December 5, 2002

1. New U research links obesity to breast cancer
2. Vikings reject joint, on-campus stadium
3. U researchers crack genome, open doors to treat major dairy disease
4. U-nique gifts for the holidays
5. Find the "Pawfect" Match
6. Recipes will cook up scholarships
7. Head lice have you scratching?
8. U employees give back to community
9. UMC scores with student-athlete graduation rates
10. U of M Happenings
11. Links

U IN THE NEWS

New U research links obesity to breast cancer
Leptin, the growth factor associated with weight gain, is found to promote breast cancer cell growth, according to new research led by University of Minnesota researcher Margot P. Cleary.

The research, published Nov. 20 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, also found a lack of leptin or its receptor is associated with a lack of breast tissue development in mice. Previous research identified an association between obesity and breast cancer, but scientists were unsure of what was responsible for linking the two.

"These findings may explain why weight gain, which is accompanied by higher than expected leptin concentrations, also has been associated with increased breast cancer risk," said Cleary. "Preventive measures need to be taken to control these deadly diseases."

Obesity is considered a risk factor for breast cancer, and women who are obese tend, at the time of diagnosis, to have a more aggressive disease with a poorer prognosis. Increased leptin levels have been tied to increased body fat levels and obesity. Research conducted at the University of Minnesota's Hormel Institute, in collaboration with researchers at the Mayo Clinic, found that in the presence of leptin the number of cancerous breast cells increased 150 percent as compared to 50 percent for normal breast cells.

Future studies should focus on determining whether the presence of leptin receptors in breast tumors is associated with those factors commonly assessed during breast cancer diagnosis, such as hormonal receptors, said Cleary.

The University of Minnesota is a leader in cancer research. For example, more than 350 professionals work at the University's Cancer Center, which represents nine university colleges and schools and eight area hospitals and clinics. For more information, see www.cancer.umn.edu or call the Cancer Center Information Line at 612-624-2620 or, within the five-state area, call 1-888-226-2376.

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Vikings reject joint, on-campus stadium
Last week, the Minnesota Vikings announced that they have rejected the idea of a joint-use football stadium on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus.

Specifically, the Vikings said that the on-campus site did not meet the requirements of an NFL-style entertainment venue in terms of infrastructure, traffic and parking capacity, and construction scheduling.

Since June, at the request of the Minnesota Legislature, the University and Vikings have been exploring the possibility of a joint-use, on-campus stadium and developing a predesign for the facility and a memorandum of understanding regarding its operations.

"The University was deeply engaged in this process; we worked hard and learned a lot," said Richard Pfutzenreuter, the University's chief financial officer and treasurer. "We have a much better understanding of our needs and were guided by the solid principles the Board of Regents developed to protect the University's academic mission and financial integrity."

The University consulted with hundreds of people -- including faculty, staff, students, local business leaders, and neighborhood residents -- and consistently heard concerns about locating an NFL-style entertainment venue on campus, but also heard support for a bringing Gopher football back to campus.

"The University has not determined its next steps regarding a Gopher football stadium," said Pfutzenreuter. "Our biennial legislative request remains our top priority. We will evaluate our options and discuss further steps with the Board of Regents, faculty, students, and other key constituents."

"We want to bring Gopher football back to campus and need to explore all of our options in the context of the University's overall academic and athletic priorities," said Joel Maturi, athletics director.

For more information, see www.umn.edu/stadium.

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U researchers crack genome, open doors to treat major dairy disease
University of Minnesota researchers have completed sequencing the genome of the bacteria that causes Johne's disease, a major chronic wasting disease of dairy cattle.

The bacterium, M. paratuberculosis, is considered one of the biggest threats to the health of dairy cattle worldwide. The gene sequencing will allow researchers to develop new methods for early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of a disease that costs the dairy industry more than $200 million a year. In Minnesota, which is the fifth largest dairy producer in the nation, more than 25 percent of the herds are infected with the disease, costing dairy farmers millions of dollars annually.

"This is a horrible, hard-to-diagnose disease, largely because until now, we have lacked an understanding of the basic genetic makeup of the organism and the tools to differentiate the bacterium from other closely related species," said principal investigator Vivek Kapur, Ph.D., a faculty member in the University of Minnesota Medical School and College of Veterinary Medicine, director of the University's Advanced Genetic Analysis Center, and co-director of the Biomedical Genomics Center.

This sequencing project was completed with collaborators at the U. S. Department of Agriculture's National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa. The work is part of an ambitious "microbial pathogenomics" research program at the University to sequence the genomes of a wide range of human and animal pathogens. These discoveries create a basis to understand the mechanisms that cause disease and could ultimately lead to new treatments, prevention and cures for some of the world's most devastating human and animal diseases.

The results of the sequencing analysis are available online at pathogenomics.umn.edu and more about Johne's disease can be found at www.johnes.org.

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U-nique gifts for the holidays
Where's some of the best holiday shopping? At the University of Minnesota, of course.

If you are looking for unique, one-of-a-kind gifts or U of M clothing and accessories for the Gopher fan in your family, be sure to add the University to your list of holiday shopping destinations.

A gift of knowledge
Gift certificates from the U of M College of Continuing Education can be redeemed to study a wide variety of subjects -- on and off the Twin Cities campus -- including writing, cooking and even criminal profiling, or to reserve a seat for special programs such as the Great Conversations series. For more information call 612-625-5760 or visit www.cce.umn.edu/giftcertificate.

A gift of the arts
From opera to cutting-edge dance and classic theater, consider gift certificates for tickets to productions by U music, dance, and theater students and faculty, or popular concerts and performances at Northrop Auditorium. For more information, call the University Arts Ticket Office at 612-624-2345.

Even Mother Nature Loves Maroon and Gold poster
The photography of internationally acclaimed artist Jim Brandenburg graces this year's Even Mother Nature Loves Maroon and Gold poster, now available free of charge from University Relations. A University of Minnesota alumnus, Brandenburg donated the photo to the University. Posters can be picked up at 3 Morrill Hall on the Twin Cities campus or ordered from University Relations for a small shipping and handling fee. Note cards are also available at a great price. For more information, costs, and an order form, see www.umn.edu/systemwide/MandG2002.html.

University bookstores
University of Minnesota Bookstores, located on every U campus, are chockfull of Gopher clothing and accessories. From key chains to sweatshirts to leather planners, there is something for every person's budget. To browse or shop online, see www.bookstores.umn.edu.

Museum-quality pieces
The Weisman Art Museum store on the Twin Cities campus carries well-designed, well-priced gifts including hand-made accessories such as jewelry, scarves, and handbags. Look for fabulously funky, fun-filled, and feisty gifts at friendly prices. For more information, call 612-625-9605.

The Spirit of Maroon and Gold
When you buy a University of Minnesota Alumni Association gift certificate, you give friends or family a full year of membership rewards, such as Minnesota magazine and money-saving discounts. And you also support the ongoing efforts of the alumni association. The gift certificate will be sent to you in a festive envelope along with a stainless steel U of M travel mug and decal. Order gift certificates online at www.alumni.umn.edu/giftcertificate or call 1-800-UM-ALUMS.

Dairy Store delights
The U's Dairy Store offers holiday ice cream flavors including peppermint stick, eggnog, pumpkin, and cinnamon. Pints are just $1.50 and half gallons are $4. Cheese is also a specialty and runs from $2.50 to $4 a pound. The products are made by students and faculty from the Department of Food Science and Nutrition. The store is open Wednesdays from 3 to 5 p.m., and is located on the St. Paul campus in the Andrew Boss Meat Science Building, room 166, 1354 Eckles Ave. For more information, call 612-624-7776.

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The Pawfect Match
Looking for a dog that is just right for you and your family? Take the Pawfect Match, an online human/canine matching quiz at www.petcare.umn.edu/profile.htm.

Jon Lund snuggles with his loveable schnauzer Schultzie.

One of the secrets of finding the right dog is knowing which breeds and canine characteristics fit your needs. The more knowledge you have, the better choice you'll be able to make. The Pawfect Match asks you to answer a brief series of questions including what size dog you would prefer, what type of outdoor exercise you can provide, and how often you would brush your dog. Your answers generate a list of possible dog breeds to consider.

"The Pawfect Match is just one tool to help you select a dog that is right for you," said Jody P. Lulich, veterinarian and faculty member with the College of Veterinary Medicine. "Remember that mixed-breed dogs also make wonderful pets. Selecting a pet that will complement your life style, emotional makeup and physical environment will likely result in an everlasting bond that enriches your life and broadens your compassion."

The Pawfect Match is a service of PetCare, a comprehensive Web site offered by the University's College of Veterinary Medicine. PetCare utilizes the expertise of University veterinarians and other specialists to provide helpful and accurate information about the care of dogs, cats, birds, and "pocket pets" such as gerbils and hamsters. There's even a special section for children. PetCare is at www.petcare.umn.edu.

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Recipes will cook up scholarships
Contribute your favorite recipe and support the U at the same time. The Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA) has cooked up a unique way to contribute to Campaign Minnesota with "Food for Thought: What's Cookin' at the U."

GAPSA is seeking recipe contributions to the cookbook, which may be submitted by mail or online. Recipes will be collected in December, with publication of the cookbook targeted for this spring. Contributors may also share their favorite University community food-related memory .

The proceeds from the cookbook will support scholarships and leadership programs for all University of Minnesota students. Alumni, staff, and friends of the U can submit a recipe, and a memory, at www.gradcookbook.umn.edu.

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Head lice have you scratching?
Head lice have been detected in your child's classroom… Parents everywhere wince when they receive this dreaded but necessary notice from their children's schools.

A close-up photo of a louse.

A common misperception is that head lice come from dirty living conditions. According to Jeff Hahn, an entomologist with the University of Minnesota Extension Service, "Every year millions of American households are infested with head lice. The presence of head lice is not the result of unclean conditions." He offers these tips for coping:

• The eggs, or nits, are usually found attached to human hair, behind the ears, and at the nape of the neck. A health worker should make diagnosis of head lice contamination; hairspray and flaking skin can be confused with eggs. Do not use a product to control lice until the problem is positively diagnosed.
  
  
• Treatment includes shampooing with either a prescription or over-the-counter shampoo labeled to kill lice. Reapplication may be necessary in 7 to 10 days, but not before 7 days. Control requires killing the adults as well as removing the nits. It is important to follow up by combing nits out of hair with a special comb designed for that purpose. Lice need a human host to survive but can live up to 48 hours off the human body. Nits can survive for up to 10 days.
  
  
• Soak all combs and brushes in hot water (over 130 degrees) or in rubbing alcohol for one hour. Launder items such as clothing and bedding in hot soapy water (130 degrees) for 10 minutes and dry in a dryer for 20 minutes. Dry-clean items that cannot be washed, or place in a sealed plastic bag for two weeks.
  
  
• Lice spread from person to person, usually by direct contact. Shared lockers, coats, upholstered furniture, and theater seats also have been associated with spread of head lice. Lice can also spread through sharing combs, brushes, hats, scarves, and stereo headphones. Teach your children not to share these items.
  
  
• Inform anyone who has been in contact with a person infected with lice. School nurses, teachers, and day care providers should also be notified.
  

From parenting to agriculture production, youth development, gardening, and business retention and expansion, the University of Minnesota Extension service is an invaluable source of information and education. For more information, see www.extension.umn.edu.

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U employees give back to community
An all-time record was set this year by the University’s Community Fund Drive, which raised more than $1.1 million from 5,300 University of Minnesota employees who took the opportunity to give something back to the broader community.

Not only does the dollar figure and the number of participants surpass totals from previous years, so do the percentages. Compared to last year, giving is up 42 percent and participation is up 67 percent. Contributions are still coming in, and final numbers will be tallied on December 31.

The success of this year's campaign is attributed to faculty and staff motivated by the desire to improve the lives of fellow Minnesotans, and by the grassroots work of more than 200 volunteers from every department on the U's Twin Cities campus encouraging their colleagues to give.

"I’m just delighted with the results," said Margaret Carlson, chair of the 2002 Community Fund Drive and executive director of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association.

Seven charitable agencies will receive the University's contributions: the Greater Twin Cities United Way, Minnesota Environmental Fund, Community Health Charities of Minnesota, United Arts, Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless, United Negro College Fund, and Community Solutions Fund.

President Roberts Bruininks praised the University community for its generosity. "You have helped the University show the citizens of Minnesota how important they are to us," he said. "They are generous with us, and now we are giving back to them. Some of your coworkers may have felt they had good reasons not to give this year. But they did, and they gave a record-setting amount."

The University is one of 12 Minnesota organizations – and the only non-profit – to raise more than $1 million in this campaign.

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UMC scores with student-athlete graduation rates
The University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) was recently recognized as one of the top ten schools with the most improved student-athlete graduation rates in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

UMC improved its graduation rate for student-athletes by 44 percentage points when comparing entering freshmen in 1994 and 1995.

"We are very proud of the success that our student-athletes achieve in the classroom and in our improved graduation rates," said Lon Boike, UMC’s director of athletics. "Our coaches, faculty, and staff do an outstanding job of working with student-athletes and our student-athletes do a tremendous job both on the playing field and in the classroom. They represent the University of Minnesota, Crookston, with class."

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U OF M HAPPENINGS

University Youth and Community programs will offer winter activities for children ages 5-12, including cross country skiing, ice skating clinics, a trip to the Science Museum, and indoor rock climbing and swimming. The winter break program is offered Dec. 26, 27, and 30; and Jan 2 and 3 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Register now; this is a popular program and some activities are already full. The registration deadline is Dec. 13. For more information, call 612-625-2242 or see www.recsports.umn.edu/youth.

University of Minnesota, Duluth, Department of Theatre will present Blur, by Melanie Marnich, Dec. 5-8 and 10-14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Dudley Experimental Theatre, 1215 Ordean Court on the Duluth campus. Blur is the story of Dot, who is a teenager knocked wildly off balance by the shocking diagnosis that she is slowly going blind. Through a comically charged tug-of-war with her mother and her wild menagerie of friends, Blur explores Dot's struggle to create a happy, healthy family. For tickets, call 218-726-8561.

The University Men's Chorus, Women's Chorus, and Trumpet Ensemble will present Sounds of the Season Friday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ted Mann Concert Hall on the Twin Cities campus. This annual School of Music holiday event is free and open to the public.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston will hold its first annual Holiday Tour of Lights on the campus mall. Coordinated by student groups, the display will be lit up and open to the public starting Friday, Dec. 6, from 7 to 10 p.m. in conjunction with the Crookston Chamber of Commerce Winter Wonderland being held throughout the community. The lighting display will also be open to the public on Dec. 7, 8, 13, 14, and 15 from 5 to 10 p.m.

The Hidden World of Bears continues through January 5 at the Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church St. S.E. on the Twin Cities campus. Photographs, recordings, and interactive displays chronicle seasonal changes in the lives of North American black bears and how scientists study them. Visit the bear reading corner, dress up like a bear, and crawl into a bear den. Learn about a variety of bear-human interactions, bear diet, and behaviors. For more information, call 612-624-7083 or see www.bellmuseum.org.

Human rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu will speak Tuesday, Feb. 25. Tutu will join Robert Jones, University vice president for campus life and vice provost for faculty and academic personnel, for a discussion of human rights. Tutu and Jones worked together for 10 years at the height of the battle to end apartheid to provide South African students with an education and a safe haven at the University of Minnesota. The event, the first in the College of Continuing Education's spring Great Conversations series, will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Northrop Auditorium, 84 Church Street S.E. on the Twin Cities campus. For more information, see www.cce.umn.edu/conversations. For ticket information call 612-624-2345.

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LINKS

Hey, Sports Fans! Check out sports news and schedules of the U's teams:

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Duluth Bulldogs
Morris Cougars
Crookston Golden Eagles

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University of Minnesota Alumni Association: Your membership makes a difference.

U of M Legislative Network: Read about the University's legislative request and how you can help.

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