Today's News Thursday, January 24, 2013

Featured

Stats: Crime, drinking offenses down at U of M
Serious crime at the University of Minnesota continues to drop every year, statistics show. Chuck Miner, deputy chief of the University of Minnesota Police Department, comments.
WCCO-TV
To watch: http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2013/01/23/stats-crime-drinking-offenses-down-at-u-of-m/

Administration

Kaler brings legislative priorities to campus
University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler spoke in front of an estimated 500-plus crowd Wednesday night, calling students, faculty and alumni to support the University during the legislative session.
MN Daily
http://www.mndaily.com/2013/01/24/kaler-brings-legislative-priorities-campus

Faculty carry the administrative research burden
From a researcher’s point of view, the University of Minnesota doesn’t have enough administrators. The University has endured criticism over the last month after a Wall Street Journal article scrutinized its administrative spending, but many professors say they have taken on more administrative responsibilities throughout the years.
MN Daily
http://www.mndaily.com/2013/01/24/faculty-carry-administrative-research-burden

Research

Push is on for a better flu shot
With a flu season that arrived earlier and more harshly than usual, government health officials have been loudly sounding the call for everyone to be immunized, while more quietly encouraging efforts to develop a better vaccine that would protect against many more strains of the virus. Michael Osterholm, an epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, comments.
The Boston Globe
http://bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2013/01/23/seeking-more-effective-flu-vaccine/kcCdhDDw7T4p3cpbmF1GUN/story.html
WBUR
http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2013/01/23/better-flu-vaccine

Bird flu experts end halt to lab research
Bird flu experts on Wednesday ended a voluntary halt on research into how to make the deadly H5N1 avian influenza capable of spreading to mammals, and perhaps rapidly to people. Michael Osterholm, an epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, comments.
USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2013/01/23/avian-flu-moratorium/1858329/

Business and Politics

Bill seeks funding for breakthrough spinal cord injury treatment
On Wednesday, a bill inspired by two young Minnesota men is giving hope to those who can't walk due to spinal cord injuries by funding breakthrough research that could help them regain mobility. Dr. Ann Parr is researching new therapies for spinal cord injuries at the U of M, and she said the money could help fund a clinical trial for her research.
KMSP-TV
http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/20665109/bill-seeks-funding-for-breakthrough-spinal-cord-injury-treatment

Public policy poll gives Dayton high approval mark
A new poll finds Gov. Mark Dayton leading the list of possible Republicans who may challenge him in 2014. University of Minnesota political scientist Larry Jacobs comments.
WCCO
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2013/01/24/public-policy-poll-gives-dayton-high-approval-marks/

National gun debate hits Minnesota with residents on all sides of the issue
As the national debate on gun control heats up, Minnesotans are beginning to enter the conversation. Last week, University of Minnesota Law School students and professors sent a report to the United Nations pushing for tighter gun regulations.
Twin Cities Daily Planet
http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2013/01/23/national-gun-debate-hits-minnesota-residents-all-sides-issue

People and Lifestyle

Good Samaritans save U of M student in Marcy-Holmes mugging
When University of Minnesota student Arianna Verette was jumped by three men just a half a block from her off-campus apartment, the owners of Maxwell's Café were quick to grab a baseball bat and spring to her aid.
KMSP-TV
To Watch: http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/20664733/good-samaritans-save-u-of-m-student-in-marcy-holmes-mugging

Ask Dr. Hallberg: 'Self-diagnosing' using the Internet
More than 35 percent of Americans have tried to diagnose an ache or pain using the Internet with services like WebMD, according to a new study by the Pew Internet and American Life project. Dr. Jon Hallberg, a regular medical analyst on All Things Considered and a physician in family medicine at the University of Minnesota, spoke with Tom Crann about the growing trend.
MPR
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2013/01/22/health/hallberg-internet-diagnosing

Commentary and Opinion

Will the University of Minnesota’s new architecture program lower the average age of architects?
In the United States, students of architecture take an average of 14.5 years after high school of studying and interning before qualifying for licensing exams. A new program at the University of Minnesota, however, seeks to change all that.
ARTINFO (blog)
http://blogs.artinfo.com/objectlessons/2013/01/23/will-the-university-of-minnesotas-new-architecture-program-lower-the-average-age-of-architects/

Updates and Events

Pioneering cancer researcher at U of M dies of cancer
A pioneering brain tumor researcher at the University of Minnesota has died following his own battle with cancer. John Ohlfest, Ph.D. died Monday, Jan. 21, of melanoma.
MPR
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2013/01/23/health/minnesota-cancer-researcher-dies-of-cancer

On campus beat: Cheaper plan for U golf course advances
Big plans to upgrade the University of Minnesota's golf course have been scaled back. The historic Les Bolstad Golf Course can be spiffed up for under $7.5 million, a new report says.
Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/local/188136031.html

Profs to protest closings of TCF student accounts
A group of University of Minnesota faculty members will begin moving their TCF direct deposits to other banks this week in protest of the closing of several Iranian students’ accounts.
MN Daily
http://www.mndaily.com/2013/01/24/profs-protest-closings-tcf-student-accounts