SUMC in the News (10/24/05)
Press release
Schizophrenia study reveals genetic trigger behind some schizophrenia cases
Researchers at Stanford, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital and the University
of Geneva have discovered a gene involved in the development of schizophrenia in
children at high risk for the disorder. The gene regulates dopamine levels in
the brain.
Media Advisory
Hurricane health-care panel Oct. 24 at Stanford
Medical school faculty will talk about the disaster victims' medical problems as well as the disparities in treatment they have received based on race and class during In a panel discussion entitled, "Health-care issues and Hurricane Katrina."
Print media coverage
San Francisco Chronicle, 10/24/05
Ethical debate undeterred by new research
David Magnus, director of the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, is quoted
in this article on the ongoing debate over embryonic stem cell research. Irving
Weissman, the Virginia and DK Ludwig Professor for Clinical Investigation, is
also quoted here.
Los Angeles Times, 10/24/05
Unscrambling the mystery of METs (registration required)
William Haskell, professor of medicine, emeritus, provides comment in this
article on calculating metabolic equivalent units (METs) while exercising.
Twin Falls Times-News (Twin Falls, Idaho), 10/24/05
Jiggle your heart and tickle your funny bone
William Fry, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, emeritus, is
referenced in this article on humor therapy. Fry is quoted on the benefits of
laughter, including weight loss.
The Independent (U.K.), 10/24/05
Gene may help doctors identify patients at risk of schizophrenia (No online version available)
This article discusses the schizophrenia study. Allan Reiss, the Howard C.
Robbins Professor, is quoted here. A brief item also appears in the Irish
Independent.
HealthDay, 10/23/05
Health highlights/ FDA approves fetal stem cell transplants into human brains
The FDA has approved the first transplant of fetal stem cells into human brains.
Stanford doctors helped develop the protocol for the trial in children with
Batten's disease. The protocol still must be approved by Stanford's
Institutional Review Board.
San Francisco Chronicle, 10/23/05
Is the spa doc in?/ Doctors benefits as much as the patients at new dental, dermatological and gynecological spas
This article discusses the rising popularity of medical spas. David Magnus
provides comment.
Marin Independent Journal, 10/23/05
Breast cancer activists honored
This article references a program started at Stanford that provides a network of
survivor volunteers to women diagnosed with breast cancer. The volunteers visit
patients during their hospital stay and offer information and emotional support.
San Jose Mercury News, 10/22/05
Danger signs hard to detect in mental illness (registration required)
David Spiegel, the Jack, Lulu and Sam Wilson Professor, provides comment in this
article about a woman accused of drowning her kids in the San Francisco bay. The
woman allegedly suffers from schizophrenia.
San Jose/Silicon Valley Business Journal, 10/21/05
Stanford sees biotech center (registration required)
This article discusses Stanford's plans to open a major outpatient center in
Redwood City, marking the first time the hospital has moved any of its services
off campus.
San Francisco Business Times, 10/21/05
The usual crowd is at the top of the heap for satisfying patients (registration required)
Stanford Hospital & Clinics is referenced in this article on the Integrated Healthcare Association's annual report card on Northern California hospitals. The IHA report looks at how hospitals meet care standards, satisfies patients and invests in IT to support quality care.
Broadcast media coverage
KMAX-TV (Sacramento), 10/24/05
This segment discussed the FDA approval of the Batten's disease trial. The story
also aired on WPGH-TV (Pittsburgh), KMEX-TV (Los Angeles) and KMOV-TV (St.
Louis).
KTXL-TV (Sacramento), 10/23/05
This segment discussed the story of a 10-year old girl diagnosed with rare liver
disease. She underwent a successful liver transplant at Packard.
KNSD-TV (San Diego), 10/22/05
Ronald Levy's cancer vaccine work was discussed in this segment. Levy is the
Robert K. and Helen K. Summy Professor.
Talk of the Nation (NPR), 10/21/05
Irving Weissman discussed current stem cell news and the two recent Nature
papers on alternative approaches to embryonic stem cell research. Weissman wrote
a commentary accompanying the Nature papers.
Office of Communication