SUMC in the News (09/21/06)

Press release

Hope for significant new diabetes treatment in Stanford discovery
Stanford researchers have shown that the protein calcineurin plays a key role in the normal function of the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. The findings could shake up diabetes research, lead to new classes of diabetes drugs and aid in efforts to develop stem cell treatments for diabetes.

Print media coverage

Business Week Online, 09/21/06
Medical, biotech leaders discuss ethics
Health-industry leaders met at the Cleveland Clinic yesterday to discuss the issue of conflicts of interest among physicians. This Associated Press article mentions that Stanford has enacted a new policy aimed at limiting the potential influence of pharmaceutical and other biomedical companies in clinical and educational activities; Dean Philip Pizzo is quoted. The article also appears on CBSNews.com and on the websites of numerous newspapers, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Baltimore Sun, Boston Globe, Cincinnati Enquirer, Contra Costa Times, Fresno Bee, Las Vegas Sun, New York Times, Sacramento Bee, San Diego Union-Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News, Seattle Post-Intelligencer and Washington Post. Stanford's new policy is also mentioned in an editorial in the Fremont Argus and Tri-Valley Herald, a letter to the San Jose Mercury News editor, and a column in the Metro (Silicon Valley).

Pittsburgh Gazette, 09/21/06
Hospitals beef up pediatric ERs
Stanford and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital are part of a growing number of hospitals around the country investing in new facilities, equipment and staffing to fix the problems with pediatric emergency care. Bernard Dannenberg, clinical associate professor of surgery and director of pediatric emergency medicine at Packard, is quoted in this Wall Street Journal article.

San Luis Obispo Tribune, 09/21/06
Navigating the menopause maze
This article discusses the use of "bioidentical hormones" to manage the symptoms of menopause. Mary Jacobson, clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology, provides comment.

San Francisco Chronicle, 09/21/06
UC system, Stanford cash in on research
California universities, including Stanford, are among the top in turning research into business, according to a study released yesterday. This article mentions also that Stanford placed fourth in the country in its number of biotech patents.

Wall Street Journal, 09/21/06
Bioterrorism drugs join Congress's agenda (No online version available)
Congress is considering a bill that would provide $1 billion for vaccines and treatments for anthrax, smallpox and pandemic flu. Although Stanford is not referenced, this article may be of interest to readers.

Straits Times (Singapore), 09/20/06
Top US cancer research couple set up lab to start work here (No online version available)
This article focuses on two government biologists who moved to Singapore, where they will face fewer restrictions on stem cell research. Irving Weissman, the Virginia and DK Ludwig Professor for Clinical Investigation and director of the Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, is quoted here.

San Francisco Business Times, 09/19/06
Stem cell group gets 350 grant interest letters
The state's stem cell institute announced that 350 people sent letters expressing interest in applying for research grants. The institute is planning to hand out as much as $24 million for new research in the field, and up to $80 million over four years for established and ongoing research. Although Stanford is not referenced, this article may be of interest to readers.

Broadcast media coverage

WBBM-TV (Chicago), 09/20/06
This segment mentioned a Stanford study on Kleine-Levin syndrome, a mysterious sleeping disorder.

KGTV-TV (San Diego), 09/20/06
A new study from Stanford and Cornell has found that hormone replacement therapy may prevent heart attacks in menopausal women in their 50s.