Theatre season waiting in the wings
An extensive article highlights the Hilberry Theatre's season of productions. A photo of cast members from "Private Lives" opening Oct. 6 is included.
In the news
Motor City Journal: Scene from above
Columnist Bill McGraw writes about the unusual hobby of Dr. Mitchell Dombrowski, professor in the WSU School of Medicine and chief of obstetrics and gynecology at St. John Hospital in Detroit . Dombrowski built a radio-controlled, camera equipped model airplane that he flies over the Detroit area to take pictures of various area landmarks. "I just do it totally for fun," he said. A photo of the hobbyist launching his plane accompanies the story.
Feeling pain in work zone
This article about a median construction project on Livernois in northwest Detroit mentions that studies by Wayne State University , the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and AAA found high incidences of car crashes on the stretch. The median is expected to increase safety. But since the project began in April, business owners have been complaining that construction is making it harder for customers to reach their shops.
Briefly
Susan Whitall's column on radio in Detroit notes that WDET-FM has added veteran R&B disc jockey Jay Butler to its schedule. "Jay's Place" airs from 9 p.m.-midnight Saturdays.
Jay Butler to host show on WDET
Jay Butler's new blues show on WDET is mentioned at the top of Crain's "Briefly" column. Butler most recently was program director at WQBH-AM, which changed its format and call letters in 2004.
Health fair aims to boost care in Arab community
A story about a health fair for Arab Americans and low-income families in Lansing cites a study done by Wayne State University for the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services last year. The survey found that about 18 percent of Arab Americans are diabetic, compared with 13 percent of African Americans, 12 percent of Latinos and 4 percent of Caucasians.
Higher-cost ed
Referring to a recent report by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education that ranked Michigan low in college tuition affordability, this editorial calls for increased state financial support for higher education institutions. "Universities have a role to play in keeping costs down," the Free Press writes, "but they can't also keep up with the demand for more high-tech graduates without more support from the state."
Location matters in commercializing university research, report says
Scientific prowess isn't the only factor that determines how successfully a university can turn its biotechnology research into economic profits, according to a study released yesterday by the Milken Institute, a private research organization that focuses on economics. Among other factors that have a bearing on success are a well-run and well-staffed technology transfer office and being located in a region with the right kinds of businesses. Several institutions that ranked high in quality and quantity of publications and patents did not fare as well in terms of their commercialization ability. The study focused on biotechnology research because it is a major area of commercialization for universities and a major driver of economic activity.
Local grads vote with their feet for local universities
Wayne State was chosen as the most popular destination for college education from among 85 members of the class of 2006 in Southfield and Lathrup Village. Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University were second and third, respectively. About 60 percent of the graduates are attending a 4-year college or university. About 17 percent are attending a community college, while 4 percent are attending a trade school.
Layoffs may fill gap in hospitals
In an effort to curb the shortage of nurses, area hospitals are establishing programs to train people laid off from the ailing automotive industry as nurses. Margaret Lepper, 43, is one of eight Wayne State University nursing students undergoing their clinical training at Henry Ford Hospital . The students are part of a second-degree program at WSU that trains college graduates to be nurses in 16 months. Henry Ford Health System pays their tuition in exchange for three years' employment upon graduation. The article includes a photo of Lepper checking the blood-sugar level of a patient as well as a photo of another WSU-identified student at work in the hospital.
Vitamin hope for multiple-sclerosis treatment
A new study reveals that a simple vitamin has dramatically reduced neurological damage in mice suffering from a multiple-sclerosis-like illness. Research scientists hope that a form of Vitamin B3 (nicotinamide) may help reduce long-term disability in people with MS. Scientists believe that Vitamin B3 worked in the mice because it raises the level of a key nervous system chemical called nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), which appears to improve the energy efficiency of nerve cells. However, Kenneth Maieses, a Wayne State University School of Medicine professor, points out that the doses of Vitamin B3 given to the mice were quite high. Similar doses in humans can prove to be toxic.
COUNTDOWN TO GRADUATION: It takes a family to negotiate the decisions and deadlines of the final year of high school
An article about how high school seniors in the Detroit Metro area are preparing for college after graduation spotlights West Bloomfield High School students and their parents. One of the interviewees, 17-year-old Joseph Seman, said he plans to attend Wayne State , where he hopes to study business or computers.
Showdown set in suit over fatal police shooting
A lawsuit against a Michigan State Police trooper who fatally shot an 18-year-old girl who was fleeing pursuing police in her car has been challenged by the Michigan attorney general's office. Tentative plans by the defense team are to have Wayne State University criminal justice professor Daniel Kennedy testify on behalf of the accused officer, who fired a shot into the suspect's car as she sped toward him to flee after being stopped by police. An attorney for the plaintiffs argues that Kennedy is not qualified as an expert and that his opinions on the shooting "at best constitute novel and untested theories." A hearing on the state's motion to throw out the lawsuit has been delayed by a circuit court judge until mid-October.
Area sports in brief
COLLEGE HOCKEY: Wayne State names captains
Jason Bloomingburg and Mike Forgie will be captains of the Wayne State University hockey team this season, coach Bill Wilkinson has announced. Bloomingburg was assistant captain last year, scoring 10 goals and tallying 17 points in 35 games. He is tied for fifth all-time at WSU with 30 career goals. Forgie had five goals and five assists in 14 regular-season games last year before suffering a season-ending injury in December. Nate Higgins and Taylor Donohoe will be assistant captains. The Warriors will play an exhibition game against St. Clair College on Oct. 6. The regular season starts Oct. 13 at Minnesota .
Stem cell advocacy group formed
Michigan Citizens for Stem Cell Research & Cures, a new nonprofit organization dedicated to educating Michigan residents about the research potential and economic benefits of stem cell research, was launched Sept. 18 at a press conference in Detroit . President Irvin D. Reid, who participated in the event announcing the initiative, said "stem cell research will transform Michigan 's future." Reporter Pat Anstett points out that Michigan has one of the most restrictive legal environments in the nation regarding stem cell research, which can hamper medical research and the hiring of top scientists.
Advocates team up in stem cell push: Group says Michigan 's laws against research are stricter than federal government, most states
An article about the Michigan Citizens for Stem Cell Research & Cures, includes a comment by James Eliason, chief scientific officer at Asterand Inc., a human tissue supplier based in TechTown, Wayne State University 's research and technology park. "Companies will carry out their research in states or countries where the resources or environment give them the most encouragement," he pointed out. "If Michigan is to compete for a piece of the global life science industry, we have to recognize the reality of this highly competitive world."
Coalition pushes state to ease stem cell limits
A story about the founding of Michigan Citizens for Stem Cell Research &Cures includes comments by U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz of Battle Creek . He said research universities such as Wayne State, Michigan State and the University of Michigan could suffer as a result of the state's policies restricting embryonic stem cell research. He cautioned against "creating barriers at our state lines." Defenders of the Michigan law preventing certain types of stem cell research contend that using embryos for research is like "sacrificing one human life to save another."
Group takes battle over stem cell research to the public
Michigan's major universities will be left behind unless the state's restrictive policies on stem cell research are changed, according to the Michigan Citizens for Stem Cell Research & Cures, a new coalition targeting what they say is considerable misinformation on the issue in Michigan . U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz of Battle Creek mentioned Wayne State and other research universities while pointing out that the state has significant assets invested in its universities and research firms "and we don't want these assets to be squandered."
A Corporate Nanny Turns Assertive
Law professor Peter Henning is quoted in an article about an independent federal monitor who is serving as a watchdog in the aftermath of an accounting scandal at Bristol-Myers Squibb. Such monitors are often appointed under deferred-prosecution agreements - an increasingly popular way to deal with corporate crime. Three years ago, in a move to blunt the federal investigation, the CEO of the company hired as an adviser a former judge who is respected by the federal prosecutor in the case. Now the former judge, who currently serves as a court-authorized overseer of the company's activities, has convinced the Bristol-Meyers board to dismiss the CEO who originally hired him. Henning said business executives would regard the situation as a worrisome sign that government prosecutors are reaching too far into the corporate boardroom.
US on brink of electing 1st Muslim to Congress
Wayne State University alumnus Keith Ellison, a Minnesota state legislator, won the state's Democratic primary election as a candidate for the U.S. House. His win puts him on the brink of becoming the first Muslim to be elected to Congress. Ellison, who says he is not running as a Muslim candidate, wants to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq and has been criticized for past association with Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam.