Today's News: Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Administration
U excused absence policy back in place Feb. 25
The University of Minnesota is returning to its usual excused absence policy on Monday, Feb. 25, according to an email sent to faculty and staff on Wednesday.
Minnesota Daily
http://www.mndaily.com/blogs/newsstand/2013/02/20/u-excused-absence-policy-back-place-feb-25
Research
Minnesota children's dental care needs a brush-up
More than half of Minnesota's third-graders have suffered from tooth decay, and untreated dental problems have generated $148 million in emergency room charges in recent years — numbers that are drawing attention from state officials as an important public health challenge. Although tooth decay is preventable, it remains a prominent childhood disease in Minnesota, especially among low-income families, according to a new initiative announced Tuesday by the Minnesota Department of Health. Dr. Rob Jones of the U's School of Dentistry comments.
Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/191941001.html
Fox 9
To Watch: http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/video?clipId=8436884&topVideoCatNo=237345&autoStart=true
Study: Ancestors had healthier mouths
This may sound strange, but a new study shows our ancestors had much healthier mouths. Making it even stranger is that their mouths had a greater diversity of bacteria. The study, published in Nature Genetics, says the meat-dominated diet of our ancestors changed when humans began farming. Rob Jones, an assistant professor at the U's School of Dentistry comments.
KARE 11
To Watch: http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=1011933
People and Lifestyle
Minnesota in Pakistan: Advocacy and human rights
The second of KSTP-TV's four-part series on people in Pakistan with Minnesota connections profiles CEHD alumna Fouzia Saeed and her work to promote human rights in her native Pakistan.
KSTP-TV
To Watch: http://kstp.com/article/stories/s2932642.shtml?cat=63
Local social media experts get big online following
Shayla Thiel-Stern, professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, discusses ways in which people use social media get their message out to large numbers of the population.
WCCO-TV
To Watch: http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/video/8438549-local-social-media-experts-get-big-online-following/
Which position gives you the best night's sleep?
Few things feel as good as a full night's sleep. But even if you tuck yourself in with eight hours ahead of you before the alarm goes off, there are no guarantees that you'll feel rested the next day. Dr. Michael Howell at the University of Minnesota talked with WCCO about how certain sleep positions affect you and how to go about changing that.
WCCO-TV
To Watch: http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2013/02/20/which-position-gives-you-the-best-nights-sleep/
Ask Dr. Hallberg: Problems with DMAA use
DMAA is a popular supplement with athletes, or people looking for an edge in their workout. But some side effects have the U.S. Food and Drug Administration looking into it. Dr. Hallberg, an assistant professor in family medicine at the University of Minnesota, weighs in.
MPR
To Listen: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2013/02/19/health/hallberg-dmaa
With more total driver's licenses, women passing men on the roads
For the first time ever, more women than men have driver’s licenses nationwide [according to the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute.] This gender gap reversal means safer roads and less pollution. David Levinson, a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Minnesota, comments.
Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/drive/192089061.html
UMPD working to boost its diversity
UMPD Chief Greg Hestness discusses the challenge the department faces in hiring minority officers as well as the efforts underway to recruit minority officers.
Minnesota Daily
http://www.mndaily.com/2013/02/20/umpd-working-boost-its-diversity
Commentary and Opinion
They'll matter less if we make them matter less
Claire Hill, professor and the James L. Krusemark Chair at the U of M Law School and the Director of its Institute for Law and Rationality, wrote in an article published in the New York Times about the lofty expectations of rating agencies.
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/02/19/how-to-prevent-more-bond-rating-fiascoes/theyll-matter-less-if-we-make-them-matter-less
Updates and Events
Mental health clinic to expand
To account for increased demand for mental health services, Boynton Health Service is requesting more than $380,000 in increased funding from the University of Minnesota Student Services Fees Committee. Boynton Chief Medical Officer Gary Christenson explains the unit's rationale further.
Minnesota Daily
http://www.mndaily.com/2013/02/20/mental-health-clinic-expand
15th Avenue railroad bridge rated 'poor'
Ted Galambos, a professor emeritus of civil engineering at the University of Minnesota, discusses the state of the more than 100-year-old 15th Avenue railroad bridge, which is owned by Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific.
Minnesota Daily
http://www.mndaily.com/2013/02/20/15th-avenue-railroad-bridge-rated-%E2%80%98poor%E2%80%99
News Releases and Multimedia
Sen. Al Franken to serve as 2013 commencement speaker at U of M Morris
United States Senator Al Franken will serve as the 2013 Commencement speaker at the University of Minnesota, Morris on Saturday, May 11.
UMM News
http://www.morris.umn.edu/newsevents/view.php?itemID=12482