Week Ending 23 June - Synopsis number 704

University of Dundee News

Queen's birthday honours 2006
List of the Queen's birthday honours 2006 which include: John Milligan, Chair of Court, University of Dundee and William McLean, research professor of fine art.
THES 23.06.06

Principal’s praise for Dundee University
A 68-year-old man, who left school more than half a century ago without a qualification to his name, was awarded a PhD at this morning’s Dundee University graduation ceremony.
Evening Telegraph 23.06.06

Lorraine gets set for MoonWalk
TV star Lorraine Kelly is going ‘topless’ tomorrow along with 7999 others. Lorraine, rector of Dundee University, will join fellow walkers to take part in Edinburgh’s first MoonWalk. They will set off at midnight, wearing decorated bras, to try to raise one million pounds for breast cancer and the Maggie’s Centre.
Evening Telegraph 23.06.06

Pulp fiction?
Could it soon be last orders for the latte? So many of us are now swapping our java jolt for a healthier-sounding fruit juice that analysts are predicting a high street juice bar war to rival that of the coffee chains. Spirulina, a freshwater blue-green algae, is a rich source of proteins, vitamins and minerals, approved by the US Food and Drugs Agency and the World Health Organisation. But last year an international team of researchers, including scientists from the University of Dundee, announced that the algae may produce a toxin linked to certain types of neurological disease, including Alzheimer’s. Within days, one German company had taken its algae-based drink off the market.
Times2 23.06.06

Dundee students reap rewards after a year of extra pressures
Thousands of students took to the stage in Caird Hall yesterday to collect their degrees at Dundee University's graduation ceremonies.
Press & Journal 23.06.06

University honours leading thinkers
as above
The Courier 23.06.06

Lecturers' dispute apology
as above
The Courier 23.06.06

Dundee University graduation day
as above
Evening Telegraph 23.06.06

List of Dundee University graduands
Graduands of Dundee University graduating today include: - list all the graduands.
The Courier 23.06.06

Graduation - University of Dundee
as above
The Scotsman 23.06.06

Currie comments
She resigned over eggs, she had an affair with John Major and she lost her seat in the great Tory collapse in 1997. She's Edwina Currie and she tells why you should never trust a politician. Ms Currie's lecture, "Lies, Damned Lies and politicians: Why Do Politicians Lie?" will take place in the Bonar Hall, University of Dundee, tomorrow.
The Courier 23.06.06

Science 'icon' lends name to Dundee centre
A Dundee University centre for research into major diseases has been renamed in honour of a Nobel prize-winning scientist who was a former chancellor at the university.
Press & Journal 23.06.06

University's latest life-saving centre
as above
The Courier 23.06.06

Research facility's official opening
as above
Evening Telegraph 22.06.06

Healthy eating tips
Mouth-watering fruit smoothies and perfect packed lunches were on the menu at Harris Academy today when researchers from Dundee University offered healthy eating tips.
Evening Telegraph 22.06.06

Carnoustie trophy triumph
A team of pupils from Carnoustie High has won this year's Dundee University Technology challenge.
Evening Telegraph 22.06.06

List of Dundee University graduands
Graduands of Dundee University graduating today include: - list all the graduands.
The Courier 22.06.06

Graduation - University of Dundee
as above
The Scotsman 22.06.06

Public asked to vote for favourite building
The radical design of one of Dundee's most recognisable buildings has put it in the frame to become the region's best-loved construction of the 80s - the Dundee Rep Theatre in South Tay Street was designed by local firm Nicoll Russell Studios. Other nominated buildings include, St Anthony's RC church, Kirriemuir; Norwich Union head office, Perth; and Dundee Botanic Gardens.
Press & Journal 22.06.06

University book event launched
Dundee University's Book Events programme began last night with a visit from the Scottish Parliament's first writer-in-residences, local poet and novelist James Robertson.
The Courier 22.06.06

Dundee pupils attempt record
Around 5000 pupils from schools across Dundee took part in a skipping marathon yesterday in attempt to break a world record. The event was organised by The Institute of Cardiovascular Research (TICR) at Ninewells Hospital.
The Courier 22.06.06

Ready to cheer on mum at ceremony
Six-week-old Noah Jones will be one of the youngest guests to attend a graduation ceremony at Dundee University when he sees his mum Kathryn graduate in psychology today.
The Courier 22.06.06

Little Noah to attend Dundee graduation
as above
Evening Telegraph 21.06.06

Embroidery exhibition
An exhibition of creative embroidery and textile art is being held at Dundee Botanic Gardens.
Evening Telegraph 21.06.06

no heading
Ninewells cancer campaign previewed their exhibition of work by local artists at Dundee University's Bonar Hall last night.
The Courier 21.06.06

Researchers granted award
The Scottish Funding Council is to support world-class Scottish research into climate change and other areas of environmental concern with funding of £6.5million. The research teams include those at the Universities of Abertay, Dundee, St Andrews, Stirling and the University of the Highland and Islands Millennium Institute.
The Courier 21.06.06

Longer living depends on luck
A better diet, long-lived forefathers and cutting out smoking and drinking would do much to promote longer lives for Dundonians. Marion McMurdo, professor of ageing and health at Dundee University is quoted.
The Courier 21.06.06

Reunion planned for students
An appeal is being made for former Queen's College students to attend a reunion in Dundee 50 years after they began their studies. The only female student of engineering at the forerunner of Dundee University between 1956 and 1960, Ms Brenda Whitmell, contacted The Courier in an effort to track down her former colleagues.
The Courier 21.06.06

Race on for Maclean's seat
The race to gain the Labour party's selection as the preferred candidate in Dundee West could be closer than the election seven years ago. One of the candidates is Michael Marra, Events Officer at the University of Dundee.
The Courier 21.06.06

Research gets £22m boost
A nationwide research initiative that will help scientists better understand some of the planet's most pressing environmental problems has attracted funding of £22million.
Press & Journal 21.06.06

£22m for Scottish based research
as above
Evening Telegraph 20.06.06

New discovery in asthma treatment
A commonly-used asthma medicine is likely to be ineffective for hundreds of asthmatics due to a gene variation present in around 13% of the population. The medicine, known as salmeterol, was found by researchers at Dundee University not to work as efficiently in asthma sufferers with a gene variation known as the Arg/Arg-16 variant.
The Herald 20.06.06

no heading
Dundee University Students' Association presented the first in a series of events to develop student volunteering and employability last week, with the help of Radio 1 producer Matt Fernand.
The Courier 20.06.06

Edwina talk
Former MP Edwina Currie, above, is to lift the lid on why politicians tell lies at a lecture in Dundee. The former Tory Cabinet minister will give a talk entitled Lies, Damned Lies and Politicians at Dundee University on Saturday.
Press & Journal 19.06.06

Al Gore puts Scots tourist in the frame
A Scottish tourist's holiday photographs have been published in a new climate-change book by former US vice-president Al gore. Tracey Dixon's shots caught the attention of Mr Gore after the web administrator at Dundee University posted then on her personal website.
Press & Journal 19.06.06

Ice work if you can get it
as above
Daily Mirror 19.06.06

Gore blimey, what a picture!
as above
The Mail on Sunday 18.06.06

Queen's birthday honours
Businessman's university work recognised. A Perthshire businessman and landowner (John Milligan) who chairs Dundee University's court has been made a CBE for his services to education. Professor Will Maclean a Research Professor of Fine Art at the University of Dundee has received an MBE for services to Higher Education and to Art.
Press & Journal 17.06.06

Local education sector prominent
as above
The Courier 17.06.06

The Queen's birthday honours
as above
The Times 17.06.06

Minister's pledge to life sciences industry
Dundee's life sciences sector will play a key role in the future of Scotland's economy, Deputy First minister Nicol Stephen said yesterday. "Dundee is the hub of much of the innovative work being done here, a position reinforced by the opening of the £20 million Centre for Inter-Disciplinary Research". The Courier 17.06.06

Support pledged for life sciences
as above
Evening Telegraph 16.06.06

Art matters
Works of art can be inspired by the most unexpected things, even the most personal of experiences going to create something thought-provoking and visually striking. Jim Pattison of Dundee University tool the elements of a literally life-changing event - transplant surgery - and made his own images to document a journey like no other.
The Courier 16.06.06

University of Dundee Radio, TV & online

Uni of Sussex helps dent Oxbridge citation league dominance
Oxbridge dominates the scientific citation league in the UK, according to a ranking by Thomson Scientific’s Science Watch of 150 universities. Oxford occupies four top places in the impact ranking, but the University of Sussex takes the top spot in impact in both physics and space science, while the University of Dundee comes top in impact in molecular biology/genetics and biology/biochemistry.
http://www.iwr.co.uk/information-world-review/news/2158906/sussex-helps-dent-oxbridge 23.06.06

20 million pound Dundee Centre opens
The doors will open on Dundee's new 20 million pound Centre for Interdisciplinary Research later today. It is a state of the art facility which is home to 250 scientists conducting studies into some of the world's biggest killer diseases, such as cancer. One of the legendary figures in the field of genetics and a Nobel Laureate, Professor Sydney Brenner, will officially unveil the unit.
Radio Tay 22.06.06

20 million pound Dundee Centre opens
as above
Wave 102 22.06.06

New medical research centre opens
as above
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/5106320.stm 22.06.06

We'll stand up for our campus
Students at Kirkcaldy's nursing campus have reacted defiantly to the news that they will have to complete their studies in Dundee. They have vowed to fight the plans announced this week by the University of Dundee. In a joint statement issued with the Adam Smith College, NHS Fife, the Chief Nursing Officer at the Scottish Executive and NHS Education for Scotland it was announced that the theoretical components of the first two years of the nursing programme will continue to be offered in Kirkcaldy. But the final year of the course would be moved over the Tay - resulting in possible travel headaches for local students.
http://www.fifenow.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=1015&ArticleID=1579281 22.06.06

Michael Douglas leads cast of honorary graduates
A film star, a poet and a couple of Nobel prize-winning scientists - the variety of honorary degrees at British universities was truly on display this week. At St Andrews Michael Douglas said yesterday it was a "treat" to be honoured by a historic Scottish university after receiving being made a doctor of letters for his contribution to British film. St Andrews' nearest academic neighbour, Dundee University, has opted for serious science rather than Holywood glamour. Today it honours Sydney Brenner, pioneer of genetic engineering, who won the 2002 Nobel prize for medicine, and Zhores Alferov, scientific director of the Ioffe Physico-Technical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, who won the Nobel prize for physics in 2000.
http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,,1802803,00.html 22.06.06

Serologicals' Upstate Group Announces Winner of 2006 Young Cell Signaller Award; Rashu Bhargava Seth Receives Award at the Third Annual Cell Signalling Symposium
Serologicals Corporation (NASDAQ: SERO) today announced that Rashu Bhargava Seth, from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, has been named the 2006 Young Cell Signaller. She was chosen from among five finalists and more than 86 entries in its Upstate 2006 Young Cell Signaller Award competition at the Third Annual Cell Signalling Symposium. Seth's presentation was entitled "Understanding Host Antiviral Signaling Pathways." Entries were submitted as abstracts by Ph.D. students and first time post-doctorates competing to win $17,000 worth of support funding for their laboratory, a personal cash prize of $8,500 and a trophy. The finalists presented their work during the recent Cell Signalling Symposium held in Dundee, Scotland (U.K.), and were judged by symposium attendees and an experienced scientific panel including two of the world's most cited scientists, Sir Philip Cohen and Professor Dario Alessi. Each entrant gave a 25-30 minute presentation, followed by a five-minute question and answer period.
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20060621005564&newsLang=en 21.06.06

Serologicals' Upstate Group Announces Winner of 2006 Young Cell Signaller Award; Rashu Bhargava Seth Receives Award at the Third Annual Cell Signalling Symposium
as above
http://www.medadnews.com/News/Index.cfm?articleid=351614 21.06.06

Fresh Start
Half the 400,000 "freshers" starting at university this autumn can look forward to getting a grant of up to £2,700 a year towards their upkeep. It ranges from around £2,500 in Manchester, Nottingham and Dundee to £3,000 in Birmingham and Aberdeen and a hefty £3,364 in London.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/mirrormoney/mirrormoney/ 21.06.06

Brain booster: A walk to remember
Try a 10-minute walk before your next test or work presentation. Researchers at the University of Dundee in Scotland say it can improve your memory. Without exercise, memory peaks at 12:30 p.m. and is the worst at 3:30 p.m., due to the body's normal internal biological rhythms.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060620/LIVING/606200374/1007/LIVING 20.06.06

Asthma drug effectiveness dependent on genes
Researchers believe that the effectiveness of from a commonly used asthma medicine may be compromised by a gene variation, which is present in around 13 per cent of the city’s population. Researchers from the University of Dundee found that a specific genetic variant, known as the Arg/Arg-16 variant, causes the asthma treatment salmeterol to be ineffective.
http://www.drugresearcher.com/news/ng.asp?n=68521-asthma-salmeterol-personalised 19.06.06

Cuttings from last week - please see:

[Week ending - 16 June 2006]
[National TV & Newspapers]

If you wish to receive copies of cuttings please print the synopsis page (this page) marking the article you would like copied and send to Beverly Smeaton, Press Office, 5th Floor, Tower Building. We also offer a weekly synopsis by e-mail through the Cuttings Service.