The latest news from the UW

University of Washington Physicians are sponsoring a free series of talks on Get Fit For Summer, at the REI main store, 222 Yale Ave. N. in Seattle.

See, hear and touch the latest advances in medical teaching, research and patient care at the University of Washington Health Sciences Open House Friday and Saturday, April 25 and 26, at the UW Health Sciences Center, 1959 N.E. Pacific St.

Flood waters will rise and fire will befriend the forest when thousands of elementary-school youngsters descend on the University of Washington April 24, 25 and 26.

A group of University of Washington civil engineering students will compete April 27 in concrete canoe races on Lake Sammamish.

Gunshot wounds are the single most common cause of death for women in the home, accounting for 42 percent of suicides and 46 percent of homicides, concludes a study released today.

Researchers at the University of Washington report in the April 14, 1997 issue of Virology that they may have an explanation for why the currently approved drug treatment for hepatitis C is ineffective much of the time. The drug, recombinant alpha interferon, is ineffective in 60 to 80 percent of cases.

Dr. Robert Heskett, a pediatrician who in the 1970s established the Spokane programs of the University of Washington (UW) School of Medicine, died April 9 in Spokane.

Undergraduates with the University of Washington’s School of Oceanography will have a chance this month to learn about shipboard research while gathering data about the waters west of Everett for the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Low-risk patients who choose nurse midwives for their obstetrical care have fewer Caesarean sections, receive less anesthesia, have a much lower rate of episiotomy and incur less expense, compared to similar women who choose physicians for their care.

A small electromagnetic device thought to help supplement the body’s electrical energy has shown some beneficial effects for patients with multiple sclerosis, according to a study led by researchers at the University of Washington.

A study of the effects of estrogen deficiency on body-fat distribution and cholesterol metabolism has been launched by the University of Washington, to determine why and how the risk of coronary artery disease increases in women as they age.

Pharmacists and other health care professionals will discuss a variety of issues related to managed care and Medicaid, at the University of Washington School of Pharmacy’s annual Don B. Katterman Memorial Lecture.

It begins life as a miniature underwater jet engine and ends its days as an aerial dive bomber gathering up its prey in a highly developed “cow catcher.” If that sounds more like the Empire striking back than nature, don’t be fooled. It’s the green darner dragonfly, and it has just been named the official insect of the state of Washington.

The Washington Dental Service (WDS) and University of Washington School of Dentistry today announced the establishment of the Washington Dental Service Endowed Chair in Dentistry.

Dr. James R. Blackman of Boise and Dr. Philip D. Cleveland of Spokane have been named assistant deans for regional affairs and rural health at the University of Washington (UW) School of Medicine.

Dr. Samuel Dworkin, professor of oral medicine at the University of Washington School of Dentistry and a pioneer in research on chronic orofacial pain, has been named the 1997 recipient of the Behavioral Sciences and Health Services Research Award presented by the International Association for Dental Research (IADR).

“Health Connections ’97” is the theme of the 27th open house. The event will include more than 80 interactive, high-tech and educational exhibits staffed by physicians, nurses, dentists and other medical and educational personnel.

It all depends who you ask, how they map woods and analyze data, says geographer

The first patient to participate in a clinical trial of a new laser heart surgery technique at University of Washington Medical Center is now recovering at home. The technique, called transmyocardial revascularization (TMR), creates new pathways for blood to reach oxygen-starved heart tissue in patients with coronary artery disease.

The first invitation has been issued for a candidate for the position of vice president for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine to visit the University of Washington campus for formal interviews later this month.

Many women enrolled in science and engineering classes at the University of Washington suffer a steep drop in self-confidence following their freshman year and never fully recover, according to a six-year study that will be discussed at the seventh annual Women in Science and Engineering Conference.

Today the demand for biosolids as a fertilizer and soil conditioner outstrips the supply in this state, according to Chuck Henry, research associate professor with the College of Forest Resources at the University of Washington.

That brilliant visitor to the Northwest sky, Comet Hale-Bopp, will be up close and personal at the University of Washington’s department of astronomy this week.

This is the third of a series of releases about Comet Hale-Bopp, which is now at its brightest.

The University of Washington and the UW Alumni Association announced today the appointment of David P. Fagerlie as the new assistant vice president for alumni affairs and executive director of the University of Washington Alumni Association.

UW President Richard L. McCormick announced today that he will recommend to the Board of Regents Friday, March 21, that Lee L. Huntsman be appointed provost and vice president for academic affairs, effective immediately.

Palm Sunday this year will be notable not only for its symbolism as the solemn opening to holy week. It will also be the day on which Earth, moon and Comet Hale-Bopp combine to provide what promises to be a celestial light show.

DIURETICS AND BETA BLOCKERS SHOULD CONTINUE as first-line treatments for high blood pressure, according to conclusions of University of Washington researchers after analyzing a number of clinical trials.

Victor Mills, who graduated from the UW in 1926, helped build The Procter & Gamble Co. into a manufacturing giant by revolutionizing the process for making Ivory soap and developing consumer staples such as Jif peanut butter, Duncan Hines cake mixes, Pringles potato chips and, yes, Pampers disposable diapers. Retired since 1961, Mills lives in Tucson with his wife, Ruth, and will turn 100 on March 28.

Juvenile offenders are much more likely to be hospitalized for an injury than nonoffenders. In a study by the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center (HIPRC) and the UW Department of Pediatrics, it was discovered that hospitalization of male juvenile offenders for trauma is more than 2.5 times that of nonoffenders.

Two teams of UW students will take their laboratories to the air April 7-19 aboard a NASA research aircraft that simulates the reduced gravity of space.

Katheryn (Katy) Foreman of Portland, Ore., started as a Spanish language major, and now plans a career in radio astronomy. Scott Sullivan of Tacoma began as an electrical engineering major, and now hopes astronomy will prepare him for entry into NASA’s astronaut-training program. Jeffrey (Jeff) Balsley of Issaquah, Wash., was a percussionist studying music, and now his aim is to teach astrophysics. And Marcus Wright of Stanwood, Wash., has traded in his ambition to become a computer scientist, for a future in astronomy.All of these undergraduates clearly have been influenced by their University of Washington education in astronomy. And today they will get a rare hands-on look at the life of a real astronomer.

Twenty-eight Washington high school students have been awarded Space Grant scholarships to study at the University of Washington. The awards, which are renewable for up to four years, will enable the students to study math, science or engineering.

The architectural design of Harborview’s two new wings complements the art deco style of the medical center’s original structure, completed in 1931.

As part of the King County Public Art ordinance, one percent of the Harborview construction projects budget (nearly $1 million) was earmarked for art to enhance the medical center.

The latest patient-care technology is a key component of Harborview Medical Center’s new West Wing, which opened Feb. 3. Built to meet the needs of a Level I trauma center in the 21st century, the West Wing houses a new Emergency Department (ED), operating rooms, intensive care units (ICUs) and clinical laboratories.

King County and Harborview Medical Center have formally opened a new, state-of-the-art West Hospital wing that will carry the hospital forward to the 21st century.

Top computer science students from Stanford, MIT and Harvard were no match for a team of three University of Washington students who were runners up at the Association for Computing Machinery’s annual International Collegiate Programming contest Sunday (Mar. 2) in San Jose.

Diuretics and beta blockers should continue to be first-line treatments for high blood pressure because of their safety and effectiveness, researchers conclude after analyzing a number of clinical trials.

The University of Washington School of Medicine continues to rank as the nation’s top primary-care medical school in U.S. News and World Report annual survey of graduate and professional schools.