Expert Alert
December 2006
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'Tis the season to be betting
Dec. 15, 2006
The College Bowl season is about to heat up and the NFL playoffs are on the horizon. For some that means a friendly wager with friends, but for others it can be more serious. A University of Minnesota expert who can comment on gambling addiction is:
Ken Winters, University of Minnesota professor of psychiatry
Winters has been studying addictive behaviors for the past three decades. His research focuses on problem gambling, and he can discuss its root causes.
To interview Winters contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
Working to prevent E. coli outbreaks
Dec. 12, 2006
Sixty-one cases of E. coli sickness have been confirmed in the past week around the country. Now, nearly three dozen more have fallen ill in Iowa, and health officials have tracked the outbreak back to the Taco Bell and Taco John’s fast-food chains. The University of Minnesota has been working on break-through technology to combat such food-borne illnesses. A university expert who can discuss the technology is:
Joellen Feirtag, Extension Service Food Science and Nutrition professor
Feirtag has been working with a disinfecting system that cleanses food of viruses and bacteria such as E. coli. The water-based process does not affect flavor and is safe for the environment. She can discuss the system and its genesis and applications from home sinks to spinach fields.
To interview Feirtag, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu, or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu.
Minnesota leads health rankings
Dec. 5, 2006
Today, the United Health Foundation released its annual “America’s Health Rankings,” putting Minnesota at the top. Based on factors such as health insurance coverage, personal habits and environment, and quality of medical care, this is the fourth straight year Minnesota has taken the top ranking. A University of Minnesota expert who can comment on Minnesota’s placement is:
Professor Jean Abraham, University of Minnesota School of Public Health
Abraham can discuss the results of the rankings and the overall picture of what brought Minnesota to the top. Her research focuses on health economics and policy, health insurance, welfare analysis and hospital market competition.
To interview Abraham contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Asim Dorovic at (612) 624-0214 or dorovic@umn.edu. | 
