Marick Masters, labor expert at Wayne State University, commented about the effects that will be felt following passage of the right-to-work law in Michigan. He said unions are going to have to reach out much more aggressively to their members and potential members and provide them with reasons why they should pay their dues. This story ran nationally on the CBS Radio network affiliates.

Marick Masters, director of labor studies at Wayne State University, appeared on "The Hays Advantage" hosted by Kathleen Hays and Vonnie Quinn." Masters says "statistical evidence shows that right-to-work laws are not associated with lower unemployment rates or job growth," and the records show that "fourteen states that have right-to-work laws have a higher poverty rate than the national average."

The Wayne State University School of Medicine got a big boost from Bloomfield Hills residents Sindgi Dattu Sastry and Pushpa Sastry who gave $1 million to create the Sastry Foundation Clinical Neuroscience Endowed Research Fund to support research in the WSU Department of Neurology. The Sastrys awarded the gift because of their interest in research. Sindgi Dattu Sastry holds a doctoral degree in chemistry. "Neurology has been a black box for a long time," he said. "We hope, with this fund, to promote more research at Wayne State University to help develop new medicines or therapies. We also hope this gift encourages others to contribute to research," Pushpa Sastry said. "People need to contribute to the society they live in to help the common good."

Dr. Herbert C. Smitherman Jr., assistant dean of community and urban health at Wayne State University's School of Medicine, was a guest on MSNBC's Melissa Harris-Perry's program exploring the challenges surrounding implementation of President Barack Obama's Affordable Health Care Act.

The Michigan legislature's rapid initial passage on Thursday of right-to-work legislation could set the stage for battles in other states over union power in the workplace. In 2012, 22 states considered bills on right-to-work, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Of those, only Indiana passed the legislation, becoming the 23rd right-to-work state. Michigan, however, could prove to be "a tremendous blow" to organized labor, said Marick Masters, a professor of business at Wayne State University. "The forces behind right-to-work are nationally organized and there are benefactors across the country that are going to finance these efforts in multiple states," he said.

Longtime fans, old-school friends, close media companions and academic associates came together Thursday to celebrate the colorful life and more than 60-year career of hall-of-fame broadcaster Sonny Eliot. "The evening was a special way to pay tribute to this one-of-a-kind Detroiter, a true cultural icon who touched so many people with his wonderful personality," said Matthew Seeger, Wayne State University professor and dean, College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts. Held at WSU's Community Arts Auditorium, "Always Sonny" was an intimate and light-hearted two-hour public memorial for Eliot, who died after a long illness at his home in Farmington Hills on Nov. 16 at the age of 91. An audience of about 225 people attended the free event held at the radio-and-TV broadcaster's alma mater.

A right-to-work law in Michigan, home to 671,000 unionized employees, could further deteriorate the membership, finances and political clout of labor unions. Gov. Rick Snyder says the law will spark job growth in Michigan. Marick Masters, a labor expert at Wayne State University, doesn't believe a right-to-work law will dramatically boost job growth in the state. "I think right-to-work is overplayed as a competitive factor. I don't think it ranks as one of the significant drivers of manufacturing firms in terms of where they locate," he said.

Taking your blood pressure at home is a proven way to get a reliable result, and a handy way to keep tabs on your health. Hypertension is the No. 1 reason for doctor visits in this country, and one out of three Americans has the problem. Taking a reading at home also increases compliance with blood-pressure medications and lifestyle factors because it shows if readings are edging back into the danger zone, according to research by Dr. Nancy Artinian, associate dean for research at Wayne State University's College of Nursing. "If people are feeling well, they may not see the need for treatment," Artinian says. "A home measurement provides a cue that blood pressure is high."

WWJ news anchor Jayne Bower, who worked with Sonny Eliot for many years, reminisced with WDET's Pat Batcheller about his life. Bower talked about her first impression when she met him and shared stories about his more than 60-year career in broadcasting. Bower also offered a preview about tonight's "Always Sonny!" event at Wayne State University.

Norman Dotson's various roles as dedicated Detroit advocate, skilled engineer, innovative entrepreneur, ambitious leader, supportive mentor and focused student would leave many people feeling completely overwhelmed. Fortunately, he is more than up for the challenge thanks to his deep-rooted passion for Detroit and his process-oriented engineering education from Wayne State University. The industrial and systems engineering senior and Detroit native infuses his education into all facets of his life to help him more efficiently manage his numerous roles and projects. "My ISE education has completely impacted how I think. I see everything as a process now, and I wonder how I can improve it," he said. When he graduates in 2014, he'll be the first man in his family to earn a college degree. Fortunately for Detroit, he intends on staying right here. "I love Detroit. I love Wayne State. We're in the heart of everything and there's a great sense of community. If there's a possibility to positively impact Detroit, that's what I intend to do."

A new survey conducted by the Wayne State University Transportation Research Group reveals that seat belt use in Michigan has risen to 84.9 percent in commercial motor vehicle drivers. That's up considerably from 73.6 percent in 2006, the last time the study was conducted. The survey also found that as participant age increased, the tendency for drivers and passengers to use a seat belt also increased. The figures jumped from 83 percent for ages under 29 to 86.4 percent for drivers and passengers over the age of 60. Men and women tend to utilize their seat belts at similar usage rates, although the frequency of women commercial vehicle drivers and passengers is very low.

An article highlights Wayne State University's Urbanology: Art as Activism course offered through the Department of Art and Art History. Students, along with WSU associate professor Marilyn Zimmerman, recently visited with activist Grace Lee Boggs at the Boggs Center. The course uses Boggs' book "The Next American Revolution: Sustainable Activism for the 21st Century." Student Todd Davis said, "The Art as Activism class at Wayne State and reading Grace's book have changed my life. I'm inspired to push hard to find the next paradigm in how we look at urban art as a catalyst for change."

During a story on the passage of the right-to-work law, Wayne State University professor and labor expert Marick Masters predicts passage of the right-to-work law will lead to lower wages and benefits for workers.

Diagnoses of cancer, heart disease, stroke and rheumatoid arthritis could happen faster with technology being developed by a Wayne State University researcher. Matthew Allen, assistant professor of chemistry in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, is seeking to commercialize a class of contrast agents that can enhance the effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging scans. Contrast agents are injectable "drugs" containing a paramagnetic element that creates temporary magnetic differences between similar tissues, enabling them to appear differently in an MRI scan. Of about 60 million annual MRI scans worldwide, 40 to 50 percent currently use contrast agents; the rest can show tissue differences without them.

Mlive, 12/4 Job-creation push spawns flurry of numbers, opinions By Rick Haglund Comparing various kinds of economic development initiatives for their impact on jobs and economic growth often isn't easy. And that's especially true for two primary incentive programs Michigan has used in recent years; the Michigan Economic Growth Authority and the 21st Century Jobs Fund. Ned Staebler, who oversaw the Jobs Fund under Granholm, said its value went beyond job creation. "More than 1,500 companies were helped. Nine hundred patents were filed and 350 products were commercialized. Those are all really good things," said Staebler, who now is vice president for economic development at Wayne State University.

Prospects for a new $650-million downtown Detroit sports arena and entertainment district that would provide new home ice for the Detroit Red Wings prompts questions about the future of Joe Louis Arena, the NHL hockey team's home for the last 33 years. The ambitious development plans unveiled Tuesday by team owner Mike Ilitch's organization contained no mention of the aging Joe Louis. The arena's neighbor to the east -- Cobo Center -- is undergoing a nearly $300-million renovation. Robin Boyle, professor and chair of the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at Wayne State University, said the arena site could be key to the riverfront's ongoing redevelopment. "It strikes me that with the redevelopment of Cobo, the removal of the Ford Auditorium, and now the potential for clearing the Joe Louis Arena, we've got a very rich opportunity," Boyle said.

Tonia Reinhard, senior lecturer in nutrition and food science at Wayne State University, offers tips on immune-boosting, nutrient-dense "superfoods" that will help improve your body's ability to fight off disease, particularly during the current cold and flu season. "Nutrient-density refers to the amount of essential nutrients or health-promoting phytochemicals provided per calorie," says Reinhard. She recommends five superfoods during cold and flu season: Salmon, Greek yogurt, eggs, nuts, bell peppers and dark leafy greens. While Reinhard says vitamin C can't make a cold or flu go away, it can reduce the time you're affected by it.

Yelena Sukhoterina, a Troy resident and graduate of Rochester High School, will be the commencement speaker for Wayne State University's College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts (CFPCA) graduation ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 8 - a role reserved only for students of outstanding character and high academic standard. Sukhoterina is graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from the CFPCA and a bachelor of arts degree in German from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

U.S. manufacturing shrank in November to its weakest level since July 2009, one month after the Great Recession ended. Concerns about automatic tax increases in the new year cut demand for factory orders and manufacturing jobs. The Institute for Supply Management said Monday that its index of manufacturing conditions fell to a reading of 49.5. That's down from 51.7 in October. Readings above 50 signal growth, while readings below indicate contraction. Similarly, an index released last week by Wayne State University showed signs of a weakening but still growing economy. The Southeast Michigan Purchasing Managers Index for November is at 51.9, dropping seven points from the October score of 58.9 and indicating slowing growth in the region's economy. Declines in production activity, new orders and hiring were the factors contributing to this month's decrease.

On Nov. 24, at Cass and Peterboro, Detroit's Chinatown, 100 Flying Paper Lanterns were launched into the sky. The event was organized by Bianca Ibarlucea, a Wayne State University junior, for a class led by visiting artist Fritz Haeg and sculpture professor Eric Troffkin. Ibarlucea said living on Peterboro inspired this project. Current figures estimate that around 20 percent of Detroit's lighting infrastructure does not work, and in some areas that number may be as high as 50 percent, she said. "After the lighting bills died in the State Senate this fall, I decided to combine art with activism, and create a project that would amplify the voice of Detroiters as they call on elected officials to resolving the lighting issue."