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July 24, 2007
Carolina in the news
Here is a sampling of links and notes about Carolina people and programs cited recently in the media:
International Coverage
Modern technology and ancient surgery battle AIDS
Reuters
The emergence of new and improved drugs, genetic engineering and the ancient surgical practice of circumcision are the latest weapons in the fight against AIDS, the International AIDS Society conference was told on Tuesday. ...Recent research has shown that new classes of anti-retroviral drugs, which include various inhibitors, provide superior benefit to patients with highly resistant HIV, said Joseph Eron, professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina.
Heart failure patients benefit from pharmacist care
SpiritIndia.com
Heart-failure patients take their medicine more reliably when under the care of a pharmacist, resulting in fewer emergency-room visits and hospital stays as well as lower health-care costs, according to a study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Pharmacy.
National Coverage
Heart Attack Risk Seen in Drug for Diabetes
The New York Times
An article in a leading medical journal yesterday raised serious safety questions about the widely used diabetes pill Avandia and renewed skepticism about the vigilance of federal drug regulators. ...“We’re expecting dozens if not hundreds of phone calls tomorrow,” said Dr. John B. Buse, chief of endocrinology at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. “I’ve told our staff to tell people who call that this is not cause for panic. We can discuss it further at their next visit.”
Study: More than 1 diet soda a day risky
The Associated Press (National)
People who drank more than one diet soda each day developed the same risks for heart disease as those who downed sugary regular soda, suggests a large but inconclusive study. ...“There’s too much contradictory evidence that shows that diet beverages are healthier for you in terms of losing weight that I would not put any credence to the result on the diet (drinks),” said Barry Popkin, of UNC Chapel Hill, who has called for cigarette-style surgeon general warnings about the negative health effects of soda.
Service Programs Gain Favor
The Wall Street Journal
Many new grads struggle to determine their career interests. Some take traditional jobs, even if they have doubts. ...Some Peace Corps volunteers, for instance, discover an interest in public health, says Marcia Harris, director of career services at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. There's no question that interest in service programs is surging, despite the strong job market. About 80 UNC seniors are entering the Peace Corps or Teach for America this year, and Ms. Harris says the number has been increasing for six years.
Gene May Help Spur Premenstrual Depression
HealthDay News
Scientists have discovered a gene variant linked to an increased risk of severe premenstrual depression. ..."While these are preliminary findings that require replication in larger studies, we would argue that this may explain part of the variance among women in the susceptibility to developing this mood disorder," the study's senior author David R. Rubinow, Meymandi distinguished professor and chair of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, said in a prepared statement.
Human trials use genetic modification to fight HIV
The Raw Story
Scientists have begun human trials of a revolutionary HIV treatment that genetically modifies people's cells to halt the virus, a conference of international experts in Sydney was told Tuesday. ...Researcher Christopher Hurt from the University of North Carolina said the study showed that between 2000 and 2005, the proportion of HIV-positive US men under 30 who also took club drugs almost tripled from 1.7 to five percent.
State & Local Coverage
Snapshot of a disease: Cancer statistics give us motivation to cut down risks and to get moving
Up & Coming Magazine (Fayetteville)
Little in life is more deeply personal than one's health, but this column is not about how cancer has affected my family or yours. It is, instead, a snapshot of what cancer is doing in North Carolina at this moment, put together by the University of North Carolina School of Medicine's Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and a number of its health partners.
Baby Boy Fights For Life
WTVD-TV (ABC)
Seven month-old Ethan Benoit suffers from an extremely rare disorder that causes deformity and dwarfism. ...UNC doctors say metatropic dysplasia is so rare, less than 80 cases exist worldwide. The genetic disease results in a deformed spine and curved features that eventually damage organs ultimately causing death.
Related Link: http://www.newsobserver.com/print/monday/front/story/646199.htmlPlan to expand Kenan excites UNC's Davis
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
North Carolina football coach Butch Davis said Monday the school is hoping to begin a $100 million renovation of Kenan Stadium within the next 18 months. Although athletics director Dick Baddour said through a departmental spokesman that the plan is "still in the early stages," he confirmed that he held his first meeting last Thursday with a special task force to discuss the expansion.
Related Links: http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070724/NEWSREC0105/707240308/-1/NEWSRECRSSARKIVE
http://www.heraldsun.com/sports/unc/42-867350.cfm?Regional colleges ditching trans fats
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
College students don't always go for salads and other healthy fare in their cafeterias. But now, schools are making sure even the fried foods and sweets they reach for are healthier. ...Some schools have gotten rid of some of the fats, which are criticized for raising bad cholesterol and decreasing good cholesterol. Among them are UNC Chapel Hill, Queens University of Charlotte and Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory.
Health care dialogue is alive, well (Opinion)
The Charlotte Observer
When controversial film-maker Michael Moore decided to make a documentary about America's "Sicko" health care system, I knew I'd have to see it. ..."He creates a picture of those countries' systems that is too simplistic and too utopian," said Jonathan Oberlander, an associate professor of health policy administration at UNC Chapel Hill. "They've got problems too."
Single-event tickets go on sale at UNC
The Herald-Sun (Durham)
Single-event tickets for all performances of the 2007-08 Carolina Performing Arts season are on sale.
UNC News Brief: http://www.unc.edu/news/briefs/2007/072307.htmlIssues & Trends
House OKs repeal of NCSSM grads' UNC tuition break
The Herald-Sun (Durham)
The N.C. House has passed a bill proposed by Durham Rep. Paul Luebke that would repeal the tuition break graduates of the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics receive at the UNC system's universities.
Elon to offer Middle Eastern studies
The Times-News (Burlington)
Elon University has joined a select number of colleges offering students a program in Middle Eastern studies. ...Among area colleges, UNC-Chapel Hill offers a concentration in Middle East studies and Duke University has concentrations in both Arabic and the Middle East.
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.
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