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Nov. 17, 2005
Carolina in the News
Here is a sampling of links and notes about Carolina
people and programs cited recently in the media:International Coverage
Cancer gene found in Epstein-Barr virus
United Press International
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill scientists say they've identified a gene in the Epstein-Barr virus that may contribute to cancer development. The Epstein-Barr virus is a form of human herpes virus that is the causative agent of mononucleosis. It is often associated with various types of human cancers, specifically lymphoproliferative disease (leukemia and hodgkins/non-hodgkins lymphoma) in immunosupressed patients.
Same brain activity in autistic people
United Press International
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill scientists have found brain activity in autistic people is similar to that in others when looking at a face. The new imaging study finding is surprising, since it's known that autistic individuals tend to avoid looking directly at faces, the scientists said. The research also counters previous published reports that the face-processing area at the back of the brain is under-responsive in people with autism.
UNC News Release: http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/nov05/autism111505.htmStudy: Bipolar drug works, low side effect
United Press International
Researchers said a new drug to treat manic depression is successful and had little side effects. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill scientists presented their research at the U.S. Psychiatric and Mental Heath Congress in Las Vegas last week.
Distraction can be as simple as radio tuner
The Globe and Mail (Canada)
Recent studies give more insight into the issue of driver distraction, defined as occurring when drivers look away from the road, are mentally preoccupied, or take their hands off the steering wheel. Research by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Highway Safety Research Center at the University of North Carolina arrived at similar findings: Something as simple as tuning a radio or talking to a fellow passenger can be a problem.
National Coverage
Chapel Hill Has the Highest Percentage of Black Freshmen Among the 30 Highest-Ranked Universities:
The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education
According to this fall's count of black first-year students at the nation's 30 highest-ranked universities, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has enrolled the highest percentage of black freshmen among this elite group of top research universities. There are 416 black freshmen at Chapel Hill this year, an increase of 3 percent from a year ago. Blacks make up 11.1 percent of this year's entering class on the Chapel Hill campus.
Regional Coverage
Can Genetic Tests Help You Lose Weight?
Ivanhoe News Services
Can your genetic makeup help you lose weight? Some companies are offering genetic tests that they claim can tell you what you need to eat, and what not to eat, to be healthy. ..."We just don't know enough to use those types of tests effectively," said Dr. Steven Zeisel with the University of North Carolina.
Note: Ivanhoe has a syndicated television series and its reports are broadcast in 250 markets reaching 80 million U.S. households.Supreme Court stabs another GOP knife into US democracy by upholding ex-felon vote ban
The Columbia Free Press (Ohio)
With nary a peep from the mainstream media, the US Supreme Court has stabbed yet another partisan knife into the American electoral system. ...Based in part on the federal Voting Rights Act, Hicks's case was carried by the Brennan Center, the Florida Justice Center, the UNC School of Law Center for Civil Rights and others. It was supported by leaders of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The European Court of Human Rights has pointedly opposed blanket disenfranchisement of any specific ethnic or racial group.
State & Local Coverage
UNC sees rise in black freshmen
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
UNC-Chapel Hill has the highest percentage of black freshmen among the country's 30 highest-ranked universities, according to a report this month in the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. ...Archie Ervin, UNC-CH's associate provost for diversity and multicultural affairs, said top public universities experienced a drop in black students about the time of the Supreme Court's review of affirmative action policies at the University of Michigan.
Tuition going up again (Editorial)
The Herald-Sun (Durham)
The annual tuition dance begins today at UNC, where the university's Board of Trustees will weigh four proposals, all of which would generate about $5 million in revenue for the school. UNC officials say the extra money is needed to increase financial aid, pay teaching assistants higher stipends, increase faculty pay and improve faculty-student ratio.
UNC to lease site for Carrboro firehouse
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
A new fire station to serve soon-to-be-annexed areas of Carrboro likely has a home, thanks to UNC-Chapel Hill. The Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved plans to lease a 1.68-acre parcel at 1411 Homestead Road to the town for 99 years, at $1 per year. Carrboro officials could not be reached for comment on whether they will approve the deal.
UNC professors to get top state award
The Chapel Hill Herald
Bland Simpson and Randall Kenan, creative writing faculty members in the UNC English department, will receive the North Carolina Award, the state's highest civilian honor. The awards, coordinated by the state Department of Cultural Resources, recognize outstanding lifetime achievements by North Carolinians in the fields of fine arts, science, literature and public service.Stossel preaches libertarianism at UNC
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
Government regulations, trial lawyers and the media are killing people, "20/20" anchor and libertarian prophet John Stossel told a packed house Wednesday night. "We're scaring people to death," Stossel said at UNC-Chapel Hill's Memorial Hall. He contended that government regulations and frivolous lawsuits keep life-saving drugs off the market and perpetuate poverty. Media muckraking reinforce that business is bad and government must step in to protect.
State unveils new health surveillance system
The Greensboro News & Record
If the avian flu ever raises its ugly beak in North Carolina, the state may be able to more easily track it. ...A state legislative mandate enacted in 2004 requires that the system be put in place. The system was developed in a partnership with the N.C. Hospital Association and the University of North Carolina School of Medicine's Department of Emergency Medicine as well as hospitals.
Crises happen
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
Wal-Mart recently set up a team to counteract negative publicity generated by a platoon of well-organized critics and a new documentary that lambastes the nation's No. 1 retailer. ..."As organizations see more companies -- or governments or nonprofit agencies -- get caught up in events, people start to think, that could happen to us some day," said Larry Lamb, who teaches public relations at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Is the Triangle ready for rail?
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
Unlike most of the nation's local rail systems, the $759 million regional line proposed for the Triangle isn't designed to get people in and out of one busy downtown. ...Mike Luger, a UNC-Chapel Hill professor and past chairman of the Durham Area Transit Authority, has advocated for bus-only lanes, high-occupancy-vehicle lanes and other proposals. "There was a feeling back when the rail was decided that we were this up-and-coming area and we needed to be like these other cities with rail," Luger said. "That just became the focus, and it was hard to get attention for other ideas."
Pair campaign for lab-animal rights
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
When poster-size pictures of deformed lab rats pop up in downtown Chapel Hill, expect to see Beth Levine or Missy Anderson-Cooper nearby. ...In a written response to the women, UNC Vice Chancellor Tony Waldrop said that the UNC animal care program complies with federal rules and that many life-saving medical treatments for people grow out of animal studies.
Issues & Trends
Candidates list for chancellor narrowed to five
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Only five candidates remain in contention to be Georgia's next chancellor and the finalists may surprise you — they include an African-American, a female and a corporate executive with no academic experience. ...The University of North Carolina Board of Governors recently tapped a prominent business leader and political insider to head that state's 16-campus system. Erskine Bowles, chief of staff to former President Bill Clinton and a twice-unsuccessful candidate for the U.S. Senate, beat out four leaders in higher education for the post, according to published reports.
Pay daze (Editorial)
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
When it comes to bigwigs' salaries, there seems to be a yawning disconnect between the legislature and the university system on one side of the chasm and ordinary working people in North Carolina on the other.
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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/newsserv/clips/index.shtml
Please share any questions, comments or suggestions at news@unc.edu.
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.