Duke in the News: Nov. 9, 2007

NEW CENTER TO INVESTIGATE GREEN ISSUES Duke Chronicle, Nov. 9 -- The Pratt School of Engineering and the Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences are set to collaborate on a new center devoted to the study of environmental issues. ... Full story

PERSON OF THE YEAR NOMINATION Time, Nov. 8 -- For the 2007 Person of the Year, Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, nominates Dr. Randy Jirtle of Duke for his "pioneering work in epigenetics and genomic imprinting." ... Full story

EXCEPT IN ONE CAREER, OUR BRAINS SEEM BUILT FOR OPTIMISM Wall Street Journal, Nov. 9 -- Research by Fuqua finance professors Manju Puri and David Robinson explores how our lives are shaped by varying levels of optimism. ... Full story --Also, (Raleigh) News & Observer: Optimism Might Pay, Study Says ... Full story

OP-ED: A CLEAR CASE OF CONTEMPT News & Observer, Nov. 9 -- Constitutional law expert Erwin Chemerinsky says the House of Representatives has no choice but to find Harriet Miers and Joshua Bolten in contempt of Congress unless the Bush Administration does an about-face and is willing to compromise on executive privilege. ... Full story

CAREER WOMEN MIGHT WANT TO HAVE CHILDREN ASAP LiveScience, Nov. 9 -- A new mathematical model developed by professor Ralph Keeney and doctoral student Dinah Vernik of Duke's Fuqua School of Business could help women decide the optimal time in their lives to have kids. ... Full story --Also, EarthTimes.org, UPI: Decision Analysis Model for Having Kids ... Full story

CONGRESS LOOKS AT OUTSOURCING TREND CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight, Nov. 8 -- Fuqua professor Arie Lewin discusses trends in the offshoring of jobs and the challenges presented by this process. ... Full story

COMMENTARY: DON'T HELP YOUR CHILD DRINK Charlotte Observer, Nov. 9 -- Sharing alcohol with children at home won't prevent binge drinking, says Duke professor Aaron White, an expert on the effect of alcohol on young people. ... Full story

GRADUATE STUDENT ASSAULTED Duke Chronicle, Nov. 9 -- A Duke graduate student is in stable condition after she was attacked in her off-campus home just before midnight Wednesday. ... Full story

BEST PLACES TO WORK IN ACADEMIA The Scientist, November 2007 -- Duke is ranked as the 12th best place to work in academia, according to a survey of scientists. ... Full story