Patti's Blog - Advocate for Elders, People with Disabilities and Their Families

MSU researchers find path to treat Parkinson's disease at outset

Excerpt from mlive.com: (click for entire article)

A group of Michigan State University researchers have identified a route in which to treat Parkinson's disease at the illness' outset.

The research team, led by MSU postdoctoral researcher Basir Ahmad, finds that a particular type of protein called alpha-synuclein causes "aggregation," which effectively begins the onset of Parkinson's.

Architectural Feature Story: Michigan State University’s Broad Art Museum

Excerpt from Michigan Architectural Foundation: (click for entire article)

Construction for MSU’s Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum began the past spring with a groundbreaking for the building, designed by world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid.

The facility is named in honor of Eli and Edythe Broad, longtime supporters of the university who provided the lead gift for the museum. “Mr. Broad has spoken of the importance of knowing the art of one’s time so we may know ourselves better,” said MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon. “And he and Edythe have made it something we look forward to doing – entering a vibrant space filled with visual delights to ponder and explore. This Zaha Hadid design will send the message we want – that great art deserves great architecture.”

Michigan State University snags $2.89 million in USDA food safety grants (with video)

Excerpt from mlive.com: (click for entire article)

One team of scientists will figure out ways to assure foods such as nuts, peanut butter and flour are safe.

Another team will work on developing food safety training to be used around the world to standardize safe handling of food.

And the big winner — a team awarded a $1.8 million, 4-year, grant to study ways to keep ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables safe for consumers.

Michigan State University took the lion's share — three of 17 — of the food safety research grants announced today by U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan.

Michigan State Is Bowled Over Again By The BCS

Excerpt from Forbes: (click for entire article)

Last year about this time, I wrote a Forbes post stating that before Michigan State even played its bowl game it had already lost the BCS sweepstakes.  To avoid antitrust lawsuits, the BCS established a rule that “No more than two teams from a conference may be selected [to a BCS game], regardless of whether they are automatic qualifiers or at-large selections, unless two non-champions from the same conference are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the final BCS Standings.” Last year, the Big Ten had three teams tied for the conference championship, all with one loss for the entire season. Those teams were Wisconsin, Ohio State and Michigan State. Wisconsin and Ohio State were ranked higher than MSU in the BCS standings. They both deserved to be there – if you ignore tattoo-gate. So MSU was left out of the BCS mix.  But MSU was a top 10 BCS team. As I lamented, “they were bowled over by the same regulator that ranks them so highly.” There was at least one conference champion, U Conn for the Big East, which lost three more games than MSU, played a weaker schedule, did not finish in the Top 25 that nonetheless played in a BCS game (Tostitos Fiesta Bowl) with all the resultant financial and recruiting benefits.

MSU pledges to cut energy consumption by 20% by 2020

Excerpt from LSJ.com: (click for entire article)

Replacing Erickson Hall's broad banks of windows was the most visible change.

But the building, which houses Michigan State University's College of Education, has seen a host of small fixes and retrofits over the past few years — sealing gaps in the air distribution system, installation of energy-efficient light fixtures and so on — that have steadily reduced its energy consumption.

Reduced it by more than 30 percent, in fact, saving MSU more than $100,000 annually.

MSU student from Mount Pleasant one of 36 across nation named Marshall Scholar

Excerpt from mlive.com: (click for entire article)

A Michigan State University senior from Mount Pleasant was one of just 36 students throughout the country named a 2012 Marshall Scholar, a postgraduate scholarship allowing students to study in the United Kingdom.

Rebecca Farnum is the 13th Marshall Scholar in MSU history, and also one of just two students in the state of Michigan awarded the honor this year.

A member of both James Madison College and Honors College at MSU, Farnum has been engaged in undergraduate research her entire academic career and is currently using mathematic methodology to predict how, and if, people, organizations and governments will work together to improve food and water shortages in the Middle East and North Africa, writes Kristen Parker of MSU News.

Sabres' Ryan Miller out with concussion after hit from Milan Lucic

Patti's Comments:  GET WELL SOON, SPARTAN RYAN MILLER!

Excerpt from Detroit Free Press: (click for entire article)

Sabres goalie Ryan Miller is out indefinitely with a concussion after being leveled by a hit from Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic.

The Sabres revealed the nature of Miller’s injury Sunday, while also announcing they had called up goalie Drew McIntyre from their AHL affiliate in Rochester. MacIntyre is expected to serve as backup to Jhonas Enroth on Monday night at Montreal.

Miller was hurt about 14 minutes into the first period of a 6-2 loss at Boston on Saturday night when he left his crease to play the puck before being checked by Lucic, who received a minor penalty for charging.

India Awaits MSU Innovation

Excerpt from Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities: (click for entire article)

MSU's Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities partners with the College of Engineering to expand their work of maximizing opportunity and ability beyond U.S. Borders.  Students in EGR100 are developing technology to make 3D anatomy models accessible for students in India who are blind.

The RCPD has earned a reputation of success in helping individuals with disabilities achieve full participation on campus. Through their website, the RCPD offers help to the rest of the world looking for innovative accessibility solutions. The Asian Aid India School for the Blind in Bobbili, India approached Stephen Blosser of the RCPD about harnessing these resources to help their students who are blind better grasp the subject of anatomy.

Michigan State University Adds Anesthesia Department

Excerpt from Becker's ASC Review: (click for entire article)

The College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University will formally welcome a new anesthesia department starting Jan. 1, 2012, according to a State News report.

The department's curriculum will take effect sometime next academic year, according to the report. Students in the College of Human Medicine do not have formal majors but instead choose a field in which to specialize for their residencies. The new departments were created to meet student demand.

MSU aids in transformation, growth of Michigan wine industry

Excerpt from mlive.com: (click for entire article)

The state of Michigan has established itself as a wine destination, with Michigan State University playing a pivotal role in the industry’s growth.

As Michigan’s leaves hit peak color, residents and tourists alike travel the state snapping photos of blazing trees and visiting the growing number of vineyards.

Our state is presently ranked as the nation’s fourth-largest grape producer with a burgeoning industry of wine-grape growers and vineyards. But back in the 1970s, the majority of the state’s vineyards were dedicated to juice-grape production.