Daily News Summary for November 20, 2009
UMass Amherst chemical engineer Neil Forbes has developed a delivery and trigger system to place TRAIL, a cancer-fighting protein, directly into solid tumors and to activate it on cue. Experiments conducted at the Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute (PVLSI) at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass., and reported in a recent British Journal of Cancer, show the treatment improved the 30-day survival time of mice with mammary tumors from 0 to 100 percent. (Science Daily, 11/18/09; News Office release)
Robert A. Nakosteen, finance and operations management, says reports that the state unemployment rate has dropped 8.9 percent from last month’s figure of 9.3 percent is good news, but it doesn’t mean recovery is likely anytime soon. “I just don’t know that there is a lot of strength in the economy,” Nakosteen says. Statistics show that even with the slight decline in the overall unemployment figures, the state still has nearly 308,000 unemployed workers. (Republican, Globe, 11/20/09)
A protein found in tick saliva helps protect mice from developing Lyme disease, says a team of scientists that includes Juan Anguita, veterinary and animal sciences. The discovery may help in the development of a vaccine against the infection. (Science Daily, 11/19/09)
The University of California’s Board of Regents has approved a 32 percent, or $2,500 increase, in undergraduate fees, but also promised more financial aid for needy students. The move touched off demonstrations by students and labor union activists. Members of the board say the increase is necessary because of state budget cuts. (Los Angeles Times, 11/20/09)
UMass hockey coach Don “Toot Cahoon” says his team is well placed to do well in Hockey East this season, if the team can continue its strong play. He also says some of the powerhouse teams in the league may have gotten off to a slow start, but traditionally they “finish in a blaze of fire.” (Globe, 11/20/09)
The hockey team defeated Yale 4-3 in New Haven on Nov. 19. James Marcou scored the winning goal. (Gazette, Republican, 11/20/09)
Derek Kellogg, head coach of the men’s basketball team, says the squad is improving, even though it has lost its first two games. (Republican, 11/20/09)
