If Larry Sabato picked stocks the way he picks elections, the University of Virginia political scientist could give Warren Buffett a run for his money. The Crystal Ball, the political forecasting Web site he runs, ended the 2008 political season with a near-perfect record.
By Anthony H. Catanach Jr. (Villanova) and Paul L. Walker, associate professor of commerce
... As bankers, investors and regulators continue to struggle with valuing billions in subprime loans and exotic financial instruments, we wonder how these executives and their independent accountants missed what appear to be glaring deficiencies in these companies' financial reporting. ... The magnitude of the recent global market meltdown and government bailouts requires a serious rethinking of auditing's role and standards.
The UVA Children's Hospital has been selected to take part in a national study on childhood obesity. The goal is to identify the best way for hospitals to conduct weight management programs for younger patients. The Children's Fitness Clinic at UVA was one of 16 programs chosen out of 144 others nationwide.
A mutated gene in the eye may account for some cases of seasonal affective disorder, that annual bout of "winter blues" experienced by an estimated 6 percent of the U.S. population as the days get shorter. "SAD [seasonal affective disorder] is a kind of major depression that recurs every year right around the fall," said lead researcher Ignacio Provencio, an associate professor of biology at the University of Virginia.
In the news this week: 'An Update from the Dean,' 'On to the Coca-Cola Finals,' and 'Darden For The Cure.'
W. Heywood Fralin, Rector of the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia, gave a 'state of the University' address to members of the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society on October 31, 2008.
...[Bill T.] Jones, a Tony Award winner, will bring his Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company to the University of Virginia for a busy week that will help him explore the direction and elements of a new major dance theater work he is creating.
... So what can I conclude about my stay at UVa? First of all, without exception, all of the people I encountered - the doctors, in spite of their very intense training; the nurses; the technicians, and the support personnel - could not have been more friendly, more caring and more competent.
... Now, emphasis on finding alternative energy sources is bringing nuclear studies back, and UVa is discussing adding a minor in nuclear studies to its engineering school, [Bill] Hall said. It's something he believes will find interest among students who see nuclear as an emissions-free way to combat global warming.
...The 'urban mini-farm' at Hereford Residential College is getting students involved in agriculture, interacting with faculty outside the classroom and providing them with a learning experience that goes beyond how to plant a tomato.
Cites U.Va. contributions to the Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps in Southwest Virginia, and U.Va.-Wise study of "nerves" in the region
Some students at UVa are looking beyond the boundaries of Charlottesville trying to make a global impact. Whether it's Africa, Asia or even impoverished areas here in the United States, these students are taking their projects outside the classroom, trying to inspire some major public health changes. ... Her project was one of dozens on display Friday in the Rotunda as part of the Center for Global Health Symposium, a chance for students from a variety of majors to present their experiences.
... Federico Ciliberto and Carola Schenone, of the University of Virginia, found that when airlines emerge from bankruptcy, they don't cut fares by any meaningful amount. The researchers found that "this is a striking and very surprising result, since airlines always justify their bankruptcy filings as a way to lower their operating costs," which in turn should help reduce fares.
JoAnn V. Pinkerton
A professor of obstetrics and gynecology, and president of the North American Menopause Society
Testosterone patch may kick-start sex drive in women
CNN / Health Magazine / Nov. 6
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/11/06/healthmag.testosterone.patch.sex/
William Quandt
Professor of politics
Cautious optimism over Iranian support for Obama
France24 / Nov. 6
http://www.france24.com/en/20081106-cautious-optimism-over-mideast-support-obama-iran
Greg Roberts
Senior associate dean of admissions
Colleges review potential students' Facebook pages
Scripps TV Station Group / ...
University Professor of Chemistry Donald Hunt's mass spectrometry group teamed with Rockefeller University in new stem cell research
By James W. Ceaser, a professor of politics
It is a peculiarity of American government that after more than 200 years no fixed system exists for selecting the president of the United States. Almost every nomination contest brings with it a different arrangement for the schedule of primaries, the allocation of delegates, and the regulation of campaign finance. No one can get used to the system before it has changed again.
Dr. Michael O. Thorner, a professor of internal medicine, leads a new U.Va. study
New U.Va.-powered virtual Rome goes 3D with 60,000 virtual characters
Entrepreneurship professor Philippe Sommer and recent Darden graduates Adam Healey and Andy Tang discuss their startup businesses