Today's News: Friday, March 1, 2013
Administration
President Kaler gives State of the U address
University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler plans to give graduate programs a boost, open office hours to hear student concerns and put a new focus on employee satisfaction. In his second State of the University address Thursday, Feb. 28, Kaler struck an upbeat tone, even amid what he called "the perfect storm for higher education."
Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/194001901.html?source=error
Pioneer Press
http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_22688144/university-minnesota-chief-kaler-take-questions-after-state
MPR
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2013/02/28/education/president-kaler-university
Minnesota Daily
http://www.mndaily.com/2013/02/28/kaler-our-flaws-are-not-fatal-u-strong
KARE 11
To Watch: http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=1013654
KSTP
To Watch: http://universityofmn.kstp.com/news/events/187028-kaler-delivers-state-university-address
Research
Britain needs bees: Crops suffering as wild pollinators decline
Scientists have revealed that the decline of wild bees and other insects could hinder Britain's crop yields – even more so than the dwindling honeybee. A recent report has shown that wild insects pollinate orchards more efficiently than rented honeybees, and for no cost. Marla Spivak, a professor of entomology at the University of Minnesota, offers insight.
UK Daily Express
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/381155/Britain-needs-bees-Crops-suffering-as-wild-pollinators-decline
The war on cancer goes stealth
Instead of concentrating on blasting away at cancer cells, or poisoning them, you’re more likely to hear cancer scientists talk about “tricking” the immune system. The U of M's AeroCore is experimenting with nano particles and magnets to fight lung cancer.
Smithsonian Magazine
http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/ideas/2013/03/the-war-on-cancer-goes-stealth/#ixzz2MJy7O2u8
Business and Politics
Are lawmakers getting the job done in DC? A look by the numbers
As thousands of daily spectators marvel at the US Capitol Building, there are hundreds of lawmakers rushing to and from meetings. Millions of Americans are wondering what, if anything is getting done in Washington right now. Kathryn Pearson, a political science professor at the U of M, assisted in explaining the current situation in Washington.
WUSA-9
http://www.wusa9.com/news/article/246186/158/Are-Lawmakers-Getting-The-Job-Done-In-DC-A-Look-By-The-Numbers
U of M's Kathryn Pearson on sequestration
Today, University of Minnesota Political Science professor Kathryn Pearson joined MPR to explain and discuss sequestration and other events prominent in politics.
MPR
To Listen: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/polinaut/archive/2013/03/policast_u_of_m.shtml
People and Lifestyle
Minnesota wrestler loses eligibility by selling songs
Joel Bauman [a U of M wrestler] aspires to inspire through his music mainly hip-hop and rap. His most recent song video, 'Ones in the Sky,' which has a positive message and urges people to pursue their dreams, has drawn more than 47,000 hits on YouTube. It can also be downloaded for 99 cents on iTunes. That is a problem for the N.C.A.A.
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/28/sports/wrestler-hoping-to-inspire-through-song-loses-eligibility.html
Seeking a grain of truth in "Whole Grain" labels
Whole wheat, stone-ground, multi-grain. Have food labels got you confused? Joanne Slavin, a nutrition professor at the University of Minnesota, joined NPR today to discuss the meaning of "whole grain," and whether intact grains like wheat berries pack more nutritional punch than their ground-up counterparts, such as whole wheat flour.
NPR
To Listen: http://www.npr.org/2013/03/01/173242994/seeking-a-grain-of-truth-in-whole-grain-labels
Memory loss is normal, but it's not healthy
So how's your memory? Pretty normal for your age? Uh-oh. "Normal" is not ideal when it comes to the ability to form and retain new memories as we age, says Dr. Riley McCarten, an associate professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Minnesota.
Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/goodlife/193918101.html?refer=y
How to talk (really talk) to your kids
Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, a University of Minnesota professor whose team has produced the deepest body of research on the family dinner, was consulted upon in a Boston Globe article to provide her expertise on how to effectively talk with your kids.
Boston Globe
http://bostonglobe.com/magazine/2013/03/01/how-talk-really-talk-your-kids/qc2bec90uCMZyIjaH7Kc9J/story.html
Updates and Events
No horse meat found in US but food fraud does happen
The horse meat scandal in Europe is spreading to Poland. Polish authorities said Thursday that traces of horse meat DNA have been found in beef samples taken from three meat processors – the first acknowledgement that the country could be a source of the horse meat that fraudulently ended up in processed meat products sold as beef across Europe. Karen Everstine, a research fellow at the University of Minnesota's National Center for Food Protection and Defense, comments.
WBUR
To Listen: http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2013/02/28/horse-meat-scandal
Student loan debt continues to grow
As tuition prices go up so does the amount of debt college graduates are stuck paying. ...Laura Walker, a One Stop Coordinator at the University of Minnesota Rochester, says it is important to discuss money-saving options.
KIMT-TV
http://www.kimt.com/content/localnews/story/Student-loan-debt-continues-to-grow/-yaRSNfolk2cMUoTz4ARnw.cspx
Pharmacy college earns notice
The University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, which has campuses in Duluth and the Twin Cities, has been recognized for addressing unmet community needs. The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy named the U of M the winner of the Lawrence C. Weaver Transformative Community Service Award, which is named after a former U of M pharmacy dean.
Duluth News Tribune
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/260019/group/News/
Colum McCann to speak at the U
This spring, the English Department at the University of Minnesota will host author Colum McCann for a free lecture. McCann, author of “Let the Great World Spin,” which won the 2009 National Book Award, will speak at 7:30 p.m. April 10 in Coffman Theater. McCann’s newest novel, “Transatlantic,” will be published in June.
Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/blogs/194169641.html
News Releases and Multimedia
Masonic Cancer Center researchers find genetic variation behind acute myeloid leukemia treatment success
Researchers from the College of Pharmacy and Medical School working within the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, have partnered to identify genetic variations that may help signal which acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients will benefit or not benefit from one of the newest antileukemic agents.
UMNews
http://www.health.umn.edu/media/releases/genetic-variation-behind-acute-myeloid-leukemia-treament-success/index.htm