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Colorado business leaders' optimism has resumed going into the first quarter of 2012 after a dip in confidence last quarter, according to the most recent quarterly Leeds Business Confidence Index, or LBCI, released today by the University of Colorado Boulder's Leeds School of Business.

Over the past decade, the University of Colorado Boulder has established itself as a national leader in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, or STEM, education. Through its Learning Assistant and ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Teach programs and Integrating STEM initiative, ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ-Boulder is making great progress on its goal of improving introductory math and science classes and recruiting and training future K-12 science teachers.

A team of researchers led by the University of Colorado Boulder recently discovered the first prehistoric bronze artifact made from a cast ever found in Alaska, a small, buckle-like object found in an ancient Eskimo dwelling and which likely originated in East Asia.

When considering giving money to humanitarian crises people often donate in response to events that grab their immediate emotions, according to a recent study by ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ-Boulder psychology professor Leaf Van Boven. "The question we wanted to answer with our study is what is the impact of people's emotions on their decisions to make charitable donations," Van Boven said. "We demonstrated that people act on what is immediately emotionally arousing to them. In other words, they respond to what makes them upset in the here and now."

Kevin Welner, professor of education and director of the National Education Policy Center at the ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ-Boulder School of Education, can speak to most elements of the Lobato litigation and its implications. Welner is an attorney and policy analyst who has published articles and book chapters concerning school finance litigation, the outcomes of such litigation, and the underlying issues of what's necessary for an adequate education. He can explain the issues in the Lobato case as well as the options now available to the courts and lawmakers.

Colorado will continue on the road to recovery and add jobs in 2012 following a positive year in 2011, according to economist Richard Wobbekind of the University of Colorado Boulder's Leeds School of Business. Wobbekind's announcement was part of the 47th annual Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forum presented Dec. 5 by ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ-Boulder's Leeds School of Business.

University of Colorado Boulder students will demonstrate innovative ideas and projects ranging from a safer climbing helmet to robot butlers at three expos over the next week. All of the events are free and open to the public.

The University of Colorado Boulder Leeds School of Business will present its annual Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forum on Monday, Dec. 5, at 1 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Denver.

Two University of Colorado Boulder professors are conducting research in Finland and the United Kingdom as Fulbright Scholars for the 2011-12 academic year.

Consumers should take the time to prepare themselves by researching prices and quality before they hit the stores or Internet this holiday shopping season, according to University of Colorado Boulder Professor Donald Lichtenstein.