Bright Lights -- Big Study

[07.02.01] -- While researchers had figured out the basics of the firefly's "light bulb," the way the bugs switched it on and off so precisely left scientists in the dark for decades. But new research from a team of Tufts scientists has finally solved the mystery, shedding new light on the chemical trigger that controls the firefly's flash. >>> 

A Formidable Opponent

[06.15.01] -- After two decades of studying and fighting AIDS, researchers have learned an important lesson: the HIV infection is a formidable opponent. Currently, 37 million people are suffering from various stages of HIV and the numbers are expected to increase five-fold over the next 20 years. While a cure hasn't been found yet, a Tufts scientist is helping make huge strides in understanding the ways the virus works. >>> 

Science or Fiction?

[06.05.01] -- As nutritional research grows in popularity and Americans continue to seek "miracle foods" to treat health problems, many food companies are taking a new approach. While taste still matters, more food companies are touting the health benefits of their products to consumers. Is it working? >>> 

Replacing "Mr. Clean"

[05.23.01] -- As worries about the spread of harmful bacteria grow, solutions to "cleaner" lives have taken a variety of forms, including antibacterial soaps, sprays and sponges. While they promise to kill germs, all rely on the consumer to make them part of their daily cleaning routine. But a new idea from a Tufts biochemistry professor may completely change the way people fight germs, marking the other products obsolete. >>>

Stressed Out!

[05.24.01] -- Feeling stressed? Humans are not alone; according to a Tufts biology professor, marine iguanas can experience "stressed out" moments too. And the effects can be deadly. For the last 20 years, Tufts' Michael Romero has been studying marine iguanas in the Galapagos Islands. When an oil tanker ran aground in January, spilling 750,000 gallons of oils just 15 miles from their research site, Romero gained new insight on the impact of environmental disturbances on the animal population. >>> 

Color Code Your Diet

[08.17.01] -- The next time you sit down to dinner, take a closer look at your meal. While there are a lot of foods that cut calories and fat, many are missing one of the most important nutritional elements -- color. According to a nutrition expert, if your food doesn't have a variety of vibrant colors, its probably not giving you the biggest nutritional bang for your buck. >>> 

Training Taste Buds

[08.21.01] -- While children may start life by putting everything in their mouths, it doesn't take long for them to acquire pickier tastes. And their struggle with parents over what they will -- and won't -- eat can be long and stressful. But a Tufts nutrition expert says parents can help broaden the foods their kids will eat -- by training their taste buds. >>>

A Diet Of Mixed Messages

[08.01.01] -- Studies now show half of all Americans are overweight and one in five is obese -- twice as many as in 1960. Despite explosive growth in the "diet" industry, Americans are not getting thinner or healthier. The problem, says a leading Tufts nutrition expert, is that many Americans are being raised on a diet of mixed messages and unhealthy "health foods." >>>

Suffering From Exposure

[07.16.01] -- For years, their land supplied the essential raw materials needed to build the nation's nuclear weapons and power plants. While the Navajo community of Monument Valley, Utah, doesn't mine uranium for the government anymore, their lives continue to be closely bound to the highly radioactive materials as scientists uncover the damage caused by years of exposure. >>>

Future Of Global Medicine

[07.10.01] -- While he's still in training for his medical degree, few doctors around the world can match Matthew LeMaitre's experience. At just 33 years old, he's already taught English in a Siberian town, sold real estate to western businessmen in Moscow and built Avon's Cosmetics' Russian operation from scratch. Now, LeMaitre is training to add a few more skills to his already impressive resume -- physician and diplomat. >>>   

Getting Enough Water?

[06.28.01] -- As the summer heats up around the country, many Americans beat a well-worn path to the water cooler to avoid dehydration. But are all those trips necessary? While the basic rule of thumb suggests drinking six to eight glasses every day to stay safe, some experts say not everyone needs to fill up with so much water. >>> 

Is Vitamin C Dangerous?

[06.25.01] --Millions of Americans take vitamin C to protect their body's cells from cancer, spending $500 million every year on the supplement. But new research seems to indicate that the popular vitamin could actually cause cancer in the cells it's taken to protect. Should consumers be cautious? >>> 

Helping Kids Smile

[07.23.01] -- Fifteen years after a nuclear explosion rocked the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Ukraine, spreading 190 tons of highly radioactive material across the Russian landscape, the residents of the region continue to suffer from the disaster. They face long-term medical, economic and social problems, but the families of Chernobyl have found a reason to smile. Medical experts from Tufts and its affiliate teaching hospitals have teamed up with a Boston non-profit to provide free dental and medical care to children from the region. >>>

Disarming The "Magic Bullet"

[06.18.01] --As health-conscious foods continue to grow in popularity, many companies are looking for new ways to capitalize on the lucrative trend. TIME Magazine reports an increase in a whole host of products that claim to provide specific nutritional benefits in just the last year -- from breakfast cereals to herbal teas. But two Tufts experts caution consumers that the "cure-all" claims may send the wrong message, leaving consumers in worse shape as a result. >>> 

Unsurpassed Global Impact!

[06.21.01] --The top-quality work of Tufts' faculty, researchers and scientists has secured the University a spot among the world's most influential research institutions, reports one of London's leading newspapers. In an exclusive study of the research conducted at universities around the world, London's Guardian reports " Tufts University tops the world rankings" for the global impact of its social science research, beating out institutions from the U.K., Germany, Canada and the U.S. >>>

Changing Face Of Diplomacy

[07.25.01] -- As issues like trade, the environment and labor standards continue to reshape the field of international relations, some of the country's top training grounds for diplomats and public servants have been feeling the effects. While their focus on preparing global leaders has remained the same for decades, their student populations have changed a great deal. Instead of filling their classrooms with mostly American students, leading international relations schools like Tufts' Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy are enrolling huge numbers of international students. >>> 

Training New Diplomats

[06.14.01] -- International diplomacy is changing. So is online education. And Tufts' Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy is the first to combine the two in an innovative program designed to train "new diplomats" while they keep their jobs in the field. >>> 

Engineering A Pot Roast

[07.11.01] --While the classroom is used to teach fundamental engineering principles, you aren't likely to stumble across many typical scientific instruments. In Ioannis Miaoulis' popular freshman engineering course, students exchange their text books for pot roasts as they study everything from thermodynamics to semiconductors. >>> 

A New helping Hand

[08.22.01] -- While thousands of patients have been treated at the Lakes Region General Hospital's dental center, the waiting list for care can be over a year in length. But a new partnership with Tufts' School of Dental Medicine may change that, as students will travel to New Hampshire to help treat the hospital's low income patients. >>> 

Colleges Go Back To School

[07.23.01] -- As technology creeps into classrooms around the country, many local schools are looking for new ways to adapt their facilities and curriculum to meet the challenges of teaching in the information age. For three years, Tufts and its neighboring community of Malden have been working together on a unique program to do just that. The partnership, say its creators, is changing the way teachers teach and students learn. >>> 

Entering Hallowed Halls

[06.08.01] -- Throughout his career in higher education, Tufts University's 11th President, John DiBiaggio, has been dedicated to educating scholar-athletes. And his success at Tufts -- where nearly a dozen athletes are named Academic All Americans each year -- and throughout his career, has been gaining national and international attention. Later this month, DiBiaggio will receive yet another honor for his work, when he will be the first person inducted into the International Scholar-Athlete Hall of Fame for his work as an educator. >>> 

A Call For Conservation

[06.01.01] -- Offering the expertise of some of the best scientists in the world, 42 university and college presidents, led by Tufts' John DiBiaggio, called on the White House to rethink its energy policy. In a letter sent to President George Bush this week, DiBiaggio and his colleagues wrote that future U.S. energy supplies must rely on conservation, not traditional fossil fuels. >>> 

Inspiring Political Change

[08.13.01] -- On paper, the future of our political system could look grim. Statistics show that political participation among young people is on the decline as college-aged students opt for community volunteering instead of voter registration drives and political rallies. And growing salaries in the private sector has turned off many college grads to the idea of working in government. But a trio of students at Tufts has created an organization they believe will turn the statistics and the system around -- reviving political interest among young people and inspiring their peers to embrace careers in public service. >>> 

Top Of Their Class

[06.04.01] -- As the academic year comes to a close at high schools around the state, The Boston Globe highlighted the careers of 10 outstanding students who not only excelled in the classroom, but also made an impact on their communities. This year's list, published on Sunday, contains three incoming Tufts freshmen, making the University the only institution represented by more than one student. >>> 

No Small Feat!

[08.15.01] -- Since its creation more than 115 years ago, the consulting firm of Arthur D. Little has built a long history of innovation. The first synthetic penicillin, the equipment to turn seawater into freshwater and the technology to convert fossil fuels into clean burning energy sources were all developed with the company's expertise. This week, the firm took another important step towards expanding that tradition of success, appointing a Tufts grad as its new CEO and charging her with leading the company into the 21st century. >>> 

Pepsi Gets Caffeine Boost

[08.02.01] -- While it fueled the growth of international corporate powerhouses like Coke and Pepsi, soda has been losing its fizz with consumers. A rapidly growing selection of teas, bottled waters and sports drinks has been filling shelves and ringing cash registers around the country, giving soft drink makers a run for their money. But thanks to John Bello's innovative SoBe Beverage Company, Pepsi has something new to cheer about -- increased sales. >>> 

Alum Takes Helm At Navy

[07.30.01] -- Last week, Navy officials swore in Susan Morrisey Livingstone as the nation's 29th Undersecretary of the Navy, making the graduate of Tufts' Fletcher School the second most powerful person in the 226-year-old organization. The 30-year veteran of government and civic service has an impressive record of accomplishments, which is expected to be put to the test almost immediately by a host of pressing issues -- including the Navy's future on the Vieques bombing range in Puerto Rico. >>> 

The Nominations Are In...

[07.18.01] -- When the new television season began last September, Tufts graduates had a hand in over 80 shows on the air, including at least one new program on every major network. Their outstanding work during the season didn't go unnoticed as the industry announced nominations for this year's Emmy awards -- roughly one in every eight nominations was due, in part, to the work of a Tufts alum. In total, Tufts graduates helped secure 49 nominations in 33 areas, including nine of the top 10 categories. >>> 

Etching A Unique Path

[07.26.01] -- Matt Carson's sketches cover everything from still lifes and self-portraits to detailed drawings of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Chrysler Building. His subjects may be familiar but Carson's technique is anything but typical. The Tufts grad never uses pens, paints, brushes or even a canvas -- every sketch is painstakingly created with a vintage Etch A Sketch ®. >>> 

Alum's Vision Saves Sight

[07.12.01] -- Often described as the "silent disease," glaucoma has quietly destroyed the sight of 50 million people worldwide. The leading cause of preventable blindness in Americans over 50, the disease responds to few treatments. But a new laser procedure developed by an internationally renowned Tufts graduate may provide the best hope yet for managing the disease and saving patients' vision. >>> 

A Cut Above The Rest

[07.09.01] --When Reed Krakoff was named creative director at Coach Leather in 1998, he was tapped to invigorate the company's image and product lines by bringing a fresh perspective to its handbags and accessories. A couple years later, Krakoff's work has not only helped Coach reinvent itself, but has also earned him one of Fashion's top honors -- Accessory Designer of the Year. >>> 

Alum, Nation Share Birthday

[07.05.01] -- Malcolm Toon shares two things in common with the country he served for over three decades -- a dedication to international diplomacy and his birthday. And, as the country celebrates it's independence, the U.S. Congress is paying tribute to both -- honoring the Tufts graduate's accomplished career in the Foreign Service while marking the birthday he shares with the nation. >>> 
Three Tufts undergraduates were included in a Boston Globe photo essay from the July 4th celebration -- view the photo by Clicking Here >>>.

Power Of Sports Diplomcy

[06.25.01] --While at Tufts' Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 1981, Dan Doyle wrote his thesis on the use of sports to foster international diplomacy. Two decades later, Doyle is bringing together 2,000 kids from 150 countries to compete in the third World Scholar-Athlete Games this week -- demonstrating once again that his vision at Fletcher continues to be an innovative blueprint for success. >>> 

Flying High

[05.30.01] -- When NASA needed a natural leader and national hero during one of the most difficult periods in the agency's history, it turned to Rick Hauck. He seemed the like the natural choice -- during three historic space flights in the 1980s, the Tufts graduate racked up hundreds of hours in space and built a reputation for intelligence, ambition and courage. This week, he added one more accolade to his already impressive career -- selection to the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. >>> 

The Ultimate Athlete

[08.20.01] -- With top collegiate and national honors already under her belt, Johanna Neumann has set her sights on her sport's international crown. The Tufts grad -- who is one of the most talented members of the U.S. Ultimate Frisbee Team -- is in Japan this week to play for a gold medal at the World Games. >>> 

Let The Games Begin

[07.19.01] -- Second on Tufts' all-time wins list, coach Janice Savitz has proven she has the skills needed to rack up victories on the basketball court. Following two of her best seasons at Tufts, Savitz is hoping to continue her record of success on an international level as head coach of the U.S. Women's Basketball Team at the 2001 Maccabiah Games. The third-largest international sporting even in the world, the 2001 Games feature 3,000 athletes from nearly 50 countries across the globe. >>> 

Alum Wins Bronze

[06.27.01] --Jennifer Toomey started running after college when a co-worker bet the 1994 Tufts grad that he could beat her in the Boston Marathon. She accepted the challenge and won. Little did she know that the victory would be the first in a series that would lead her all the way to the Track and Field World Championships scheduled in Edmonton, Canada this August. >>> 

Alum Eyes America's Cup

[06.22.01] --The longest-contested trophy in international sports, the America's Cup is often called sailing's "most glamorous prize," pitting the best sailors in the world against each other for a month-long competition. Though it won't be awarded again until February of 2003, 1995 Tufts graduate Mark Mendelblatt is already focused on securing his place in history by taking home the Cup, considered by many to be the most revered prize in the world of international sailing. >>> 

What's Growing On The Farm?

[08.23.01] -- While salmonella may be more widely recognized by the public, it's not the most common kind of food poisoning -- nearly 2 million people get campylobacteria infections each year, often from eating chicken. It used to be easy to treat, but a Tufts expert says the daily use of antibiotics for chickens and other farm animals has made the bacteria that cause the infection resistant. >>>

Are Those Kids Clothes?

[08.10.01] -- From bell bottoms to Madonna-inspired outfits, clothing has been a source of conflict between parents and their children for decades. But parents aren't the only ones scrutinizing the latest "back to school" fashions to hit store racks this summer -- a Tufts child development expert says the "skimpier" clothes could be putting kids at risk. >>> 

Restoring His Father's History

[08.09.01] -- An underground freedom fighter in the Czech Republic, Josef Hurka was erased from the history of his country by the Communist controlled Czech government in the late 1940s. Nearly 60 years later, Hurka's son Joseph completed a critically acclaimed memoir of Josef's life that not only told his story, but reclaimed his place in Czech history. >>> 

Dog Days Of Summer

[08.06.01] -- A blistering heat wave continues to blanket most of the country this week, raising concerns that the temperatures will continue to claim lives throughout the U.S.. Chicago already reported 21 fatalities from the heat this year, and a football player for the Minnesota Vikings collapsed and died on the practice field last week. But people aren't the only ones in danger during the "dog days of summer," says a Tufts veterinary expert. Their pets are too. >>> 

Top Pet: Cats or Dogs?

[07.09.01] -- Americans poured into movie theatres around the country this weekend to watch a pack of animated cats and dogs battle for the honor of humans' favorite pet, making the Warner Brothers film "Cats and Dogs" the top-rated movie in America. While the on-screen battle was pure fiction, the debate over dogs versus cats wasn't far from the minds of many viewers as they left the theatres. So which pet reigns supreme? The Kansas City Star asked Tufts veterinarian Nick Dodman for the answer. >>> 

Peace, Not Party Politics

[07.06.01] --This week, another round of shootings and bombings topped the news from the Middle East, as the newly instituted cease fire between Israelis and Palestinians collapsed. Again, the Bush administration was forced to become a broker in the region, leaving many in the U.S. to wonder about America's role in the Middle East. While the latest breakdown in the peace process offers an opportunity for Democrats to criticize the President's policy in the region, a former Democratic leader and Tufts graduate says such party politics are a mistake. >>> 

Affordable Housing Crunch

[06.28.01] -- In cities around the country, lawmakers are dealing with an impending crisis -- climbing rents and already tight housing markets have left many cities with a severe shortage of affordable housing. From Los Angeles to Hartford, city officials have been crafting new plans to infuse more low-cost apartments into their cities. But many experts aren't sure the plans will solve the long-term problems. >>> 

New Era For Executions?

[06.12.01] -- Prior to Monday morning, the federal government hadn't used the death penalty in almost four decades, leaving individual states to decide on their own. But a Tufts expert says yesterday's execution of Timothy McVeigh -- the convicted bomber of the Oklahoma City Federal Building -- and a second federal execution scheduled for June 19th, may indicate that capital punishment is making a return to the federal judicial system. >>> 

Placebo's Power Dissolving