Today's News Thursday, August 9, 2012
Featured
Ebola Outbreak in Uganda: CDC rushes to contain virus
Recent School of Public Health graduate, Barb Knust, from the Executive Program in Public Health Practice has gone to Uganda to head up the CDC’s investigation on Ebola outbreak.
ABC Nightline
To Watch: http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/ebola-outbreak-uganda-cdc-rushes-virus-16954196?tab=9482930§ion=1206872&playlist=1887643
Research
CDC: Kids lowering cholesterol
The CDC reports that the number of American children with high cholesterol is down to 8 percent. Dr. Russell Luepker, Mayo Professor of Public Health, comments on the study.
FOX9
To Watch: http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/video?clipId=7593360&autostart=true
The number of women around affects what men will spend on a date
Dating is a numbers game when is comes to how much men are willing to spend according to a new study led by University of Minnesota's Vladis Griskevicius.
Business Insider
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-number-of-women-around-affects-what-men-will-spend-on-a-date-2012-8
Consumers need more information on antibiotic use
Along with consumers’ increased interest in how their food is grown, the question of how antibiotics are used on the farm also is being asked more frequently. However, there is misunderstanding among consumers about how livestock and poultry producers use antibiotics, according to Jeff Bender, DVM, associate professor, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.
Cattle News
To Watch: http://www.cattlenetwork.com/cattle-news/Consumers-need-more-information-on-antibiotic-use-165472376.html?ref=376
Business and Politics
Tough choices for law schools amid job crisis
New data released by the American Bar Association in June revealed that barely half of those who graduated in law school in 2011 found fulltime jobs as lawyers within nine months of graduation. A separate survey from the National Association for Law Placement in June found the overall employment rate last year was the lowest in 16 years. [story profiles U of M Law School grad]
Yahoo! Finance
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/tough-choices-law-schools-amid-163553261.html
People and Lifestyle
Benefits of social workers who come from tribal community
With four words, Korina Barry sums up her teens, the times and impetus that helped put her in the chair where she sits today, aiding others. “It’s been a ride,’’ she says. ...At the University of Minnesota, for instance, Barry, an Anishinaabe from the Leech Lake band who grew up in south Minneapolis, qualified for a scholarship from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community to help pay her way through college, earning her undergraduate and master’s of social work degrees.
MinnPost
http://www.minnpost.com/community-sketchbook/2012/08/benefits-social-workers-who-come-tribal-community
Maturi transitions from AD to adviser, liaison and educator
When he was Minnesota’s athletics director, Joel Maturi rarely found time to himself in his old office at the Bierman Field Athletic Building. Now, up in his third-floor office of the 1901 University Avenue SE building, sometimes time alone is all he has. “It’s much quieter up here,” Maturi said. “Like last Friday, I think I was the only one on this floor.” Maturi, who was the Gophers’ AD for 10 years, is transitioning to his new role as adviser, donor liaison and educator.
Minnesota Daily
http://www.mndaily.com/2012/08/08/maturi-transitions-ad-adviser-liaison-and-educator
A balancing act: Parenting at the U
In the U.S., debates on the balance between work and family are in full swing. At the same time, national policies regarding parenthood continue to lag behind those of other industrialized nations. The University of Minnesota’s policies are in line with national standards, and are among the more generous policies in the Big Ten. But students, faculty and staff continue to struggle with financial concerns, limited resources and striking a viable balance.
Minnesota Daily
http://www.mndaily.com/2012/08/08/balancing-act-parenting-u
Commentary and Opinion
Open letter to Vice President for University Services Pam Wheelock
[Letter from John Knobel, University Facilities Management employee] Welcome, incoming Vice President for University Services Pam Wheelock — your official start date is less than a week away, which unfortunately for all of us at the University of Minnesota — and all Minnesota tax payers as well — is the one-year anniversary of Facilities Management Associate Vice President Mike Berthelsen and his staff’s implementation of team cleaning here on campus.
Minnesota Daily
http://www.mndaily.com/2012/08/08/open-letter-vice-president-university-services-pam-wheelock
Updates and Events
Microbiologist discusses amoeba linked to child's death
Dr. Kirsten Nielsen of the University of Minnesota Department of Microbiology discusses the Naegleria Fowleri amoeba [linked to the death of a 9-year-old boy in the Stillwater area.]
KSTP
To Watch: http://kstp.com/news/stories/s2721430.shtml
Expert in Immunology: Infection by brain-eating amoeba linked to climate change
As a Florida transplant, I thought I left the brain-eating parasites behind me when I moved 1,500 miles north to Minnesota, but then it happened: This week a 9-year-old boy died after contracting the parasite while swimming in Stillwater's Lily Lake. ...To get some insight into this illness I spoke with Dr. Mark Schleiss, a professor of Pediatrics in the University of Minnesota Medical School, Associate Chair for Research in the Department of Pediatrics, and Director of the Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology.
Patch.com
http://burnsville.patch.com/articles/appearance-of-brain-eating-amoeba-linked-to-climate-change-8b4930ad#photo-10954735
Will sweet corn bounty last till State Fair?
During our year of weather weirdness, the stalks were head-high on the 4th of July near Waconia. Soon afterward, sweet corn lovers started enjoying one of the earliest huskin' seasons in recent memory. But -- there always seems to be a "but" when such a wondrous happenstance unfolds -- an early start might mean an early finish, especially with continuing hot weather. "Availability might be tight in late August," said Jeff Coulter, corn agronomist with the University of Minnesota Extension Service.
Minneapolis Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/165454756.html?refer=y
Medical Device Center plans $2.2M expansion
The University of Minnesota’s Medical Devices Center has filed 109 invention disclosures since it was established in spring 2008. Since then, researchers have outgrown their current 5,000-square-foot facility in Shepherd Laboratories.
Minnesota Daily
http://www.mndaily.com/2012/08/03/medical-devices-center-receives-108-million-expansion
U pursues avenue for less costly textbooks
The University of Minnesota hopes to lighten the load for students by finding textbooks that are less expensive or -- better yet -- free. "We were looking for options to make higher education more affordable and course materials just seem to be a sweet spot," said Dave Ernst, director of academic and information technology in the College of Education and Human Development.
Minneapolis Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/local/165524646.html?refer=y
Green design project could change U district
Neighborhood leaders, University of Minnesota faculty and city officials are taking a sustainable approach in planning the area around the University.
Minnesota Daily
http://www.mndaily.com/2012/08/08/green-design-project-could-change-u-district
Renovation's in motion for Coffman's second floor
In one of the most decisive moves in a two-year process, the University of Minnesota recently issued its request for proposals for the $2.5 million renovation of Coffman Union’s second floor.
Minnesota Daily
http://www.mndaily.com/2012/08/08/renovations-motion-coffman%E2%80%99s-second-floor