August 27, 2010
Study of Birmingham homeless finds health care needs as summit on problem begins
(Birmingham News)
Interviews of the homeless were done by two University of Alabama at Birmingham medical students and a nursing school faculty member. Dr. Stefan Kertesz, a physician in preventive medicine at UAB who oversaw the study, said the surveyors talked to a random sample of homeless people to get a representative slice of the approximately 2,500 homeless people in Birmingham each night.
UAB students win national contest
(Birmingham Business Journal)
Seven UAB students finished first nationally at a recent competition for the cupola they designed.
Virus associated with chronic fatigue syndrome, according to research by NIH, FDA
(Birmingham News)
"I look at it as potential hope, and with some skepticism," said Dr. S. Louis Bridges Jr., director of clinical immunology and rheumatology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Bridges said researchers have looked for years -- without success -- to find an infectious cause of CFS, as well infectious causes of the diseases rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Best bang for the buck? CEO Stancil Starnes
(Birmingham Business Journal)
Andreas Rauterkus, finance professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said that while it is important to compare a company's earnings to CEO pay, you have to consider all factors surrounding the nature of pay and the means by which the company generates revenue.
"Meaningful use": What does strategic management have to say about it?
(IHealthBeat.org)
Dr. Nir Menachemi is an associate professor in the Department of Health Care Organization and Policy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham where he teaches courses in strategic management and health IT.
ESC: Heart disease tracks Y chromosome
(Med Page Today)
However, Donna Arnett, PhD, MSPH, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health and a spokesperson for the American Heart Association, sounded a note of caution.
Nanoscale DNA sequencing could spur revolution in personal health care
(Science Magazine)
The team had to solve two major problems. One was to create a short and narrow opening just large enough to allow a single strand of DNA to pass through the nanopore and for only a single DNA molecule to be in the opening at any time. Michael Niederweis at the University of Alabama at Birmingham modified the M. smegmatis bacterium to produce a suitable pore.
Vitamins don't reduce preterm births in low-risk women
(Allnurses.com)
In a secondary analysis of a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, John C. Hauth, M.D., of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and colleagues studied 10,154 low-risk nulliparous women randomized to 1,000 mg vitamin C and 400 IU vitamin E or placebo daily from nine to 16 weeks of gestation until delivery.
August 26, 2010
NASA renews contract for UAB equipment
(Birmingham Business Journal)
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has extended and expanded funding for the aerospace crew, robotics, avionics, and equipment work performed by the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Center for Biophysical Sciences and Engineering, the medical center reported today.
College can be a gateway to eating disorders
(Epoch Times)
The stress of starting college can lead to eating disorders in freshmen, according to psychology specialist Dr. Mary Boggiano of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Rate of autism disorders climb to 1 percent among 8-year-olds, say UAB, CDC researchers
Autism and related development disorders are becoming more common, with a Ugg Boots prevalence rate approaching 1 percent among American 8-year-olds, according to new data from researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Azithromycin pill equal to penicillin shots for treating early syphilis, clinical trial finds
(Science Magazine)
Edward W. Hook, III, M.D., of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, led the trial. Between June 2000 and March 2007, HIV-negative volunteers aged 18 to 55 enrolled at eight sites in the United States and Madagascar.
Vitamins C, E show no effect on preterm birth risk
(Alwatan Daily)
The finding echoes that of another recent clinical trial where women on the same doses of vitamins C and E had a similar preterm delivery rate as those given placebo pills, note the researchers, led by Dr. John C. Hauth of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
August 25, 2010
Companies on the move: August 25
(Birmingham Business Journal)
The University of Alabama at Birmingham developed a new Advanced Placement Scholarship Program for Birmingham City School System seniors, using income generated from an endowed fund made possible by an anonymous $4 million cash gift designated for scholarships for women and minorities. The first students to participate in the program will be eligible to receive their scholarships for the fall 2011 term.
Urinary incontinence common in older men too
(Montreal Gazette)
"It's a common problem," said lead researcher Dr. Alayne D. Markland, of the Birmingham VA Medical Center and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Yet, she told Reuters Health, doctors and patients alike may not think to bring up urinary incontinence symptoms. "Older patients often think that it is just part of aging," Markland noted.
Vitamins C, E show no effect on preterm birth risk
(Reuters)
The finding echoes that of another recent clinical trial where women on the same doses of vitamins C and E had a similar preterm delivery rate as those given placebo pills, note the researchers, led by Dr. John C. Hauth of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
August 24, 2010
UAB professor turns to showmanship to teach Japanese language
(Birmingham News)
Not many college professors use a teleprompter.
But Tim Cook, who teaches Japanese at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, has a few unusual techniques for his new online course. He's also using a video camera, sound mixer, bag of props and a slew of students and friends helping out as producers and actors.
Urinary incontinence common in older men too
(Reuters)
"It's a common problem," said lead researcher Dr. Alayne D. Markland, of the Birmingham VA Medical Center and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Yet, she told Reuters Health, doctors and patients alike may not think to bring up urinary incontinence symptoms. "Older patients often think that it is just part of aging," Markland noted
Stress of freshman year can trigger eating disorders for some young people
(Science Daily)
While the start of college is a positive, momentous event for many young people, it also can be an episode that pushes some into a dangerous battle with eating disorders, says University of Alabama at Birmingham Associate Professor of Psychology Mary Boggiano, Ph.D., who fought her own battle against bulimia as a college student. Hear her story.
Walker Co. bridge project delayed for turtles
(Dothan Eagle)
UAB professor Ken Marion, an expert on the turtles, said bridge projects are usually harmless to the species.
"In the past, that kind of work hasn't done anything to harm the habitat," he said.
Ear tubes appear to be safe before cochlear implantation
(Science Magazine)
"The minimization of potential infectious complications is a priority for the cochlear implant surgeon who is operating on a child with a history of myringotomy tube placement," Dr. Christopher F. Baranano and colleagues at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical School said in a news release from the journal's publisher.
August 23, 2010
UAB part of $40 million Parkinson's study
(Birmingham News)
The University of Alabama at Birmingham will be part of a $40 million, landmark study of Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that affects more than 1 million Americans.
Alabama Department of Environmental Management to give out $1.7 million in grants for recycling
(Birmingham News)
A partnership involving the Jefferson County Department of Health, the Alabama Environmental Council, UAB and the city of Birmingham will receive the largest of the grants -- $276,368 to expand curbside and drop-off recycling programs in Jefferson County.
(Chattanooga Free Press Times)
Rants and raves
(Montgomery Advertiser)
RAVE: For a commendable academic incentive offered by the University of Alabama at Birmingham. UAB will provide free tuition to 20 students a year from Birmingham Public Schools who do well on Advanced Placement tests.
Oil spill health issues difficult to anticipate says expert
(WBRC-TV, Birmingham)
A UAB associate professor and researcher actively involved in dealing with oil spill repercussions says that there are many unknown effects that could stem from the spill.
Prediction model may help determine risk of critical illness after out-of-hospital emergency care
(Science Magazine)
Henry E. Wang, M.D., M.S., of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Donald M. Yealy, M.D., of the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, write in an accompanying editorial that although this prediction score does require refinement, it is of benefit.
(BusinessNC.com)
"It was an economy-of-scale move at least in part," says Robert A. Robicheaux, chairman of the Department of Marketing and Industrial Distribution at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. "But it was also a recognition that there was a great retailer up for sale at a great price. ... It was a good buy for Belk."
Higher oxygen levels improve preterm survival, increase risk for eye condition, study finds
(Science Magazine)
The lead author of the article comparing oxygen saturation levels was Waldemar A. Carlo, M.D., of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The lead author of the article comparing CPAP therapy to ventilator and surfactant therapy was Neil N. Finer, M.D., of the University of California at San Diego. The NICHD author of both papers was Rosemary D. Higgins, M.D.