SUMC in the News (12/17/07)

Print media coverage

Boston Globe, 12/17/07
Caution urged in new method for stem cells
Researchers at Harvard and elsewhere believe that somatic cell nuclear transfer is still key to developing effective treatments for an array of diseases. Christopher Scott, director of the Program on Stem Cells in Society in the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, provides comment in this article.

Chicago Tribune, 12/16/07
MDs bone up on remedies once scorned
Stanford is referenced in this article on the growing popularity of complementary and alternative medicine.

Palo Alto Daily News, 12/16/07
Police save Santa for children
Young cancer patients from Lucile Packard Children's Hospital and two other Bay Area hospitals visited the "North Pole" on Saturday, thanks to the Cops Care Cancer Foundation. The event was held at Moffett Field in Mountain View and organized by the San Jose Police Department.

Palo Alto Online News, 12/16/07
Stanford researchers isolate key blood cell
Stanford researchers have isolated a human blood cell that represents the great-grandparent of all the cells of the blood, a finding that could lead to new treatments for blood cancers and other blood diseases. Irving Weissman, the Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Professor for Clinical Investigation and director of the Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, is quoted.

San Diego Union-Tribune, 12/15/07
San Diego in line for stem cell facility
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine announced Friday that a $50 million facilities grant application filed by a consortium of San Diego institutes has passed through the first level of judging. This article mentions that eleven other grants, including one from Stanford, passed to the second round of review. Articles on the grants also appear on BizJournals.com and in the Oakland Tribune.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/15/07
Hormone may not help athletes
This article discusses the findings of the Mitchell Report on the widespread use of human growth hormone among professional athletes. Andrew Hoffman, professor of medicine, is quoted.

San Francsico Chronicle, 12/15/07
UCSF medical school fires dean in dispute over finances
The dean of UCSF's medical school, David Kessler, was fired last week; he said the move came as a result of questions he raised about the institution’s financial accounting. Although Stanford isn't referenced, this article may be of interest to readers.

USNews.com, 12/14/07
Fish give clues to human skin color changes
Researchers have found the gene that shows how humans developed light-colored skin, and how lighter fish evolved from darker fish. David Kingsley, professor of developmental biology, provides comment in this HealthDay News story, which also appears on Forbes.com and in the Austin American Statesman (Austin Texas), Daily Advance (Elizabeth City, N.C.), Grand Junction Sentinel (Grand Junction, Colo.) and Greenville Reflector (Greenville, N.C.).

Fresno Bee, 12/14/07
Report cites hospital infection causes
State health officials have released a report on a wave of life-threatening infections at Saint Agnes Medical Center's Stanford-affiliated cardiac program. Paul Costello, director of the Office of Communication & Public Affairs, is referenced in this article.

Green Valley News & Sun (Green Valley, Ariz.), 12/14/07
Your health: Sufficient sleep promotes health and holiday cheer
This article discusses sleep deprivation during the holiday season and the negative consequences as a result. A Stanford study on sleep deprivation and weight gain is referenced.