Week Ending August 13 2004 - Synopsis number 610

University of Dundee News

Our man hunting for scientific talent
A renowned cancer specialist is to become Scotland's first ambassador overseas with the task of attracting fresh young talent to the country, it was announced yesterday. Professor Sir David Lane will use a two-year scientific posting in Singapore to encourage people to consider living and working in Scotland.
The Herald 13.08.04

Attracting talent - and then keeping it here
As above
The Scotsman 13.08.04

McConnell accused of 'Lewis Carroll logic' in talent envoy appointment
As above
The Scotsman 13.08.04

McConnell in talent drive 'muddle
As above
The Scotsman 13.08.04

Cancer expert to become Scotland's talent ambassador
As above
Press & Journal 13.08.04

Cancer expert to be talent envoy
As above
The Courier 13.08.04

'Ambassador' role for Dundee expert
As above
Evening Telegraph 12.08.04

From Welding to Law
Billy Watt, an apprentice welder-turned-law-student, is living proof that aptitude testing can spot those with academic potential who, whatever reason, fail to pass exams at school. Mr Watt has just finished the second year of a law degree at Dundee University.
THES 13.08.04

Police 24-hour guard at quarry to be searched for Renee MacRae
Police are keeping a 24-hour guard on the Highland quarry where detectives believe the remains of Renee MacRae and her son might be buried. Northern Constabulary is now expected to bring in forensic experts Professor Sue Black from Dundee University and Professor John Hunter from Birmingham University, a week on Monday.
Press & Journal 13.08.04

Best from biotech industry join for key event
Movers and shakers from Dundee's biotech sector were in the city yesterday for the annual Biodundee barbecue.
The Courier 13.08.04

Student's unusual charity venture
Dundee University medical student Joe Symonds brought together his two favourite interests, cycling and playing the euphonium, when he planned his fund raising effort for research into heart disease - he decided to pedal the length of the country and give concerts along the way.
The Courier 12.08.04

Joe puts brakes on journey for Dundee show
As above
Press & Journal 12.08.04

200 at surprise party to bid David fond farewell
A surprise retirement party was held for the Associate Dean of Dundee University's School of Nursing and Midwifery yesterday afternoon.
The Courier 12.08.04

Rush on universities as exam results arrive
The phones were ringing at Dundee's two universities within minutes of exam results landing on door-mats yesterday. A spokesperson for Dundee University said there had been a steady stream of inquiries all day by telephone, email and the university website form.
The Courier 11.08.04

Old hospital birth records invaluable
Tens of thousand of old Dundee medical records could unlock the secrets of why some people develop illness and disease and others don't. "One opportunity would be to work with the people of Dundee who, in the past have shown fantastic willingness and enthusiasm to support medical research in Tayside," said Professor Andrew Morris, a diabetes specialist instrumental in exploiting information technology to improve patient care in Tayside.
The Courier 11.08.04

Honours for crop scientist
Professor Karl Oparka, of the Scottish Crop Research Institute at Invergowrie, has been made an honorary professor at Dundee University and a visiting professor at Oxford Brookes University.
The Courier 11.08.04

One delivery - but no problems expected
No problems are anticipated by Royal Mail or the Scottish Qualifications Authority in delivering exam results to thousands of secondary school pupils this morning. Dundee University has braced itself for a barrage of inquiries. Gordon Craig, director of admissions and student recruitment said, "We will have a team of students manning a helpline from 8am to 9pm to deal with enquiries about a place at Dundee University"
The Courier 10.08.04

No delays expected in exam results
As above
Evening Telegraph 09.08.04

Murder probe role for Kosovo graves scientist
Dundee University forensic scientist Professor Sue Black is playing a major role in an investigation into one of Scotland's most intriguing murder mysteries.
The Courier 10.08.04

Police chief vows to find bodies and killer
As above
Press & Journal 10.08.04

Intensive search to begin at quarry
As above
Press & Journal 10.08.04

Work begins on the quarry search that could solve the mystery of Renee MacRae
As above
The Herald 10.08.04

'I believe I was within feet of Renee MacRae's body when they stopped us from searching'
As above
The Scotsman 10.08.04

Major Role for Dundee Forensic scientist
As above
Evening Telegraph 09.08.04

Pupils enjoy early start
Thirty-five pupils from across the city have given up the last days of their break to take part in a week-long Stem (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Summer School at Dundee University.
Evening Telegraph 09.08.04

Dundee's 'brain gain'
The Monday interview - Professor Alan Fairlamb, head of the division of biological chemistry and molecular microbiology at Dundee University.
The Courier 09.08.04

It sounded like an express train and hit us like a missile
Battered by the storm: a satellite picture showing how the dying Hurricane Alex turned into a full-scale gale, ensnaring the Pink Lady just as she was heading for home. The satellite picture is provided by University of Dundee.
The Times 09.08.04

Warning over 'alcohol through eye' craze
Doctors yesterday warned against a new craze of taking alcohol through an eye socket. Dr Peter Rice, senior lecturer for the abuse of drink and drugs at the University of Dundee, warned: "Alcohol is an irritant to eyes and together with the other constituents of the drink it is likely to cause considerable damage to the eyes."
The Scotsman 09.08.04

Iceland offers students unusual summer trip
At this time of year most people are dreaming of a month in the sun but for a group of Dundee University students an unusual destination beckons - Iceland.
The Courier 09.08.04

Dundee researchers head off for trip to Land of the Midnight Sun
As above
Press & Journal 09.08.04

Police to search quarry in move to resolve MacRae murder mystery
Professor Sue Black, who headed the British forensic team in Kosovo for the International War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague and was honoured for her forensic work in the grim mass war graves, has been called in to help and has drawn up the search procedure for police with the help of a colleague.
The Herald 09.08.04

Medi-Scot in good health
Online services firm see first aid as first step to bigger things. The MobiMedic first aid guide was originally developed by Dynamo Computing Solutions, an IT company set up by three graduates from the University of Dundee.
The Herald 09.08.04

Tayside's biotechs must brave the brain drain
The chicken and burgers will be sizzling at the BioDundee barbecue on Thursday. And the gossip at the city's Botanic Gardens. where Dundee's bio-sciences community will gather for its summer get-together, will be just as animated.
Sunday Times 08.08.04

University of Dundee Radio, TV & online

Herbal Remedy No Better Than Placebo for Hay Fever
Researchers report that an herbal remedy sometimes used to treat seasonal allergies performed no better than a sugar pill in a new study. Lead author Dr. Brian J. Lipworth of the University of Dundee in Scotland told Reuters Health that his team found earlier this year that the herb was more effective than placebo and as effective as the allergy drug Allegra (fexofenadine) at treating year-round allergic rhinitis.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=5973376 13.08.04

Herbal Remedy No Better Than Placebo for Hay Fever
As above
http://story.news.yahoo.com/ 13.08.04

Cancer expert excited to work in S'pore
Sir David, 52, the new executive director of the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), said he is excited about the move, and the prospect of working at the biomedical centre Biopolis in Buona Vista.
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/techscience/story/ 13.08.04

Cancer expert seeks Fresh Talent
A leading cancer specialist has been appointed as Scotland's first Fresh Talent ambassador as he prepares to take up a new post in Singapore. Sir David Lane has been asked to persuade talented young people to come and work in Scotland during his two-year sabbatical from Dundee University.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/3557702.stm 12.08.04

First Minister appoints 'Talent ambassador'
As above
http://scotlandtoday.scottishtv.co.uk/content/ 12.08.04

'fresh talent' ambassador appointed
As above
Grampian TV 12.08.04

'fresh talent' ambassador appointed
As above
BBC Scotland news 12.08.04

Yobs to be forced to work for nothing
As above
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=930062004 12.08.04

Forceps delivery
Deirdre Murphy talks to Jenny Murray on Radio 4 Women's Hour about forceps delivery and research we have been doing in this area in Dundee.
Radio 4 Women's Hour 11.08.04

Storm over city bypass - Ministers go to court
The Scottish Executive is about to go to court to allow controversial work on Aberdeen's bypass that could literally split a special-needs community in two. Meanwhile, an independent adviser has been appointed to assess the likely impact of the road on the community's residents. Professor James Hogg, of Dundee University, is a chartered psychologist and research professor specialising in developmental disabilities.
http://www.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk/ 11.08.04

Asthma Rescue Not So Good After Combo Inhaler Use
People with asthma who regularly use long-acting beta agonist inhalers may find that they have a delayed response when they need to use a short-acting "rescue" inhaler for asthma flare-ups, a UK study shows. "Clinicians prescribing these combination inhalers need to warn their patients that they may need to use more salbutamol if they have an acute attack," study leader Dr. Brian J Lipworth from the University of Dundee, Scotland, told Reuters Health.
http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=5926466§ion=news 10.08.04

Asthma Rescue Not So Good After Combo Inhaler Use
As above
http://story.news.yahoo.com/ 10.08.04

Options for university hopefuls
Students who do not get the results they were hoping for at A-level or in their Highers are being reminded they may still get a place on a university course. Using the clearing system, he found Dundee University had places free for the very subject he wanted to read: Applied Computing.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/3527616.stm 10.08.04

Highland quarry search may end the mystery of mother and son who vanished 28 years ago
The search will be led by Professor Sue Black OBE, of Dundee University, who investigated war crimes in Kosovo and has had a fascination with the MacRae case since she was a schoolgirl, and John Hunter, of Birmingham University, a leading UK expert who helped in the hunt for victims of the Moors Murderers.
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/crime/story.jsp?story=549841 10.08.04

Police Chief vows to find bodies and killer
As above
http://www.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk/ 10.08.04

Money isn't the issue, justice is... We'll keep on until we catch killer
As above
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/ 10.08.04

University of Abertay

'Shared knowledge is power'
Professor Bernard King of Abertay University said Mr McConnell's fresh talent initiative was important because it would provide a "huge boost" to Abertay's success in attracting and retaining talented young people from overseas.
The Courier 13.08.04

Reception for African delegates
African University leaders, who are in Dundee for the 5th Commonwealth of Learning conference, were officially welcomed last night by the Lord Provost John Letford at a civic reception to mark the delegates' one-week stay in the city.
The Courier 11.08.04

African academics in city
African University leaders gathered in Dundee yesterday for a conference on problems facing their institutions.
The Courier 10.08.04

University of St Andrews

The 'David Beckham of his day'
During research for a book on the history of sport in ancient Greece, Dr Jason Konig of St Andrews University has shed new light on a little-known athlete called Marcus Aurelius Asklepiades.
The Courier 12.08.04

National News

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