SUMC in the News (11/09/05)

Press release

Children of bipolar parents score higher on creativity test, Stanford study finds
Researchers here have shown for the first time that a sample of children who either have or are at high risk for bipolar disorder score higher on a creativity index than healthy children. The findings add to existing evidence that a link exists between mood disorders and creativity.

Print media coverage

Washington Post, 11/09/05
For the Dalai Lama, a meeting of brain and mind (registration required)
This article discusses the Dalai Lama's visit to Washington. Robert Sapolsky, the John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn Professor, is referenced.

San Francisco Chronicle, 11/09/05
Measures to provide drugs to lower-income residents both rejected by voters
Voters rejected yesterday Propositions 78 and 79, two opposing state measures that would provide prescription drug coverage. David Magnus, director of the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, provides comment.

Palo Alto Weekly, 11/09/05
Workin' it
A local children's fitness center aims to keep children active. Thomas Robinson, associate professor of pediatrics and director of the Center for Healthy Weight at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, provides comment here.

Flagship sets sail
The Stanford Blood Center has opened a new location in Palo Alto.e.

Cold turkey
A new Stanford study shows that a by-product of tryptophan - an amino acid found in turkey and other foods - can alleviate multiple sclerosis symptoms in animal models. The findings add to the growing body of evidence indicating that tryptophan plays a pivotal role in the immune system. Lawrence Steinman, professor of neurology and neurological sciences and of pediatrics, is quoted in this brief Health Notes item. A similar article appears on MSNBC.com.

Help for grieving kids
This Stanford Health Library piece discusses resources for children who have lost a loved one.

Menlo Park Almanac, 11/09/05
When stroke strikes
Former Stanford physician Peter Nelson and Christine Wijman, assistant professor of neurology and neurological sciences and director of the neural critical care program at the Stanford Stroke Center, are featured in this article on stroke research and therapies.

Straits Times (Singapore), 11/09/05
Boost for Biopolis: 2 top cancer scientists moving here (No online version available)
Two American scientists are leaving the National Cancer Institute to join Singapore's Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology. Irving Weissman, the Virginia and DK Ludwig Professor for Clinical Investigation and director of the Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, is referenced in this article.

United Press International, 11/08/05
Children of bipolar parents more creative
This article discusses the Stanford study on bipolar disorder and creativity. Kiki Chang, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and director of the Pediatric Bipolar Disorders Program at Packard, and Terence Ketter, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, are included. A similar item appears on Palo Alto Online.

Palo Alto Daily News, 11/08/05
Doctor joins Stanford department (No online version available)
Jonathan S. Berek will become the new chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Stanford. Berek is joining the Stanford faculty from UCLA.

Broadcast media coverage

KCBS-TV (Los Angeles), 11/08/05
Gender affects the way a person's brain responds to humor, according to a study led by Allan Reiss, the Howard C. Robbins Professor. Similar segments aired on TV stations in Chicago; Dallas; Harrisburg, Pa.; Hartford, Conn.; Phoenix; San Diego and Tampa, Fla.; and on radio stations in Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia.

KGET-TV (Bakersfield), 11/08/05
This segment discussed the cancer vaccine work of Ronald Levy, the Robert K. and Helen K. Summy Professor. The piece aired on TV stations across the country, including ones in Albany, Ga.; Birmingham, Ala.; Champaign, Ill.; Cleveland; Dallas; Fort Myers, Fla.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Houston; Jacksonville, Fla.; Miami and Wilmington, N.C.