Is it any wonder we’re getting wider but not necessarily taller? So wondered John Peters last week at the Arkansas Biosciences Institute’s Fall Research Symposium.

The Arkansas Delta. That underachieving older sibling to the state’s golden children — the Ozarks and the Ouachitas. You know, the ones we clean up and shuffle out for guests.

ABI is a joint venture between ASU, the University of Arkansas, UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Its purpose is to conduct research in the following areas: agriculture, bioengineering, tobacco, nutrition and any other related areas. This morning’s presentations focused on nanomaterials and the health-promotion aspects of diets rich in blueberries.

The Arkansas Bioscience Institute will hosts its Fall Research Symposium Friday in Jonesboro, and INOV8 will be there. The keynote speaker is Dr. John C. Peters, associate director of corporate research and development for Proctor and Gamble.