A team of Wayne State University researchers was awarded $330,000 from the National Science Foundation to develop a 3-D neural probe. Their aim is to develop an implantable device that will suppress tinnitus, a neurological disorder that causes a ringing or hissing in the ears that affects more than 250 million people worldwide. Yong Xu, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, and Jinsheng Zhang, associate professor and associate research director of otolaryngology, associate professor of communication sciences and disorders, said the project, "A novel 3-dimensional neural probe technology combining electrical and chemical interfaces," is based on a flexible skin structure and simple folding procedure. The technology will enable the integration of micro-channels for neurotransmitter-based chemical stimulation and local delivery of various drugs for biocompatibility improvement.

Wayne State President Allan Gilmour, Henry Ford Health System President and Chief Operating Officer Bob Riney, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Vice President and Corporate Secretary Tricia Keith participated in a Transformation Detroit media briefing yesterday. Among the topics explored was efforts to get people to work or move to Detroit. At least 100 employees between Wayne State University and Henry Ford Health System have signed up for the Live Midtown program, a financial incentive available to some 30,000 employees of the Detroit Medical Center, Henry Ford and Wayne State that entices them to live near their workplace. Twenty-eight Wayne State employees and 72 Henry Ford employees have been approved to date for incentives, and Gilmour said another 59 Wayne State employees have received promises of funding if they can find a place to live. A photo of President Gilmour addressing the media is included in the Michigan Blogger story.

The head of Kuwait\'s Cultural Office in Washington D.C. on Friday signed an agreement on behalf of Kuwait\'s Ministry of Higher Education with senior officials from Wayne State University to initiate a medical studies scholarship program there for Kuwaiti students. Speaking after the signing ceremony, the senior Kuwaiti official, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Omar, said that under the terms of the agreement ten seats will be reserved annually for Kuwaiti students, beginning in the upcoming 2011-12 academic year.

A brief notes that the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers has honored Dr. Robert Lisak, chair of the Department of Neurology at Wayne State University, with its Lifetime Achievement Award during a recent annual meeting in Montreal. "Bob Lisak is someone who cares," said Dr. Corey Ford, professor of neurology, assistant dean for research and medical director of the pharmacy department at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, and former president of the consortium. "He cares about his institution, serving as Parker Webber Chair in Neurology, chair and professor of neurology and professor of immunology and microbiology at Wayne State University, neurologist-in-chief of the Detroit Medical Center and chief of neurology at Harper University Hospital."

Wayne State University professor Peter Lichtenberg, who studies elder abuse, commented in a story on repair scams and thieves that usually prey on seniors who have little money and those who feel disrespected. His 2010 study found that 1 in 10 senior citizens in Detroit have been victimized by fraud.

The combination of growth in downtown businesses and incentives for people to move to Detroit has many city apartment buildings at or near full occupancy. From lower Woodward Avenue up to the New Center area, apartment owners cite a boost in the past few months. And in some cases, the buildings have waiting lists. Through the incentives, employees of The Detroit Medical Center, Henry Ford Health System and Wayne State University are given $3,500 over two years to rent in Detroit.

Richard Chasdi, Wayne State University professor and terrorism expert, discussed the announcement that peace talks are currently underway between the United States, Afghanistan and the Taliban. Chasdi says this process must be done very carefully and cautioned that it only involves one group within the Taliban. He added that India and Pakistan will be watching the talks very closely.

Michigan State University's board voted unanimously Friday morning to raise in-state tuition by 6.9 percent next school year, just short of the limit set in a budget plan from Gov. Rick Snyder and approved by the Legislature. The increase will cost a resident undergraduate an extra $788 a year. Total tuition now adds up to $12,202.50 for the year. The tuition hike will raise an additional $40 million, university officials said. Of that amount, $10 million will be shifted into financial aid, and $30 million will be added to the general fund. The cut from the state will take $42.6 million from the amount of state aid MSU will receive. MSU raised tuition by 5 percent last year. Eastern Michigan University and Wayne State University will set tuition this week at their board meetings.

The Detroit Windsor International Film Festival will be running from Wednesday through June 26 on Wayne State University\'s campus featuring nine feature films and more than 60 short films, as well as hosting a Tech Fair for aspiring filmmakers on June 25. The festival will also include the ninth annual showing of the documentary festival \"Detroit Docs.\"

WWJ morning drive sports anchor Tony Ortiz reported that Wayne State's football team has been ranked 22nd in the Division II preseason rankings provided Lindy's. Nineteen starters are returning this year following last season's record 9 wins.

The University of Michigan Board of Regents voted Thursday to increase in-state tuition 6.7 percent. The university also is making cuts to its $1.6-billion operating budget for the Ann Arbor campus. The total operating budget for its operations, including the Dearborn and Flint campuses and the health system, is $6.1 billion. \"These are the deepest cuts we\'ve made,\" provost Philip Hanlon said. The cuts are part of a plan to cut $100 million in recurring costs from 2010 to 2012 and another plan to cut an additional $130 million from 2013 to 2017. According to the Detroit News story, state aid cuts have led other universities to raise tuition, and more are expected to follow. Last week, Oakland University boosted tuition 7 percent, and Western Michigan University approved a 6.6 percent increase. Last month, Lake Superior State University and Michigan Technological University raised tuition less than 7 percent. Michigan State University announces its tuition today. Eastern Michigan and Wayne State will set their new rates next week.

Paul W. Smith, host of The Paul W. Smith Show on WJR-AM (760), wrote a column congratulating the former and recent awardees of the Michiganians of the Year noting that "the names of people who've been honored amaze me." Included in the Class of 2011are: Wayne State University President Allan D. Gilmour; Ahmad Chebbani; Emily A. Diaz-Torres; Dr. Eva L. Feldman; John Herrington; Josh Linkner; Judge Greg Mathis; Ernestine L. Sanders; Robert & Susan Lim Williams; and Paul W. Smith. A link is included to the Detroit News listing with biographies www.detnews.com/michiganians.

A column tackling the issue of state Supreme Court judge elections mentions the Judicial Selection Task Force's recent forum at Wayne State University featuring keynote speaker Sandra Day O\'Connor, the former U.S. Supreme Court Justice.

To balance its budget next school year, Wayne State University needs to raise tuition by 7.1 percent, the maximum allowed under a new budget rule, university officials told a Board of Governors committee Wednesday. An in-state freshman would pay $7,504, or an additional $518, over last year\'s rate. The increase would raise $16 million. State universities must deal with a coming 15% cut to state aid, and most schools are planning to raise or already have raised tuition as they have cut expenses. WSU also plans to cut $27 million from the budget and proposes a total general-fund budget of $565 million. The cuts would include eliminating faculty, clerical and administrative positions and trimming other expenses, including travel and professional development. The WSU Board of Governors is to vote June 23 on the budget and tuition rate hike.

7.1 percent tuition increase would match state cap on tuition hikes Wayne State leaders are stepping up budget discussions as the deadline for resolving WSU's 2012 budget draws near. The Board of Governors' Budget and Finance Committee convened June 15 to review and discuss the university's proposed budget for fiscal year 2012. Despite being forced to tighten its proverbial belt, the university will still focus on student success, WSU President Allan Gilmour said. The amount of available financial aid will be increased to help alleviate the burden on students and WSU will continue working to improve student services, he said. Budget cuts, Gilmour suggested, are a result of the public not valuing higher education. To increase public support of higher education, WSU will continue to make improvements and strive for a reputation of excellence. Gilmour expressed confidence that WSU will be able to remain a quality institution despite the budget cuts, although much difficulty lies ahead. He summed up his goal for the future of WSU in three words: "excellent, dynamic, successful." Governor Paul Massaron, Budget and Finance Committee member, called the 15 percent cut "Draconian." WSU had anticipated a cut of only 10 percent, said Massaron. As the details of Wayne State's 2012 budget are finalized, he added, "Nobody in the whole institution is immune from having to deal with budget cuts."

Detroit will host a first-of-its-kind environmental gathering in October, when three major conservation groups bring their annual or biennial meetings to the city to discuss the health of the Great Lakes. For three days beginning Oct. 12, hundreds are expected to converge on Wayne State University for meetings of the International Joint Commission, the Great Lakes Commission and the Healing Our Waters Coalition. At the heart of these meetings - with the theme \"Working Together, Taking Action\" - will be subjects linked to the restoration of the Great Lakes.

The Emancipation Proclamation is to make a rare, round-the-clock appearance next week at the Henry Ford in Dearborn. The document is part of a National Archives exhibition about the Civil War that is on a multicity tour. Law professor Peter Hammer, director of the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights at Wayne State University, applauded the Henry Ford for making the Emancipation Proclamation available for people to see for free. "I would say this is one of the most important documents in American history," Hammer said. "It's incredibly exciting. We have to make history come alive for people today, especially as we continue to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War."

A little known ritual by some members of Congress is to sponsor private bills on behalf of individuals in their districts to help them stay in the country when traditional immigration channels have failed. One such bill is for Victor Chukwueke, who delivered a commencement speech during Wayne State University's ceremonies held last May. Chukwueke, who was born in Nigeria with neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder of the nervous system, hopes to take advantage of a medical school scholarship to Wayne State offered by a philanthropist. However, issues with his legal status may prevent him from accepting it. The bill is a last hope for Chukwueke. Now, it will take an act of Congress for him to stay in his adopted country permanently. \"I would love to stay here,\" Chukwueke said, \"so I can have a better life.\" A photo of Chukwueke is included.

Huron Valley Schools officials sent a notice to district residents stating that the Country Oaks Elementary School was one of the sites targeted this spring for an application of Roundup and 2, 4-D with Dicamba - a substance that's banned in Canada, on New York State school playgrounds and in parts of Massachusetts. The application is designed to eradicate dandelions. Darren Fuerst, a practicing neuropsychologist with Wayne State University and the Detroit Medical Center, said he initially had no problem with the spraying of pesticides on school property. "But then I started digging," he said. Through his research he found "a growing amount of information suggesting that these chemicals shouldn\'t be used around children," he said. Fuerst said he consulted with other professionals in the field of environmental toxicology who echoed the coalition\'s concerns. "If an environmental consultant, M.D. researcher say we shouldn\'t have this around children, who is (HVS) to contradict that?"

Wayne State\'s Wednesday Farmers Market is included in a listing of venues around the metropolitan Detroit area. WSU's Farmers Market runs 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays through Oct. 26.