Duke in the News: Feb. 7, 2003

GULF-BOUND TROOPS HEAD FOR SPERM BANKS (Toronto) Globe & Mail, Feb. 7 -- A recent study by researchers at Duke University Medical Center found reduced sperm production in rats exposed to three chemicals used to protect Gulf War soldiers from insect-borne diseases and nerve-gas poisoning. Now, American soldiers are taking the precaution of freezing their sperm before heading to the Persian Gulf. ... Full story

STATE HEALTH PLAN AND DUKE REACH PACT (Durham, N.C.) Herald-Sun, Feb 7 -- Officials of the health care plan that covers more than half a million North Carolina state employees reached an agreement with Duke University Health System Thursday on payments for some services, rescinding a threatened termination of its contract. ...Full story

TOP SPRINT EXECUTIVES STEP DOWN NPR's Morning Edition, Feb. 6 -- Duke Law professor James Cox sees a conflict of interest when accounting firms sell tax shelters, such as the ones that figure in a boardroom dispute at telecommunications giant Sprint. ...Listen

MIXED MEDS CAN PACK A DEADLY PUNCH HealthScout News, Feb. 7 -- There are conflicting messages from a new study that examines how many people get prescriptions for drugs that could work together to create havoc in the heart. "The next step that's really crucial is for us to better understand what the real risks are associated with these drugs," says study co-author Lesley Curtis, a research associate with Duke University's Clinical Research Institute. Full story

MANY BALKING AT VACCINATION FOR SMALLPOX New York Times, Feb. 7 -- Elizabeth Fenn, a history professor at Duke University who has traced smallpox's history, comments on the unexpectedly slow start to President Bush's plan to vaccinate 500,000 health care workers against the disease. ...Full story

HOAXES: HEY, DON'T YOU HAVE A SISTER? Newsweek, Feb. 10 -- Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, two of America's richest teenagers, haven't decided on Duke or any other university, despite what you may have seen on Fake CNN.com News Generator. ... Full story

DUKE TO SEEK CITY'S OK TO EXPAND HOTEL (Durham, N.C.) Herald-Sun, Feb 7 -- Duke University is seeking the necessary city permits and approvals in a preliminary proposal to add 100 rooms and additional meeting space to the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club. ...Full story

EVASIVE STREAKER FACES TWO CHARGES (Raleigh) News & Observer, Feb. 7 -- A naked Duke student with a Nike swoosh painted on his back, clad only in running shoes and a scarf, appeared on the court with 24 seconds remaining in the first half of Duke's 83-74 victory over North Carolina. ... Full story --Also, (Durham, N.C.) Herald-Sun: The Naked Truth: TV Ad Made Duke Streaker Just Do It Full story