August 21, 2003

Here is a sampling of links and notes about Carolina
people and programs cited recently in the media:

National News Coverage

Study Cites Angioplasties Effectiveness
The Washington Post
Emergency angioplasties, even delayed by hospital transfer, worked
better than standard drugs in a heart attack study likely to help change
standards for treating the 1.1 million Americans stricken every year.
"I need to know that the transport system is going to be rapid and
effective if the patients are sent. I need to know what's going to happen
to the high-risk patients that were not transported in this study," said
Dr. Sidney Smith, a cardiologist at the University of North Carolina
who is a past president of the American Heart Association. He also
chairs a national professional committee on angioplasty standards
that he said will consider this study.
(Note: This story was widely distributed by The Associated Press.)

Biggest safety factor is right behind wheel (Commentary)
Chicago Tribune
The federal government said automakers must install tire-inflation
monitors in their vehicles, but a federal court of appeals in New
York ruled that rather than just any old inflation monitor that tells
you when any tire--you find it--is down 30 percent in pressure,
the government should dictate monitors at each wheel that tattle
on a specific tire down 25 percent....But now comes an AAA-
funded study by the University of North Carolina worth noting
because AAA put cameras in the cars of 70 volunteers age 18 to
80 to study driving distractions, the cause of an estimated 25 percent
of accidents.
(Note: The Chicago Tribune requires free user registration to access
articles.)

A myth born in '66.
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Even before the power came back after last week's blackout, Toronto
Mayor Mel Lastman predicted the consequences....His findings were
refuted by the larger scientific community. Richard Udry, of the University
of North Carolina, debunked the theory in 1970. Instead of relying on
an informal poll of hospitals as the Times had done, Udry conducted a
more rigorous study of all New York City hospitals. The unromantic
result? No statistically significant change.
(Note: This story was distributed by Knight-Ridder Wire Services and
also appeared in The Boston Globe. Udry's research was among the
UNC expertise highlighted in a News Services tip sheet.)

State and Local Coverage

Don't let up, students (Editorial)
The Herald-Sun
Life's lessons can be painful. Just ask Mark Edmonson, who scored a
perfect 1600 on the SAT and was accepted by the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill. But after Edmonson's grades took a dive in
his senior year, the university rescinded his ticket.

Council should OK parking decks, chiller (Editorial)
The Chapel Hill Herald
On Monday, the Town Council has to decide whether to give UNC permission
to build a parking deck and a chiller plant near Cobb dorm, and another parking
deck on Jackson Circle.

Senior's slump noticed
The News & Observer
Most students who score a perfect 1,600 on the SAT would find colleges
and universities putting out the welcome mat. But Mark James Edmonson,
a recent high school graduate who contracted a severe case of senior slump,
is asking a judge to keep UNC-Chapel Hill from slamming the door on him.

Task force needs more staff participation (Editorial)
The Chapel Hill Herald
The "Chancellor's Task Force for a Better Workplace" at UNC has 27
members. One member is a housekeeper; another is an employee of the
university's grounds department.

Issues and Trends Affecting Carolina

Dispute Over Gift to Harvard Continues, Even as Controversial Research
Center Closes
The Chronicle of Higher Education
A controversial research center in the Middle East that came under fire
from students at Harvard University this year has apparently closed, but
neither the students nor the university considers a related dispute over a
$2.5-million gift settled.
(Note: The Chronicle of Higher Education requires a subscription to access articles.)

Former Graduate Student Sentenced to Prison for Faking Theft of Research
The Chronicle of Higher Education
A former graduate student at Michigan State University was sentenced on
Monday to 10 months in prison for faking the theft of his own research materials.
(Note: The Chronicle of Higher Education requires a subscription to access articles.)

Note: If you have any questions about Carolina in the News, please call Russell Campbell or Mike McFarland at News Services, (919) 962-2091 or russell_campbell@unc.edu or mike_mcfarland@unc.edu

Note: Web links on this page are time-sensitive, so stories might not be available after the day they first appeared.