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Seeds of reclamation planted by Penn State DuBois students

4/6/09

Wildlife students at Penn State DuBois are helping to establish a forest where there was once just barren land devastated by strip mining. Students are now planting trees on a 3.5-acre portion of reclaimed strip mine near Coal Glenn, Jefferson County. Two core goals of this study are to find out what methods of planting will allow trees to prosper at reclaimed mine sites, and to try growing American chestnut trees at such sites. Successful growth could mean a rebirth of the chestnut, a species virtually wiped from the face of the earth by an invasive fungus in the early 20th century.

Health and Human Development students serve others during spring break

4/3/09

For many undergraduate students in the College of Health and Human Development, spring break is not just a respite from classes and studying; it's a time to make a difference. Students spent their weeklong break volunteering in parts of the world that need assistance the most -- from New Orleans to Honduras, South Africa and Haiti.

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Heard on Campus: Barbara H. Franklin

4/3/09

"Think about the women in current national leadership positions. Could these folks have gotten where they are without this chapter in women's history?"

-- Barbara H. Franklin, '62, distinguished alumna, the 29th United States Secretary of Commerce and the highest-ranking woman in the administration of President George H.W. Bush. Franklin spoke Thursday, April 2, in Foster Auditorium on Penn State's University Park campus. Her presentation, "A Few Good Women...: a Watershed for Women's History," discussed the efforts and results achieved by a few good women (and men) in advancing the cause of women in government, 1969-74, which had ripple effects in business, education and the professions.

Condition of student with meningitis upgraded again

4/2/09

University Park, Pa. -- A 20-year-old Penn State student diagnosed last week with meningococcal meningitis has been upgraded to good condition today (April 2) at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.

Naturally fluorescent molecules may serve as cancer biomarker

4/2/09

Excess amounts of a naturally fluorescent molecule found in all living cells could serve as a natural biomarker for cancer, according to Ahmed Heikal, associate professor of bioengineering at Penn State. NADH, or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, is a key coenzyme -- a non-protein molecule necessary for the functioning of an enzyme -- found mostly in the inner membrane of a cell's power plant, or mitochondria. It fuels a series of biochemical reactions that involve various enzymes to produce ATP, the major energy source in cells. In the event of disease or a metabolic disorder, these enzymes and their related reactions can become disabled, causing a buildup of unused NADH.

Free skin cancer screening on May 2

4/2/09

Free skin cancer screenings will be offered Saturday, May 2, from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center to coincide with Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. The event will take place at the University Physician Center in the Dermatology Clinic, Suite 100. To schedule an appointment, call the CareLine at 1 (800) 243-1455.

Health Shorts: Balance balls as office chairs?

4/2/09

Large, inflatable balance balls have become popular tools in health clubs for developing balance. Because even sitting on these balls can help strengthen and tone core body muscles, some have recommended daily use in the office as a measure to head off back pain.

Head and neck cancer screening

4/2/09

This year, 40,000 Americans will develop oral, head or neck cancer. Early detection can save lives. As part of Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center will offer a free screening on Thursday, April 23, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the University Physician Center, Otolaryngology Clinic, Suite 200 on the Medical Center campus.

Looking for cancer survivors to participate in Relay for Life

4/2/09

The Penn State Relay for Life is looking for cancer survivors to be recognized at the State College Relay for Life event on April 17-18. Survivors will be honored at the opening ceremony and will begin the first lap. They also will be invited to attend a survivor's dinner sponsored by the Olive Garden. This event will take place at the Penn State agricultural fields on Orchard Road and will begin Friday, April 17, at 5 p.m. and run until Saturday, April 18, at 5 p.m.

Cancer Institute TV show now available on YouTube

4/2/09

Cancer: Conquering the Enemy Within," the 30-minute television special sponsored by Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is now available on YouTube at www.youtube.com/PennStateHershey. Hear the inspiring stories of three local cancer survivors, as well as interviews with Cancer Institute physicians and researchers.

Lecture, check presentation and Eco-Fair at Schuylkill

4/1/09

In recognition of a $15,000 grant from Sustainable Energy Foundation, there will be a presentation of check and lecture at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, in the John E. Morgan Auditorium at the Penn State Schuylkill campus.

The check, for the installation of solar panels at Penn State Schuylkill, will be received by Tom Cleary, Michael Gallis and Michael Russell.

John Costlow, director of technical services for Sustainable Energy Fund (SEF), will present the lecture titled "The Energy Revolution: A Crusade for Safe, Secure and Sustainable Energy." The lecture will focus on how we can meet the energy needs of today without compromising the ability of our children and grandchildren to meet their needs. The lecture answers the questions of how much energy do we need and can renewable sources provide it. Along the way it exposes the hidden economic fight and power struggle for control of our energy future. Attendees will leave the lecture better equipped to discern the half-truths and distortions about sustainable energy.

Student with meningitis upgraded to fair condition

4/1/09

A 20-year-old Penn State student diagnosed last week with meningococcal meningitis has been upgraded to fair condition at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. A member of the Alpha Chi Rho fraternity, 420 Locust Lane in State College, the affected student was taken to Danville late Friday night and initially was listed in critical, then serious condition.

The Medical Minute: What's the big deal with DVTs anyway?

3/31/09

Deep Venous Thrombosis means you develop a clot in one of the deep veins, usually in the leg or pelvis. In the hospital you're more likely to develop a clot for two reasons. First, you do not move around as much as you do at home. This makes your blood tend to stagnate in your veins, which can lead to clots. Second, your blood is thicker when you're sick due to your body's natural immune response. Your risk of developing a DVT in the hospital without any preventative treatment ranges up to 20 percent for a general medical patient and up to 80 percent for a major trauma patient, according to this week's edition of The Medical Minute, a service of the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

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