Today's News Weekend Edition: Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Administration
University preps for smaller, more diverse pool of high school graduates
With the pool of high school graduates predicted to undergo major changes in the next few years, the University of Minnesota is reconsidering recruitment and college preparatory strategies. A Jan. 10 report predicted a shrinking and diversifying cohort of high school graduates nationwide.
Minnesota Daily
http://www.mndaily.com/2013/01/22/university-preps-smaller-more-diverse-pool
Admin costs at the U discussed
Jenna Ross, higher education reporter from the Star Tribune, joins tpt's Almanac to discuss the recent conversation about the University of Minnesota's administrative costs and how that may impact the legislative request.
Twin Cities Public Television
To Watch: http://www.mnvideovault.org/mvvPlayer/customPlaylist2.php?id=24108&select_index=0&popup=yes#4
Research
Study shows antibacterial soap ingredient builds up in state's waters
All those antibacterial soaps we use are washing into Minnesota's lakes and rivers, where they're building up as toxins, University of Minnesota researchers have found. Levels of triclosan, the active ingredient in household products ranging from soap to cosmetics have increased in rivers and ponds as people have used more of it over the past several decades, according to a study made public Tuesday, Jan. 22, and published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.
Pioneer Press
http://www.twincities.com/portal/ci_22422574/university-minnesota-study-finds-increase-household-soap-ingredient?_loopback=1
Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/local/187826601.html?refer=y
MPR
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2013/01/22/environment/triclosan-pollutes-minnesota-lakes-u-of-m-study-finds
Health Canal
http://www.healthcanal.com/environmental-health/35509-Antibacterial-agent-used-common-soaps-found-increasing-amounts-freshwater-lakes.html
Facing cancer, a stark choice
Researchers estimate that as many as 15 percent of women with breast cancer — 30,000 a year — opt to have both breasts removed, up from less than 3 percent in the late 1990s. Most of the data on prophylactic mastectomy come from the University of Minnesota, where researchers tracked contralateral mastectomy trends from 1998 to 2006. Dr. Todd M. Tuttle, chief of surgical oncology at the U of M, comments.
New York Times
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/21/facing-cancer-a-stark-choice/
Study: Many in Congress aren't homegrown
Fun factoid about Congress for Tuesday: About 40% of House members aren't homegrown. Smart Politics, which is a blog written by University of Minnesota researcher Eric Ostermeier, finds it is the younger members of Congress who represent a House district in their birth state.
USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/story/onpolitics/2013/01/22/congress-birth-states-home-grown/1854759/
8 medication mistakes parents make
A study from the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy in Minneapolis-St. Paul found that obese kids metabolize caffeine and dextromethorphan, a key ingredient in many cough suppressants, faster than their average-weight peers,which means they may need more than what the label suggests.
Yahoo! Shine
http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/8-medication-mistakes-parents-145700005.html#!j9B6
'Body Worlds' preservation method also used at University of Minnesota
"Beautiful" might not be the word most people would use to describe a slice of human brain, captured in cross section, looking slightly like a Dr. Seuss tree with pinkish lobes. But that is what anatomy professor Anthony Weinhaus said when he looked at a specimen preserved by a University of Minnesota colleague at a campus lab.
Pioneer Press
http://www.twincities.com/health/ci_22402283/body-worlds-preservation-method-also-used-at-university
Business and Politics
University begins making case at Capitol
With a predicted state budget shortfall of $1.1 billion and criticisms about administrative costs, the University of Minnesota has had a notable presence during the first couple weeks of the 2013 state legislative session. The University has approached lawmakers with visions and research, but the top priority is drumming up support for President Eric Kaler’s billion-plus budget proposal that would offer a tuition freeze in exchange for more state funding.
Minnesota Daily
http://www.mndaily.com/2013/01/22/university-begins-making-case-capitol
U of M professors talk politics on Almanac
Political Science Professors Larry Jacobs and Kathryn Pearson join tpt's Almanac to discuss President Obama's inauguration, the economy, gun control and immigration.
Twin Cities Public Television
To Watch: http://www.mnvideovault.org/mvvPlayer/customPlaylist2.php?id=24108&select_index=0&popup=yes#9
Political analyst discusses Obama's 2nd inaugural address
Kathryn Pearson, a political analyst and professor at the University of Minnesota, discusses President Barack Obama's second inaugural address during an in studio interview.
KSTP-TV
To Watch: http://kstp.com/article/stories/S2904102.shtml?cat=0
Good Question: Why do we spend so much on inaugurations?
No matter whose hand is on the Bible or two Bibles, the inauguration of a President is an amazing American scene. But at an estimated $170 million for the swearing in, the parade, the lunch, and the inaugural balls, some people are asking questions about President Barack Obama. Larry Jacobs, Director of the Center for the Study of Politics at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey School for Public Affairs, adds insight.
WCCO-TV
To Watch: http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2013/01/21/good-question-why-do-we-spend-so-much-on-inaugurations/
People and Lifestyle
Minnesota values shaped civil-rights leader Roy Wilkins
Samuel L. Myers, Jr., the Roy Wilkins Professor of Human Relations and Social Justice and the director of the Roy Wilkins Center for Human Relations and Social Justice at the U of M's Humphrey School for Public Affairs, discusses the life and work of civil-rights activist, NAACP executive director, Twin Cities native and U of M alumnus Roy Wilkins.
MinnPost
http://www.minnpost.com/minnesota-history/2013/01/minnesota-values-shaped-civil-rights-leader-roy-wilkins
Victims of sexual trauma harness the calming power of horses
Chante Wolf, an Air Force veteran served in the Persian Gulf war in 1991, where, she says, she and other female recruits were systematically targeted for abuse. These days she finds solace in an unexpected place —a horse farm called Freedom Farm about an hour west of Minneapolis, where the sky opens up to lush rolling hills. Michael J. Miller, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Minnesota, likened the psychological effects of military sexual assault to incest.
New York Times (blog)
http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/22/victims-of-sexual-trauma-harness-the-calming-power-of-horses/
'UV exposure IS dangerous': Dermatologists slam tanning industry campaign that promotes the benefits of sun bed use
Dermatologists have slammed a new campaign by the tanning industry, that promotes the health benefits of sun bed use. DeAnn Lazovich, a cancer epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota Cancer Center, comments.
NBC News
http://openchannel.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/22/16630988-dermatologists-blast-tanning-industry-campaign-to-play-down-skin-cancer-fears?lite
Daily Mail
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2266457/UV-exposure-IS-dangerous-Dermatologists-slam-tanning-industry-campaign-promotes-benefits-sunbed-use.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
Death certificates present final medical complication
Death certificates are vital documents that serve as the primary source of information for families, insurance companies and authorities about a patient’s cause of death. But signing a death certificate is not always a straightforward process. Drew Rosielle, MD, assistant professor of medicine and director of the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship at the University of Minnesota Medical School, comments.
American Medical News
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2013/01/21/prsa0121.htm
Elderly US drivers not tested for blind spots
Elderly people with a certain type of blind spot were less likely to see pedestrians in time to avoid hitting them in a driving simulator, according to a new study by Gordon Legge, head of a lab for low-vision research at the University of Minnesota.
Daily Bulletin
http://www.dailybulletin.com/breakingnews/ci_22418831/elderly-us-drivers-not-tested-blind-spots#ixzz2IihJsBPN
Commentary and Opinion
King's dream, Minnesota's reality
Eric Schwartz, Dean of Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and Professor Samuel L. Myers, Jr., of the Humphrey School discuss Martin Luther King's historic visit to the University of Minnesota in January of 1963 in which he urged the Kennedy Administration to take strong action to end practices of segregation, and urges us to be informed and guided by Dr. King's vision as we address ongoing racial disparities in Minnesota.
Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/187537111.html
Updates and Events
In face of flu outbreak, the University is cautious
The University of Minnesota and Boynton Health Service have taken strong measures in response to this year’s flu season, including implementing temporary sick policy changes and increasing flu shot clinic locations. Like the rest of the state and U.S., Boynton has seen an increase in flu cases between Christmas and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day compared to recent years.
Minnesota Daily
http://www.mndaily.com/2013/01/22/face-flu-outbreak-university-cautious
In Minnesota, flu's peak uncertain as death toll reaches 60
As Minnesota continues to see more deaths and hospitalizations due to influenza, health officials say they can't yet tell whether the state's flu season already might have peaked. Nicholas Kelley, research associate at the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, comments.
Pioneer Press
http://www.twincities.com/health/ci_22394986/minnesota-health-another-33-flu-related-deaths
A worm's ovary cells become a flu vaccine machine
As the flu season grinds on from news cycle to news cycle, there's some flu news of a different sort. Federal regulators have approved a next-generation type of flu vaccine for the second time in two months. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, comments.
NPR
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/01/18/169695011/a-worms-ovary-cells-become-a-flu-vaccine-machine
Task force estimates Les Bolstad renovation at $7 million
The task force created in September to determine the cost of a renovation to Les Bolstad Golf Course has released its recommendations.
Minnesota Daily
http://www.mndaily.com/2013/01/17/task-force-estimates-les-bolstad-renovation-7-million
Prices for brand-name drugs increase considerably
According to a report published by pharmacy benefits manager Express Scripts, the price of brand-name prescription drugs is rising far faster than the inflation rate. Stephen W. Schondelmeyer, a professor of pharmaceutical economics at the University of Minnesota, comments.
Health AIM
http://www.healthaim.com/prices-for-brand-name-drugs-increase-considerably/
Young professionals battle cancer with a ball
A Twin Cities group called Young Professionals Finding a Cure are hoping to better fight cancer. And they’re holding a masquerade ball next week, funds raised will support research grants at the University of Minnesota. Kaylee Schwertfeger, a U of M breast cancer researcher said these events help her work.
WCCO-TV
To Watch: http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2013/01/19/young-professionals-battle-cancer-with-a-ball/
United by King’s dream: Event marks MLK Day
Fifty years after Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I Have a Dream” address, more than 100 people gathered Monday in Grand Forks to remember and reflect upon on the life and legacy of the speech and its giver. “He prayed and worked hard for a world that would be better,” said Fred Wood, chancellor of the University of Minnesota-Crookston.
Grand Forks Herald
http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/254549/
Construction starts on green dorm at University of Minnesota in Morris
Workers have started to construct a green dorm at the University of Minnesota in Morris. The $6.9 million project will house 72 students in suite-style dorms that will offer more single rooms than other campus housing options. T.J. Ross, associate director of the Office of Residential Life, says the Green Prairie Living and Learning Community is the first new dorm built on the campus in about 40 years.
Crookston Times
http://www.crookstontimes.com/article/20130121/NEWS/130129972/-1/news
Eh? 5 million for U-Pass
The Duluth Transit U-Pass program will surpass the 5 million-rider milestone Wednesday at the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Duluth News Tribune
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/256419/group/News/
Bird watchers can get close to the stars of this show
Cameras clicked and bird watchers gasped Saturday as Marge Gibson of the Raptor Education Group, Inc. thrust a rehabilitated bald eagle toward the sky at VFW Park. During the Live Birds of Prey Show at the River Arts Center, Mike Billington of the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine Raptor Center said his organization took in 117 injured bald eagles in 2012.
Baraboo News Republic
http://www.wiscnews.com/baraboonewsrepublic/news/local/article_3e605750-6381-11e2-b309-001a4bcf887a.html
Alberta Lea Tribune
http://www.albertleatribune.com/2013/01/19/bald-eagles-also-hunt-for-ducks-or-other-easy-prey/
University of Minnesota launches new degree: High school to licensed architect in seven years
Starting this spring, the School of Architecture, at the University of Minnesota's College of Design, will offer a new concentration in research practices within their master of science in architecture degree for students starting the fall of 2013.
Archinect
http://archinect.com/news/article/65835216/university-of-minnesota-launches-new-degree-high-school-to-licensed-architect-in-seven-years