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Today's News Headlines is a comprehensive collection of U of M news clips including select U of M news from local, national and global sources, as well as News Service releases and multimedia content. It is delivered every morning, Monday-Friday.
Today's News: Wednesday, July 1, 2009
House passes earth-saving legislation
The U.S. House passed legislation late yesterday that supporters are calling an earth-saving jobs bill... Jonathan Foley heads the University of Minnesota's Institute on the Environment.
KSTP - TV
To view:http://www.criticalmention.com/ctv3-1/landing_email.php?type=
email&video=true&random_string=6f4e6987abf216648f56131746835580
Good Question: 'Reply All' to Senate Questions
WCCO-TV viewers have many Good Questions about the Minnesota Supreme Court's ruling in the U.S. Senate race... How many kids could be sent to the University of Minnesota for the money that was spent on the recount effort?
WCCO - TV
To view:http://wcco.com/video/?id=62732@wcco.dayport.com
Safer Fourth of July vacations
Experts at the University of Minnesota want to make Fourth of July vacations safer for drivers with an updated map of fatal traffic crashes on rural roads in the past five years.
KVLY - TV
To view:http://www.criticalmention.com/ctv3-1/landing_email.php?type=
email&video=true&random_string=0e221cf8451676e82a2659e36f36143e
Teens' idea of death risk linked with behavior
A sizable minority of adolescents believe they are likely to die at a young age, and this perception is a powerful predictor of involvement in high risk behaviors and poor health outcomes, according to a report in the journal Pediatrics... Dr. Iris Wagman Borowsky of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and colleagues analyzed data from interviews conducted in 1995, 1996 and between 2001 and 2002 as part of Add Health, a school-based, longitudinal study of health-related behaviors and outcomes of U.S. youth in grades 7 through 12.
Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE55T7AI20090630
Bone Proteins Costly In Surgery, Study Says
The use in spine surgery of bone-growth proteins like Medtronic Inc.’s product Infuse has led to widespread nationwide increases in hospital charges ranging from 11% to 41% above conventional surgical costs, researchers found... For instance, an article in 2002 by former Army surgeon David W. Polly Jr., now of the University of Minnesota, and colleagues said, “Preliminary results suggest that from a payer perspective, the upfront price of bone morphogenetic protein is likely to be entirely offset by reductions in the use of other medical resources.
The Wall Street Journal
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203872404574260363344064696.html
From the Sewage Plant, The Promise of Biofuel
In his quest for a fuel of the future, Roger Ruan has found a valuable resource in something nobody else wants — the wastewater from Minneapolis’ largest sewage treatment plant... The University of Minnesota professor is tapping into this rather unlikely source to grow single-celled algae and produce a diesel-like biofuel.
Yale Environment 360
http://www.e360.yale.edu/content/feature.msp?id=2167
More Minnesota schools fall behind in math, reading
The results of this year's statewide tests are in: Minnesota students performed slightly better on math and reading tests, but the gains won't be enough to prevent more schools from being added to the list of those falling behind under the federal No Child Left Behind law... "There is enormous variation among districts and charter schools," in how they perform, said Joe Nathan, director of the Center for School Change at the University of Minnesota and a champion of charter schools.
Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/local/stpaul/49559342.html?page=3&c=y
Minnesota students' slight gains on tests won't keep schools of 'watch list'
Minnesota students made slight gains on statewide achievement tests this year, with juniors' math scores increasing the most...That's troubling, especially for a state that posts some of the highest graduation rates and college-entrance exam scores in the nation, said Mark Davison, a University of Minnesota professor in educational psychology.
Pioneer Press
http://www.twincities.com/ci_12727277?nclick_check=1
Coleman bowing out of this race, but perhaps preparing for another soon
Norm Coleman looked almost serene as he stepped up to the cluster of microphones set up on his backyard patio and, with a three-minute speech, ended his eight-month election recount battle by conceding his former U.S. Senate seat to Al Franken... "He's increasingly attracted to the idea of running for governor," said Larry Jacobs, a University of Minnesota political science professor.
Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/politics/49558907.html?elr=
KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUnciaec8O7EyUsl
Analysis: Ruling sealed Coleman's fate, scholars say
From its opening summary to its closing sentences, the Minnesota Supreme Court meticulously sealed Norm Coleman's U.S. Senate chances Tuesday in a way that legal scholars agree left him little wiggle room... Fred Morrison, a University of Minnesota constitutional law professor, said the decision was impressive because the state Supreme Court methodically cited chapter and verse of existing appellate law regarding absentee ballots, which for seven months were at the center of the Senate recount dispute.
Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/49556502.html?elr=
KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUnciaec8O7EyUsl
Q&A on the Franken-Coleman fight
What happens now?... Larry Jacobs at the University of Minnesota says Coleman is "busted"and also has to pay some of Al Franken's legal bills.
Minnesota Public Radio
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/
news_cut/archive/2009/06/qa_on_the_franken-coleman_figh.shtml
Update: Franken's biggest hurdle: getting sworn in
The Minnesota Supreme Court today unanimously cleared the way for Democrat Al Franken to become the state's next U.S. senator... “I think the main challenge for Al Franken is that he has to win back Democrats,” said Larry Jacobs, a political science professor at the University of Minnesota.
MinnPost
http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2009/06/30/9945/
now_al_frankens_biggest_hurdle_getting_sworn_in_at_capitol
Secret to success: Telling it like it is - even if the baby is ugly
Ashish Gadnis claims the secret to his success as a business consultant is that he's good at being an S.O.B -- only he didn't exactly say S.O.B., referring instead to an anterior portion of his anatomy to describe his hard-edged approach... He also spearheaded creation of the new India Center at the University of Minnesota and was a fellow with the National Committee on U.S. Relationships with China.
Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/business/49549072.html?page=2&c=y
Study confirms increase in wheat gluten disorder
A Minnesota study using frozen blood samples taken from Air Force recruits 50 years ago has found that intolerance of wheat gluten, a debilitating digestive condition, is four times more common today than it was in the 1950s... Researchers at the Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota who conducted the study also found that the recruits who had the undiagnosed digestive disorder, called celiac disease, also had a four-fold increase in the risk of death.
Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/49558522.html?elr=
KArks7PYDiaK7DUvDE7aL_V_BD77:DiiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr
How to get the better of beetles
Be on the lookout: A living jewel could be feeding on your plants soon... Mary Hockenberry Meyer is a professor and Extension Horticulturist with the University of Minnesota.
Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/homegarden/49511322.html?page=2&c=y
'At Home in the World'
Leaders of international and multicultural education offices may not always talk much, but here at the At Home in the World: Educating for Global Connections and Local Commitments Summer Institute, there’s plenty of discussion of potential “synergies” -- and “creative tensions,” too... In a separate session Monday, Rusty Barceló, vice president and vice provost for equity and diversity at the University of Minnesota, joined Meredith M. McQuaid, Minnesota's associate vice president and dean for international programs, for a (relatively) unusual conversation -- and not just because it was conducted in front of 150 people.
Inside Higher Ed
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/06/30/ace
AMA Adopts Sustainable Food Policy
The American Medical Association (AMA) has approved a new policy resolution in support of practices and policies within health care systems that promote and model a healthy and ecologically sustainable food system... "Physicians now recognize that one cannot easily separate the health of food from how healthfully that food is produced," said Dr. David Wallinga, an attendee at the meeting, the Wm. T. Grant Foundation Distinguished Fellow in Food Systems and Public Health at the University of Minnesota, and a member of Health Care Without Harm.
Environmental Protection
http://www.eponline.com/articles/72590/
Health care proposals divide Democrats in Congress
he Democrats may control Congress and the White House, but when it comes to health care reform —arguably the most important legislation that the U.S. government will tackle this year — the well-positioned political party could turn out to be its own worst enemy... "At this point, the prospect of failure is very strong," said Larry Jacobs, a political science professor at the University of Minnesota who specializes in health care policy.
MinnPost
http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2009/06/30/9905/
health_care_proposals_divide_democrats_in_congress
As concrete-asphalt cost gap narrows, cities reconsider options
The longstanding rivalry between concrete and asphalt suppliers is spilling over into the streets of Minneapolis... Derek Tompkins, a pavement expert with the University of Minnesota’s Pavement Research Institute, says each pavement type has its advantages.
Finance and Commerce
http://www.finance-commerce.com/article.cfm/2009/07/01/
As-concreteasphalt-cost-gap-narrows-cities-reconsider-options
Court ruling may mean four trials for Lansing
Former Mayor Lee Lansing could face four separate trials in Steele County on purported state ethics violations... University of Minnesota law professor Steve Simon, who teaches criminal defense and prosecution clinics, said Lansing’s attorney may feel he can beat at least some of the charges.
Northfield News
http://www.northfieldnews.com/news.php?viewStory=48956
Human wart drug effective in clearing horse ear lesions
A product has been shown to be effective in the treatment of specific ear lesions, called aural plaques, in horses... Now, researchers at the University of Minnesota suggest imiquimod, marketed as Aldara, can help clear aural plaques and make the ears less sensitive... Dr Erin Malone and Dr Sheila Torres, of the university's College of Veterinary Medicine, have been studying the effectiveness of 5%-strength imiquimod cream to treat aural plaques.
Horsetalk
http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2009/07/003.shtml
Learning to eat
They don’t want to point fingers or assign blame, but a group of Racine residents does want to see change come to school lunch programs...“In general I would say things are improving compared to 10 years ago, but there’s a lot more improvement that needs to be done in this country if we really want children to be eating healthy and reduce childhood obesity,” said Mary Story, a professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota.
Racine Journal Times
http://www.journaltimes.com/articles/2009/
06/30/health/doc4a4a779ca0f8b523193766.txt
Map Helps Road-Trippers Avoid Dangerous Areas
A new interactive web site was designed to help road-trippers avoid dangerous traffic areas... Transportation safety experts from the University of Minnesota launched SafeRoadMaps.org just in time for July 4th travel.
KSTP - TV
http://kstp.com/news/stories/S1005111.shtml?cat=1
Suit calls North Minneapolis blog a ‘defamation zone’
The former head of a Minneapolis neighborhood group is suing a local blogger over online words he says cost him a job... Jerry Moore, who used to run the Jordan Area Community Council (JACC), contends that he lost employment with the University of Minnesota because John Hoff and six others defamed him via slanted posts at Hoff’s blog, The Adventures of Johnny Northside.
Minnesota Independent
http://minnesotaindependent.com/38102/
suit-calls-north-minneapolis-blog-a-defamation-zone
Community garden takes root in Lake Elmo
Looking to combine education, environmentalism and community service, a local construction company recently converted its lawn into a community garden that will be used to stock the local food shelf and teach elementary students the basics of agriculture... In order to make the best use of their funds, Retail Construction solicited advice from three Master Gardeners through the University of Minnesota's Extension Program.
Stillwater Gazette
http://www.stillwatergazette.com/articles/2009/06/30/news/news430.txt
Webinar series on equine genetics and management
Think you know horses inside and out? The University of Minnesota is teaming up with Michigan State University’s My Horse University to take horse owner knowledge to a new depth.
AG Week
http://www.agweek.com/calendar/?page=view_
event&id=25962&event_date=2009-07-01
The mighty agriculture sector gets their way with Waxman-Markey, but at what cost?
Every several years the power of Big Agriculture is evident when the Farm Bill is renegotiated, promising untold billions to the agriculture sector in the form of subsidies, incentives, research grants, and other programs... Meanwhile, a study by the USDA and University of Minnesota concludes that: “though there are other good reasons to use conservation tillage, evidence that it promotes C sequestration is not compelling.”
Red Green and Blue
http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/06/29/the-mighty-agriculture-sector-gets-their-way-with-waxman-markey-but-at-what-cost/
Tobacco user fee goes into effect
Smokers may now think twice about lighting up as a $1 tobacco user fee went into effect today... According to the University of Minnesota Division of Periodontology, it is as addictive as heroin.
Cape Coral Daily Breeze
http://www.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com/page/content.detail/id/507824.html
Why Norm Coleman lost
The Republican Party put an inordinate amount of faith in Norm Coleman’s long-shot legal challenge, spending a million bucks on the idea that he’d catch a break in court... “Norm Coleman is busted financially,” said Larry Jacobs, an expert on state politics at the University of Minnesota.
Politico
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/24391.html
Why I Love Al Franken
I live in Colorado Springs, Colorado... The memorial service for Paul Wellstone in 2002 was ghoulishly lied about by right-wing commentators from Peggy Noonan to Sean Hannity - the boos of a couple of hundred partisans when Trent Lott's face was shown on a screen inside the University of Minnesota's Williams Arena amplified to mean '20,000 people booed', making it seem like the entire crowd was treating the exercise as a floor-stomping partisan barbeque.
Daily Kos
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/6/30/748533/-Why-I-Love-Al-Franken
Racial/religious profiling: An encounter with U.S. Customs
Over the last year, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection authorities have stopped some Somalis from boarding planes... Abdi I. Samatar is a professor and chair of the Department of Geography, University of Minnesota.
MinnPost
http://www.minnpost.com/community_voices/2009/06/30/9904/
racialreligious_profiling_an_encounter_with_us_customs