Sept. 1, 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

Peace in our time? (Opinion Column)
The Guardian (United Kingdom)

The last recorded conflict between two states ended in November 2003, when India and Pakistan embarked on a ceasefire.  The article's authors - Charles Kurzman from the University of North Carolina and Neil Englehart from Bowling Green State University - readily acknowledge that other sorts of conflicts still rage around the world, but they are not wars of government against government.

National Coverage

If CIA Calls, Should Anthropology Answer?
Inside Higher Ed

In a hypothetical situation where the Pentagon asks you for information about a tribe or group you have studied, the information provided could lead to good or harm — and the decision not to provide information might lead the government to take a harmful action as well, said James L. Peacock, a professor of anthropology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and chair of the new committee. “That’s the dilemma. If you abstain from providing information and something happens, is that ethical? But if you become implicated, is that ethical?”

GoSMILE Advanced Formula: Puts a bite on your purse
McClatchy Newspapers

Research suggests that, when used as directed, bleaching does not cause permanent damage to the teeth or gums. The gel is cheaper than in-office power bleaching methods, such as BriteSmile, which cost $450-$750 a session. Last year, a study from the School of Dentistry at the University of North Carolina suggested that over-the-counter treatments such as this one can produce the same pearly shade as dentist-prescribed bleaching trays and in-office bleaching sessions.

Healthy Eating a Hard Sell for Teens
The Associated Press

"It's not too late to make an impact," said Barry Popkin, director of the Interdisciplinary Obesity Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "Whether it's better to do earlier or later, we can't answer."  He said there's not enough research to know if it's easier to change the eating habits of teens or younger kids.

The Danger In Your Water
Rodale Press/New York Times Syndicate

What's more, opponents understate the true value of fluoridated water in fighting cavities, says dentist and epidemiologist John Stamm, DDS, a professor of dentistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a spokesman for the ADA. Stamm asserts that the primary finding of the 1990 NIH study mentioned earlier -- in which fluoridated water appeared to reduce tooth decay rates by only about a half cavity, on average -- is misleading.

National LambdaRail Spurs Research Opportunities
HPC Wire (High Performance Computing news service)

Kevin Jeffay, a computer science professor at UNC Chapel Hill, works with several groups that build tools to measure and monitor how networks are used, collecting information to enhance network security and management.  "Having access to this network infrastructure is a huge opportunity for researchers in North Carolina," Jeffay said. "This gives us the opportunity to work with a new class of applications, use of networks to support research, and collaboration on an international scale to further our research."

Regional Coverage

China's other wares
The Herald Leader (Lexington, Ky.)

Currently, a collection of 70 tea bowls, incense burners and jars from these dynasties is on loan to the Taft from the Ackland Art Museum of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. All came from the private collection of New York businessman Herbert Shatzman and his wife, Eunice, who donated them to the museum in 2002, after retiring to North Carolina.

Researcher says Web site should factor into ranking
The Athens Banner-Herald (Athens, Ga.)

According to students' comments and assessments of how easy, helpful, clear and "hot" professors and other instructors are, UGA ranked No. 3, just below University of California-Berkeley and just above Ohio State University. University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill came in at the top of the students' reviews.

Note: This article is available through subscription only. For a copy, contact Kym Register at kym@dev.unc.edu.

State and Local Coverage

Plan aims to spur graduation rates
The Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill)

Students who want to stick around UNC for more than four years now are up against some opposition.  With the introduction of curriculum changes this year, University officials also adjusted graduation requirements. Now they are looking at making even more changes.  Students have had the option to graduate in 10 semesters, provided they petition to the University to stay after the ninth semester.  But now students who petition for a 10th semester can graduate with only one major.

Ross to merge ITC with S.C. holding
The News & Record (Greensboro)

"The positive is that Mr. Ross has decided that ITG is an appropriate vehicle for going into the future in textiles by combining these two companies and basing it in Greensboro," said Patrick Conway, a professor of economics at UNC-Chapel Hill. "In the long run, the merger is a signal that, in Mr. Ross’ view, the future of textile production in the U.S. is with the specialized and more high-tech products" and not in apparel.

Planning isn't easy; not planning isn't acceptable (Editorial)
The Citizen-Times (Asheville)

UNC-Chapel Hill professor David Owens said he was expecting a thick envelope from Asheville after he agreed to conduct a third-party review of several projects to assess whether they were in compliance with the zoning ordinance.

Next stop: Adulthood|
The News & Observer (Raleigh)

"I came home feeling like I'm not ready to get a job yet," said Petersen, who is president of the class of 2007 at UNC-Chapel Hill. "I feel like, no matter what I do when I graduate, I'm going to have to make a really big commitment.  "I'm scared of making the wrong decision. I'm one of those people who isn't positive about what I want to do and where I want to be," said Petersen, who is from Asheville.

Issues and Trends

Report Blames Add-Ons for Rise in Textbook Prices
The Chronicle of Higher Education

College-textbook prices have risen at twice the rate of inflation over the past 20 years, according to a report released in August by the Government Accountability Office. The report says the increase can be blamed mostly on supplementary items, like computer software, that come bundled with the books.

UNC Health Care generous to administrators
The News & Observer (Raleigh)

UNC Health Care doled out $1.5 million in bonuses to executives and managers in the 2005 fiscal year, according to a document released Thursday by UNC at the request of The News & Observer.

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.