SUMC in the News (10/07/08)
Press releases
New prenatal test for Down syndrome less risky than amniocentesis, Stanford/Packard scientists say
Scientists here have designed a noninvasive, prenatal genetic test for Down syndrome.
New Stanford diagnostic test for rare leukemia appears to give faster results, study finds
A new twist on a well-known cell sorting technique may allow physicians to diagnose rare leukemias in hours instead of weeks, according to a study by researchers here and UC-San Francisco.
Print media coverage
New York Times, 10/07/08
Blood tests ease search for Down syndrome
This article discusses noninvasive prenatal tests for Down syndrome, including the one developed by researchers here. Stephen Quake, professor of bioengineering, is referenced in this article; he and Yair Blumenfeld, a postdoctoral medical fellow in obstetrics and gynecology, are quoted in a similar piece in San Jose Mercury News. Articles on the test were also prepared by BBC.com, Bloomberg.com, HealthDay News, Reuters and WebMD.com.
When doctors, and even Santa, endorsed tobacco
Researchers from Stanford and UCSF have used once-secret tobacco industry documents to trace marketing deals between Hollywood studios and the tobacco companies to the early days of movie making. Robert Jackler, professor and chair of otolaryngology and one of the authors on the study, is featured in this article.
Palo Alto Daily News, 10/07/08
$75 million gift will fund Stanford stem cell study hall
Lorry Lokey, the Business Wire founder and philanthropist, is giving $75 million to the medical school to help build what is expected to be the nation's largest center for stem cell research. Philip Pizzo, medical school dean, is quoted here and in a Palo Alto Online News piece. The gift is also discussed in an article on the Chronicle of Philanthropy's website and in stories prepared by BizJournals.com and Bloomberg.com.
BusinessWeek, 10/06/08
The waiting game for stem cell companies (No online version available)
Scientists who study embryonic stem cells are hoping to get more support from the next U.S. president. Irving Weissman, the Virginia & D.K. Ludwig Professor for Clinical Investigation for Cancer Research, comments here on the importance of embryonic stem cell research.
Internet/New media coverage
CNN.com, 10/07/08
Experts ponder link between creativity, mood disorders
This article discusses a possible link between mental illness, especially bipolar disorder and depression, with creativity. Terence Ketter, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and chief of the Bipolar Disorders Clinic, provides comment.
NYTimes.com, 10/07/08
Well/Are bad times healthy?
This blog entry explores the effect of the state of the economy on your health. Grant Miller, an assistant professor of medicine, provides comment here.
Broadcast media coverage
KPIX-TV, 10/07/08
Stephen Quake was interviewed during this segment on the non-invasive prenatal test for Down syndrome. Segments on the test aired locally on KGO-TV and KNTV-TV, and on TV stations across the country, including ones in Boston; Cincinnati; Denver; Memphis, Tenn.; Monterey, Calif.; New York; San Antonio, Texas, and San Diego.
KGO-TV, 10/07/08
This segment discussed Lorry Lokey's gift to the medical school. The gift was also mentioned on KNTV-TV, KPIX-TV, KRON-TV and KCBS-AM.
Office of Communication