unc.edu/news

Here is a sampling of links and notes about Carolina people and programs cited recently in the media:

National Coverage

Cellphone law may not make roads safer
The Los Angeles Times
As California joins five other states in requiring drivers to use hands-free devices when talking on cellphones, an increasing body of research suggests the legislation will accomplish little. ... "There's a common misperception that hands-free phones are safer when the research clearly suggests that they they're both equally risky," said Arthur Goodwin, a researcher at the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center.

Adderall: Weight Loss Fix of the Stars?
ABC News
From crash diets to killer workouts, it's little secret that the weight loss regimens of the stars are not always healthy ones. ... "I find the use of Adderall for weight loss particularly troubling," says June Stevens, chair of the department of nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

HIV Experts Debate Impact of Failed Vaccine
ABC News
In the spring of 2007, it was the next great hope for the fight against AIDS. But by the fall, studies of an experimental vaccine against HIV suggested not only that it did not work, but that it actually put those who received it at greater risk of infection. ... Dr. Charles van der Horst, professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, concurs. "We need to go back to square one and stop the clinical trials until we have better lab and animal data as how to proceed on the vaccine front," he said.

State & Local Coverage

N.C. universities, biotech sector honor UNC Nobel Prize winner Oliver Smithies
WRAL-TV (CBS; Raleigh)
North Carolina’s university and biotech industry leaders honored one of their own Monday night, announcing that the state’s “Faculty Recruitment Grant Program” will be named in honor of Nobel Prize winner Oliver Smithies.

UNC campus to test emergency sirens
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
UNC-Chapel Hill will test new emergency sirens Wednesday between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
UNC News Release: http://uncnews.unc.edu/news/students/university-to-test-sirens-march-26-to-launch-alert-carolina.html

UNC doctor to run Boston Marathon
WCHL 1360 AM (Chapel Hill)
He’s already been called one of America’s best doctors in HIV-AIDS treatment and now, UNC’s Dr. Charles van der Horst is ready to run the most prestigious race in the world next month … the Boston Marathon. Dr. van der Horst says he finds a cathartic effect in running.
Related Link: http://media.www.dailytarheel.com/media/storage/paper885/
news/2008/03/24/University/Unc-Doctor.Trains.For.Marathon-3279343.shtml

Study: Obese women skip cancer tests
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
Obesity may keep some women from getting routine cancer screenings, according to a new UNC-Chapel Hill study. The study found obese white women were less likely than healthy-weight women to get the recommended screenings for breast and cervical cancer, according to the UNC-CH School of Public Health.
UNC News Release: http://uncnews.unc.edu/news/health-and-medicine/
obesity-may-keep-some-women-from-getting-screened-for-breast-cervical-cancer.html

UNC team set for business school challenge
Triangle Business Journal
MBA students from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Kenan-Flagler School of Business this weekend will match up against business schools from around the world in a business case competition to address challenges faced by telecommunications companies.

Researchers at UNC are taking part in a clinical trial to test a new treatment.
WTVD-TV (ABC/Durham)
Researchers with UNC Hospitals Wound Healing and Limb Salvage Center are taking part in a clinical trial to test a new treatment that may significantly reduce the need for foot amputations in diabetic patients.

Latin American music to take stage
The Herald-Sun (Durham)
The University of North Carolina Music Department's 2008 Festival on the Hill will present a range of Latin American music from Baroque to bossa nova.The display of musical styles will unfold over four days, beginning Thursday and continuing through March 30.
UNC News Release: http://uncnews.unc.edu/news/arts/
festival-celebrates-latin-american-musics-diversity.html

CNN analyst to speak at UNC
The Herald-Sun (Durham)
Bill Schneider, CNN senior political analyst, will deliver the Nelson Benton Lecture at UNC Chapel Hill's School of Journalism and Mass Communication on Thursday at 6 p.m. in Carroll Hall auditorium. Schneider's talk, "The Role of Media in Politics," is free and open to the public. He joins notable journalists who have spoken in the series including Walter Cronkite, Charles Kuralt, Sam Donaldson, Bob Schieffer, Cokie Roberts and Dan Rather.
UNC Event Brief: http://uncnews.unc.edu/news/campus-and-community/
schneider-cnn-senior-political-analyst-to-speak-march-27.html

Friends of UNC libraries plan sale
The Herald-Sun (Durham)
The Friends of the Library at UNC Chapel Hill will hold a book sale Thursday through Saturday at the American Legion Building, 1714 Legion Road. Proceeds will benefit the University Library Endowment.
UNC Event Brief: http://uncnews.unc.edu/news/campus-and-community/
book-sale-march-27-29-to-benefit-library.html

Civil War event at UNC Saturday
The Herald-Sun (Durham)
Scholars, authors and historians will hold a Civil War Symposium beginning at 8:15 a.m. Saturday in UNC's Carroll Hall Auditorium. The free, public event will feature faculty from the University of Virginia; University of California, Los Angeles; King's College of London and UNC, discussing the American Civil War from secession to Hollywood.
UNC Event Brief: http://uncnews.unc.edu/news/campus-and-community/unc-to-host-civil-war-symposium.html

Issues & Trends

Too many secrets (Editorial)
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
Those who work for the public - accepting a taxpayer-paid salary and benefits, retirement plan, etc. - should reasonably have to expect that most of their working life, from those financial figures to any disciplinary actions taken against them, will be on the public record.