TNR - 10.15.09

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THE INdependent student news organization at the university of cincinnati

thursday , oct . secret of the pharoahs Cincinnati Museum Center hosts Lost Egypt page

Vol. CXXVIV Issue 11

15, 2009

preview: uc at usf Big East top-25 showdown in South Florida on ESPN page 8

equality for all Lady Gaga upstages her opener, President Barack Obama in D.C.

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UC receives $8M for aneurysm research sara maratta the news record

University of Cincinnati researchers received $8 million in stimulus funds to continue their study in identifying genes responsible for intracranial aneurysms. The federal grant is a part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. “This grant is a big shot in the arm for our research,” said Joseph Broderick, chairman of the UC neurology department and principal investigator for the study. The grant supports the Familial

Intracranial Aneurysm (FIA) II study spanning a two-year period. “We’re close to identifying the genes responsible for intracranial aneurysms,” Broderick said. “But we still need to nail them down and the specific reason why JOSEPH they cause the formation BRODERICK of aneurysms.” UC is the coordinating center of the FIA studies. Phase I of the study was a five-

UHS still awaiting vaccine supplies

year endeavor that involved participants from the U.S., New Zealand, Australia and Canada. The collaborative effort among 27 clinics investigated diverse populations. “There were multiple results from FIA I that showed suggestive genes that could predispose or protect people from aneurysm,” said Laura Sauerbeck, clinical manager of the study. “With this genetic research we need to replicate the findings of previous studies to make sure that the information is true, the money will help fund replication.” Because the grant is backed by the

Recovery Act, enrollment in FIA II is limited to those in North America. Phase II of the FIA study is structured to check for environmental and genetic factors that might be culpable of causing aneurysms. Two genes in particular have been singled out for having a possible association with the aneurysms. The FIA II study attempts to replicate two different genes. “If we can understand the genes and proteins that lead to intracranial aneurysms then we can help prevent them and understand why they happen,” Broderick said.

where’s my $$$$$ ?

gin A. ando the news record

Although Cincinnati received its first shipment of the H1N1 vaccines, the University of Cincinnati is waiting to see how much, in total, will be distributed to UC and when, according to University Health Services (UHS). When UC receives the vaccine, there are plans to make Fifth Third Arena a center for mass immunization. Since the number of doses is unknown, plans to administer the vaccines are tentative. “We’ll get it in peoples noses or arms as soon as we get it,” said Dr. John Andrews, director of UHS. “The point is, [the contraction of H1N1] could happen.” Due to the lack of reported cases, an exact number of on-campus H1N1 is unknown. “Right now it’s sort of a rolling thing,” Andrews said. “We’ve had students that had it, teachers that had it, doctors that had it – it’s everywhere.” Approximately 40 people showed up to the presentation hosted by UC’s Wellness Center as part of its twice-quarterly “Lunch and Learn” presentations. The Wellness Center decided H1N1 should be addressed due to the immediate threat it presents, said Regan Johnson, program director of UC Wellness Center. “We have a diverse [range of] people that come,” Johnson said. “We get faculty and students that want to know where it came from and how many people have [H1N1].” Andrews prepared a presentation to trace the origins of H1N1. The strain apparently went through three stages of reconfiguration so that its biologic breakdown shows pieces of bird and swine flu as well. UHS is attempting to inform the university about the myths and misconceptions about the virus through regular, campus-wide adviseries about repelling and preventing the spread of illness, but Andrews is cautious because of the mutative nature of H1N1. UHS recorded at least 10 cases of H1N1 last week, Andrews said. “Things can change. They can change next week, they can change next year,” Andrews said. “In two to three months from now, it could be pretty exciting trying to figure out what kind of flu you have and what kind of medication to give you.” The vaccine itself will be administered either nasally or through a needle. It has also come to the public’s attention through reports that the vaccine causes serious side effects for those who take it, because pharmaceutical companies rushed it out of testing. Mercury, for instance, is said to be present in the shot form. University efforts are not concentrated on eradicating H1N1 on campus, Andrews said. “I have no hope of making it go away,” Andrews said. “I’m just looking out for [everyone’s] health.” As for defensive measures, the same strategy remains. The UHS stresses washing hands, coughing into elbows and other steps to assure general health. H1N1 is like other viruses in that recent contraction will help stave off the sickness in the near future.

see GRANT | page 6

Coulter loeb | the news record

The STATE OF Research highlighted UC’s reseach efforts.

Research dollars up 7 percent Rutvij Kotecha the news record photo illustration by Emily Lang | the news record

MISSING MONEY

Explaining the $50,000 in unclaimed funds ariel cheung the news record

In a time when every dollar counts, the Ohio Department of Commerce reported the University of Cincinnati has more than $50,000 in unclaimed funds. But it’s a statement UC treasurer Bill Doering says is inaccurate. While the funds might be under UC’s name, the majority of the money does not actually belong to the university, Doering said. Even if the funds are listed under UC, they could belong to someone else, Doering said. If a company has UC or university in its name, there can often be confusion. For example, a deli located near campus could call itself UC Deli and then be included on the list of university unclaimed funds because of its name. “Just because it says UC, it’s not always us,” Doering said. While the majority of the money does not belong to UC, the treasury will be collecting what does. If insurance companies have checks made out to UC that are never cashed, the companies are required by law to turn the money over to the state’s Division of Unclaimed Funds, Doering said. “Sometimes it’s cashier’s checks that [students] never gave to us,” Doering said. “Sometimes it’s

deposits for phones that were never claimed.” The unclaimed funds can range from unclaimed wages and credit balances to any type of outstanding check, according to the ODC Web site. “Most of the stuff is small dollars,” Doering said. Students may write cashier’s checks for tuition or other expenses, but never turn them in. As a result, the money is eventually sent to the ODC, where it stays until someone claims it. The UC treasury does check for unclaimed funds on a regular basis, but with recent budget cuts, the task has become more difficult. As a result, the treasury has fallen behind on claiming such funds. “We’ll get it a little higher on the radar,” Doering said. But even so, the amount is miniscule, compared to the amount of money UC spends daily. “I’ve seen more in check fraud alone,” Doering said of the $50,000. On average, the UC treasury deals with more than $4.2 million per day, Doering said. The money includes student refunds, tuition, housing fees and university paychecks. Last year, UC dispersed more than $125 million in student refunds alone, Doering said. The majority came from student loans, payroll checks and scholarships. The ODC, along with departments from several see MONEY | page 6

is that ... charlie?

The University of Cincinnati Research Center received a 7 percent increase in funding as well as several other grants, programs and partnerships as compared to 2008. UC vice president of research Sandra Degen hosted the presentation Wednesday, Oct. 14, in the Vontz Center’s Rieveschl Auditorium. The expansion of research and mounting support for collaborative activities is a direct result of the increased funds of $380 million in 2009. The most significant increase occurred in the state research funding by 307 percent to $35 million. UC moved up in the rankings to 18th and 23rd positions in terms of federal research expenditure and total research expenditures respectively, according to the National Science Foundation. In 2009, the number of patent applications increased by 49 percent and a total of 7 patents were issued. In addition to patents, UC members completed 113 invention disclosures. The university plans to increase these numbers by at least 15 to 30 percent in the 2011-12 academic year. Degen put an emphasis on increasing the funds and opportunities available for undergraduate research by encouraging faculty members to foster the undergraduates to participate in research. “Students would be groomed to become leading researchers since their potential will be tapped at an early stage of their career,” said Shruti Balvalli, a Ph.D. student in the department of communication science and disorders. A poster-presentation contest was see RESEARCH | page 6

weather

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index

see H1N1 | page 6 justin tepe | the news record

THE STREET CAR Open Forum at the Oakley Recreation Center, Tuesday, Oct. 13, is one of several public information forums presented by the City of Cincinnati. Former Cincinnati mayor, Tom Luken, made an appearance Tuesday as a curious citizen. Proponents of the street car posted placards, discussed details and answered questions. As election time nears, attendance increases with both sides of the issue represented.

1 News 3 Opinion 5 Entertainment 7 Classifieds 8 Sports

online @ www.newsrecord.org tnr video Michael p. mckeown| the news record

UC IS ON the list to receive the H1N1 vaccinations, but is currently waiting for the supplies.

Go online and check out what’s happening around UC in our exclusive video of news not covered in the print version.

word on the street

TNR all the time

Video footage of what UC students think should be done with the $50,000 in unclaimed funds in the university’s name.

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