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Aug. 10, 2006
Carolina in the News
Here is a sampling of links and notes about Carolina
people and programs cited recently in the media:National Coverage
‘Privatization and Public Universities’
Inside Higher Ed
Are there public colleges or universities that have dealt with changes in economic and political trends while also doing a good job of preserving their public missions? ... There are also a few universities that have taken bold steps to protect the public interest through new initiatives. For example, the University of Michigan defended affirmative action as a means of ensuring diversity; and the University of North Carolina created a “covenant” to guarantee adequate funding for low-income students who met admission standards. Such bold institutional initiatives come at great expense for privatizing public universities and require substantial philanthropic support.
Tumor's gene 'profile' can improve treatment
The Associated Press (National)
Scientists have created a gene profiling test that may someday help reveal which people with early lung cancer are likely to suffer a relapse and would benefit most from chemotherapy. ... In the other study, researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill compared how five gene profiling tests performed at predicting outcomes of 295 breast cancer patients.
UNC news release: http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/aug06/nejmperou080706.htmCustomized cancer care
Newsday
Breast cancer researchers have identified a unique genetic profile to determine which women do not need chemotherapy, while a separate team has pinpointed a genetic profile of lung cancer, which will help determine whom chemo would most benefit. ... By analyzing several highly specific patterns of genes in tumor cells, Perou and his colleagues at the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of North Carolina essentially identified the "DNA fingerprints" of the disease.
Gene Test Predicts Lung Cancer Outcome
HealthDay News
Marking a new era in cancer care, researchers say a genetic test predicts which patients with early stage lung cancer will need post-operative chemotherapy to survive and which will have a good prognosis with surgery alone. ... This means that even though different genes were being looked at in the separate tests, they seemed to track a commons set of biological characteristics, said researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
State & Local Coverage
Cholesterol drug protects against strokes, study finds
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
A daily dose of the cholesterol medicine Lipitor can protect against disabling and deadly strokes, reports a new international study sponsored by the drug's manufacturer and published today in the New England Journal of Medicine. ... "In clinic, we struggle with what to do with these folks every day," said Dr. Ana Felix, a neurologist who sees stroke patients at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill.
Novartis incentives put town in hole
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
Holly Springs leaders have promised a drug maker more in economic incentives than they have to give, according to town documents. ... "I wouldn't say that's never done, but it's not common," said Michael Luger, director of the Center for Competitive Economies at the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School.
Foxx's foe says primary is indicator
The Winston-Salem Journal
The Democrat challenging 5th District Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx says he sees the defeat of a high-profile Democratic incumbent in Tuesday's primary elections as a good omen. ... Unseating Foxx will be difficult, said Ferrell Guillory, the director of the Program on Southern Politics, Media and the Public Life at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Chatham County's attorney gave to 2 commissioners
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
Chatham County's attorney donated to two Chatham County commissioners' re-election campaigns. ... Frayda Bluestein, a lawyer with the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Government, whose expertise includes conflicts of interest relating to government contracts, said Gunn's contribution is legal.
Sylva mulls over creating ETJ
Smoky Mountain News (Waynesville)
Residents from Jackson County’s Allen’s Branch community said they didn’t know exactly what Sylva town officials were talking about during an informational session regarding plans to bring the area under the town’s extra territorial jurisdiction held Monday night — but they didn’t like it. ... At the time, David Lawrence, Professor of Public Law and Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said that the law it not clear-cut when annexation involves outside authorities owning the service.
Right to learn (Editorial)
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
Lectures by school principals usually are stern. Last week, 17 principals -- from high schools where academic performance is at a dismal level -- received a good and necessary talking to from Judge Howard Manning Jr. of Wake County Superior Court. ... It was at Manning's direction that the principals assembled at a special leadership training session at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Raleigh's fare play (Editorial)
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
After a public hearing this week, the Raleigh Transit Authority is expected to approve a $1 bus fare beginning in January. ... A shortage of parking near the University of North Carolina campus contributed to the migration of commuters to buses.
Kennedy takes part in research at UNC
The Charlotte Observer
Indian Trail native Leslie Kennedy, an Elizabeth City State University junior, took part in the Partnership for Minority Advancement in the Biomolecular Sciences Summer Research Program at UNC Chapel Hill this summer.Kennedy worked with Dr. Sherif Gabriel in the department of pulmonary medicine, where she conducted research related to cystic fibrosis.
Worker electrocuted at UNC's Kenan Stadium
The Associated Press (N.C.)
A contract worker replacing light fixtures was electrocuted at the University of North Carolina's football stadium on Wednesday, the university said.
UNC news release: http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/aug06/electro080906.htmIssues & Trends
University Tries to Make Texas a Science Force
The New York Times
In an effort to make Texas a magnet for scientific and medical research, the University of Texas is planning a $2.5 billion program to expand research and teaching in the sciences, including medicine and technology.
Produced by News Services, Carolina in the News is an e-mail sampling of current news media coverage about Carolina people and programs, as well as issues and trends that affect the university. Stories usually will be online and available free for a limited time - often one to two weeks. Expiration dates before stories move to archives vary by media outlet. Some outlets require free user registration or a subscription.
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