Here is a sampling of links and notes about Carolina people and programs cited recently in the media:
National Coverage
New Clues to How Cancer Spreads
HealthDay News
New clues about how cancer spreads from one area of the body to another have been discovered by a University of North Carolina School of Medicine researcher. Cells called fibrocytes — which travel around the body and rush to the site of an injury to aid in healing — may create "premetastatic niches" through which cancer cells can invade healthy organs, said Dr. Hendrik van Deventer, an assistant professor of medicine and a member of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.
UNC News Release:
http://uncnews.unc.edu/content/view/1335/107
Deleted DNA tied to schizophrenia
The Associated Press
Two huge international studies show that people who lack certain chunks of DNA run a dramatically higher risk of getting schizophrenia, a finding that could help open new doors to understanding and diagnosing the disease. …Researchers from Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill were among the participants.
Regional Coverage
Transfer of Chowan County reserves apparently not criminal
The Virginian-Pilot (Hampton Roads, Va.)
Transferring money from a reserve fund to balance a county budget requires authorization, but it is not a criminal offense, according to a state expert on local government finance. "The statute is structured in such a way that it might cause someone to lose his job, but it doesn't seem to be criminal," said David Lawrence, an attorney and professor in the school of government at the University of North Carolina.
State and Local Coverage
UNC institute to help in Eastern N.C.
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
A business institute at UNC-Chapel Hill has taken on the cause of revitalizing Eastern North Carolina with plans to spur entrepreneurship and small business growth in the distressed region. The Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise will take over efforts begun by the Foundation of Renewal for Eastern North Carolina, a group started five years ago to help the area east of Interstate 95.
UNC alumni to recreate early student's walk to Chapel Hill
The Star-News (Wilmington)
Three young alumni of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill plan to re-create one of the most famous treks in Tar Heel history this month – the walk that UNC's first student took to class. Nick Becketti, Bryan Jones and Whitney Reeds plan to duplicate the feat of Hinton James of New Hanover County, who arrived at Chapel Hill to enroll on Feb. 12, 1795. According to historian William D. Snyder in Light on the Hill, James made the entire trip, approximately 170 miles, on foot.
UNC professor wants to protect young athletes from heat stroke
The Herald-Sun (Durham)/The Chapel Hill Herald
Two may be a small number, but that's still two too many for Frederick Mueller, a professor of exercise and sports science at UNC. …"There's no excuse for any number of heat stroke deaths, since they are all preventable with the proper precautions," said Mueller, the author of the Annual Survey of Football Injuries, a long-running compilation of statistics that tracks major injuries and deaths in 1.8 million football players on middle school, high school, college, sandlot (organized, nonschool affiliated) and professional teams.
UNC News Release:
http://uncnews.unc.edu/content/view/1430/107
Worried Sick
"The State of Things" WUNC-FM
Everyone knows you need a physical every year, and women over fifty are supposed to get regular mammograms, right? Maybe not. Host Frank Stasio talks with UNC-Chapel Hill Medical School Professor Nortin Hadler today about his new book, “Worried Sick” (UNC Press/2008) and why the U.S. medical system over tests and over treats Americans.
Note: "The State of Things" is the statewide public affairs program airing live at noon weekdays and rebroadcast at 9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays.
Graduate guide
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
Betsy Taylor doesn't remember the lies college students told. Instead, she remembers the true stories of the obstacles some faced on the road to graduation: violence at home, poverty, even lack of motivation. Taylor, until July 1, was the person at UNC-Chapel Hill who helped students in the College of Arts & Sciences overcome those obstacles, often sending those on the edge letters to make sure they met the requirements.
Related Link:
http://heraldsun.southernheadlines.com/orange/10-975721.cfm
Experts: NC needs better water use planning
WRAL-TV (CBS/Raleigh)
Two experts say North Carolina needs to do a better job of planning water use. Duke University's Bill Holman and the University of North Carolina's Richard Whisnant are advising a legislative study how the state uses and shares its water.
Related Links:
http://www.newsobserver.com/weather/drought/story/1160277.html
http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2008/jul/31/experts-nc-must-do-
better-job-water-planning/
UNC students not pleased with Olympic trip
WTVD-TV (ABC/Raleigh)
…"It wasn't really clear what their responsibilities were going to be," UNC School of Journalism Professor Jan Yopp said. …"Sometimes, it doesn't turn out exactly the way thought it would. But move forward, be professional, and make it the best experience you can," Yopp said.
School lunches beyond PB&J (Column)
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
It's hard enough to come up with good tasting and convenient school lunch ideas. So when a child's school goes peanut-free, parents face a major challenge: What can replace that staple of the lunch box, peanut butter sandwiches? (Suzanne Havala Hobbs is a registered dietitian and a clinical assistant professor in the department of health policy and administration in the school of public health at UNC-Chapel Hill.)
Ackland Art Museum at UNC-CH gets gift
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
The Ackland Art Museum at UNC-Chapel Hill has received $1.25 million from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to expand the museum's role in educating university students. …"This latest grant challenges the Ackland and the university community to make the work of the museum inseparable from the work of the faculty," Chancellor Holden Thorp said.
UNC News Release:
http://uncnews.unc.edu/content/view/1417/107
False report brings sentence
The Herald-Sun (Durham)/The Chapel Hill Herald
A UNC student who claimed he had been pistol-whipped during a robbery attempt in March — causing fear across the campus — was found guilty in Orange County District Court this week of filing a false police report.
Issues and Trends
Probation jobs reshuffled
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
State probation officials have dismantled the leadership in the Durham and Wake probation offices as they wrap up a sweeping internal investigation ordered after the killings of two local university students this year. The top three managers in Wake County and the top two in Durham left their positions in a series of personnel moves that included transfers, a retirement and a demotion.
Related Link:
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/3301996/