Today's News: Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Administration
University of Minnesota pledges leaner administrative budget
University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler on Monday renewed his pledge to reduce administrative costs as he asked legislators to increase state funding for the university. In addition to the university’s biennial budget request, Kaler presented a progress report on a “spans and layers” study analyzing the U’s administrative structure.
Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/local/197705611.html?src=news-stmp&refer=y
Pioneer Press
http://www.twincities.com/education/ci_22775983/university-minnesotas-kaler-touts-efforts-rein-costs-legislature
Minnesota Daily
http://www.mndaily.com/university/administration/2013/03/13/lawmakers-react-consultant-report-u-administration
Twin Cities Daily Planet
http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2013/03/12/university-minnesota-pledges-leaner-administrative-budget
Research
Minnesota taconite health report due in April
Peer-reviewed results from the University of Minnesota study into why many Iron Rangers are dying of a rare lung disease will be made public in April.
Duluth News Tribune
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/261302/
Study: 'Dramatic increase' of infections caused by drug-resistant E. coli
Infections caused by an antibiotic-resistant strain of E. coli have undergone a "dramatic increase since 2008," especially in the elderly and people living in nursing homes, according to a new study released Tuesday. Though infections were rare in the first few years after the strain was discovered, it accounted for more than a quarter of the 299 infections that researchers at the University of Minnesota studied from Olmsted County in Minnesota between February and March of 2011. James Johnson, one of the researchers involved, adds insight.
US News and World Report
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/03/12/study-dramatic-increase-of-infections-caused-by-drug-resistant-e-coli-
Crop drones
For many people, the drone discussion has mostly come from Washington, but on the campus of the University of Minnesota, a group of researchers are tinkering with that discussion in their own way.
KSN TV
To Watch: http://www.ksn.com/content/news/editorschoice/story/Crop-Drones/RTqP0HKF5UyU60sp9X95HA.cspx
HIV linked to higher myocardial infarction risk
HIV-positive adults are 50% more likely to have a heart attack than people without human immunodeficiency virus, according to a new study of United States veterans. The results, presented at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) and simultaneously published online in Internal Medicine, show infected men had a higher risk for acute myocardial infarction that could not be explained by recognized risk factors. Jason Baker, MD, from the University of Minnesota, adds his expertise.
Medscape
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/780719
Business and Politics
Minn. House committee passes gay marriage bill
Minnesota House and Senate lawmakers have given crucial victories to supporters of same-sex marriage. U of M law professor Richard Painter, who served as associate counsel to the George W. Bush administration, comments.
Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/197333011.html?refer=y
'Junk food' tax proposal goes to committee
A bill that would expand Minnesota's tax on snack food will receive a hearing today in the House Taxes Committee. The proposal, authored by DFL Rep. Jerry Newton, of Coon Rapids, would add chips, pretzels, cookies and other prepackaged treats to the list of snack items subject to the state's 6.88 percent sales tax -- and maybe help address some health concerns. University of Minnesota nutrition and disease researcher Mark Pereira comments on the bill.
MPR
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2013/03/13/health/junk-food-tax-proposal-gets-committee-hearing
Medical amnesty bill approved
A bill heavily endorsed by the Minnesota Student Association, among others, was passed yesterday and will provide legal immunity for underage drinkers seeking medical care. The bill was passed by two legislate committees Tuesday.
WCCO
To Watch: http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2013/03/12/bill-would-protect-underage-drinkers-who-call-for-medical-legal-help/
Minnesota Daily
http://www.mndaily.com/lifestyle/alcohol/2013/03/13/medical-amnesty-bill-approved
Bill to prioritize veteran admission
Many students trying to get into graduate school use writing samples from classes or academic journals in their applications. For veterans, it’s a little different... Some state legislators are requesting the University give greater preference to veterans in graduate school admissions to reward them for serving and help them integrate quickly back into civilian life.
Minnesota Daily
http://www.mndaily.com/university/administration/2013/03/13/bill-prioritize-veteran-admission
People and Lifestyle
Ask Dr. Hallberg: IBM's Watson tackling health care data analysis
If "Watson" the IBM computer can win a few rounds of Jeopardy, it can certainly crunch piles of data. But can it diagnose your illness? Dr. Jon Hallberg, a physician in family medicine at the University of Minnesota and regular medical analyst on All Things Considered, spoke with MPR's Tom Crann about Watson's future in medicine.
MPR
To Listen: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2013/03/12/health/ask-dr-hallberg-robots-could-upend-health-care
Updates and Events
Officials say University is cybersecure
While cyber threats are growing rapidly, officials say the University of Minnesota’s networks and systems are safe. The University has its own cybersecurity programs and systems, but also contracts out security protections for companies to manage, said Brian Dahlin, Office of Information Technology security and assurance director.
Minnesota Daily
http://www.mndaily.com/news/campus/2013/03/13/officials-say-university-cybersecure
Minnesota students transfer more often
Minnesota has the highest percentage of students who change colleges after starting at a four-year public university, according to a recent report. Bob McMaster, vice provost and dean of undergraduate education, says that is not a bad thing.
Minnesota Daily
http://www.mndaily.com/news/campus/2013/03/13/minnesota-students-transfer-more-often