Spiritual fruit plucked

A study by psychologist Robert Emmons may break new ground in understanding the relationship between spirituality development and the formation of "spiritual fruit" in adolescents. Through this study, Emmons and his collaborator, Justin Barrett of Oxford University, will expand scientific understanding of spiritual development by examining the observed success of the Young Life evangelistic ministries.

Said Emmons, "We know that religion can exert positive, constructive influences in the lives of American youth and through our project we aim to explore the how and why of these influences."

The John Templeton Foundation is funding the project with a $905,000 award.

Air quality examined

An environmental research team led by Michael Kleeman is developing a method to understand future air pollution levels throughout Central California, which has some of the highest smog concentrations in the United States.

"The goal of this research is to determine how population expansion and current socioeconomic trends will combine to influence air quality at the urban and regional scale in the presence of climate change," says Kleeman, principal investigator and associate professor of civil and environmental engineering.

Through a $680,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a $300,415 grant from the California Air Resources Board, the research team will develop a modeling system to predict future air quality emissions.