Prehistoric Shoshone cuisine and analyzing economic choices of Wyoming agricultural producers were voted top research stories for the 2010 Reflections magazine.

Reflections highlights research in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Wyoming. An anonymous review team of faculty members judges the articles.

Researchers analyzing the diet of prehistoric Shoshone living in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem found that a woman collecting only the highest caloric and easily gathered foods could harvest enough during a season to feed a family of four for half a year.

Richard Adams, Ph.D. candidate in anthropology in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Associate Professor Rhoda Schantz in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources report their results in “Nuts and roots: The staples of prehistoric cuisine in the Greater Yellowstone Area.”

Scientists in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics found that landlords benefit from renting to subsidized tenants. Results reported in “Agriculture markets, policies, and economic behavior in the laboratory and beyond” show that land prices and rents respond significantly and positively to government support. Data were collected using a mobile computer laboratory taken to several Wyoming locations

Authors are assistant research scientist Amy Nagler, Assistant Professor Chris Bastian, Assistant Professor Mariah Ehmke and Professor Dale Menkhaus.

Only one point separated the top four stories in the magazine.

A story about parasitic wasp and caterpillar research in Ecuador by a research group led by Professor Scott Shaw in the Department of Renewable Resources and examination of microbial communities at the Thermopolis Hot Springs tied for second. Authors of the Hot Springs article are Assistant Professor Naomi Ward and post-doctoral researcher Blaire Steven, both in the Department of Molecular Biology at UW, and chemistry and geology Professor Suki Smaglik and biology and microbiology Assistant Professor Steve McAllister, both of Central Wyoming College. Ward has a split appointment in the Department of Botany.

“A tie for first place and only one point separating the next highest ranking articles, which also tied, is testament to the level of interest garnered by the activities described in this issue,” said Bret Hess, associate dean for research and director of the Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station (AES), which publishes the magazine

There are 16 research stories in the magazine. Reflections will be available this summer at UW research and extension centers near Powell, Sheridan and Lingle, and UW Cooperative Extension Service offices. Copies can also be obtained via mail by calling the AES office in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at (307) 766-3667.

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