“It’s like
having a library in the solar system. We can explore
all kinds of things that we can’t explore on
Earth.” William Kurth, research scientist in
physics and astronomy in the College of Liberal Arts
and Sciences, describing the benefits of having the
spacecraft Cassini-Huygens touring Saturn and its
environs for at least four years to study and look
for clues as to how the solar system was formed more
than four billion years ago (The Washington Post,
July 2).
“This is the first example of targeted gene
silencing of a disease gene in the brains of live
animals. It suggests that this approach may eventually
be useful for human therapies.” Beverly
Davidson,
Roy J. Carver Professor in Internal Medicine in the
Carver College of Medicine, discussing a recent study
that successfully silenced a mutant gene and could
someday lead to treatment for Huntington’s
and Alzheimer’s diseases (New Scientist, July
4).
“C-sections are incredibly safe, but bad things
can happen during medical procedures. It can be unnecessary
surgery analogous to liposuction.” Jerome
Yankowitz,
professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the Carver
College of Medicine, objecting to elective C-sections
unless a patient has been thoroughly counseled on
the risks (Salon.com, July 9).
“I think maybe we’ve made some progress,
but I don’t want to suggest a resolution is
imminent. I think our tone at least is we’d
prefer to reach an agreement in a more friendly way.” Mark
Schantz, University general counsel, saying The University
of Iowa and Southern Mississippi University are trying
to work out their differences over a logo dispute
(The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 9).
“Everyone in the state needs to be concerned
about Medicaid and about its future.” David
Skorton, University president and chair of a state
health care task force, appealing to the public for
help in preserving the future of Medicaid (Omaha
World-Herald, July 14).
“Children have more difficulty than adults
in fitting their actions to the environment.” Jodie
Plumert, professor of psychology in the College of
Liberal Arts and Sciences, revealing findings from
a study that showed children may not have the cognitive
abilities to cross the street safely on their bicycles
(New York Post, July 17).
“We took into account all of the mistakes
of 2000 and made corrections to make the model work
better.” Michael Lewis-Beck, F. Wendell Professor
of Political Science in the College of Liberal Arts
and Sciences, explaining why his current model forecast
for the 2004 presidential contest—predicting
a neck-and-neck race between President Bush and Sen.
John Kerry—should be more accurate than in
2000, when the forecast projected that Al Gore would
get 56.9 percent of the vote (The Kansas City
Star,
July 25). |
