Author: Emily Gautreaux

LSU Student Astronomers Assisting in Development of New Lunar-Based Telescope

Student astronomers at Louisiana State University are researching and designing a new type of lunar telescope that aims to take new images of the far side of the moon by 2024, as per this article from LSU.

The collaboration is called L-CAM1, and it’s a scientific observing program that’s being worked on by faculty and student astronomers from LSU, Mississippi State University, the SETI Institute, and AstronetX PBC, a public benefit corporation that’s dedicated to enabling frontier research from space. One of the main goals of the scientific observing program collaboration is for LSU students to research and design the creation of the first lunar-based camera.

The photographic instrument, which will be called Astronet L-CAM1, will be designed to capture cosmic images from the moon for research purposes that will contribute to the areas of astrophysics, planetary defense, and planetary science.

Assistant Professors Tabetha Boyajian and Matthew Penny from LSU’s Department of Physics & Astronomy recruited a team of students to work on the Astronet L-CAM1. In speaking on the magnitude of the selection process, LSU Department of Physics & Astronomy assistant professor Tabetha Boyajian said, “giving early-career students the chance to design a frontier, space-based science program that will be operated on the lunar surface is a wonderful and unique opportunity to support the progression of tomorrow’s leading astronomers and astrophysicists.”

When starting to plan the L-CAM1, LSU students had to first develop a complex understanding of the limitations and benefits that present themselves when it comes to lunar observation. The students and faculty then decided to focus on two primary scientific cases for the observing program: to improve the characterization of previously-known exoplanets and to expand asteroid observation and characterization.

Whenever an orbiting exoplanet briefly passes in front of a star, space-based observatory instruments such as the Astronet L-CAM1 will be able to allow for high-precision measurements of parent star brightness changes. Because the L-CAM1 will be able to observe these changes without interruptions over a lunar day (which is equivalent to 14 Earth days,) this instrument will be able to have long, uninterrupted observing sequences of exoplanet transit events. Additionally, during a typical multi-lunar day mission, the L-CAM1 will be able to observe approximately 200 asteroids, which would include nearly one near-Earth asteroid per month.

Senior planetary astronomer at the Carl Sagan Center at SETI Frank Marchis said of what is needed from the student research team, “our student team first needed to create simulations of the portion of lunar sky L-CAM1 will see during the multiple lunar days of the mission as a way of determining visible astrophysical and astronomical targets. One of the unique benefits L-CAM1 will provide is the duration of uninterrupted time individual subjects can be observed.”

Funding for the scientific program’s planning comes from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to AstronetX along with additional support for student participation that’s been provided by the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates program at LSU.

AstronetX is a Delaware public benefit corporation that’s based in Boston, Massachusetts, and they were established to facilitate and enable research in the Earth and space sciences for the overall benefit of humanity by making multi-purposeful space-based observational and database services available to customers. Their customer base includes the space science community, government agencies, the private sector, and citizen scientists.

Farzaneh Zohrabi studies at LSU as a L-CAM1 graduate student science team member. In speaking on the student astronomers being selected to work on the project, Zohrabi said, “working on L-CAM has been a dream come true for me. I’ve been an astronomer since I was 13, and now I’m developing the science program for a lunar surface telescope. This is a frontier science project, starting with getting to speak with the engineers and discussing how the different camera designs being considered will influence the data we’ll capture. A unique thing that we’re planning to do with L-CAM makes really precise measurements of nearby bright stars and their exoplanets. This is something that cannot easily be done using ground-based telescopes on Earth because of the atmosphere and saturation limits.”

For more education-related information, click here

Single Skillet Bacon-Wrapped Chicken and Dates Recipe

For some cooks, the most daunting part of any new cooking adventure is imagining the pile of dishes that will be left afterward. But, thanks to this recipe from Food52 that has you preparing a delectable arrangement of bacon-wrapped chicken, dates, arugula, and blue cheese all in a single skillet, you’ll have more time to enjoy your meal and notice how single-pot cooking really blends the flavor profiles of different ingredients together.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Begin this recipe by arranging an oven rack approximately 6 inches away from the broiler. Preheat the oven to 400°F or 375°F on a convection oven.
  2. Remove your chicken from the packaging and pat them dry with a paper towel. Then, mix your paprika and coriander together in a small bowl and evenly rub that spice mix on both sides of all chicken breast pieces. Afterward, season both sides with salt and pepper.
  3. Starting at the bottom of the thickest end of a chicken breast piece, wrap 1 slice of bacon around the breast working toward the middle and ending on the bottom of the piece. Take another slice of bacon, and continue wrapping until the chicken is completely wrapped. It’s okay if your bacon pieces are slightly overlapping at the ends of the two slices. Just ensure that your bacon seams are on the bottom, as the bacon will stay intact better this way. Refrigerate the bacon-wrapped chicken for up to 8 hours in advance, then remove from the fridge 10 to 15 minutes before using.
  4. Heat 2 tablespoons of your olive oil in a 12-inch (or larger) ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Once the skillet is properly heated, arrange the chicken breasts with the bacon seam side down in the skillet, and cook them undisturbed for about 4 minutes. Cook them just until the bacon starts to render its fat and begins to brown on the underside. You can check the bottoms by gently lifting the chicken breasts with a spatula to make monitoring easier. Then remove the skillet from the heat.
  5. Meanwhile, mix your maple syrup and chile sauce in a small bowl. Taste it, and add more chile sauce according to your preference. Brush the top sides of each chicken breast with the maple-chile sauce. In the skillet, nestle the 8 Medjool dates around the breasts so that they’ll roast in the pan sauce. Just be sure not to place any dates on top of the chicken.
  6. Transfer your skillet to the oven and roast it for 10 minutes, baste the chicken with the pan sauce, and check the internal temperature. You’re going to want to continue to roast it until the thermometer registers between 150°F and 165°F, which typically takes less than 5 minutes or closer to 20 minutes depending on the thickness of the pieces. For additional flavor, baste your chicken each time you check the temperature. Remove the skillet from the oven, baste again, and transfer your dates onto a cutting board.
  7. Heat the broiler, slide the skillet underneath the broiler, and broil them for 2 to four minutes until the bacon is well-browned and crispy. Be sure to watch closely to avoid burning.
  8. Transfer the chicken to your cutting board, let them rest for 5 to 10 minutes, and then slice each breast to your preference. Alternatively, you can leave them whole.
  9. Meanwhile, make your vinaigrette in the skillet by whisking the vinegar into the pan sauce. Taste it, add more vinegar and/or salt until you find the perfect balance of salty, sweet, and tangy flavors.
  10. In a medium bowl, toss your arugula (or other tender greens) with just enough of the vinaigrette to lightly coat the leaves, and then add in your dates and cheese, and toss it all again. Divide the salad and chicken among plates, spoon a little extra vinaigrette over the chicken prior to serving, and enjoy.

Notes:

For more delicious recipes, click here.

Exciting 2022 Travel Destinations

Each time New Year’s Eve passes, many vow to travel more in search of new opportunities, settings, and experiences. With this suggested list of the most exciting 2022 travel locations from Travel + Leisure, that New Year’s Resolution just got a lot more achievable.

Before planning any 2022 travel or renting any accommodations or booking any flights, it would be a responsible, beneficial idea to check local guidelines, consult CDC recommendations, and take personal health conditions into account due to recent COVID-19 surges that may have caused new government restrictions, rules, and safety measures having been set. Once you’re supplied with the most health-forward, preventative, and up-to-date information and guidance, you can enjoy your vacation or trip without looming anxiety in a fun and safe manner!

Traveling in 2022 is unlike any other year due to the fact that the hospitality industry was hit hard by the pandemic, which caused many, many hotels, resorts, and other vacation properties to make the most of lockdowns and mandated downtime to renovate rooms, install additional amenities, and expand upon existing outdoor areas. They’ve done this to welcome new and returning guests with exciting new offers, so it’s possible that there’s never quite been a better time to take advantage of exciting, adventurous travel opportunities like the ones that follow.

Alaska

This past year one state received a unique increase in tourism due to many countries closing their international borders, and those that traveled northward to the vast expanse of Alaska were delighted by the unforgettable abundance of soaring, ice-capped mountains, exciting, thriving wildlife, and postcard-perfect wide-open spaces that beg exploration. One of the more exciting areas of the state is the Denali National Park and Preserve, located in Interior Alaska and centered on Denali, the highest mountain in North America and the third most prominent and third most isolated peak on Earth, after Mount Everest and Aconcagua. Formerly known as Mount McKinley National Park,this park and continuous preserve contains a landscape that is an elegant mixture of forest, deciduous taiga, tundra, and glaciers, particularly the longest glacier of the Alaska Range, the Kahiltna Glacier which runs at an impressive length of 44 miles.

Greater Palm Springs, California

Escape into a land of scenic vacation iconography and self-care by treating yourself to a glamour-filled Southern California escape. Bounding with a certain “laid-back vibe,” Greater Palm Springs is an area that is known for being a particular geological wonder with valleys filled with date-palms, oasis springs, mountains, and rock formations. Some of the best ways to “get a lay of the land”  are to take a scenic ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway where you’re taken 2.5 miles up to Mountain Station Summit, book a hot air balloon tour over the Coachella Valley, or ride along with a local expert on a naturalist-guided Jeep tour. Additionally, one of the best experiences in the area is to explore 200,000 hectares of wilderness by rock climbing at Joshua Tree National Park.

Sedona, Arizona

Starting with a viral interest in the Devil’s Bridge attraction, Sedona, Arizona has seen continuous surges of tourism, and it’s for good reason: the area is home to the geological wonderland known as Red Rock Country. One of the best avenues to go down in order to see the most of what Sedona has to offer is by experiencing the “Sedona Secret 7,” which is a collection of lesser-known Sedona trails that are secluded and worth the trip. Alternatively, many tourists appreciate the quiet, reflective, and inspiring experiences to be had by immersing themselves in Sedona’s brilliant canyon environments and exploring ancient Sinagua civilizations, reenergizing at a vortex site, and learning about the vast cultural history of the Sedona Verde Valley. Lastly, if you’re in need of accommodations, then you ought to consider booking a stay at the Sky Rock Hotel, which offers truly breathtaking views of Sedona’s landscape in a one-of-a-kind boutique hotel experience.

For more 2022 travel-related news and information, click here

Nicholls Culinary Grad Opens Restaurant in Former Cabaret Venue

A New Orleans venue that once hosted its fair share of local and traveling cabaret performances from 1999 to 2011 has now reopened as Le Chat Noir, a casual, upscale restaurant that showcases its unique take on New Orleans cuisine, according to this article from Nola.com. The debut of Le Chat Noir is indebted to its culinary vision set forth by Seth Temple, a Lake Charles native and Nicholls culinary grad. Temple earned a scholarship from Nicholls’s John Folse Culinary Institute to attend the elite Institut Paul Bocuse in France, and upon his return to New Orleans, he worked in local kitchens that included Kenton’s and Couvant before he traveled to London and cooked at the Michelin-starred restaurant Lyle’s.

Debuting in December 2021 at 715 St. Charles Avenue, Le Chat Noir opened its doors in a space that had previously been the Italian restaurant Marcello’s, which closed due to the pandemic. Although before the building housed Marcello’s, it was known over a 12-year span as the home of the cabaret venue Le Chat Noir. But now thanks to a commercial vision from James Reuter, the founder of Bearcat Café off Freret Street, the building has reopened under its old name and as a different genre.

The Nicholls culinary grad  told The Gambit that it was at Lyle’s that his perspective of ingredients, how he liked to eat, and the relationship between the two began to completely shift. Gambit writer Beth D’Addono said of the cuisine, “Temple’s artful food commands the spotlight, the star of the show that went curtains up in early December. Temple is an alchemist as much as he is a chef, coaxing big flavors out of farm-fresh ingredients. What he does with hakurei turnips is brilliantly simple — a sauté of the small, crunchy vegetable, greens attached, in a miso-fueled umami sauce studded with candied kumquats and fronds of bronze fennel. Twirl the turnips like linguine, being sure to get the hybrid citrus in every bite, and the depth of clean flavor is worth a standing ovation.”

Temple’s menu at the restaurant is approximately 70% locally-sourced, and at least 50% of the total meals are either vegan or vegetarian thanks to his connections with local vendors such as West Feliciana Parish’s Mushroom Maggie’s Farm, Kenner’s JV Foods, and Belle Chase’s Matt Ranatza Farms and Saxon Becnel & Sons citrus.

James Reuter, the founder of Bearcat Café and Bearcat CBD, just around the corner on Carondelet Street., brings with him a particular style that is indicative of other Bearcat restaurants, specifically in that they often defy simplistic categorization and feature a menu that’s representative of both a health-conscious California cafe and a permissive chef-forward tavern. While Le Chat Noir already appears to be sharing some of those characteristics like its wide array of vegetarian, paleo, vegan, and gluten-free dishes, the restaurant also seems like a more ambitious undertaking, given the history of the location.

The recent history of the Le Chat Noir cabaret is ever-present in the restaurant as the kitchen is exactly where the old theatrical stage once stood, the dining room is set in the old theatre space, and the restaurant’s lounge and impressive oyster bar are located beside the window-lined front bar, which used to feature performers mixing and mingling after post-show.

As of the time of writing, the restaurant is open for dinner with plans to serve lunch and happy hour on the horizon. The cuisine is vibrant and delicious without reinventing traditional New Orleans dishes, and with it being set in the spotlight of an old-New Orleans performance venue, the restaurant is able to satisfy the show-stopping spectacle of classic Crescent City flavor, life, and culture with every bite.

 For more Louisiana-related articles, click here.

Nicholls Nursing Students receive Clinical Lab Coats from United Houma Nation

Nursing students at Nicholls State University will be receiving clinical lab coats thanks to a large donation from the United Houma Nation, as per the university. The United Houma Nation (UHN) donated approximately $20,000 worth of clinical lab coats to Nicholls’ Department of Nursing in order to assist students by covering an important and often costly part of their enrollment in the program.

After Hurricane Ida passed in 2021 and massive amounts of damage and destruction were surveyed in Thibodaux Parish, the UHN had received various donations of supplies that were to be distributed to the affected community. Among these supplies were numerous boxes of nearly $20,000 of clinical lab coats, and these boxes were discovered by Cami Dardar. Dardar is both a senior student of nursing at Nicholls and a member of the UHN, so when she discovered the boxes of lab coats while organizing the donations, she jumped to action.

Dardar told Nicholls press, “I knew I had to get in contact with Dr. Raquel Engolio to get these uniforms out. I really think this is from God because the uniforms could have gone anywhere and out of all the people involved, I knew what to do with them. I would have never thought that being a nursing student and a member of the UNH would ever cross paths. It’s amazing to see two important parts of my life come together.”

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program at Nicholls admits 160 students annually with approximately 80 students admitted each semester. Each student is responsible for procuring their own clinical lab coat, which can be costly as these coats are valued at about $115. Stacked against tuition, textbooks, and other supplies, it’s certainly advantageous for nursing students to be recipients of this UHN donation.

In reflecting on the significance of a Nicholls student who may or may not have had their entire lives upended by Hurricane Ida receive this symbolic and vital part of their Nursing education, Dardar said, “to see another student who needs the uniform due to losing them in the storm or can’t afford them is just a feeling I can’t describe.” She continued, “I remember my first semester and how much of a burden it was to afford these uniforms. Now, students don’t have to worry. It is an honor to bless upcoming students with these coats.”

Head of Nicholls’ Department of Nursing and assistant professor of nursing Dr. Englio commented on the donation by saying, “this wonderful donation will assist Nicholls Nursing students by saving them both time and money. We are very grateful to have this type of support from the community and from one of our students. The timing of the donation is perfect. It is also very meaningful to future registered nurses and will help them have a positive clinical experience.

These donated clinical lab coats were primarily donated on November 5, 2021 at a dedicated donation event organized by Principal Chief August “Coco” Creppel, in which a team of UHN members delivered and handed out approximately 450 lab coats to new clinical students.

New students admitted to the Department of Nursing previously were able to attend a Nursing-exclusive job fair last semester. The job fair was organized by the university’s Career Services, and it provided current and former graduates of Nicholls’ nursing programs to meet, interview with, and connect with potential employers. Employers attending the Nursing Career Job Fair were healthcare providers from hospitals and other healthcare groups across Louisiana.

Over the past decade, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reported an on-average projection of about 194,500 job openings for registered nurses with the typical entry-level education required being a Bachelor’s degree. That being said, the donation of lab coats from the United Houma Nation is massively appreciated by Nicholls’ nursing students.

For more education-related information, click here.

Classic Savory Meatloaf Recipe

It’s consistently beneficial to have a reliable, flavorful recipe in your back pocket that doesn’t require a lot of prep time and is always sure to satisfy. That recipe does exist, and it’s this classic, all-American meatloaf recipe from Martha Stewart’s recipe blog that’s guaranteed to delight your taste buds, budget, and kitchen.

Ingredients for Meatloaf Recipe

  • 3 slices of white sandwich bread
  • ⅓ cup of whole milk
  • 1 ½ pound of ground beef chuck
  • ½ pound of ground pork
  • ½ medium onion, grated
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup of ketchup
  • Coarse salt and ground pepper

Directions for Meatloaf Recipe

  1. You’ll want to start this recipe by preheating your oven to 400°F. Line an oven-safe baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper, and set this aside. Take your pieces of bread, place them into a food processor, and pulse the bread pieces until fine crumbs form. Then you’ll transfer them into a small bowl and stir in milk. Set this all aside for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. While you’re letting the crumbs and milk rest, combine your 1 ½ pounds of ground beef chuck, ½ pound of ground pork, grated half of a medium onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, ½ cup of ketchup, 1 ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of pepper together in the mixing bowl. After it’s mixed, add in your bread-milk mixture and mix it very gently with a fork. At this point, be careful to not overmix it all.
  3. Take your set-aside baking sheet, and put your meat mixture on top of it. Using gloves or freshly-washed hands to form it into a loaf that’s about 9 inches long and 4 to 5 inches in width.
  4. Place the sheet pan into the oven by setting it on the middle rack. Bake it until the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160°F using an instant-read thermometer. Twice during the baking process, you’’ want to brush the ¼ cup of ketchup on top of the meatloaf or the meatloaf glaze detailed below. The total baking process should take anywhere from 45 to 55 minutes. After the internal temperature reaches 160°F, let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before you slice & serve it.

Notes:

  • While many like to bake their meatloaf specifically in a loaf pan, the loaves are able to obtain a nice texture and crust when it’s shaped by hand “form free” and cooked in the oven on a baking sheet.
  • Vegetable mixture: Depending on your particular tastes and preferences, you may want to consider simmering some additional vegetables in a skillet to go along with the above recipe’s onion & garlic. This way you’ll add a heartier and more texture-rich flavor to your meatloaf.
    • Place 1 medium carrot, and one celery rib along with your onion in your fruit processor until they’re all finely chopped.
    • Turn on your stove and heat2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil over  medium-high heat. Once it’sproperly heated, add your vegetables, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh thyme to the skillet and cook it.
    • Stir in about 3 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 cup of low-sodium chicken broth, and ¼ cup of ketchup.
    • Remove this all from the heat, and let it cool completely. You can later add this mixture to your meatloaf before shaping it.
  • Meatloaf Glaze: Instead of brushing your meatloaf twice in the oven with ¼ cup of ketchup, you may choose to prepare the following meatloaf glaze.
    • In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce with 3 tablespoons of ketchup and 1 tablespoon of light brown sugar.
    • Brush a layer over the top of the meatloaf prior to baking it so that it’s coated.
    • About halfway through the baking process, rotate the loaf, and place the remaining glaze on top.

For more delicious recipes, click here.