SUMC in the News (11/28/06)

Press releases

Barking up the right tree? Stanford study will evaluate effects of pine bark extracts
A new Stanford study will assess whether a supplement made from pine bark extract can help reduce the blood pressure of people who are at mild to moderate risk for heart disease.

Esther Lederberg, pioneer in microbial genetics, dies at Stanford at 83
Esther Miriam Zimmer Lederberg, PhD, professor emeritus of microbiology and immunology, whose more than half-century of studies opened the door for some fundamental discoveries in microbial genetics, died Nov. 11 at Stanford Hospital of pneumonia and congestive heart failure.

Print media coverage

San Francisco Chronicle, 11/28/06
Professor Esther Lederberg - scientist
Esther Lederberg, who died on Nov. 11, played a critical role in developing laboratory techniques that helped a generation of researchers understand how genes function. There will be a memorial service at the Faculty Club on Thursday at 4 p.m. Stanley Falkow, the Robert W. and Vivian K. Cahill Professor in Cancer Research; Dale Kaiser, the Jack, Lulu and Sam Willson Professor of Biochemistry, Emeritus; and researcher Jonathan Harder are quoted in this obituary.

Belleville News-Democrat (Belleville, Ill.), 11/28/06
Do you find yourself spending hours a day on the Web getting less and less accomplished?
In a first-of-its-kind, telephone-based study, Stanford researchers found that more than one out of eight Americans exhibited at least one possible sign of problematic Internet use. Lead author Elias Aboujaoude, clinical assistant professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences and director of Stanford's Impulse Control Disorders Clinic, is quoted in this article, which originally appeared in the Washington Post.

Winston Salem Journal (Winston, N.C.), 11/28/06
In a sticky situation? Duct tape is an adventurer's best friend out in the wilds
This Washington Post article discusses a recent report from Dutch researchers casting doubt on the claim that duct tape is effective at removing children's warts. Eric A. Weiss, assistant professor of surgery, is quoted as having successfully employed duct tape in wart removal on his son. Weiss also cites a number of uses of duct tape in wilderness survival situations.

St. Petersburg Times (St. Petersburg, Fla.), 11/27/06
Explore alternatives to prevent skin cancer
The work of Basil Hantash, instructor in the division of plastic surgery, is mentioned in this article on alternative strategies for preventing skin cancer.

San Jose Mercury News, 11/27/06
Additional 'Letters to the Editor'
In this letter to the editor, Daniel Murphy, associate professor of pediatrics, expresses his support for a plan to rebuild Stanford Hospital in order to meet state mandated seismic safety requirements, as well as create more private rooms for patients. Packard is also part of the project.

Broadcast media coverage

WFAA-TV (Dallas/Ft. Worth), 11/27/06
This segment discussed the recent Stanford study that showed that 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. A similar segment aired on KWGN-TV (Denver).

WDRB-TV (Louisville, Ky.), 11/27/06
This segment mentioned how academic medical centers, including Stanford, are banning drug reps as part of a new policy aimed at limiting the potential influence of pharmaceutical and other biomedical companies in its day-to-day clinical and educational activities. Similar segments aired on KLJB-TV (Davenport, Iowa) and WYDO-TV (Greenville, N.C.).

WKRN-TV (Nashville, Tenn.), 11/26/06
This segment mentioned a Stanford study on compulsive shopping. A similar segment aired on KNSD-TV (San Diego).

WVIT-TV (Hartford, Conn.), 11/24/06
This segment discussed the accuracy of medical information presented in television dramas and the effect it may have on consumers' knowledge. David Magnus, director of the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, provides comment.

WAGA-TV (Atlanta), 11/24/06
This segment segment discussed how the new Sony PlayStation 3 game consoles can be used to analyze data to help in the search for cures for diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's. Starting in March, PS3 owners will be able to sign up for a project allowing Stanford researchers to link to their machine for that purpose. Similar segments aired on television stations across the country, including ones in Albany (N.Y.), Boston, Chattanooga (Tenn.), Cleveland, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Portland (Ore.), Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

KXAS-TV (Dallas/Fort Worth), 11/24/06
This segment discussed how Stanford researchers are saying doctors are prescribing anti-depressants for some people that may have sleep apnea.

CNN, 11/23/06
William Dement, the Lowell W. and Josephine Q. Berry Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, was featured in this segment on sleep.

WWJ-AM (Detroit), 11/23/06e
This segment discussed a recent Stanford study that indicated Internet addiction is on the rise. The work of Elias Aboujaoude was referenced. Similar segments aired on WCBS-AM (New York) and KGO-AM.

WTIC-AM (Hartford, Conn.), 11/22/06
This segment discussed the recent study from the Journal of the American Medical Association that found people with ruptured disks in their lower backs usually recover whether or not they have surgery. Eugene Carragee, professor of orthopaedic surgery, was featured.