole outflow very clearly. The additional surprise was that, rather than suppressing star formation, the outflow was triggering the birth of new stars,” Schutte told NASA.

Reines has been searching the skies for black holes for a decade. As a graduate student at the University of Virginia, she found evidence that Henize 2–10 was home to a massive black hole, which at the time ran contrary to the general theories about dwarf galaxies.

Her findings were published in Nature in 2011, and her discoveries have energized the search for black holes in dwarf galaxies, as she and other scientists attempt to discover how these massive black holes form. Dwarf galaxies like Henize 2–10 can offer clues to massive black hole formation that larger galaxies cannot, since they haven’t undergone as much growth as giant galaxies like the Milky Way. They may offer a glimpse of what black holes were like in the early universe.

In addition to the Nature publication, Reines also published an article on Jan. 21 in the journal Nature Astronomy where she discusses the current state of studies into massive black holes in dwarf galaxies, as well as future prospects for the field.

The eXtreme Gravity Institute at MSU brings together physicists and astronomers to study phenomena where the forces of gravity are so strong, they blur the separation between space and time, such as the big bang, neutron stars and black holes.

For many, enjoying a glass of ice-cold beer is a great way to end a long day. It’s also a crowd favorite during gatherings and events. Anywhere in the world, beer is known to be one of the most popular alcoholic drinks. Many countries have their unique blend and taste that create a distinction for their local beer.

There are also many types of beer to choose from that feature varying levels of darkness and depth in flavor, though most of them fall under the ale or lager category. Aside from this, there are recipes from around the globe that showcase different ways to alter its flavor and serve it creatively. If you’re a beer lover and you want to try other ways to enjoy your favorite drink, here are a few suggestions:

1. Use A Beer Snorkel
If you want to spice things up at a party, you can try using a beer snorkel as a fun way to enjoy this classic drink. A beer snorkel could be an interesting drinking experience especially for first-timers since this equipment allows you to finish a whole bottle in a matter of seconds. This is made possible by the snorkel’s unique design that allows air to flow into the bottle and helps the liquid come out quicker. To liven up the party further, you can invite some of your guests to a beer-drinking game and see who can finish their drink first.

2. Turn Beer Into Slushie
A glass of beer can become even more refreshing when turned into a slushie. To make one, you’ll need to pour a bottle of beer on an ice tray and freeze it completely. Then, put the frozen beer into a blender and crush the cubes until you achieve the desired texture. You can also add citrus flavors such as lemon or orange juice and some sweetener for a pleasant balance of flavors.

3. Make Beer Gelatin Shots
Another fun way to enjoy your favorite beer is by making beer gelatin shots. This is ideal especially if you’re entertaining guests as each shot looks festive and indulgent. The colorful assembly is reminiscent of desserts, but the beer flavor will surely be a pleasant surprise for your guests. It’s also easy to prepare and only needs a few ingredients which makes it an ideal party treat.

To make them, you’ll need powdered gelatin and sugar to mix with the beer. When the gelatin sets, you can garnish it with whipped cream and lime wedges. Depending on what you have in your bar counter, you can also add a splash of tequila or vodka to the cream or the gelatin before it sets.

4. Pair Dark Beer With Ice Cream
Dark beer, such as stout and porter, have deep and bold flavors with a hint of sweetness that closely resembles coffee or chocolate. This is why many use dark beer types to pair with ice cream in creating a beer float. To make one, you only need to pour dark beer into a glass and top it with ice cream.

For the ice cream flavors, the most popularly used are vanilla, chocolate, or mocha. However, you’re free to use any flavor provided that it’s not too tart or citrusy. Also, you can add ice to your beer float as you like.

5. Make A Spicy Drink
If you’d like a refreshing drink perfect for summer, you can consider making a savory beer drink. A michelada is a popular Mexican cocktail that combines beer with hot and savory components. This drink makes an interesting treat especially for first-timers as it includes different types of hot sauces, spices, tomato sauce, lime, and salt. Other variations use soy sauce and other condiments commonly used for cooking. Reminiscent of the Bloody Mary cocktail, a michelada is also considered a recovery drink that could help ease discomfort from a hangover.

Conclusion
Beer is a popular drink because it’s easy to serve and pair with many snacks and dishes. Given this, there’s no harm in trying other ways to enjoy its flavors. This party favorite can be transformed in various ways and combined with many ingredients to give it an interesting twist. As such, you can consider enhancing its flavors using other liquor and food items that you haven’t tried before.

As with all other food combinations, however, it’s best to check whether the flavors will complement or clash with one another. For instance, beer isn’t commonly paired with wine, soda, and energy drinks because of the high acid content which creates an unpleasant flavor.

Due to a rise in COVID-19 cases, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks has postponed its upcoming winter tour of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (Revised).”

Ticket holders will receive a full refund from their point of purchase. New show dates will be announced at a later time. More information can be found at shakespeareintheparks.org/. For questions contact Kimberly Helms at 406-994-3944.

“It is absolutely with a heavy heart to have to announce the postponing of our winter tour performances,” said Kevin Asselin, executive artistic director of MSIP. “We never, ever want to disappoint our beloved audiences because sharing our passion for Shakespeare and enriching and engaging our communities is at the core of who we are and what we do.”

MSIP is an outreach program of the MSU College of Arts and Architecture.

Nothing beats the fun of regularly taking picnics with your kids, spouse, or loved ones. For starters, being out there on a sunny afternoon gives you all a good dose of fresh air and the sun’s vitamin D. It also lets you break from your everyday routine as you relax, ward off stress, bond, and have a good time with the people close to you.


Now, if you live in Bozeman or are visiting from nearby, you’re in luck because you will never run out of places to enjoy the outdoors on a picnic. However, your picnic will hardly be anywhere perfect without the following essential items.

Essentials You Shouldn’t Miss In a Bozeman Picnic

1. A Picnic Blanket

One of the first things you shouldn’t forget to bring to a Bozeman picnic is a blanket. This is especially if your picnicking location doesn’t have arranged picnic tables and benches. After all, much of the fun in picnicking is experienced when seated down on the green grass feeling the breeze and enjoying the sun. A sizable blanket also allows you to spread and safely place your refreshments and other belongings for the picnic. For the best results, consider the picnic blanket types that come with a waterproof lining in case the grass or ground is wet.

2. Sunscreen 

With an average of more than 300 days of sunshine per year, Bozeman is known to be Montana’s sunniest city. This is perhaps one of the reasons why it ranks top in the best places to live in the state of Montana. All the same, the last thing you want is to come home with sunburns after a nice picnic, so be sure to pack some sunscreen.

3. A Picnic Basket, Carrier, or Cooler 

This one is almost obvious, but sometimes it’s easy to forget for a first-timer in picnicking. Some people prefer backpacks or totes, but picnic baskets are especially great for romantic picnics. Depending on the kind of food and drinks you’ll be carrying, a cooler is sometimes considered more appropriate.

4. Corkscrew or Bottle Opener

If you’re planning to have some wine or pop some champagne during your picnic, you want to make sure you have a way to open the cork. This means bringing a corkscrew but for those who prefer having some beers or soda, a bottle opener will come in handy. Also, remember to pack a knife, some disposable plates, spoons, and so forth if you plan on having a home-cooked meal.

5. A Hot Flask 

If you’re going to picnic on a chilly day, you might need a warm drink instead of wine or cold beverages. A thermos flask lets you bring hot water so you can make instant coffee, chocolate, or tea. When it comes to making hot water, the Fellow Stagg Kettle collection at Ssense has a range of electric and stovetop kettle options you might be interested in. Most of these allow you to boil water in roughly a minute or less.

6. Bug Spray 

Like most other places around Montana, bugs are expected during a Bozeman picnic. These creepy bugs of Montana may range from spiders to biting and stinging insects. Carrying some bug spray or insect repellant can be a great way to protect yourself and your loved one/s.

7. Wipes or Paper Towels and Trash Bag 

Depending on the type of meal you’ll be taking on your picnic, some wet wipes or paper towels can come in handy. They help in wiping out messes after eating outdoors or even cleaning the picnic table, food containers, as well as your hands before the meal and afterward. A trash bag will also help ensure you don’t leave the environment littered. From Lindley Park to Kirk Park, Cooper Park, and Valley Unit Park, Bozeman is home to tens of local picnic-friendly parks. It also hosts a whole range of awesome outdoor places where you can have incredibly special picnic moments with your loved ones. To make the experience complete, now you know what to pack when heading to a picnic in Bozeman.  

Every year, people make resolutions that never really see the light of day. This time, things could be different, especially if you choose a specific area of your lifestyle that could use improvement and focus on doing something about it. People who accomplish their New Year's goals tend to focus on just one specific task instead of multiple, undefined aims.

This year, consider taking on a targeted, self-improvement goal like getting fit for better long-term health, earning a college degree in a field in a subject that interests you, reducing stress levels through meditation, or moving to a place that's always been on your mental radar. Fortunately, there are many exciting choices. Here are the top selections that seem to deliver the best results for people who want to make their everyday lives more enjoyable and rewarding.

Get Fit

Health clubs enjoy a surge of applicants every January. Unfortunately, the enthusiasm tends to die down as a large number of participants lose their commitment with each passing month. Instead of relying on a club, consider working out at home on a regular schedule that fits your work and life routine. Always consult your doctor before beginning a new exercise program, and remember to start slowly. Success is closely connected with consistency, so don't feel you need to work out every day. Most working adults discover that three or four days per week does the trick.

Earn a College Degree

Getting a college diploma is at the top of many lists of resolutions. People know the practical value of a degree for advancing a career. Likewise, having a framed certificate on your office wall is a status symbol in many fields where only college graduates get promoted to higher levels of an organization. Financing an education can be challenging, but millions of prospective students find scholarship money that pays for some or all of their expenses. Consider using a search and application platform to identify relevant scholarships for your field of study quickly. The platforms are free to use and give you a chance to get money to support your educational goals going forward.

Learn Meditation

Meditation is not about religion or faith-based pursuits unless you want it to be. Instead, many people use simple mediation and relaxation techniques to reduce everyday stress. Many excellent online tutorials teach the essentials of meditation, and most are free. Try to find instructional resources designed for beginners and that focus on non-religious forms of meditation. You could even add meditation to an entire self-care daily routine. Perhaps meditation, followed by an herbal tea and a hot shower, for example.

Move

In some cases, the geographic cure can work wonders. The human brain can approach burn out faster when there is no change of scenery. Just be sure to do an honest self-assessment, so you know you're not simply running away from a personal problem. Instead, view moving as a way to make new friends, start a new career, take advantage of a thriving real estate market, and explore a city or region. A tip is to always find worthwhile work in the target location before quitting your current job or putting your home on the market. If moving is your resolution, start preparing with job searches, hunting for a new home, and making connections that will make the transition easier.

BOZEMAN — Automobile and motorcycle paintings and the cross-section of engineering and the human body will be the themes for the newest exhibits at the Museum of the Rockies. “LUSTER: Realism and Hyperrealism in Contemporary Automobile and Motorcycle Painting” and "Human Plus: Real Lives + Real Engineering" will both open on Saturday, Jan. 22.

“LUSTER” is a traveling exhibit of more than 45 paintings by more than 10 current realist and hyperrealist artists who use automobiles and motorcycles as their primary subjects. The exhibit intends to capture the vehicles’ status as icons of American art as well as symbols of the 20th and 21st centuries and encompasses a broad range of cars and motorcycles, from pre-1940 to more recent classic vehicles.

During the post-World War II boom years, cheap gas and the advent of the interstate highway system in 1956 propelled automotive design and sales. In the 1950s, the industry reached new heights, offering consumers increased horsepower and more artful, integrated design, exemplified by features such as tail fins. “LUSTER” features paintings of passenger automobiles from those boom years and since, plus a range of motorcycles and racing vehicles, according to Alicia Harvey, director of marketing for the Museum of the Rockies.

The “Human Plus” exhibit offers museum visitors the chance to explore a range of low- and high-tech tools that extend the human body’s abilities and create myriad possibilities to improve day-to-day life for people. The exhibit, funded by the National Science Foundation, features interactive examples such as a simulated downhill mono-ski course, a wheelchair used to control a DJ station, a touch panel that translates music into vibrations, a hands-free computer mouse controlled through slight movements of the head and more.

Visitors can also “redesign” themselves and test body enhancement technologies that supersize their strength in a full-body simulation that showcases the new horizon of engineering.

“From busy moms to engineers, adventurers to dance performers, people who use these new technologies and the innovators themselves share their stories through videos and the real-life tools they use every day,” Harvey said. “Whether caring for children or reaching the summit of Mt. Everest, these stories will captivate our visitors and engage them in the process of discovery and possibilities.”

The exhibitions will be on display through May 1. Museum members will have an opportunity to preview the exhibitions early from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 21. They are both included in the price of admission. For more information visit museumoftherockies.org.

The Belgrade City Council on Tuesday, January 18 issued a proclamation recognizing HRDC Streamline for a national transit award the service has received acknowledging its service to the Gallatin Valley during the COVID pandemic.

During a time when many other transit agencies in the country temporarily suspended service, HRDC’s Streamline continued to operate day after day to ensure seniors, veterans and those with disabilities could access essential services in the Gallatin Valley, while also providing critical workforce transportation to those employed in our community.

HRDC recently received national recognition for this outstanding service during the pandemic from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The FTA honored HRDC’s Streamline for keeping the community connected and essential workers on the job during the COVID pandemic.

HRDC was one of only six rural transit agencies in the country to receive the FTA’s "Connecting Rural Communities" Award for its outstanding public transportation system. The other agencies that received the award operate in Massachusetts, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, and Texas.

"From converting buses into vaccination clinics, to delivering meals to senior citizens and students, to bringing healthy groceries to food deserts and reaching underserved people, these six transit agencies and their workers went above and beyond," said FTA Administrator Fernandez. "Our agency is proud to support transit agencies around the country who are playing such essential roles in the communities they serve."

HRDC DETAILS:
For over 45 years, HRDC has been committed to building a better community in the greater Bozeman area. Through transportation solutions, food and nutrition services, affordable housing, early childhood education, and financial coaching, HRDC plays a pivotal role in enhancing our hard-working neighbors’ quality of life. Visit theHRDC.org to learn more.

BOZEMAN — With a series of recently awarded grants totaling $6.4 million, Montana State University scientists and their collaborators are exploring ways to optimize the use of algae for making biofuel and other products while removing carbon dioxide from the air.

Building on more than a decade of MSU research on the topic, the three projects funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation seek to advance understanding of how the tiny, plant-like microorganisms interact with their aquatic environment. That could lead to new ways of fine-tuning algae's ability to convert sunlight and carbon dioxide into natural oils that can then be refined into vehicle fuels, plastics and more, according to MSU researcher Robin Gerlach.

"It’s a topic that's really heating up right now," said Gerlach, professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering in MSU's Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering. "We're using a new generation of technologies to look at interactions in algae communities down to the level of single cells."

Gerlach is leading one of the projects, funded with $1.2 million from the NSF, that focuses on studying the relationship between algae and the other microbes they coexist with in the swimming pool-like tanks where algae are typically cultivated. In much the same way that human digestion relies on a community of bacteria found in the gut, growing evidence suggests that algae may also benefit from a so-called microbiome, Gerlach said.

By cultivating algae in the lab and then carefully introducing one or more strains of bacteria, the MSU researchers can study how the different organisms exchange nutrients. Lasers are used to pluck individual cells from sample dishes, and rapid genetic sequencing of the specimens can provide insight into how the bacteria and algae interact.

"What we're trying to do is build teams of microorganisms that have better capabilities together than each has individually," said Ross Carlson, professor in the chemical and biological engineering department, who is co-leading the project with Huyen Bui, assistant research professor in MSU’s Center for Biofilm Engineering, and CBE Director Matthew Fields. "Ultimately we hope to create something like a library of bacteria that we know interact with algae in productive ways," Carlson said.

Together with a related project funded with $2 million from DOE, the studies focus on algae adapted to living with high concentrations of sodium bicarbonate, the primary ingredient in baking soda. MSU collaborators at University of Toledo discovered a strain of algae in eastern Washington’s Soap Lake, which contains high levels of the mineral. Subsequent research showed that the lake's unique environment allows the algae to metabolize carbon dioxide very efficiently while reducing competition from other microbes. According to Fields, alkaline systems with high pH like the lake can produce some of the highest carbon dioxide utilization rates in nature, which was one of the driving factors to investigate the microorganisms under these conditions.

“These algae are definitely what you’d call extremophiles,” or organisms adapted to extreme environments, Carlson said. “We’re still learning how to fully leverage that.”

The DOE project — which includes collaborators at University of Toledo, University of North Carolina, Clemson University, Ford Motor Co. and industrial products manufacturer Sonoco — is focused on exploring several potential production improvements using the natural advantages of the unique algae, such as new ways of circulating water in cultivation tanks. Typically, large algae farms rely on supplemental carbon dioxide, such as from a fossil fuel-burning power plant, but the extremophile algae may be able to subsist wholly by pulling the gas from ambient air, according to Gerlach. That could enable algae production in more locations and reduce the need for costly infrastructure. Plus, production facilities could create the high alkalinity needed by adding sodium bicarbonate, a readily available and inexpensive mineral, he added.

Related research led by Sridhar Viamajala, professor of chemical engineering at University of Toledo, focuses on optimizing algae production by reducing biochemical inefficiencies caused by the daily swing from sunlight-filled day to dark night. The study, funded by an additional $3.2 million from DOE, dovetails with the NSF project by seeking to improve algae production with cooperative communities of microbes as well as new cultivation practices.

The goal of the project, which includes collaborators at DOE’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Hawaii-based biotech company Global Algae Innovations, is to boost productivity by 20% during fall and spring, according to Gerlach, who is co-leading the MSU portion of the project with Carlson and Fields. MSU is receiving roughly $1 million of the funds.

Gerlach estimated that the three projects will support a total of at least six doctoral students and two postdoctoral researchers at MSU and will directly involve more than a dozen MSU undergraduates.

Interest in algae biofuel reached a peak during the 1970s energy shortages and has since ebbed and flowed in response to oil prices, with the high costs of piping in carbon dioxide reducing the thin profit margins, Gerlach explained. That’s why tapping the full potential of organisms like the Soap Lake algae to produce biomaterials using only ambient carbon dioxide could have such a big impact, he said.

“These projects could make significant contributions to moving us toward a new bioeconomy where algae play a major role in making fuel, plastics and other products while helping us reduce carbon emissions,” Gerlach said. "We have instrumentation and expertise here at MSU that are really well suited to tackling that challenge.”

Bozeman, MT— The City of Bozeman signed into effect this month a new policy to provide paid parental leave of up to eight weeks for City employees. The policy recognizes the importance of bonding and caring for a new child, and hopes to support parents during an exciting and stressful time in their lives.

The policy provides eligible City employees with up to eight weeks of paid parental leave in the event of a birth or adoption, either experienced by themselves or with their spouse or partner. Qualified employees must have been employed by the City for at least 180 days.

City Manager Jeff Mihelich says, “Adding a new family member is both thrilling and overwhelming. I’m proud to say that as an employer we are taking steps to ensure that City staff have a means of financial support as they go through a big life event!”

Mihelich adds, “The City of Bozeman strives to be a best in class employer and already offers great benefits as a government agency. However, now more than ever it is critical that we do everything we can to retain the great employees that we have. This new policy is just another way for us to make the City a great place for employees to have a long career.”

Implementing a paid parental leave policy was identified as a part of the City of Bozeman’s work to be a more inclusive city. The goal of this work is to ensure that every resident, visitor, and City of Bozeman employee feel welcomed and valued, and can thrive no matter their race, identity, or life circumstance.

Several cities and counties in Montana have enacted similar policies. The City of Bozeman is the first local municipality employer to offer a full eight weeks to employees.

See the City of Bozeman’s full policy on their website.