uncnews.unc.edu

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

International Coverage

Something for the weekend
The Financial Times
... David Upton, a professor of operations management at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford and Bradley Staats, an assistant professor of operations, technology and innovation management at Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina say that creating rules and systems for workers can lead to increased collaboration and increased efficiency.

National Coverage

Vaccine May Turn HIV Into ‘Minor Infection
ABC News (Blog)
A potent vaccine may reduce HIV to a minor chronic infection, similar to the herpes virus, Spanish researchers said Wednesday. But experts warn that a cure for HIV/AIDS is still a long way away.... “This [vaccine] is about a vibrant immune response,” said Dr. Myron Cohen, chief of the division of infectious diseases at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. “But that is really not the same as demonstrating prevention or control of HIV.”

Lessons from China’s cities
The Houston Chronicle
... "The speed and scale of China’s urban revolution challenges nearly all our expectations about architecture, urbanism and city planning. China’s ambition to be a major player on the global stage is written on the skylines of every major city,” says Dr. Campanella in his book.

State and Local Coverage

UNC researcher wins national award
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
A UNC-Chapel Hill researcher has won the highest honor given by the U.S. government to science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their research careers. Thomas L. Kash, an assistant professor in the department of pharmacology and the UNC Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, will receive the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.

Research group wins $3 million grant to develop cell technology
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
A UNC-Chapel Hill spinoff that is developing drugs to protect patients from cellular damage caused by radiation or chemotherapy has won a $3 million federal grant to bring its products to market. RTP-based G-Zero Therapeutics, which was started in 2008 based on technologies from UNC-CH, is getting the Phase II Small Business Innovation Research Grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health.
Related Link: http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/print-edition/2011/09/30/unc-spinoff-has-high-hopes-new-cash.html

This headline has been censored
The Herald-Sun (Durham)
... Claudia Funke, curator of rare books at UNC Chapel Hill and organizer of the event, witnessed First Amendment Day on campus for the first time in 2010. She said that last year she noticed people reading from banned books in Bull’s Head Book Store, located in UNC Student Stores, and selling copies of the once-contraband material.
http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/15838685/article-This-headline-has-been-censored?instance=homefourthleft

Chapel Hill, Durham doctors take lead in challenging new abortion law
The Herald-Sun (Durham)
... Stuart and Dingfelder both submitted declarations along with the lawsuit in which they gave examples of how the new law would cause ethical, medical and emotional concerns for themselves and their patients. Stuart, who is employed by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as both a doctor and a professor, and Dingfelder, who owns Eastowne OB/GYN and Infertility in Chapel Hill, wrote in separate declarations that they already perform ultrasounds before performing abortions and ask patients if they want to see them.

Economic justice should be a civil right
The Asheville Citizen-Times
Is it equal justice when those who can’t pay a lawyer have no representation in civil cases? Gene Nichol of UNC Chapel Hill stated at a meeting sponsored by Pisgah Legal Services that there is a shortcoming in the American justice system. Although 20 percent of children in North Carolina are living in poverty, political leaders seem unconcerned by poverty.

Duke, UNC grow endowments, head back to pre-turmoil levels
Triangle Business Journal
... Compared to Duke, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill saw a return of 15 percent and grew to $2.2 billion, up from $2 billion in 2010. Duke and UNC operate under a July-June fiscal year.

UNC responds to housekeepers
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
A report outlining how UNC-Chapel Hill can improve staff relations and housekeepers' work environment is a "wake-up call," UNC-CH officials said Thursday. About 500 housekeepers, students and community supporters signed a petition requesting that Tonya Sell, assistant director of housekeeping, be moved out of that department, according to George James, a housekeeper and a leader in the UE 150 union. Sell was accused in the petition of verbally abusing employees, showing favoritism and creating a repressive work environment.
Related Links: http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/10203995/
http://www.chapelboro.com/UNC-Housekeeping-Survey-Calls-For-Change/11065475
http://blogs.newsobserver.com/orangechat/unc-housekeepers-briefed-on-report#storylink=misearch
http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/15840078/article-Housekeeping-report-shows-trouble-at-UNC?

Issues and Trends

UNC school system looks to draw more military vets
The Business Journal
Military veterans are often sought after as employees for their unique skills and experiences, and college campuses want them for the same reasons. But a report recently submitted to the University of North Carolina Board of Governors suggests the state’s public campuses need to work harder to attract vets.