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The latest news from the UW

April 29, 1997

The UW’s super-spanners set their sights on becoming the nation’s champion bridge builders

She’s only 22, but already Cheryl Burwell, a University of Washington senior, is a champion bridge builder. A month ago, Burwell and her team of nine other civil engineering seniors, showed their mettle, as well as their metal, with an upset victory at the regional bridge-building championships in Alaska.

The UW’s super-spanners set their sights on becoming the nation’s champion bridge builders

She’s only 22, but already Cheryl Burwell, a University of Washington senior, is a champion bridge builder. A month ago, Burwell and her team of nine other civil engineering seniors, showed their mettle, as well as their metal, with an upset victory at the regional bridge-building championships in Alaska.

University of Washington discovery may point the way to new treatment for hepatitis C cases that do not respond to interferon therapy

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.

April 10, 1997

Women with low-risk pregnancies receive fewer obstetrical interventions when cared for by midwives, compared to women attended by physicians

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.

Washington state’s new official insect is a little bizarre, but also darn marvelous, says UW professor

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.

April 3, 1997

First heart patient successfully treated with new laser surgery at University of Washington Medical Center

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.

UW engineering alumnus behind Ivory, Pampers to turn 100

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.