SUMC in the News (09/05/06)

Print media coverage

Wall Street Journal, 09/05/06
New questions emerge over stem cell research claims (No online version available)
Barry Behr, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, is quoted in this article on a new technique of creating a stem cell line without killing embryos. David Magnus, director of the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics (SCBE), is quoted in a Philadelphia Inquirer article which appears in the Contra Costa Times and Edmonton Journal (Canada). The San Francisco Business Times also prepared an article, which quotes Christopher Thomas Scott, executive director of the Program on Stem Cells and Society in the SCBE; Irving Weissman, the Virginia and DK Ludwig Professor for Clinical Investigation, is also mentioned here.

Medicare chief may step down, for think tank or academic job (No online version available)
This article discusses how Mark McClellan, associate professor of economics and of medicine and head of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is set to resign. The Dallas Morning News also prepared a story, which appears in newspapers across the county, including the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (Columbus, Ga.), Contra Costa Times, Grand Forks Herald (Grand Forks, N.D.), Lexington Herald-Leader (Lexington, Ky.), Macon Telegraph (Macon, Ga.), Miami Herald, San Jose Mercury News and the San Luis Obispo County Tribune (San Luis Obispo, Calif.). The Boston Globe also prepared an article.

New York Times, 09/05/06
The claim: Avoiding spicy foods can ease symptoms of heartburn
This article references a Stanford study that found no evidence to support a need for dietary deprivation among heartburn patients.

Baltimore Sun, 09/04/06
Drug trial targets fatal nerve illness
This article discusses a drug trial designed to treat babies born with spinal muscular atrophy. Ching Wang, associate professor of neurology and neurological sciences, is quoted here.

Gainesville Sun (Gainesville, Fla.), 09/04/06
UF study: Brain cells generate new tissue
Researchers at the University of Florida may have found a way to turn back the clock on aging brain cells. Ben Barres, professor of neurobiology, developmental biology and of neurology and neurological sciences, provides comment in this article.

Dallas Morning News, 09/04/06
A medical wrinkle
David Magnus is quoted in this article on the increasing number of doctors relying on the "medspa" industry to keep practices afloat.

Oakland Tribune, 09/04/06
Research raises hope for arthritic children (No online version available)
This article discusses juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammation of the joints that can cause severe swelling and pain in children. Christy Sandborg, professor of pediatrics at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, is quoted here.

San Jose Mercury News, 09/04/06
Hutchison: Politics may still trump science despite OK of Plan B
This opinion piece discusses how the FDA approved Plan B - also known as the morning-after pill -for sale without a prescription to women age 18 and older. A talk given by Susan Wood, former director of the FDA Office of Women's Health, at the medical school back in May, is mentioned here.

San Francisco Chronicle, 09/03/06
Health care's squabble
Alan Garber, Henry J. Kaiser Junior Professor, provides comment in this article on the opposition to the universal health care bill heading to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk this week.

ABCNews.com, 09/01/06
From celebrity to felon to celebrity
Frederic Luskin, director and co-founder of the Stanford Forgiveness Project, provides comment in this article about how committing a crime may not necessarily damage the fame of celebrities.

San Francisco Business Times, 09/01/06
Stanford hires new leader for medical school's biggest department
The medical school has tapped Ralph Horwitz, medical school dean at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, to lead its largest department. He will assume the position of chair of the Department of Medicine on December 1. Dean Philip Pizzo is quoted in this article. Harry Greenberg, the Joseph D. Grant Professor and senior associate dean of research; and Norman Rizk, M.D., professor of medicine and senior associate dean for adult clinical affairs, are also mentioned here. Crain's Cleveland Business also prepared an article on Horwitz's replacement at Case.

Palo Alto Online, 09/01/06
Digest/ Blood Center testing for West Nile virus
The Stanford Blood Center is testing all donated blood for the presence of West Nile virus.Michelle Bussenius, public relations director for the center, is quoted in this online article.

Sacramento Bee, 09/01/06
Anita Creamer: A gift to cherish
This article tells the story of a couple who lost their newborn daughter as a result of an abnormal pregnancy. The couple chose to cherish their daughter's memory through pictures taken by a nurse and part-time photographer. Packard is mentioned in this article.

HispanicBusiness.com, 09/01/06
A plan - and a helping hand
This article discusses how some of the country's top schools are creating a diverse environment for their Hispanic students. Stanford is the only university to appear on all four of the Hispanic Business top 10 lists, leading the pack in medicine and business.

Wall Street Journal, 09/01/06
A smaller NIH budget means fewer scientists and 'too-safe' studies (No online version available)
This article discusses NIH budget cutbacks and mentions that a scientist's chance of having work funded by the agency fell to 22 percent last year from 27 percent in 1995. Although Stanford isn't referenced, this article may be of interest to readers.

Broadcast media coverage

Paula Zahn Now (CNN), 09/01/06
Emmanuel Mignot, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, was featured in this segment on narcolepsy.

KTVU-TV, 09/01/06
Mark Kay was interviewed during this segment on a new gene therapy showing promise for fighting melanoma.

Science Friday (NPR), 09/01/06
During this hour-long segment, a panel of experts discussed conflicts of interest in medicine. Although Stanford wasn't included, this may be of interest to readers.