As health officials prepare for the return of the H1N1 flu virus this fall, after stockpiling antiviral medications, recent staff cuts in public health departments raise concerns over having sufficient resources to carry out rapid vaccination plans. Alexander Ozonoff, assistant professor of biostatistics at the School of Public Health, can discuss the issues facing public […]
The most ambitious lunar mission since Apollo 17 in 1992 is set for June 17, when NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) embarks on a year-long exploration — a key first step toward returning humans to the Moon. Harlan Spence, professor of astronomy is leading a team that will study how the lunar radiation environment will […]
For Michael Siegel, MD, a long time anti-smoking advocate and professor of social and behavioral sciences, the proposed Food and Drug Administration regulation of cigarettes is really a smoke screen for Big Tobacco. Writing in the Los Angeles Times, he states that the legislation was crafted, in part, by Philip Morris in a deal with […]
Smokeless, tobacco-free, electronic (battery-powered) cigarettes that deliver a mixture of nicotine and water vapor but no carcinogens are part of the Senate debate over the proposed Food and Drug Administration tobacco regulations. Michael Siegel, MD, MPH, professor of socal and behavioral sciences, maintains they are a life-saving alternative for many smokers. Michael Siegel, 617-638-5160, mbsiegel@bu.edu
The loss of one million cave-dwelling bats, from a devastating fungus known as White-Nose Syndrome, has led to a congressional inquiry. On June 4 biology professor and bat expert Thomas Kunz will testify and call for a national comprehensive research program to identify the cause of this disease. Contact Thomas Kunz, 617-353-2474, kunz@bu.edu
To determine the lunar radiation environment on the Moon, as a prelude to going to Mars, NASA will launch, on June 17th, the Lunar Reconaissance Orbiter with a Cosmic Ray Telescope developed by Harlan Spence, professor of astronomy. The instrument will include plastic “skin,” to study how the Moon’s radiation levels affect humans over time. […]
Using skin cells, researchers have tested 300 people to determine if they have early stages of Alzheimers Disease with promising results. But Robert A. Stern, associate director of the Clinical Care at the Alzheimer Disease Center warns there is no real data and little information so far. Contact Robert Stern, 617-638-5678, bobstern@bu.edu
Reporting to the national security and economic advisors, President Obama is expected to outline plans for a cybersecurity advisor who will develop a strategy to protect government security networks and private computer networks. Azer Bestavros, professor of computer science and an expert on computer security, can comment on the role of this advisor along with the “strategic vision” […]
Each person infected with Influenza A (H1N1) will infect between 2.2 and 3.1 others — a “reproduction ratio” European researchers say is historically similar to other influenza pandemics. Alexander Ozonoff, professor of biostatistics, stresses the spread of the flu virus is separate from its severity. “On general virological principles we would expect that transmissibility correlates negatively with […]
Cutler J. Cleveland, Professor of Geography and the Environment and on the faculty of the Center for Energy & Environmental Studies can discuss President Obama’s proposal for tough standards on tailpipe emissions and higher fuel efficiency targets to 35.5 miles per gallon for new vehicles by 2016 — four years earlier than required under the 2007 energy […]
