Here is a sampling of links and notes about other Carolina people and programs cited recently in the media:
National Coverage
Breast Cancer Drugs Urged for Healthy High-Risk Women
The New York Times
… “There is evidence of benefit for certain women,” said Dr. Wanda K. Nicholson, a task force member and an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill. Dr. Nicholson said she recommended the drugs for some of her own higher-risk patients. Some take them; some choose not to. “The take-home point for women is to have that initial conversation with their provider,” she said.
The Doctor Trying To Solve The Mystery Of Food Allergies
"Fresh Air" National Public Radio
No one is certain why food allergies are on the rise. By now nearly 15 million Americans have a food allergy, ranging from moderate to severe. One of every 13 children has one. Nuts, soy, milk, egg, wheat and shellfish are some of the foods that most commonly set off allergic reactions. …So people – peanut therapy was being given at University of Arkansas, University of North Carolina, and then milk and egg was being looked at in Mount Sinai. And milk was being looked at at Johns Hopkins. And so a lot of exciting data was coming out and still is.
Are Portion Sizes Shrinking?
U.S. News & World Report
Over the past 50 years, the portion sizes of food have more than doubled, which has negatively influenced the waistlines of our country. Indeed, Americans have a portion distortion problem. …Another recent study, by researchers at the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Public Health, has shown that people are eating more often and their portion sizes are getting smaller, which means they are consuming fewer calories. These findings are also great news and, hopefully, a sign of good things to come!
Autism: What we know right now
CNN
…Autism isn't usually formally diagnosed until around 18 months, when it's clearer what worrisome behavior persists. A lack of words or communicative gestures (like pointing), and repetitive behaviors such as sorting objects are red flags at this stage. These are things your child's doctor should ask about at the 18-month checkup, when the AAP recommends pediatricians screen all kids for autism. "Once a child screens positive, he then needs to see a specialist for an evaluation," says Dr. Geraldine Dawson, professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina and the chief science officer for Autism Speaks.
America turns left on social issues, but not on government
McClatchy Newspapers
Some saw Barack Obama as a modern-day Franklin Roosevelt, ushering in a 21st century version of New Deal liberalism. Others saw a John F. Kennedy, heralding the dawn of a new progressive age of expanding rights. …“There is a move in the direction of cultural pluralism,” said William Leuchtenburg, historian at the University of North Carolina, with people more accepting of different cultures, different lifestyles and different attitudes.
State and Local Coverage
A bigger challenge (Editorial)
The News & Record (Greensboro)
The selection of Carol Folt to lead UNC-Chapel Hill might bring to mind a groundbreaking appointment in Greensboro. In October 1994, Patricia Sullivan was named chancellor of UNCG — the first woman to hold that title. …Folt has a master’s in biology and a doctorate in ecology. She’s also excelled in teaching and research and rose through the administrative ranks. She’s now interim president of Dartmouth College. She’ll become the first female chancellor in Chapel Hill.
Steps for UNC’s chancellor-elect to restore school’s reputation (Opinion-Editorial Column)
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
Like many North Carolinians, we are excited that UNC-Chapel Hill will have its first female chancellor. It’s wonderful to see a woman at the helm of the oldest public university, with a distinguished history and proud traditions. Lux libertas. (Melinda Manning is a former Assistant Dean of Students and Mary Willingham is the assistant director for the Center for Student Success and Academic Counseling at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jay M. Smith, a professor of history, also contributed.)
Two from Duke, one from UNC selected as Truman scholars
The Herald-Sun (Durham)
Patrick Oathout and Jacob Tobia, students at Duke University, and William Gray Lindsey of Durham, a student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, are among 62 students selected this year as Truman Scholars. …Lindsey, a history and political science major and entrepreneurship minor, is the son of Martin and AraLu Lindsey of Durham. He has studied abroad in Oxford and London through Honors Carolina. Lindsey plans to pursue a joint-degree program in law and public administration. He is the 30th winner from UNC-Chapel Hill since the program began in 1977.
UNC Release:
http://uncnews.unc.edu/content/view/5971/1/
Fewer People Are Applying To Law School
WUNC-FM (Chapel Hill)
Many law schools across the country have experienced a drop in applications over the past two years. Officials say rising tuition and a shaky job market are contributing to the decline. “Applications this year, reflecting kind of a national trend are down to about 1,510 from 2,300 last year, that's about a 35 percent drop,” says Jack Boger, dean of the UNC School of Law. “A lot of law schools experienced that kind of drop a year ago; we didn't at that point, but the national trend has caught up with us.”
Food allergist educates public about latest testing, causes
News 14 Carolina
Medical experts learned more about the latest testing and causes of food allergies this weekend. A food allergy specialist from North Carolina Children's Hospital in Chapel Hill gave a presentation Sunday at a free educational seminar. …"I was invited by the Food Allergies Families of the Triad group to come give a talk about an update with respect to food allergy, both the clinical progress that's been made and also the status of a research program at UNC Chapel Hill," said food allergist Dr. Brian Vickery.
UNC’s Kenan-Flagler students buy into Atlanta high-rise
The Triangle Business Journal
A real estate fund managed by a group of UNC-Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School students has invested a portion of its $3.5 million fund in an Atlanta high-rise condo building that NBA Hall-of-Famer David Robinson and real estate veteran Leonard Wood acquired in November.
State Senator Behind Anti-Gender Neutral Housing Bill Speaks Out
WCHL-FM (Chapel Hill)
Senator Ben Clark—one of the sponsors behind a bill seeking to strike down UNC’s gender-neutral housing—says he’s been misquoted about why he doesn’t agree with opposite-sex living arrangements.
Issues and Trends
UNC system president wants to reduce required cuts
The Associated Press
The head of North Carolina's public university system said Monday another year of deep budget cuts such as those recommended by Gov. Pat McCrory could erode the system's ability to provide quality education, and he wants some relief from the General Assembly. University of North Carolina system President Tom Ross said he's asked legislative budget writers to narrow the $143 million reduction for the coming year recommended by McCrory in his state budget proposal.
Related Links:
http://triangle.news14.com/content/692969/unc-system-president-expresses-money-concerns
http://www.wral.com/education-key-to-metlife-recruiting/12343376/
Ross: closing campuses not a good idea
WRAL-TV (CBS/Raleigh)
University of North Carolina President Tom Ross said Monday that closing parts of the 16-campus system would not produce the cost savings some lawmakers might think. "I don't think it's a good idea for lots of reasons," Ross said. Foremost among them, he said, is that those students would enroll elsewhere in the system, simply shifting costs from one campus to another.
Related Links:
http://blogs.newsobserver.com/editor/unc-president-we-already-are-efficient
http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2013/04/16/1250628
Governor Tells UNC to Address Drug and Alcohol Issues
Inside Higher Ed
When Governor Pat McCrory, a Republican, spoke to the University of North Carolina Board of Governors last week, much of his talk focused on issues of efficiency. But he also asked the leaders of the UNC system to focus more on issues of drug and alcohol abuse, The Herald-Sun reported.