 |
July 6, 2006
Carolina in the News
Here is a sampling of links and notes about Carolina
people and programs cited recently in the media:International Coverage
Painkiller may damage liver
Health24.com (Capetown, South Africa)
In a new study, people who repeatedly took the maximum recommended daily dose of acetaminophen developed abnormalities in blood tests that can be a signal for liver damage. ... "This clearly showed, much to our jaw-dropping surprise, that it had nothing to do with the opiate," said Dr Paul Watkins, lead author of the study and professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Note: UNC Health Care communications sent out a media advisory about Watkins' JAMA article, held a media conference call and coordinated media interviews with Watkins.National Coverage
Study: Tylenol Liver Effect Stronger
WebMD
A new study shows the popular pain reliever Tylenol could affect the liver -- even at recommended doses -- more than previously thought. But a researcher also says the product has been proven safe over decades of use when taken as directed, and there is little cause for alarm. ... In a quarter of the healthy study participants, ALT levels tested at more than five times the upper limit of normal after taking 4 grams of acetaminophen daily for one to two weeks, says researcher Paul B. Watkins, MD, of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Tylenol damages the liver even at recommended doses
Food Consumer magazine
It's been known that overdoses of Tylenol can cause damage to the liver. ... Dr. Paul Watkins of the University of North Carolina, lead author, said "In the past, when we've seen liver enzyme abnormalities to this extent, it has indicated to us physicians that there is significant liver injury or damage occurring. Since we have decades of experience and know the safety of acetaminophen, are the tests as good as we thought they were?
Regional Coverage
Tylenol trouble
WHDH-TV (NBC, Boston)
New research suggests that some pain pills, like Tylenol, may trigger an abnormal result on a common blood test given to millions of Americans. ... "This was a very surprising finding," Dr. Paul Watkins, a researcher at the University of North Carolina, said.
Sleep a fix for chronic headaches
KARE-TV (NBC, Minneapolis, Minn.)
New research could help those who suffer from chronic headaches find drug-free relief. Researchers say there is a healing power in a good night's rest. ... "It's like for the diabetic - diet must be taken seriously - for the headache patient sleep must be taken seriously," said Anne Calhoun, Headache Researcher, University of North Carolina.
UNC News Release: http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/jun06/migraine062206.htmState & Local Coverage
N.C. Rep. Price makes stop in Kenya
The Associated Press (N.C.)
Rep. David Price toured one of the poorest parts of Kenya on Wednesday, helping to recognize five years of work by a student-founded organization at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. About 700,000 people live in Nairobi's Kibera slum, half of them under 15, in an area about the size of the UNC-Chapel Hill campus, according to Carolina for Kibera. Rye Barcott is founder and president of the organization.
UNC News Release: http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/jun06/lightbox062706.htm
Public debt for private decks?
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
Raleigh leaders are considering a request from developer John Kane for $75 million to help him extend his vision for the booming North Hills area across Six Forks Road. ... But, across the country, it's a common method for financing public projects, though more expensive and complicated than other forms, said David Lawrence, a professor at the School of Government at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Lumbee tribe to study homicide rate among American Indians
The Fayetteville Observer
The Lumbee tribe has received a $30,000 grant to study the homicide rate among American Indians. ... The group hopes to work with the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Health to development a plan, Lowery said.
Local business briefs: NC IDEA awards three area grants
The Herald-Sun (Durham)
Three area companies were among seven early-stage firms across North Carolina that recently were awarded a total of $225,000 in grants by NC IDEA. ... Area firms that received grants were Illuminus, a firm based on Duke University technology to more effectively measure the removal of breast cancer tumors during surgery; ZumaTek, a firm that also uses Duke research for early detection of breast cancer and DeltaSphere, a Durham spin-off based on UNC research on a three-dimensional camera.RTI scientist lands seat on federal committee
The Triangle Business Journal
A senior research scientist at RTI International has been appointed to a federal advisory committee that evaluates scientific research to develop new anti-cancer drugs. ... (David) Kroll has led cancer pharmacology research in RTI's natural products laboratory since joining the company in 2002. He is also an adjunct associate professor of medicine at Duke University Medical Center and an adjunct associate professor of pharmacology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Duke hospital ads target Wake
The Triangle Business Journal
In between the programs on prime time television, this much becomes clear: Rex Hospital and WakeMed are going at it in the battle to win over hearts and patients. ... University of North Carolina Health Care, meanwhile, leaves Wake County to its subsidiary, Rex, says Lynn Wooten, deputy director of marketing and public affairs for UNC Health Care. "It's traditionally not been a focus area for us," he says.Service for Tufts set for Saturday
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
A service of Eucharist for Rutledge Tufts, 59, will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at The Chapel of the Cross in Chapel Hill. A Durham resident who died May 16, Tufts was an administrator at UNC-Chapel Hill for 31 years and was director of auxiliary services from 1990 to 2003. At the time of his death, he was executive director of the Fair Labor Association.
UNC Statement: http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/may06/tuftsstatement051806.htm
The Rev. W.W.Finlator, 93, remembered by friends
The Herald-Sun (Durham)
Across North Carolina and much of the South, the Rev. W.W. "Bill" Finlator was known as a liberal preacher with passionate and, oftentimes, controversial political views. ... "He was very light-hearted, very optimistic," said Dan Pollitt, a professor emeritus of history at UNC. "He was a very warm person. He told a lot of jokes. He was very funny."
Issues & Trends
State budget mostly pleasing to UNC
The Chapel Hill Herald
In the latest version of the state's budget, UNC Chapel Hill is receiving many -- but not all -- of its wishes. ... Representatives from the state House of Representatives and Senate agreed on the current draft of the budget on June 30, and the legislature is expected to cast a final vote today, said Kevin FitzGerald, the chancellor's special assistant for state relations at UNC.Budget sets up fall's fights
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
With all 120 House seats and 50 Senate seats up for election this fall, and no high-profile statewide contests vying for voters' attentions, the $18.9 billion budget will provide plenty of campaign fodder. ... The more than 250,000 public school teachers, state employees, UNC professors and community college instructors make a substantial voting bloc.
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.
Carolina in the News is also posted daily to the News Services Web page, http://www.unc.edu/news/clips/index.shtml.
Please share any questions, comments or suggestions at news@unc.edu.