August 6, 2009 at 11:34 am
Dr. Maria Kukurzinska, a professor and researcher at the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, has identified a key gene to control the spread of oral cancer tumors. Read more here.
August 6, 2009 at 10:55 am
The Senate is expected to extend the "Cash for Clunkers" auto-sales rebate program, and send the bill to President Obama to sign. Buyers would get until Labor Day to make a deal with their car dealership. School of Management Dean Louis Lataif, a former Ford executive, says the program is appropriately helping the struggling auto industry, but that the government eventually should get out of the business of picking winners and losers among industries.
Contact Louis Lataif, 617-353-2668, lelataif@bu.edu
August 6, 2009 at 10:17 am
The White House is unveiling a plan to overhaul the way America detains immigration violators, aiming to consolidate many in places more suitable for noncriminals who face deportation. School of Law Professor Susan Akram, an authority on immigration law, can discuss the potential impact of the ambitious proposals.
Contact Susan Akram, 617-353-3060, smakram@bu.edu
August 6, 2009 at 9:32 am
With the July numbers showing sluggish sales, retailers already are looking toward this winter's holiday sales with expectations of weak consumer demand to continue. School of Management marketing Professor Shuba Srinivasan says the back-to-school shopping period will be a leading indicator of the holiday season to come.
"Frugality among consumers and deep discounting by retailers can be expected to continue. But early indications look quite positive for holiday shopping in consumer technology products, more so in online shopping environments."
Contact Shuba Srinivasan, 617-353-5978, ssrini@bu.edu
August 5, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Sony has unveiled two new, reduced-price e-reader devices, aimed at making a dent in marketplace grip held by Amazon's Kindle. College of Communication Pr0fessor Hyun-Yeul Lee, a communications technology expert, says Sony's move speaks to how consumers are catching on and transitioning from paper-based reading to digital reading.
"It is natural that as the market grows for these e-readers, the user interface, technology for reading and access, pricing from a consumer point of view, and content availability will improve."
Contact Hyun-Yeul Lee, 617-353-5974, hyun@bu.edu
August 5, 2009 at 11:23 am
In the run-up to NBC launching "The Jay Leno Show" 5-nights a week in prime time come September, the network is flooding the advertising marketplace -- TV, movie theaters, billboards, on airplanes, in gyms, elevators, even taxi cabs -- with promotions for the show. College of Communication advertising Professor Sue Parenio can discuss the unprecedented nature of promoting such a first-of-its-kind production.
Contact Sue Parenio, 617-353-8066, suepar@bu.edu
August 5, 2009 at 9:27 am
With President Obama and Senate Democats trying to preserve a bipartisan deal on healthcare reform, Congress will head home for the August recess with a bill's final shape still up for grabs. In a Reuters commentary, School of Management Professor Stephen Davidson suggests they consider creating a dedicated federal Health Insurance Fund (HIF) to pay unsurers, then issue vouchers for individuals to choose their health plan.
Contact Stephen Davidson, 617-353-7422, sdavidso@bu.edu
August 4, 2009 at 7:09 pm
August 4, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Looking to present a fresh face and new image as it focuses more on selling wireless products, Radio Shack is unveiling its new brand this week: "The Shack" -- dropping "Radio" from the brand name. School of Management Professor C.B. Bhattacharya, a branding expert, says the shift makes sense.
"There may be some consumer confusion in the immediate term, but in the long run the company will be better off. Kids who are 6 or 7 years old today will grow up knowing it as The Shack, and they are the ones who are going to spend money on gadgets and gizmos of the future."
Contact C.B. Bhattacharya, 617-353-5710, cb@bu.edu
August 4, 2009 at 11:02 am
With her historic nomination in the balance, the Senate is debating whether to approve Sonia Sotomayor as the first Hispanic justice of the Supreme Court -- though the outcome is not in doubt. School of Law Professor Jack Beermann, an expert on the high court, can discuss the possible legal trajectory of the SCOTUS with Sotomayor onboard.
Contact Jack Beermann, 617-353-2577, beermann@bu.edu
