In the News

April 2006

Death Penalty Debate
WUSA-TV, Ch. 9, 9 a.m. - April 26

Michael Greenberger, JD, professor at the School of Law and director of the Center for Health and Homeland Security, discussed the juryýs deliberations about whether Sept. 11, 2001, conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui will get a death sentence or life in prison. He also commented on a case that is now before the U.S. Supreme Court that challenges lethal injections as cruel and unusual punishment.

ID Checks for Port Workers
WTWP, 1500 AM, 8:40 a.m. - April 26

Michael Greenberger, JD, professor at the School of Law and director of the Center for Health and Homeland Security, commented on the news that the federal government will conduct background checks on 400,000 seaport workers in an effort to protect the nation's ports from terrorism.

Medicare Surprise
Businessweek.com - April 26

Some Medicare prescription drug recipients have fallen into what's being called the "doughnut hole." Under Part D, once patients reach $2,250 spent on drugs, their coverage ends, and they must pay for their medicine themselves. Benefits resume only after patients pay $5,100-leaving a $2,850 gap. "It is pretty clear that people are going to cut back when they are in the doughnut hole," says Bruce Stuart, PhD, professor at the School of Pharmacy and executive director of the Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging.
www.businessweek.com

If You Gotta But Can't, Sometimes It's Costly
The Kansas City Star - April 24

"Few people know of the condition, called paruresis, and it gets little respect from courts, administrators or employers," said Steven Soifer, PhD, professor at the School of Social Work and founder of the Baltimore-based International Paruresis Association. Soifer was quoted in an article highlighting the plight of a prisoner whose four-month jail sentence was extended because he disobeyed a urine order. The prisoner, who could not urinate on demand, claims to have shy bladder syndrome.
www.kansascity.com

Picture Painted of Angry Child
The Baltimore Sun - April 25

A 12-year-old boy from Prince George's County, whom neighbors and friends described as angry and troubled, is charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing and beating deaths of his mother and brother. Kenneth Rogers, MD, assistant professor at the School of Medicine, says that if a child has anger problems and is impulsive "it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility that an altercation spins out of control."
www.baltimoresun.com

Respect for Environment Has Deep Roots
Catonsville Times - April 19

For environmentalist Joan Plisko, PhD, technical director at the School of Nursing's Environmental Health and Education Center, working to protect the earth is more than a job. "It actually aligns with my personal goal of being in tune with the environment," said the Catonsville resident and avid home gardener in a profile about her work.
news.mywebpal.com

Securities Law Now Favors Traders Over Investors
Legal Times - April 24

"It's time for Congress and the Supreme Court to ask whether our securities laws work the way they should," urges Richard Booth, JD, professor at the School of Law, in this opinion column about a case involving claims by long-term holders of a mutual fund injured by active traders of fund shares.

Study Finds Long-term Coffee Drinking Does Not Raise Risk of Heart Disease
Cable News Network, 9:29 a.m. - April 25

A professor from the School of Medicine, Pamela Peeke, MD, was interviewed live to explain the details of a study that followed 128,000 coffee drinkers for as long as 20 years and showed that drinking filtered coffeeýnot espresso or French-style brewsýdid not raise the risk of heart disease. Heavy coffee drinkers did tend to smoke and drink alcohol more often, and those two factors clearly do raise heart risk, the researchers report in the journal Circulation. Researchers also found no link between heart disease and how much caffeine, tea or decaffeinated coffee people drank.

UM Nurses To Train With Simulation Software
The Baltimore Business Journal - April 25

The School of Nursing is buying software from Cerner Corp., a health care technology company, to train nurses to work in hospitals that are expected to become increasingly reliant on technology and automation. The School will use Cernerýs software in its clinical simulation laboratories. The tools play an important role in how nurses assess patients, plan patient care, document information, and monitor outcomes. "This collaboration will better prepare the future generation of nurses for a workplace that is increasingly automated," said Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School.
www.bizjournals.com

UMMC Completes State-of-the-Art Units
The Baltimore Times - April 21

The University of Maryland Medical Center has completed the top three floors of its Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Building. "We created these new units to meet the needs and expectations of our patients for comfort and privacy while, at the same time, incorporating advanced technology in the rooms and at the nursing stations to ensure the best possible care," says Katherine McCullough, RN, MS, senior vice president for patient services at the medical center.
www.btimes.com

Visionary Consensus Builder: David Ramsay
Smart CEO - May 2006

Jay Brodie, president of the Baltimore Development Corporation, lauds David J. Ramsay, DM, DPhil, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore, for his ability to build consensus, not only on campus, but off. Brodie cites the relationships Ramsay forged within the Poppleton neighborhood, which paved the way for the University's biotechnology park, and also with a Japanese drug testing firm that is one of its tenants.

Aging Power Plants Harm Public Health
The Baltimore Sun - April 21

Brenda Afzal, RN, MS, a project manager at the School of Nursing's Environmental Health Education Center, wrote a letter to the editor "that the reason we need stringent emission limits on power plants in Maryland is that power plant emissions result in illness and death."
www.baltimoresun.com

Disease is Swift, Response is Slow
The Baltimore Sun - April 23

Scientists at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration want to intensify investigations into illness caused by flavorings and issue federal regulations to protect workers. Melissa McDiarmid, MD, professor of medicine, epidemiology, and preventive medicine at the School of Medicine and director of the Occupational Health Program at University of Maryland Medical Center, said she was amazed at the "very severe lung damage," of a patient she examined who had worked at a Baltimore-area flavoring company for less than two years.
www.baltimoresun.com

Medicare Drug Plan's "Doughnut Hole"
The Frontrunner (Bulletin News Network, Washington, D.C.) - April 24

Some Medicare prescription drug recipients have fallen into what's being called the "doughnut hole." Under Part D, once patients reach $2,250 spent on drugs, their coverage ends, and they must pay for their medicine themselves. Benefits resume only after patients pay $5,100ýleaving a $2,850 gap. About 38 percent of Medicare beneficiaries are at risk, says Bruce Stuart, PhD, professor at the School of Pharmacy and executive director of the Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging.

Mercury Dangerous for Children
The Baltimore Examiner - April 24

Barbara Sattler, Dr PH, RN, associate professor and director of the Environmental Health and Education Center at School of Nursing, wrote a letter to the editor saying that "learning disabilities, attention deficit, and poor test scoresýsymptoms consistent with mercury exposureýall on the rise. And [while they] do not bring children to the emergency room [such symptoms] prevent them from achieving their highest potential in the classroom and life, in general."
www.examiner.com

Names in the News
The Baltimore Sun - April 21

Angela Brodie PhD, professor at the School of Medicine, and a researcher at the University of Maryland's Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, and Bruce Jarrell, MD, professor and vice dean for academic affairs at the School of Medicine, have received the 2006 Regents' Faculty Awards for Excellence-the highest awards in the University System of Maryland. Also listed is Christopher Bever, MD, professor at the School of Medicine, who has been appointed associate chief of staff for research and development for the Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System.
www.baltimoresun.com

Pinch on Research Will Hurt Our Health
The Baltimore Sun - April 22

Kurtis Bachman, MD, interim visiting assistant professor at the School of Medicine, wrote a letter to the editor stating that the decrease in federal funding for academic medical research will have "short and long-term effects on public health."
www.baltimoresun.com

HIV Vaccine Tested
WJZ-TV, Ch. 13, 6 p.m. - April 20

The University of Maryland's Institute of Human Virology is one of four research centers nationwide seeking volunteers to test an experimental HIV vaccine. The new vaccine is administered in four doses, spread over the course of two months.

Laughter is the Best Medicine
Discovery Health Channel - April 18

A segment of the Dr. Know program focused on the laughter study by Michael Miller, MD, professor at the School of Medicine. The segment is scheduled to air again April 23.
health.discovery.com

Names in the News
The Baltimore Sun - April 21

Rosemarie Satyshur, DNSc, RN, assistant professor at the School of Nursing, has received the Cynthia Rose Award from the National Committee of Grandparents and Childrenýs Rights.
www.baltimoresun.com

Permanent US Bases in Iraq Are Immoral
Foreign Policy In Focus - April 19

Adil Shamoo, MD, professor at the School of Medicine, who was born and raised in Baghdad, wrote a commentary about the morality of long-time U.S. military bases in Iraq.
www.fpif.org

UAMS Dean to Move To Maryland?
Arkansas Times - April 19

Albert Reece, MD, dean of the College of Medicine of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, declined to comment that he is on the short list to become dean at the School of Medicine, and replace the retiring Donald Wilson, MD, MACP, vice president for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine.
www.arktimes.com

Dean Wilson
WBFF-TV, Ch 45, 10 p.m. - April 18

Donald E. Wilson, MD, MACP, vice president for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine, was profiled in this four-minute feature story as Dean Wilson prepares for retirement; the story reviewed Wilson's accomplishments at the University and his own experiences as a transplant patient.

Death Penalty Debate
WUSA-TV, Ch. 9, 9 a.m. - April 19

Defense lawyers seeking to spare Zacarias Moussaoui from the death penalty for conspiring in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks presented a mental-health specialist who testified that he has a condition described as paranoid schizophrenia. "Right now, their only hope is to convince the jury that his mental capacity is such that he could not have taken part in this, that he could not have the wherewithal to plan this event, and that he is trying to become a martyr," said Michael Greenberger, JD, professor at the School of Law and director of the Center for Health and Homeland Security.

Healing the Home
The Star-Ledger (New Jersey) - April 20

More and more people are using environmentally sound products in their homes, including air purifiers, water filters, and organic linens, as they search for alternative ways to treat their health problems. "I try to raise awareness, give people information and just get people to think about the reasons they make purchasing decisions. It's impossible to reach a completely non-toxic level, but we can choose less toxic alternatives," said Brenda Afzal, RN, MS, a project manager at the School of Nursingýs Environmental Health Education Center.
www.nj.com

U.S. Data on Las Vegas Challenged
The Las Vegas Review-Journal - April 19

The federal government relied on inaccurate data to help justify dropping Las Vegas from a list of cities eligible for special anti-terrorism funding, according to county officials who have viewed the information. Michael Greenberger, JD, professor at the School of Law and director of the Center for Health and Homeland Security, said federal officials ultimately are to blame for any errors in the data.
www.reviewjournal.com

For the Needy, 2 Clinics for the Price of None
The Baltimore Sun - April 19

Several days a week, more than 100 of the area's top doctors and dentists volunteer at Anne Arundel Medical Center's outreach medical and dental clinics, where they provide free health care for the county's neediest residents. "This is a community health center that is offering comprehensive health care to people who can't afford it," said the dental clinic's director, Neil Sullivan, DDS, clinical assistant professor at the Dental School and chief of oral surgery and dental medicine at Anne Arundel Medical Center.
www.baltimoresun.com

Inmate Claims Death-Row System Biased in Baltimore
The Daily Record - April 18

Death-row inmate John Booth-El has filed a brief in Baltimore City Circuit Court claiming that the application of the death penalty is racially motivated. The filing follows an unrelated call by Lt. Gov. Michael Steele for further study of factors that could contribute to inequities in the state's system of capital punishment. Michael Millemann, JD, professor at the School of Law and one of Booth-El's lawyers said he's pleased. "I think his lieutenant governor has made a good suggestion and I think he ought to listen to him," Millemann said.

Should Oldest U.S. Nuclear Plants Stay On Line?
The Christian Science Monitor - April 19

New Jersey and a coalition of citizens are fighting renewal of the license for the nation's oldest operating nuclear power plant. "It's the height of folly...for the [Nuclear Regulatory Commission] to say that it's not going to consider seriously the vulnerability of the oldest plants when everybody knows these facilities are high-level targets," said Michael Greenberger, JD, professor at the School of Law and director of the University of Marylandýs Center for Health and Homeland Security.
www.csmonitor.com

Silver Fillings Found Kid-Safe
The Baltimore Sun - April 19

Two new studies, appearing in today's Journal of the American Medical Association, have concluded that silver dental fillings containing mercury do not harm the memory, attention, coordination, or kidney function of children who receive them. J. Anthony von Fraunhofer, PhD, professor at the Dental School, said he is convinced that the amount of mercury vapor released as a person chews is too small to hurt anyone. By his calculations, it would take 350 years for enough mercury from a single filling to reach concentrations capable of doing harm.
www.baltimoresun.com

The Roberts Court Signals the President
The Village Voice - April 16

In two recent cases, the U.S. Supreme Court has revealed a strong likelihood that it will disagree with President Bush about the constitutional legitimacy of military commissions at Guantýnamo Bay, Cuba. "I think weýre going to see the end of the use of the enemy combatant statusýarresting a U.S. citizen in the United States and claiming they can be held incommunicado without contact with the outside world," said Michael Greenberger, JD, professor at the School of Law and director of the University of Maryland's Center for Health and Homeland Security.
villagevoice.com

Bone Drug Staves Off Breast Cancer
The Baltimore Sun - April 18

A nationwide trial among more than 19,000 post-menopausal women showed that a popular drug called raloxifene used to prevent and treat osteoporosis is just as effective in staving off breast cancer as the older standby, tamoxifen, but with fewer side effects. "For those people who are at high risk for cancer, this study is another ray of hope because it did reduce the risk of breast cancer by 50 percent," said Barry Meisenberg, MD, associate professor at the School of Medicine.
www.baltimoresun.com

Study Urges Health Care Parity
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - April 18

A new national study concludes that costs might not increase if workers are given the same access to coverage for mental health and substance abuse services as they have for other medical care. Researchers concluded that offering equal access to behavioral health coverage can improve insurance protection without increasing total costs. "Other studies have reached similar conclusions, though the latest study is larger and more rigorous," said Howard Goldman, MD, the principal researcher and a professor of psychiatry at the School of Medicine.
www.timesleader.com

Volunteers Sought for Testing HIV Vaccine
The Baltimore Sun - April 15

The University of Maryland's Institute of Human Virology is one of four research centers nationwide seeking volunteers to test an experimental HIV vaccine. "It's one of the most promising HIV vaccines being put out there for testing," said William Blattner, MD, professor at the School of Medicine and an associate director of the Institute of Human Virology.
www.baltimoresun.com

An Advertiser's Guide to False Advertising-and How to Avoid It
St. Louis Daily Record - April 16

James Astrachan, JD, an adjunct professor at the School of Law, wrote a commentary about commercial speech, false advertising, and constitutional protections under the law.

Ban Abroad Looms Over a Spring Ritual
The Baltimore Sun - April 16

As the European Union prepares to ban the herbicide atrazine, environmental groups in the U.S. have filed lawsuits claiming that the compound should be banned here because researchers not only have detected it in drinking water, but also have linked atrazine to deformities in frogs and lower sperm counts in men. Rena Steinzor, JD, professor at the School of Law who helped file the lawsuit, said the EU took the position that caution was wiser than waiting for proof that atrazine is hurting people or animals.
www.baltimoresun.com

Lacking Federal Funds, Scientists Look to Industry
The Baltimore Sun - April 16

A financial deal between Johns Hopkins Medicine and a cosmetics company is the latest example of how academic research institutions turn to industry. When scientists lose grant funding, Margaret McCarthy, PhD, professor at the School of Medicine said, "Students are gone, techs are gone, resources are lost." "We run the risk of losing 20 to 25 percent of our cancer investigators in the next few years," Kevin Cullen, MD, director of the Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center.
www.baltimoresun.com

More Education Programs for Workers in Biomedicine
The Baltimore Sun (education section) - April 16

As the demand increases for qualified biomedical workers, including at the UMB BioPark on Baltimoreýs west side, several area colleges are in the process of developing courses and programs to meet the growing demand including UMBC, Villa Julie College, and Goucher College.

New Dual Degree Program Combines Nursing and Law
The Baltimore Sun (education section) - April 16

This article features the new nursing/law dual degree program launched at the University of Maryland, Baltimoreýs law and nursing schools. Mary Tilbury, EdD, RN, assistant professor and director of the program says, ýThe program provides a major advantage for the industry, producing professionals that not only have legal expertise but specialty training in health services, leadership, and management.ý Diane Hoffman, JD, associate dean and director of the law and health care program at the Law School, was also quoted.

Parkinson's Often Misdiagnosed
Copley News Service - April 14

As many as 200,000 of the estimated 1 million people in North America who learn they have Parkinsonýs disease, a progressive disorder marked by tremors and slow movement, may be misdiagnosed because special expertise is needed to recognize and treat the condition. "Baby boomers are aging, and with that, we're going to see more Parkinson's disease," said William Weiner, MD, a professor at the School of Medicine.

Public Health Keeps Populations Well
The Baltimore Sun (education section) - April 16

Awareness of chronic illnesses and global problems of famine, infectious diseases, and war are driving a growth in public health programs in the region. Two years ago, the University of Maryland, Baltimore, established a masterýs in public health program that has swelled to 50 students. J. Glenn Morris, Jr., MD, MPH, TM, chair of the department of epidemiology and preventive medicine in the School of Medicine, says the public health program attracts students who "often want to help people and see the value of helping at a broader population-based level to solve the big problems."

Group Opposes Cleanup Deal With Dundalk Marine Terminal
The Daily Record - April 13

A Baltimore community group wants to stop the state of Maryland from giving Honeywell International Inc. more time to clean up toxic waste at the Dundalk Marine Terminal. "The community does have a private right of action that it could assert, and that would be if it could prove that the situation is an imminent and substantial endangerment," said Rena Steinzer, JD, professor at the School of Law.

Mercury Report Details Toxic Fish
The Baltimore Sun - April 14
WBAL-TV, Ch. 11, 5 p.m. - April 13
WBFF-TV, Ch. 45, 5:30 & 10 p.m. - April 13
WMAR-TV, Ch. 2 - April 13
Newschannel 8, 5 p.m. - April 13

A new report from the Maryland Public Interest Research Group, based on data from state agencies, says 59 percent of fish taken from Maryland waters show concentrations of toxic mercury at unsafe levels. Katie Huffling, RN, a graduate research assistant at the Environmental Health Education Center at the School of Nursing, spoke at the news conference and said mercury absorbed from fish consumption can have a profoundly damaging effect on babies developing in their mothers' wombs. She said the effects might not be apparent at birth but could show up over a period of years.
www.baltimoresun.com

Some Non-Dating Advice
The Daily Record - April 14

Andrew Baida, JD, an adjunct professor at the School of Law, wrote an opinion column detailing the similarities between dating and practicing law.

DHS Official Arrested
WUSA-TV, Ch. 9, 9 a.m. - April 12

Michael Greenberger, JD, professor at the School of Law and director of the Center for Health and Homeland Security, discussed the arrest of a Department of Homeland Security employee for alleged improper dealings with a minor on the Internet.

Laughter Really Is the Best Medicine
CNN - April 10
WBFF-TV, Ch. 45, 7 a.m. - April 11

Researchers at the School of Medicine have found that laughter is linked to the healthy function of blood vessels. "If we were to laugh on a regular basis, then we believe keeping the blood vessels open is a sign that good chemicals are being released that have a protective effect on the heart," said Michael Miller, MD, associate professor at the School of Medicine and director of the Center for Preventive Cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Lower-Dose Bird Flu Vaccine Study Begins
Forbes.com - April 11

Researchers have launched a seven-month study to test lower doses of a vaccine as protection against the H5N1 strain of bird flu. The trial-which began recruiting in late March-is being conducted at several hospitals around the country, including the University of Maryland Medical Center.
www.forbes.com

An Advertiser's Guide to False Advertising― and How to Avoid It
The Daily Record - April 7

James Astrachan, JD, an adjunct professor at the School of Law, wrote a commentary about commercial speech, false advertising, and constitutional protections under the law.

Court of Appeals to Hear Sojourner-Douglass Case
The Baltimore Sun - April 7

The Maryland Court of Appeals will have to decide whether the new home of Sojourner-Douglass College's Anne Arundel County campus will have to be torn down because an Edgewater community argues that the 6-acre wooded property was turned into a school and parking lot in violation of a covenant. Garrett Power, LLM, LLB, professor at the School of Law, said courts have broad latitude in dealing with covenants.
www.baltimoresun.com

Dental School Receives $2 Million Grant
Baltimore Business Journal - April 3

The University of Maryland Dental School received a $2 million grant from Nobel Biocare, a Swiss medical device maker, officials said April 3. The school plans to use the award to launch new curriculum initiatives, improve patient care, and expand research and development. The university and the dental esthetics company signed a three-year partnership to develop programs for students and alumni to learn about the latest trends and technology in dental care and restoration. The school plans to use $15,000 of the grant to develop a women's health initiative.
baltimore.bizjournals.com

Laughter Really Is the Best Medicine
WLNS.com (Lansing, MI) - April 8

Researchers at the School of Medicine have found that laughter is linked to the healthy function of blood vessels. "If we were to laugh on a regular basis, then we believe keeping the blood vessels open is a sign that good chemicals are being released that have a protective effect on the heart," said Michael Miller, MD, associate professor at the School of Medicine and director of preventive cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center.
www.wlns.com

Names in the News
The Baltimore Sun - April 7

Robert Gallo, MD, director of the Institute of Human Virology, a professor at the School of Medicine, and a co-discoverer of the human immunodeficiency virus, will receive the Severo Ochoa Award on April 11 for his work in HIV/AIDS.
www.baltimoresun.com

New Medical Units to Open
The Baltimore Business Journal - April 7

Within the next three months, the University of Maryland Medical Center will open three new floors. The units will serve critically ill patients, cardiac surgery patients, and patients recovering from surgery. "We created these new units to meet the needs and expectations of our patients for comfort and privacy while, at the same time, incorporating advanced technology in the rooms and at the nursing stations," said Katherine McCullough, RN, MS, senior vice president for patient services at the Medical Center.
baltimore.bizjournals.com

DHS Official Arrested
WTOP, 103.5 FM, 3:20 p.m. - April 5

Michael Greenberger, JD, professor at the School of Law and director of the Center for Health and Homeland Security, discussed the arrest of a Department of Homeland Security employee for alleged improper dealings with a minor on the Internet.

New Building Opens
The Daily Record - April 5

The University of Maryland Medical Center will mark the completion of its seven-story Weinberg building with a ribbon cutting tomorrow for four new units on the top three floors of the building. The units are a 29-bed Medical Intensive Care/Intermediate Care unit that will double the hospital's capacity to care for critically ill patients, opening April 19; a Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care and separate telemetry unit with a combined 30 beds, opening in May; and a 32-bed Surgical Acute Care unit, opening in June.

Stem Cell Research Industry Leaders Buoyed
The Maryland Gazette - April 6

With the General Assembly last week earmarking $15 million for stem cell research, many experts say that Maryland, already a national leader in biotechnology, is well positioned in the budding stem cell field. "[But] controversy over public funding of stem cell work has made venture capitalists reluctant to invest in the budding field," said Paul Fishman, MD, professor at the School of Medicine. "Industry people say it hurts the raising of venture capital," Fishman said.
www.gazette.net

Moussaoui Sentencing Decision
WTWP, 1500 AM, 10:40 a.m. - April 4

Michael Greenberger, JD, professor at the School of Law and director of the Center for Health and Homeland Security, discussed how a federal jury concluded that terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui is eligible for the death penalty. The decision sends his trial into a final stage to decide whether Moussaoui deserves to lose his life for the deaths of Sept. 11, 2001, or is too mentally unstable for execution.

New Guidelines for Parkinson's Diagnosis
Foodconsumer.org - April 4
RXpgnews.com - April 4

The American Academy of Neurology has issued new guidelines for diagnosing Parkinson's disease. "The guidelines provide recommendations for: making the correct diagnosis as early as possible, making the best use of time-tested and effective therapies to improve motor function, and screening for and treating depression, psychosis and dementia-common symptoms of Parkinson's disease that often are left untreated," said guideline author William Weiner, MD, professor at the School of Medicine.
www.foodconsumer.org
www.rxpgnews.com

Doctors Reverse Shoulder Surgery
News 14 Carolina - April 4

Now there's hope for older people suffering from debilitating rotator cuff tears. Reverse shoulder surgery is designed for people who have exhausted all other means of repair. "It's actually miraculous the kind of results that these patients will get," said Anand Murthi, MD, assistant professor at the School of Medicine.
www.news14charlotte.com

High Court Ruling Limits Small Investor Class Actions
The Recorder (a national law journal, New York City) - April 3

The Supreme Court, in its first case regarding the federal Securities Litigation Uniform Standards Act, unanimously ruled that the act pre-empts state law class actions brought by people who claim they suffered losses when they were fraudulently induced to hold or retain-not to purchase or sell-securities. But Richard Booth, JD, professor at the School of Law, said it is too early to discern what the new Roberts court thinks about securities law. "I'd be surprised if they get expansive about federal power in this area," he added.

Katrina, Avian Flu, and Anthrax Attacks
WSPD-AM, (Toledo, OH), 7:40 a.m. - April 4

Michael Greenberger, JD, professor at the School of Law and director of the Center for Health and Homeland Security, was interviewed about a speech he is giving April 5 at the University of Toledo College of Law Distinguished Speaker Series. The title of the speech is "Katrina, Avian Flu, and Anthrax Attacks: Who Is In Charge of National Public Health Catastrophes?"

Law Firms Increase Pay for New Associates
Baltimore Business Journal - April 4

Many students graduating from law school already have the upper hand in the first negotiations of their careers as law firms hike starting salaries to attract them. "It's not just firms in Baltimore that are recruiting the school's top students," said Dana Morris, JD, assistant dean for career development at the School of Law. "For some employers in Baltimore, a number of people they targeted and would invite back for a second interview, they may be losing them to firms in Washington and New York," she said.

Moussaoui Sentencing Decision
WAMU-FM, NPR's "Morning Edition," 5:15 a.m. and 7:20 a.m. - April 4

Michael Greenberger, JD, professor at the School of Law and director of the Center for Health and Homeland Security, discussed how a federal jury concluded that terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui is eligible for the death penalty. The decision sends his trial into a final stage to decide whether Moussaoui deserves to forfeit his life for the deaths of Sept. 11, 2001, or is too mentally unstable for execution.

New Study Fuels Debate Over Mental Health Coverage
The News Journal - April 4

Providing insurance coverage for mental illness equal to that for physical illness does not drive up the cost of mental health care as many insurers feared, according to a new study of health benefits for federal employees. "These results are important, because it means that it is affordable for all of us who have health insurance to have better protection in the event that we might need to use mental health or substance abuse services," said the study's lead author, Howard Goldman, MD, PhD, professor at the School of Medicine.
www.delawareonline.com

Padilla Case
WAMU-FM NPR's "All Things Considered," 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. - April 3

Michael Greenberger, JD, professor at the School of Law and director of the Center for Health and Homeland Security, discussed the reasons why the Supreme Court decided against hearing the case of American-born Jose Padilla, the supposed "dirty bomber" arrested in Chicago more than three years ago.

Room for the Shy: Paruresis Today
Bathroom Today - Jan. - April issue 2006

Steven Soifer, PhD, a professor at the School of Social Work, wrote a feature article for this international magazine, published in Singapore. He discusses the three nonprofit organizations he co-founded: The International Paruresis Association (www.paruresis.org), the Shy Bladder Institute (www.shybladder.org), and the American Restroom Association (www.americanrestroom.org).

School Receives Grant
Baltimore Business Journal - April 3

The Dental School has received a $2 million grant from Nobel Biocare, a Swiss medical device maker. The school will use the money to launch new curriculum initiatives, improve patient care, and expand research and development. The University and the dental esthetics company signed a three-year partnership to develop programs for students and alumni to learn about the latest trends and technology in dental care and restoration.

The Global Advancement of Women
The Daily Record - April 3

A conference exploring the status of women in a changing global environment will be held at the School of Law on April 6 and 7.

Helping Teens to Quit Smoking
The Baltimore Sun - March 31

Local teens who want to stop smoking may have to look hard for help-there are relatively few smoking cessation programs for those younger than 18. Kevin Ferentz, MD, associate professor at the School of Medicine, says sociological factors also contribute to the dearth of programs. "Adolescents [feel] immortal and they don't have the same health issues that start to affect adults," says Ferentz. "Also, smoking is still considered cool in our society."
www.baltimoresun.com

Maryland Bid to Halt Utility Plan Called Illegal
The Washington Times - April 3

Regulatory lawyers say the Maryland General Assembly's plan to halt a multibillion-dollar utility merger is illegal, even if the lawmakers' goal of slowing the increase in electric bills is to help consumers. "It smacks of 'ex post facto' regulation," said Richard Booth, JD, professor at the School of Law.
washingtontimes.com

Names in the News
The Daily Record - March 31

The School of Pharmacy has named Magaly Rodriguez de Bittner, PharmD, as chairwoman of the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science. She has been a member of the faculty since 1984, and associate dean for academic affairs since 2004.

New Guidelines for Parkinson's Diagnosis
The San Diego Union Tribune - April 3

The American Academy of Neurology has issued new guidelines on diagnosing Parkinson's disease. "The guidelines provide recommendations for: making the correct diagnosis as early as possible, making the best use of time-tested and effective therapies to improve motor function, and screening for and treating depression, psychosis and dementia-common symptoms of Parkinson's disease that often are left untreated," said guideline author William Weiner, MD, professor at the School of Medicine.
www.signonsandiego.com

Sniper Trial Developments
WJZ-TV, Ch. 13, 6 p.m. - March 31

Convicted sniper John Muhammad refused to back down from his decision to represent himself in his latest murder trial, but agreed to let the court find an attorney to help with the case. "Many criminal defendants think that they're pretty smart people," said Andrew Levy, JD, adjunct professor at the School of Law. "The fact is if they were as smart as they think they are, they probably wouldnýt be in the courtroom as a criminal defendant."