SUMC in the News (12/13/06)

Print media coverage

Vanity Fair, Jan. 2007
Why women aren't funny
This opinion piece by Christopher Hitchens makes reference to a Stanford study by Allan Reiss, the Howard C. Robbins professor of psychiatry and behavioral science. The study that found gender affects the way a person's brain responds to humor, a conclusion which Hitchens misinterprets.

Guardian (London, England), 12/13/06
Esther Lederberg: She did pioneering work in genetics but it was her husband who won a Nobel prize
This obit reports on the passing of Esther Lederberg, who died on Nov. 11, and played a critical role in developing laboratory techniques that helped a generation of researchers understand how genes function.

HealthDay, 12/13/06
Younger siblings may boost brain tumor risk
This article discusses a study by German researchers that suggests the number of younger siblings a child has can affect the likelihood of that child developing a brain tumor by age 15 compared to a child with no siblings. Paul Fisher, associate professor of neurology and neurological sciences, provides comment. This article also appears in the Washington Post, Longview News-Journal (TX), Forbes.com and is posted on the web sites of TV stations across the country.

Detroit News, 12/13/06
Do shopaholics have a mental disorder?
This article that originally appeared in the Washington Post discusses a recent Stanford study suggests men are nearly as likely as women to suffer from compulsive buying disorder. Lorrin Koran, emeritus professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted.

The Mid County Post (Santa Cruz County), 12/13/06
Neonatal unit serves the smallest patients and their families
This story discusses the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Dominican Santa Cruz Hospital, which is run as a joint venture with Stanford University Hospital. Magdy Ismail, a clinical associate professor at Stanford, is quoted.

United Press International, 12/12/06e
Study: Nicotine spurs blood vessel growth
This article reports on a study by a team of researchers at Stanford and in Germany that reports nicotine can spur the growth of new blood vessels by activating endothelial precursor cells. Such cells, a form of adult stem cells, have been shown to grow new blood vessels in animals. The growth of blood vessels can play a role in tobacco-related diseases, such as tumor, plaque and eye disease. The study is detailed in the current issue of The Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

ScienceNOW Daily News, 12/12/06
Hysteria is all in your head
This article discusses a growing body of evidence that real cerebral dysfunction lies behind the mythic malady--and that distractions may offer a way around it. Jose Maldonado, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment.

San Francisco Chronicle, 12/12/06
Difficult departures
This editorial discusses the resignation of Zach Hall as president and top scientist for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. He announced last week that he plans to step down within six months. Stanford is not mentioned in this article, but it may be of interest to readers.

Broadcast media coverage

KGO-TV, 12/12/06
This segment discussed how doctors and nurses who were allowed a short nap while working the night shift in an emergency room showed improved mood, a higher alertness level and the ability to complete a simulated I.V. insertion more quickly, according to a new Stanford study. Steven Howard, associate professor of anesthesia, was interviewed.

Fox News Channel, 12/12/06
This segment discussed three missing hikers who are lost in a blizzard on Oregon's Mt. Hood. Eric Weiss, assistant professor of surgery is interviewed regarding what one should do to stay alive in that situation.

KCBS-AM, 12/12/06
This segment discussed the Stanford/Packard study on pro-anorexia web sites.

KGO-AM, 12/12/06
This segment discussed the Stanford/Packard study on pro-anorexia web sites. Rebecka Peebles, instructor in adolescent medicine and lead author, is quoted.