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Press Releases in February, 2011

Intervention helps women manage weight during and after pregnancy

Goal: to help pregnant women manage weight gain: “Our study succeeded for normal weight women,” said study co-author Rena Wing, “but we need to develop a more effective approach for women who are overweight or obese.”
A simple behavioral intervention that provided pregnant women with advice and feedback about weight control helped normal-weight women control their weight gain during pregnancy, according to the newly published “Fit for Delivery” study. It also helped normal-weight and obese and overweight women return to pre-pregnancy weight after delivery. (Distributed February 28, 2011)
Mens sana in corpore sano

Advanced degrees add up to lower blood pressure

Higher education and public health: Eric Loucks has found that more years of higher education correlate with lower blood pressure even decades after graduation — especially for women.
An analysis of thousands of people shows that the more years of higher education people pursue, the lower their blood pressure readings will be for decades afterward, especially among women. Increasing educational access, argues the lead author, could improve public health. (Distributed February 27, 2011)
February 26 through March 13

Annual Student Exhibition opens at the Bell Gallery

Leilani Diaz, Location and Placement : Acrylic on cardboard, National Geographic clippings
The 31st annual Student Exhibition, showcasing the work of 38 young artists, is on view at the Bell Gallery from Saturday, Feb. 26, through Sunday, March 13. (Distributed February 25, 2011)

Blood test may find markers of bladder cancer risk

A marker for toxic exposures: Carmen Marsit, with lab assistant Alison Migliori, hopes methylation patterns can be effective in prediction or diagnosis of bladder and other cancers.   
Exposures to harmful substances in the environment alters the methylation of DNA, potentially elevating the risk of developing cancer. A new blood test can detect the abnormal pattern of methylation associated with bladder cancer, suggesting that it may be possible to assess a person’s susceptibility to the disease. (Distributed February 22, 2011)
Fitt Artist-in-Residence

George E. Lewis to explore improvisation in music, life

George E. Lewis: The Lawton Wehle Fitt ’74 Artist-in-Residence will visit campus twice this semester for discussions on improvisation, social transformation, interactivity, technology, and a U.S. première performance.
Acclaimed composer, performer, and experimental musician George E. Lewis will take part in a series of public events this semester as the Lawton Wehle Fitt ’74 Artist-in-Residence. (Distributed February 18, 2011)
The semiquincentenary

Brown creates steering committee for 250th anniversary

James Manning: First President of Brown University (1764–1791)The portrait, painted in 1770 by Cosmo Alexander, hangs in the President’s Office, University Hall.
Chancellor Thomas J. Tisch announces members of a steering committee that will oversee planning and implementation of the University’s 250th anniversary celebration in 2014. The 20-member committee of trustees, faculty, staff, and students will begin its work this semester. (Distributed February 17, 2011)
AAAS Presentation

Deep brain stimulation helps severe OCD, but pioneer advises caution, compassion

Benjamin Greenberg, M.D./Ph.D.: Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior
For patients most severely afflicted with obsessive-compulsive disorder, electrical stimulation of a brain network can rebalance their emotional state, helping them respond to conventional therapy when it never worked before. New long-term results show that patients’ improvements remain if the treatment continues. But, as with other OCD treatments, DBS is not a cure and can have side effects. (Distributed February 16, 2011)
Meeting of the Corporation

Corporation establishes Nelson Professorships, other endowed positions

The Corporation of Brown University has created two Jonathan Nelson Professorships to honor eminent faculty at the University. The Corporation also formally accepted gifts to the University and established a number of endowed positions for faculty and staff. (Distributed February 12, 2011)
Meeting of the Corporation

Brown Corporation sets tuition, approves 2011-12 budget

The Corporation of Brown University has approved a consolidated operating budget of $834.3 million for the 2012 fiscal year, a 6.4-percent increase over the current year. The total charge for undergraduates will rise 3.5 percent to $53,136, and the University’s financial aid budget will rise 8.3 percent to $88.2 million. (Distributed February 12, 2011)
AAAS Annual Meeting

Brown scientists to discuss best practices for the oceans

Brown University scientists will present ideas to help carry out President Obama’s National Ocean Policy, which calls for better stewardship of the nation's oceans, coastal waters and the Great Lakes. Heather Leslie and Leila Sievanen will speak at the AAAS annual meeting in Washington, D.C., on the need to better understand the ocean's varied habitats and how they change over time, as well as the need to involve all constituencies in conservation and management discussions. (Distributed February 11, 2011)

Lower mental health co-pays do not help seniors seek care

Amal Trivedi: Assistant Professor of Community Health
Parity legislation that equalizes co-pays for mental health care with co-pays for other medical care will have no effect on seniors in Medicare-managed care plans, based on an analysis by Brown community health researchers. Other measures may be necessary to help more seniors get the care they need. (Distributed February 8, 2011)
“Brown Plus One” International Programs

New opportunity for Brown graduates to earn master’s degree from international universities

Brown University has partnered with the University of Edinburgh and the Chinese University of Hong Kong to establish a new opportunity for students interested in international study. The “Brown Plus One” international program, which begins this year, allows Brown students to spend one or two semesters at a partnering university during their junior year. After earning a bachelor’s degree at Brown, students devote a fifth year to earning a Master of Arts degree at the partner university. (Distributed February 2, 2011)