Today's News: Thursday, October 18, 2012
Administration
U administrators host talk on diversity
U of M President Eric Kaler and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Karen Hanson addressed many issues at an open listening session Tuesday afternoon, attended by about 30 students. The session touched on a range of issues, from racial and cultural diversity to renovations of the second floor of Coffman Union, which is home to many student group offices and cultural centers.
Minnesota Daily
http://www.mndaily.com/2012/10/18/u-administrators-host-talk-diversity
Research
U of M study sees pancreatic tumors wiped out in mice by drug
Researchers from the U of M’s Masonic Cancer Center have found that mice treated with a drug made from a plant known as “thunder god vine,” or lei gong teng, showed no signs of tumors after 40 days of discontinuing the treatment. The study, led by Ashok Saluja, was funded by the U and the National Institutes of Health, and was published today in the journal Science Translational Medicine. “This drug is just unbelievably potent in killing tumor cells,” added Saluja.
Bloomberg Businessweek
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-10-17/drug-from-chinese-thunder-god-vine-slays-tumors-in-mice
Science Codex
http://www.sciencecodex.com/u_of_m_researchers_develop_new_drug_to_target_and_destroy_tumor_cells-100404
KSTP-TV
To Watch: http://kstp.com/news/stories/S2802153.shtml?cat=1
KMSP-TV
To Watch: http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/19848951/pancreatic-cancer-victims-team-develops-breakthrough-drug-at-u
Researchers at U of M find lifestyle boosts for older women with cancer
According to a study conducted by U of M researchers, older women diagnosed with cancer who stay physically active, maintain a healthy weight and eat a well-balanced diet are much more likely to survive than those who don’t.
Health Magazine
http://news.health.com/2012/10/17/healthy-lifestyle-boosts-survival-odds-for-older-women-with-cancer/
U of M scientist contributes to mapping of barley genome
A U of M scientist is part of an international team that mapped the genome of barley, one of the world’s most important and genetically complex cereal crops. The researchers say the work will help produce higher yields, improve pest and disease resistance, and enhance barley’s nutritional value.
Pioneer Press
http://www.twincities.com/ci_21799792/university-minnesota-barley-genome-mapped-by-scientist
Science Codex
http://www.sciencecodex.com/u_of_m_scientist_contributes_to_mapping_of_barley_genome-100359
Study conducted by U of M finds flu vaccine deficiencies
A study on the flu vaccine, conducted by the U of M, found it was not as effective during some flu seasons – especially for the elderly. Results from the study show that the shot protected adults about 59% of the time, and didn’t offer much protection to children or seniors.
Scientific American
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=flu-shots-may-not-protect-the-elderly-or-the-very-young
Consumer Affairs
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2012/10/are-flu-vaccines-really-all-that-effective.html
Business and Politics
Political science associate professor analyzes second presidential debate
U of M political science associate professor Kathryn Pearson talked with the Minnesota Daily on her reaction to the second Presidential debate. Pearson analyzed each candidate’s performance, the moderator’s fact-checking incident and who “won” the debate.
Minnesota Daily
http://www.mndaily.com/2012/10/18/debate-no-2-analysis
The harsh reality of flexible work schedules
Mitt Romney didn't do women -- or men -- any favors Tuesday night when he boasted that offering his female chief of staff an early exit from the office to make dinner was a great example of how you attract and retain women... "Romney was espousing an outdated, traditional way of thinking about flex-time," Lisa M. Leslie, an assistant professor at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, tells The Huffington Post.
Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/emily-peck/flexible-work-schedules-fair-pay_b_1975523.html
Updates and Events
NYT tech writer David Pogue visits U of M
David Pogue, tech writer for The New York Times, visited the U of M yesterday to give a lecture to a crowd of more than 1,000 people on “disruptive” technology. The College of Science and Engineering and the University’s Friends of the Libraries hosted his visit, and Pogue discussed his life, what he’s obsessed with and what he’s learned. Pogue also visited a class of CSE freshman Wednesday afternoon.
Pioneer Press
To Watch: http://blogs.twincities.com/yourtechweblog/2012/10/17/new-york-times-tech-columnist-speaks-at-the-u-watch-him/
Minnesota Daily
http://www.mndaily.com/2012/10/17/ny-times-columnist-visits-u
We Can Ride group no longer at the U
We Can Ride, a program that provides horse-riding therapy for children and adults with disabilities will no longer call the U of M home. Amid regrets and recriminations, the U decided not to renew We Can Ride’s lease on its St. Paul campus, which ends on Oct. 31. Trevor Ames, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, said “Nobody feels good about this…It was a really difficult decision.”
Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/local/stpaul/174677361.html?refer=y