News highlights for September 22, 2010

CisionPoint news monitoring provides this small sampling of the university's daily news coverage. Click headline to read full text via Cision or link directly to the online article where available. For questions or comments about this service, or to add or delete a name from the mailing list, please contact Gerry Everding.

The New York Times
Effects of concussions on children
09/22/2010
Because of the physiology of the young brain, children who suffer a concussion need “not only physical rest but also almost complete brain rest,’’ said Dr. Mark Halstead, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Washington University in St. Louis and lead author of the first comprehensive clinical report about pediatric concussions. Put away the schoolbooks and unplug the Xbox. Stresses on the bruised brain, like reading and studying geometry, can slow healing, he said. Link to Article

Chicago Sun-Times
Jesse Jackson Jr. ‘deeply sorry’ about relationship
09/22/2010
U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) is responding to allegations that he asked a campaign fund-raiser to pay for a flight to Chicago by a social acquaintance. Washington University law professor Kathleen Clark said the allegation could mean ethical questions for the congressman who is considering a run for mayor. Having a third party pay for flights at a congressman’s request and not reporting the value of those flights as a gift, if they were worth more than $50, would appear to be “something of value” that should be reported under the House’s rule, she said. Link to Article

Entrepreneur magazine (Oct 2010)
The rise of the virtual classroom
09/22/2010

Imagine a world where teachers and professors use platforms like Facebook to communicate with students. That’s the concept of Schoology.com, an online platform that marries social media and electronic classroom management. The platform is the creation of three 23-year-old alumni of Washington University in St. Louis: Jeremy Friedman, Ryan Hwang and Tim Trinidad. In June, they landed $1.25 million in Series A funding. Link to Article

The New Scientist

Brain scans may help fix criminal responsibility
9/22/2010

A FEW years ago, convicted murderer Christopher Simmons escaped the death penalty in St. Louis when defenders cited research suggesting the brain of a typical 17-year-old was not yet fully mature. Now neuroscientists claim we are closer to being able to estimate brain maturity using brain scans, which might prompt lawyers to offer a defense of immaturity based on an accused individual’s own brain scan. Nico Dosenbach’s team at Washington University School of Medicine reckon they can predict how old a person is using a 5-minute brain scan. Link to Article See also Daily Mail (UK)

Missourinet
Wash U breaks down Missouri’s smoking demographic, pushes for policy change
09/22/2010

National studies have long pointed to Missouri as a problem state when it comes to smoking. A study by Washington University breaks down the high-risk groups and pushes for policy change. Sarah Shelton from the Center for Tobacco Policy Research at Washington University says more than 23 percent of Missourians smoke — among the highest in the nation. But looking at who those smokers are points out some demographics that are at higher risk. Link to Article

See also KMOX Radio (St. Louis), KWMU (St. Louis Public Radio)

NextStop STL
Wash U lecturer creates iPhone App for MetroLink – FREE this week!
09/21/2010

After Washington University lecturer Todd Sproull created an iPhone app for MetroLink timetables and station info, one of the first things he did was call Metro Customer Service and let them know about the app and that he was giving it away for free for a limited time. “I would love to see MetroLink take ownership of the app and give it away for free to users,” Sproull said. Link to Article Related news release

Saint Louis Beacon
With new fund and new center, St. Louis County doubles its emphasis on bioscience
09/21/2010St. Louis County hopes that establishment of its own version of the double helix will do for bioscience research and development here what discovery of the double helix structure of DNA did for science nearly 60years ago. The $1.5 million Helix Fund is designed to provide seed money for startup businesses in the plant and life sciences. “If there are scientists at the Danforth Center or Washington University Medical School who have an idea they want to pursue, and are just starting out, they could use the facilities at the Helix Center,” said Denny Coleman, president and CEO of the St. Louis County Economic Council. Link to Article


News in higher education

St. Louis Post Dispatch

UMSL to offer full rides to fight brain drain
9/22/2010

On Tuesday, the University of Missouri-St. Louis and some local business leaders decided to do something about it. With the help of a $1.65 million gift from Emerson, UMSL announced a scholarship program aimed at talented young St. Louisans. Link to Article

CNN.com

Back to School with bipolar? How college can unleash mania
9/22/2010
The rituals of college — making new friends, studying until dawn, excessive partying – can stress out any young adult. But students with bipolar disorder, or those at risk for the condition, are even more vulnerable in a college environment. Link to Article

New York Times

Value of college degree Is growing, study says
9/21/2010

Despite rising tuition and student-loan debt, the long-term payoff from earning a college degree is growing, according to a report to be issued Tuesday by the College Board. Workers with a college degree earned much more and were much less likely to be unemployed than those with only a high school diploma, according to the report, “Education Pays: the Benefits of Higher Education for Individuals and Society.” Link to Article

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The Chronicle of Higher Education
Inside Higher Ed
University Business

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