Today's News: Friday, July 27, 2012
Featured
University of Minnesota releases e-book about academic technology
Faculty and staff from the University of Minnesota accomplished what some might consider a near-miracle of publishing: they turned blank pages into a 317-page book in 10 weeks. E-book, that is. Since the book -- Cultivating Change in the Academy: 50+ Stories from the Digital Frontlines at the University of Minnesota in 2012 -- is online, its producers could circumvent some of the cost and time associated with print publishing.
Inside Higher Ed
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2012/07/27/university-minnesota-releases-e-book-about-academic-technology
Soybean farmers take a valuable trip across Minnesota
Whether it is for weed control, pest management or nutrient management, research is a vital part of agriculture. Earlier this month, twelve Minnesota soybean farmers participated in a four-day research road trip across the state of Minnesota. Hosted by the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC), the See For Yourself trip highlighted why land-grant university researchers, Extension specialists, and farmers are such an important team.
Minnesota Farm Guide
http://www.minnesotafarmguide.com/soybean-farmers-take-a-valuable-trip-across-minnesota/article_b4657104-d765-11e1-a098-0019bb2963f4.html
Administration
Positions shift with associate dean's retirement at UMD business school
After more than 44 years in teaching and administrative roles at the University of Minnesota Duluth Labovitz School of Business and Economics, Wayne Jesswein retired as the school’s associate dean.
Superior Telegram
http://www.superiortelegram.com/event/article/id/68419/
Research
Fiber-aided foods may not stem your hunger
Fiber-enriched processed foods promise a healthier version of your favorite snacks, but do not expect them to keep your hunger at bay, a small study suggests. ..."In general, added fibers don't work across the board" when it comes to helping you feel fuller longer, said senior researcher Joanne Slavin, a registered dietitian and professor at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul.
Chicago Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/sns-rt-us-fiber-added-foods-may-not-stem-your-hungerbre86-20120727,0,7318900.story
Chinese face major health risks on the American fast food diet
I am leaving for my first trip to China next week, which I had planned with the idea in mind that I could visit before the country changes so much that it bears no resemblance to what it was in pre-modern times. I guess it is too late. ...I have to agree with Mark Pereira, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.
Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/sites/juliewilcox/2012/07/26/chinese-face-major-health-risks-on-the-american-fast-food-diet/
Business and Politics
Raimondo pension lawsuit seen risking bankruptcies: Muni credit
Rhode Island Treasurer Gina Raimondo championed an overhaul last year of one of the nation’s worst- funded public pensions, setting out a road map for states and cities by curbing benefits and delaying retirements. ...While the court action may take months or years, it’s being closely watched as it may provide guidance in other states where similar legal battles have arisen, said Amy Monahan, who teaches law at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.
Bloomberg Businessweek
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-07-27/raimondo-pension-lawsuit-seen-risking-bankruptcies-muni-credit
U.S. Federal Court says stem cell treatments are drugs
A U.S. federal court has found that a stem cell therapy offered by a Colorado clinic meets the definition of a regulated drug. The ruling could spur a U.S. Food and Drug Administration crackdown on other clinics offering untested adult stem cell treatments in the United States. ...University of Minnesota bioethicist Leigh Turner says this week's court ruling "is particularly important given that we are witnessing within the US the proliferation of clinics marketing stem cell procedures," many of which "appear to be pushing stem cell quackery," he says.
Science
http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2012/07/us-federal-court-says-stem-cell-.html?ref=hp
Updates and Events
Feminism, women's rights discussed at U of M event
A seminar at the University of Minnesota will be talking about historic milestones, political issues, and modern realities of the feminism movement.
KSTP
http://kstp.com/article/stories/s2706584.shtml
'Fairest' garden of them all: Master Gardeners bring skills to fairgrounds landscape
A frequent stop for the more than 5,000 visitors to the Washington County Fair each year is the demonstration garden on the east side of the fairgrounds created by University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardeners.
Stillwater Gazette
http://stillwatergazette.com/2012/07/27/fairest-garden-of-them-all-master-gardeners-bring-skills-to-fairgrounds-landscape/
The simplest machines, the smartest people
I wrote about a lot of students and their work in my years as an education reporter. The kids that stand out, though, are the ones that used their brilliance to find simple solutions to basic problems in developing countries. I remember Patrick Delaney, a University of Minnesota electrical engineering student, who helped design low-cost, easy-to-use solar powered lanterns that brought light to remote regions of Nicaragua and could be built there.
MPR
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/news_cut/archive/2012/07/the_simplest_machines_the_smar.shtml