E AGLE N E W S The official student media group at Florida Gulf Coast University since 1997
VOLUME 17, ISSUE 19
WWW.EAGLENEWS.ORG
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019
EST. 1997
In-Development Male Birth Control Shows Promise By Craig Burchill Copy Editor @fgcueaglenews A new option to prevent unwanted pregnancy may soon be on the market. Dimethandrolone undecanoate (or DMAU) is a newly developed male birth control to be taken orally. DMAU is currently being tested on volunteers at the University of Washington (UW). At the time, there is no pill-based form of male birth control on the market to
reduce sperm production. Options for males currently available are limited to condoms, vasectomies or withdrawal. Orally taken forms of birth control, as of right now, are only effective and distributed to females. “Besides condoms, which are uncomfortable, there are few reliable ways for guys to prevent pregnancies,” said Jesse Gold, a sexually active male graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University. Developed by the National Institutes for
Comm. lab helps students By Alexandra Figares Editor-in-chief @AlexandraNews_ Kermit the frog and Rafiki holding up Simba from the Lion King are just a few memes featured on the Comm Lab’s white board, standing proudly outside of Reed Hall. “I think that’s a really big element of just a speech in general [the white board],” Public Speaking Consultant Michael Rybak said. “In the beginning of a speech, you’re always supposed to start with an attention grabber and we’re almost giving a speech with that board.” Rybak and fellow speaking consultant Ethan Kuzyk are two Communication students working in the Lab, helping students prepare and execute their speeches. “It’s a safe space where you can feel comfortable giving a speech,” Rybak said. “We have the necessary equipment to amplify and help.” The lab offers help with outlines and has cameras to record students, so they can see how they would look like delivering a speech, catching involuntarily fidgeting and the “ums” professors dock points for. All in all, it’s students helping students. “It’s students running it, it feels welcoming,” Kuzyk said. “It’s not like you see a professor that’s going to make it intimidating or uncomfortable were just like everyone else. We’re still undergrads.” Although there’s help, Rybak says the Comm Lab does not write speeches, but rather, offers resources to improve grades. One way to improve your grade? Rybak says, make it memorable. “Whether it’s in the form of a statement, question or quote you always want to get their attention,” Rybak said. “In the begging to draw them in and then at the end of the speech you want to end with something that almost leaves them fulfilled, curiosity or though provoking.”
Health, DMAU is proposed to give another option for couples to help prevent unwanted pregnancy. Previously conceived forms of male birth control have not gotten far into development for a number of reasons, including negative side effects and required number of daily doses. “Compared to what has previously been used, DMAU looks more promising,” said Arthi Thirumalai, a coinvestigator for the study
being conducted at UW. “In terms of side effects, DMAU is so far more favorable.” “In our tests so far, DMAU has not caused any significant liver inflammation or had any effect on red blood cell or prostate androgen count,” Thirumalai said. “Prior oral options have had problems in these cases.” This is not to say that taking DMAU has not had any side effects on males. The highest dosage group reported mild changes in
libido, increased acne, and a slight weight gain as a result of testing, according to Thirumalai. “A lot of female options share the same side effects,” Thirumalai said. “When I hear about options for male birth control, I get concerned about possible side effects,” Gold said. “If I was sure they weren’t significant; I would be interested in that option.” Another significant advantage of the DMAU pill versus others put forward
prior is that it would only require one dosage a day instead of two or more. “In the past, options that were effective needed to be dosed two to three times a day,” Thirumalai explained. “The acceptance rate goes down with more required doses.” An important consideration regarding DMAU moving forward is if there would be enough of a market of males and couples for a mass distribution of the pill.
>> Continued on A3
Programming Board hosts “S’mores Night” in North Lake By Sean C Porter Photo Editor @fgcueaglenews
FGCU Programming Board hosted a s’mores night on Friday Night in North Lake Village, in an effort to . “After the first week of class, nothing comes together more like s’mores and good friends,” said FGCU sophomore Ellis Lopez. The event had many students attend, both EN Photos/Julia Bonavita North Lake residents and Students stand around the fire in North Lake for “S’mores Night,” an event hosted by Programming Board. others.
Heaven Clacken holds a s’more.
Ellis Lopez blows out a perfectly cooked s’more.
Eric Stefanko, a junior at FGCU, bites down into a s’more.
INSIDE
LOWER GAS PRICES SAVE CONSUMERS MONEY
WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH DUNK CITY?
DOYLE SUFFERS CAREER ENDING BACK-ISSUES
FAMED HYPNOTIST LEAVES AUDIENCE LAUGHING
Gas prices around the country are dropping as low as $1.75 a gallon. The lower price is helping many people. See more on A5
With a 5-13 overall record and a 0-3 record in the ASUN conference, hopes are not high for Dunk City. See more on B1
Ricky Doyle of men’s basketball will miss the remainder of his season due to a congenital back issue. See more on B3
The Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa aims to bring luxury services for an affordable price. See more on B5