February 6, 2008

KSU Helps Drought-Parched Small Businesses
Kennesaw State University recently hosted a seminar for drought-parched small businesses – such as nurseries, landscapers, marina shops and car washes – to learn about potential disaster assistance. More than 50 small business owners came to hear advice from professionals at KSU's Small Business Development Center and the U.S. Small Business Administration. More >

New Decontamination Method Kills Anthrax Fast
The Georgia Tech Research Institute has developed prototypes of a rapid and less expensive method to decontaminate bioterrorism hazards. Using X-rays and ultraviolet-C light simultaneously kills anthrax spores in two to three hours without lingering effects, even reaching hidden places like computer keyboards without damage. When anthrax contaminated news and U.S. senate offices in 2001, cleanup cost millions of dollars over several years. More >

Alcohol, Violence Linked for Pre-Teens
Pre-teens who drink alcohol are substantially more likely to be involved in violent behavior as adolescents and young adults, says new research from Georgia State University . Early alcohol use was strongly associated with dating violence and suicide attempts. Thirty-five percent of 7th graders in the study population had started using alcohol before age 13. More >

Better Childhood Nutrition Boosts Productivity
According to a new Emory University study, feeding very young children a high-energy, high-protein supplement leads to increased economic productivity in adulthood, especially for men. The research is the first to show that improving nutrition in early childhood leads to significantly higher incomes in adulthood. More >

Brenau-Brazil Connection
Brenau University and Gainesville State College recently hosted award-winning school principals from Brazil to learn about public and private schools in a visit sponsored by the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program. The exchange shared best practices in school leadership and administration, teacher development and community involvement. More >

Top 10 K-12 Issues
The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education's "Top Ten Issues to Watch" for 2008 includes teacher preparation, Georgia's demographic changes, the crisis of high school dropouts and the need to increase the rigor of high school. Download the full report (PDF) >


Morehouse Medicine Reaching Out to African Countries
Morehouse School of Medicine is helping establish a women and children's hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. MSM provided best practices and student intern staff for the hospital at the invitation of Delores Jordan, mother of basketball legend Michael Jordan and founder of the James R. Jordan Foundation. MSM's Global Health Task Force coordinates activities to incorporate global health into students' education and improve health outcomes in African countries. More >

Pandemic Planning and the Church
When it comes to pandemic planning and emergency preparedness, a word from the pulpit can be one of the best ways to help people be prepared rather than afraid. The Interdenominational Theological Center brought together health and faith leaders last week to share information and discuss their responsibility to be engaged as "first responders" along with firefighters, police and public health officials. In African American communities where the church is important to communication, black clergy play an important role during a public health emergency. Pandemic toolkit for faith-based organizations (PDF) > Former U.S. Surgeon General and Morehouse School of Medicine Professor David Satcher (left) spoke about the relationship between health disparities, pandemic influenza and emergency preparedness.

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Photo credits: Brenau University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Spelman College, University of Georgia, University of West Georgia.