Today's News: Thursday, August 16, 2012
Featured
University of Minnesota's Tim Mulcahy wants to spur business investment, political alliances
When University of Minnesota Vice President for Research Tim Mulcahy retires at the end of the year, he will leave at least one job unfinished. If it is to be done, other people - namely Minnesota's legislators - will have to pick up the slack. Politics in Minnesota
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Free open source textbooks growing in popularity in college classes
Though paying for tuition and housing eat up more money, textbook costs are among the most groan-inducing expenses incurred by college students. ...To address this need for quality control, the University of Minnesota’s College of Education and Human Development has set up an Open Textbook Catalog.
Time Magazine
http://business.time.com/2012/08/10/free-textbooks-shaking-up-higher-education/
Research
Late heart rejection is in decline in children, mortality the same
The rate of heart transplant rejection after 1 year has decreased in pediatric patients in recent years compared with the early 1990s, report researchers who add that, despite this, mortality rates in these patients have stayed the same. ...The results suggest the need for strategies that will primarily prevent late rejection, say Rebecca Ameduri (University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital, USA) and colleagues in the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation.
News-Medical
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20120816/Late-heart-rejection-is-in-decline-in-children-mortality-the-same.aspx
Cougars are returning to Midwest after 100 years
Cougars (Puma concolor) have not lived in Oklahoma, Missouri and other states around the Midwest since the beginning of the 20th century. ...The expansion has been driven by the cougars' solitary, territorial nature, explains the paper's lead author, Michelle LaRue, research fellow for the Polar Geospatial Center at the University of Minnesota.
Scientific American (Sept. 2012 issue)
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=cougars-return-midwest-after-100-years
Man's best friend points the way in genetic research
Dogs may soon become man's best friend on a level that goes far beyond companionship and loyalty. Researchers report that the canine genome, similar in many ways to the human one, is starting to shed light on a wide range of human diseases. ...Cancer is the number one cause of death in dogs, said Dr. Ned Patterson, an associate professor of veterinary medicine and genetics at the University of Minnesota.
Philadelphia Inquirer
http://www.philly.com/philly/health/HealthDay667714_20120815_Man_s_Best_Friend_Points_the_Way_in_Genetic_Research.html?cmpid=138896554
Business and Politics
HealthPartners launches joint venture with video game startup VitalSims
VitalSims, a startup that makes video games for training health care workers, and HealthPartners Inc. have teamed up to launch a program that coaches physicians on how to diagnose and treat diabetes. ...Bloomington-based HealthPartners and the University of Minnesota have been working on the initiative for about 12 years with funding support from the National Institutes of Health and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
MSP Business Journal
http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/blog/in_private/2012/08/video-game-startup-vitalsims.html
Housing need, rail line bring development near U campus
A new light-rail line and strong demand for higher-quality student housing continues to spark more development around the University of Minnesota campus.
Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/business/166351856.html?refer=y
Court case spells trouble for frictionless sharing of videos on Facebook
A court case in California could bring an end to the Facebook problem of “SocialCam spam,” and bring a legal headache to video providers who have jumped on the Facebook auto-sharing bandwagon. ...“I believe it does spell trouble,” says William McGeveran, a law professor at the University of Minnesota.
Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2012/08/15/court-case-spells-trouble-for-frictionless-sharing-of-videos-on-facebook/
Commentary and Opinion
Immunizations should be on your back to school list
Joe Neglia, physician-in-chief; and Kathie Taranto, president of the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital, joined Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius and Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Ed Ehlinger in co-authoring a piece urging parents to make sure their children have current immunizations before the school year begins.
Winona Daily News
http://www.winonadailynews.com/news/opinion/article_8a0f479c-e73a-11e1-bd6c-0019bb2963f4.html
How Ryan can take Romney to the White House
Political analysis written by Lawrence R. Jacobs, professor and director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance in the Hubert H. Humphrey School at the University of Minnesota.
CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/16/opinion/jacobs-romney-ryan/index.html
Updates and Events
Minnesota State Fair: Veterinarians will monitor pigs for new flu
Pigs with barking coughs and runny noses won't go unnoticed at this year's Minnesota State Fair. ..."State Fair veterinarians are going to be monitoring very closely any hogs that have flu-like symptoms," said Brad Rugg, director of animal-science programs for 4-H, a U of M Extension youth development program.
Pioneer Press
http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_21312786/minnesota-state-fair-officials-look-out-new-strain
Rethinking the third year of medical school
A few medical schools have been leading the way to provide third-year medical students the opportunity to work with patients and get to know them beyond the procedures and health issues that land them in a clinic or hospital. ...Dr. Kathleen Brooks, director of the University of Minnesota Medical School Rural Physician Associate Program, joined the discussion Thursday on MPR's Daily Circuit.
MPR
Listen: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2012/08/16/daily-circuit-medical-school/
A time to build
Rimon: The Minnesota Jewish Arts Council, an initiative of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation, recently gave a project support grant to Hillel at the University of Minnesota to help launch “Extreme Makeover: Sukkah Edition.” Teams of students will be matched with artists to create inventive, artful and inviting sukkot — the temporary booths that Jews have built for more than 2,000 years.
Twin Cities Daily Planet
http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2012/08/15/time-build-rimon-minnesota-jewish-arts-council-will-support-yearlong-sukka-project-c
U of M hosts 4th Cold Climate Wine Competition
The International Cold Climate Wine Competition returns to the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota on Thursday. A panel of 21 experts will taste and judge more than 325 wines from commercial wineries in 12 states and Canada.
WCCO
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2012/08/16/u-of-m-hosts-4th-cold-climate-wine-competition/