SUMC in the News (11/28/05)

Press release

Stanford study of sea squirt provides clue to human immune system
Researchers at Stanford say sea squirts that can physically merge with, and parasitize, their own kin are helping them study human immune response.

Print media coverage

Forbes, 11/28/05
The curious case of the one-eyed sheep/How a freakish birth defect among Idaho lambs 50 years ago has led to a powerful new cancer treatment (No online version available)
This article discusses the sonic hedgehog gene and cyclopamine, a poison found in corn lilies that may have tumor-fighting properties. The poison blocks the gene's function for causing deadly cancers of the pancreas, skin, prostate and esophagus, and is being tested for the development of cancer drugs. Matthew Scott, professor of developmental biology and of genetics and of bioengineering, provides comment.

Fortune, 11/28/05
Trouble in Prozac (No online version available)
This article discusses the side effects of taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. A Stanford study on compulsive shopping disorder is mentioned here.

San Francisco Chronicle, 11/27/05
Trying to shape history/Leading Chiron's legions against bird flu, scientist draws on sense of the past
This article profiles Rino Rappuoli, a Chiron Corp. vaccines expert who is playing a key role in the international drive to prevent deadly bird flu pandemic. Stanley Falkow, the Robert W. and Vivian K. Cahill Professor, is quoted here.

San Jose Mercury News, 11/27/05
Preventing fatal errors (registration required)
This article discusses the prevention of fatal medical errors at hospitals. Kevin Tabb, chief quality and medical information officer at Stanford Hospital & Clinics, is quoted here.

Stem cell vision far from reality (registration required)
This article on the state's stem cell institute mentions how two government biologists recruited by the Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine have decided to work in Singapore, where they say they will face fewer restrictions on stem cell research overseas.

South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 11/27/05
'Off switch' for appetite may have little effect on dieters (No online version available)
BStanford researchers have discovered obestatin, a hormone that suppresses appetite. The finding offers a key to researchers developing treatments for obesity. Aaron Hsueh, professor of obstetrics and gynecology, led the study.

Casper Star-Tribune (Casper, Wy.), 11/27/05
Who's laughing now?
This brief news item discusses a Stanford study that found gender affects the way a person's brain responds to humor. The study was led by Allan Reiss, the Howard C. Robbins Professor, who is quoted in a San Francisco Chronicle article, which appears in the Albuquerque Tribune (Albuquerque, N.M.), Casper Star-Tribune (Casper, Wyo.), Corpus Christi Caller-Times (Corpus Christi, Texas), Knoxville News-Sentinel (Knoxville, Tenn.), Redding Record Searchlight (Redding, Calif.), San Angelo Standard-Times (San Angelo, Texas), Vero Beach Press Journal (Vero, Fla.) and Winston Salem Journal (Salem, N.C.).

Reuters, 11/24/05
Child antidepressant use increased in last decade
Stanford researchers have found that, despite clinical guidelines calling for depressed adolescents to be treated with a combination of psychotherapy and medication, antidepressants began supplanting - rather than complementing - the role of mental health counseling between 1995 and 2002. June Ma, research associate at the Stanford Prevention Research Center and lead author, is referenced here. A news item on the study also appears on CNN.com.

United Press International, 11/23/05
Sea squirt helps human immune researchers
This article discusses the sea squirt study. Anthony De Tomaso, researcher in pathology and senior author, and Irving Weisssman, the Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Professor for Clinical Investigation in Cancer Research and director of the Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, are quoted.

San Jose Mercury News, 11/23/05
Stanford Hospital workers authorize strike (registration required)
Workers from SHC and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital voted Tuesday night to authorize a strike if their contract demands are not met. Christopher Dawes, president and CEO of Packard, is quoted here and in the Palo Alto Weekly. Martha Marsh, president and CEO of SHC, and Sarah Staley, hospital spokesperson, are quoted in the San Francisco Examiner and Fremont Argus. Dawes and Staley are also quoted in articles prepared by the San Jose/Silicon Valley Business Journaland San Francisco Business Times. An article on the strike also appears in the Stanford Daily.