SUMC in the News (11/10/06)

Press release

To slow AIDS in Russia, treat HIV-positive addicts, Stanford study says
A new model estimating the spread of HIV in Russia suggests that treating injection drug users with antiretroviral medication will slow transmission of the virus among the general population.

Print media coverage

Redbook, 11/06
Heroes (No online version available)
This article profiles a cancer patient who formed Fertile Hope, an organization dedicated to providing reproductive information, support and hope to other cancer patients. Stanford's egg-freezing program for cancer patients is mentioned here.

New York Times, 11/10/06
A wall of fame gets crowded with senators
This article discusses the famous alumni of some New York City high schools and the influence a good school or teacher can have on a student's future success. Roger Kornberg, the Mrs. George A. Winzer Professor in Medicine and winner of the 2006 Nobel Prize in Chemistry is mentioned. Arthur Kornberg, the Emma Pfeiffer Merner Professor of Biochemistry, Emeritus, who shared the Nobel in Medicine in 1959, is also referenced.

Stanford Daily, 11/10/06
Researchers discover possible stress cure
This article reports on a gene designed by Stanford researchers that enhanced memory and learning ability in animals under stress. The researchers say their experimental technique may offer a way to reduce the severe neurological side effects of steroids. Robert Sapolsky, the John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn Professor, is quoted here and in a United Press International piece.

United Press International, 11/09/06
Stem cells a priority for new Congress
This article discusses how the outcome of Tuesday's midterm elections could have a big effect on stem cell research. Hank Greely, with the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, provides comment here. A San Francisco Chronicle article also discusses the election's impact on possibly overturning President Bush's limit on government stem cell funding. Although Stanford isn't referenced, this piece may be of interest to readers.

Pak Tribune (Pakistan), 11/09/06
Study: low-dose painkillers easy on the stomach
This article discusses a new study that found taking relatively low doses of aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen, such as are found in over-the-counter products, "carries little risk" of serious gastro-intestinal damage. Most of the gastric toxicity that has been blamed on aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen can be traced to using these painkillers in conjunction with other drugs. James Fries, emeritus professor of medicine, and Bonnie Bruce, senior research scholar in medicine, are quoted here.

ABCNews.com, 11/08/06
Blind mice see again after retina cell transplants
This Reuters article discusses a recent study in which researchers took mice that were blind due to damaged photoreceptor cells and transplanted cells that are the precursors of photoreceptor cells into the mice. The precursor cells developed into photoreceptor cells, restoring vision in the mice. Past similar experiments using stem cells failed to restore vision. Stanford is not mentioned, but this article may be of interest to readers.

Broadcast media coverage

KUTV-TV (Salt Lake City), 11/08/06
This segment discussed the issue of Internet addiction and mentioned a recent Stanford study on the topic. Researchers here found that more than one out of eight Americans exhibited at least one possible sign of problematic Internet use.