Duke in the News: Sept. 18, 2007

FUROR ENDS IN DEANSHIP FOR LIBERAL SCHOLAR New York Times, Sept. 18 -- After being criticized for allowing politics to interfere with academic freedom, the University of California, Irvine, announced it will hire Duke professor Erwin Chemerinsky to be dean of its new law school after all. ... Full story --Also, Los Angeles Times: UC Irvine Rehires Chemerinsky as Dean ... Full story

AFTER BREAK, SHOT CAN CUT RISK OF MORE HIP FRACTURES USA Today, Sept. 18 -- For the first time, an osteoporosis drug has reduced deaths and prevented new fractures in elderly patients with broken hips, according to new Duke-led research. ... Full story --Also, New York Times, AP: Bone Drug Prevents Deaths, Broken Bones ... Full story Boston Globe: Osteoporosis Drug Found to Cut Risk of Death After Broken Hip ... Full story

IRAQ WANTS BLACKWATER BANNED (Raleigh) News & Observer, Sept. 18 -- Scott Silliman, director of the Center on Law, Ethics and National Security at Duke, discusses an incident in a Baghdad square that has sparked a clash of wills between the U.S. and Iraqi governments. ... Full story

DRUG STICKER SHOCK MAKES INSURERS STICKLERS Wall Street Journal, Sept. 18 -- Citing a case hinging on new Duke brain cancer research, the newspaper's health blog asks if insurance companies should pay for unapproved uses of expensive drugs. (See link to full story that quotes Duke oncologist Dr. James Vredenburgh; e-mailed upon request to dukenews@duke.edu.) ... Full story

COLLEGE STUDENTS' PERFORMANCE SUFFERS FROM LACK OF SLEEP USA Today, Sept. 18 -- With an eye to the link between sleep and performance, Duke offers a stress-free haven known as The Oasis. Duke's director of health promotion, Franca Alphin, comments. (See sidebar at upper left.) ... Full story

FUQUA 13TH IN WSJ RANKING Duke Chronicle, Sept. 18 -- Duke beat the University of Southern California by five. No, not on the field, but in the Wall Street Journal/Harris Interactive annual rankings of master of business administration programs released Monday. ... Full story

'BODIES' PROTEST CHARGES DISMISSED News & Observer, Sept. 18 -- The Durham District Attorney's Office has dropped trespassing charges against two Duke professors who were protesting an exhibition of human bodies at the Streets at Southpoint shopping center earlier this month. ... Full story