Expert Alert
July 2007

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Air quality reaches harmful levels in Twin Cities this week
July 26, 2007

Because of hot and humid weather in the metro area this week, state officials have warned that air quality will dip to unhealthy levels. A University of Minnesota expert who can explain what this means to Minnesotans is:

Matt Simcik, U of M environmental health sciences professor
Simcik has studied air and water resources that reach harmful levels and can discuss the effects they have on humans.

To interview Simcik, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu.

U of M expert has tips for staying safe in dangerous summer heat waves
July 26, 2007

As summer temperatures continue to heat up, working or playing outside can be a lethal activity.

A University of Minnesota expert with tips on staying safe in the heat is:

John Shutske, U of M Extension health and safety specialist
“Heat-related illness kills as many people each year in the United States as floods, tornadoes, lightning and cold weather combined,” said John Shutske, professor and safety and health specialist with the University of Minnesota Extension. During a 10-year period from 1995 through 2004, the National Weather Service reported an annual average of 235 fatalities from hot weather.

Groups of particular concern include agricultural and construction workers and those who work in the landscaping and horticultural industries. Also at risk are homeowners doing yard work, joggers, hikers and those playing organized sports.

Excessive heat exposure can result in impaired thinking and decision making, often leading to accidents or serious mistakes.

“This is especially an issue when people are operating complex and dangerous equipment like farm machines, chain saws and lawn-care equipment,” Shutske said.

Heat-related illness includes heat exhaustion, which can rapidly progress to heat stroke, a life-threatening emergency. According to the American Red Cross, signs of heat exhaustion include: cool, moist, pale or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion.

Signs of heat stroke include: hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high, reaching 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

To interview Shutske contact Julie Christensen at (612) 626-4077, reuve007@umn.edu or Justin Ware at (612) 626-1720, ware@umn.edu.

U of M sport management professor weighs in on what the NBA can do to overcome its officiating scandal
July 25, 2007

NBA commissioner David Stern held a press conference yesterday explaining the latest allegations that a league referee, with ties to organized crime, was betting on games that he was officiating. A U of M professor who can discuss some of the options Stern has to save his league is:

Stephen Ross, University of Minnesota sport management professor
Ross, who studies sports marketing and branding, says the most important move for the league now is to reassure its fan base that it is working to restore its credibility. Most effectively this can be done by “creating new policies that will better police its officials and ensure the game’s integrity.”

To interview Ross, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu.

High temps can make groceries unsafe in a matter of minutes when locked in a car
- U of M expert has tips on keeping your food fresh during summer heat waves -
July 23, 2007

The grocery store should be the last stop on your list when you’re running errands this summer.

The temperature inside your parked car can easily exceed 140 degrees within a few minutes when you run summer errands. According to a University of Minnesota Extension expert, in this warm environment, bacteria multiply rapidly in food and there is a greater chance a food-borne illness will occur.

A U of M expert who can talk about food safety tips in hot weather is:

Suzanne Driessen, food science educator with University of Minnesota Extension
Driessen offers these tips for protecting your groceries in a heat wave:

• Shop for groceries early in the morning or in the late evening when it’s cooler.
• Organize your list and shop in the following way: pick up dry foods first, then produce, then refrigerated and frozen items last.
• While shopping, prevent cross-contamination by putting packages of raw meat, poultry and seafood in separate plastic bags. Place these foods in your cart so juices do not drip on other foods.

For more tips or to interview Driessen contact Julie Christensen at (612) 626-4077, reuve007@umn.edu or Justin Ware at (612) 626-1720, ware@umn.edu

Katie Couric and network news ratings slump
July 16, 2007

The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric has seen a steady dip in ratings since the first network news female anchor took over last fall. Gender bias might be an issue, but CBS is not alone as network news, as a whole, has seen a decrease in viewer-ship. A University of Minnesota expert who can discuss this is:

Mary Vavrus, U of M communication studies professor
Vavrus has studied media and can comment on how Couric’s slump may be due to the intersection of gender bias and the changing economics of TV news. She is the author of “Gendered Brands: Identity and the New Terrain of Media Politics.”

To interview Vavrus, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu.

The president and executive privilege
- U of M’s general counsel available for comment -
July 12, 2007

From the country’s first president to its latest, American commanders in chief have wielded the controversial power of executive privilege. Recently, President Bush invoked the power to prevent witnesses from testifying for an investigation into the firings of U.S. attorneys. A University of Minnesota expert who can discuss this is:

Mark Rotenberg, adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota Law School
Rotenberg has been the university’s general counsel since 1992. Previously, he served in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel, which provides legal counsel to the president, the White House staff, and heads of federal executive departments and agencies, and there he specialized in questions of executive privilege. He also served in Washington as law clerk to Judge Patricia Wald on the United States Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit. Rotenberg has argued and won cases in the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals, Minnesota Supreme Court, Minnesota Court of Appeals and other forums. For more than 15 years Rotenberg has taught courses in the U of M Law School on the constitutional powers of the presidency and separation of powers and speaks publicly and publishes on these topics frequently.

To interview Rotenberg, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu.

Weekend rain offers respite for some parts of Minnesota, while others continue to suffer
- U of M expert available to talk about what this means for area corn crops -
July 10, 2007

More than a half an inch of rain fell on portions of central and eastern Minnesota over the weekend. That storm will help those areas, but did little to alleviate the dry conditions in the western part of the state. According to a University of Minnesota Extension researcher, that’s bad news for corn growers in that region.

Mark Seeley, U of M department of soil, water and climate
“Unfortunately many western sections of the state missed out and will need some rain this week to keep the crop in good condition,” said Seeley. “Coarser, textured soils will still be a problem for the corn crop in places.”

Seeley is available to talk about the dry conditions in the western part of the state and what the recent rain means for conditions in the Twin Cities area.

To interview Seeley, contact Justin Ware at (612) 626-1720 or ware@umn.edu.

U of M expert has watering tips to keep your lawn looking green in hot, dry summer conditions
- Horticulturist has tips for homeowners on how to avoid creating disease-prone conditions in your yard -
July 5, 2007

It’s a safe bet that the hot, dry conditions Minnesotans have been experiencing this summer have made them a little more thirsty for a big gulp of water; the same can be said for Minnesota lawns. But even when the high temperatures soar past the 90 degree mark, there are times when you definitely don’t want to have the sprinklers out in force.

A University of Minnesota Extension expert is available to answer homeowners’ questions about watering their lawns.

Bob Mugaas, U of M Extension Horticulture Expert
Mugaas says an active, growing lawn needs about 1 to 1.5 inches of water every 7-10 days. And the best time to water your yard is in the early morning hours.

“Regular lawn watering should be done early in the day, dawn until about mid-morning,” said Mugaas. “Watering can be done into the early evening, but should be completed at least a couple of hours before sundown to allow grass foliage to dry off before nightfall. Foliage with a film of moisture remaining on it throughout the night has an increased chance of contracting certain diseases.”

To interview Mugaas contact Justin Ware at (612) 626-1720 or ware@umn.edu.

University of Minnesota expert available to talk about advantages and disadvantages of political advertising
July 2, 2007

The election cycle is getting longer, with obvious consequences -- more money and more time and, in this case, more candidates. A University of Minnesota expert who can discuss how these emerging issues affect political advertising is:

Rohini Ahluwalia, U of M Carlson School of Management professor of marketing
According to Ahluwalia, more money and more time means extended opportunities for advertising.

“Advertising is an important tool for candidates. Its effectiveness is, however, not always clearly understood by the candidates and their campaign managers,” Ahluwalia said. “For instance, an important but often misunderstood issue is, when should a candidate go negative and what are the potential downsides of using negative campaigning in your communications strategy?”

Ahluwalia is actively involved in the Association for Consumer Research. She has appeared on NPR, CBS and Fox News.

To interview Ahluwalia on the role of advertising in the political arena please contact Rebecca Monro at (612) 626-7940.