SUMC in the News (09/04/07)

Press release

Cell that triggers symptoms in allergy attacks can also limit damage, Stanford researchers find
Stanford researchers have found that a blood cell known as a troublemaker for triggering the itch and inflammation in allergy attacks, the mast cell, can also calm down the flare-ups.

Print media coverage

Miami Herald, 09/04/07
If it looks like fast food, will kids eat it?
Asked to sample two identical foods from McDonald's, children in a Stanford/Lucile Packard Children's Hospital study preferred the taste of the version branded with the restaurant's familiar "Golden Arches" to one extracted from unmarked paper packaging. The study was led by Thomas Robinson, associate professor of pediatrics and of medicine and director of the Center for Healthy Weight at Packard Children's, who is quoted in this Los Angeles Times article.

Los Angeles Times, 09/03/07
Parents, ready for school?
This article provides tips on easing your child's transition back to class. Kyle Hinman, clinical instructor of child and adolescent psychiatry and child development, provides comment.

USA Today, 09/03/07
Fancy marshmallows toast upscale sweet tooths
Jo Ann Hattner, a nutritionist with the medical school, provides comment in this article on gourmet marshmallows.

Atlanta Journal Constitution, 09/03/07
Army colonel draws fire for stress study
This article discusses how an army colonel has been demoted and is under investigation for participating in a study on fatigue and stress among recruits. David Magnus, director of the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, is quoted.

Contra Costa Times, 09/03/07
Easing pain of all those aches
Christy Sandborg, professor of pediatric rheumatology at Packard Children's, is quoted in this article on the treatment and diagnosis of joint pain.

Mass High Tech (Boston), 09/03/07
Dana-Farber shares $30M NIH grant
Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute received a $16 million grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute last week as part of a $30 million program to further genomics research nationwide. The other $14 million went to Stanford.

Pak Tribune (Pakistan), 09/03/07
Fast-acting insulin helps with diabetes emergency
This article discusses lispro, a fast-acting type of insulin for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when sugar levels get too high. Andrew Hoffman, professor of endocrinology, gerontology and metabolism; and Romana Haas, a postdoctoral fellow in endocrinology, gerontology and metabolism, are referenced here.

Agence France Presse, 09/02/07
Rash verdict: Here's what stops sunburn itching
Itching caused by sunburn, poison ivy and poison oak is stopped by immune cells called mast cells, according to Stanford researchers. The study was led by Stephen Galli, professor and chair of pathology. Galli is quoted in an article that appears on DailyIndia.com.

Houston Chronicle, 09/02/07
See the doctor anytime, but it'll cost you
Clarence Braddock, associate professor of medicine and a member of the SCBE, provides comment in this article on "concierge medicine," also known as boutique or retainer medicine.

New York Times, 09/02/07
Opinion/Don't deny health care to our kids
In this letter to the editor, Michael Taymor, clinical associate professor of pediatrics, responds to an article on the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, a federal initiative designed to help states provide expanded coverage for children who would not otherwise qualify for Medicaid.

China Daily, 09/01/07
China has '120m hepatitis B carriers'
At least 120 million people in China have become carriers of the hepatitis B virus. Samuel So, the Lui Hac Minh Professor in the School of Medicine and director of the Asian Liver Center, is working with the China Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention and Control to educate and provide free HBV vaccination in China. He is quoted here.

San Jose Mercury News, 08/31/07
Did Pfizer's marketing fizzle with Exubera?
This article discusses Exubera, the inhaled insulin product developed by Nektar Therapeutics of San Carlos. Darrell Wilson, professor of pediatrics and chief of the division of pediatric endocrinology and diabetes at Packard Children's, is quoted.

Contra Costa Times, 08/31/07
Medical school going smoke-free
As of September 1, the School of Medicine will be declared a tobacco-free zone, with no smoking allowed anywhere on campus. Ruthann Richter of the Office of Communication & Public Affairs, provides comment in this article.

ApplesForHealth.com, 08/31/07
How much exercise is really enough
The American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association recently released a report recommending 30 minutes of exercise, five days a week. William Haskell, professor of medicine, emeritus, is mentioned here.

HispanicBusiness.com, 08/31/07
The top 10 best medical schools for Hispanics
Stanford ranked second in this list of the 10 best medical schools for Hispanics.

Broadcast media coverage

Today Show (NBC), 09/04/07
This segment discussed options for cancer patients facing infertility issues. It mentioned that Stanford Hospital offers egg freezing procedures for such patients.

KTVU-TV, 08/31/07
This segment discussed the medical school's smoking ban. Robert Jackler, the Edward C. and Amy H. Sewall Professor in Otorhinolaryngology, was interviewed. The ban was also mention on KSFO-AM (San Francisco).