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University of Miami participates in Diabetes Awareness Month

University of Miami physicians are participating in several events for Diabetes Awareness Month.

Dr. Jay Skyler, professor at UM’s Diabetes Research Institute, is the chairman of TrialNet. The global network is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and studies prevention, detects and treats Type 1 Diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes occurs when an individual fails to produce insulin. Type 2 Diabetes, which accounts for the majority of American cases, occurs when the body is unable to use insulin correctly.

“[The research] will affect not only UM students, but the whole population if we’re successful,” Skyler said. “We’re trying to prevent, modulate or reverse diabetes. It’s a growing disease which will affect probably one in 200 UM students at the current time.”

Diabetes afflicts 20.8 million Americans, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Skyler is also a committee chairperson of the Ninth International Congress of the Immunology of Diabetes Society and American Diabetes Association Research Symposium being hosted this week. Many UM physicians, nurses and diabetes prevention staff are attending the event.

Dr. Bresta Miranda-Palma, assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, is hosting an informational event today from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. at the Professional Development Training Office, room 155.

“There is a pandemic in diabetes worldwide,” Miranda-Palma said. “It’s important that people realize this is a problem that we have as a society, and that most of it is preventable through lifestyle and behavioral changes.”

Miranda-Palma added that, although she has not seen an increase in the number of UM students diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, it affects more young people each year.

“I haven’t seen an increase in UM students, but I’m sure they have relatives that have the disease,” Miranda-Palma said.

Elsewhere
Report card: U. Arizona receives ‘C+’ in sustainability

By Lindsey Howshaw
Arizona Daily Wildcat (U. Arizona)

(U-WIRE) TUCSON, Ariz. – If environmentalism was a class, and the University of Arizona were a student, the university’s current report card would be embarrassing.

The campus recently received a “C+” for environmental sustainability in the Sustainable Endowments Institute’s College Sustainability Report Card 2008.

“Whether it’s a ‘C+’ or a ‘B,’ it’s just not an ‘A,’ and there’s a lot we can do to move toward improvement,” said Sharon Megdal, director of the UA’s Water Resources Research Center.

The UA did best in transportation and investment priorities, receiving an “A” in both categories. Transportation for Facilities Management includes hybrid vehicles or vehicles using E85 ethanol fuel. The university offers carpooling discounts and manages high-security bike lanes and bike parking spaces.

The UA received a “C” on green building initiatives and a “C” on climate change and energy efforts, which include renewable energy investments like the solar panels on the Visitor Center.

“I’d say we should have the rating of either ‘A’ or ‘A-‘ for what we’ve done,” said Al Tarcola, Facilities Management director. “We have the largest thermal ice-storage plant in the United States right here. No campus in this country has the thermal ice-storage plant that we do.”

Despite the mediocre reviews, UA professors are proud of the work they’ve done in making the UA a more environmentally friendly campus.

“The university is planning to do a better job,” Megdal said. “I think we’re moving in the right direction.”

Etc.

On Saturday, Nov. 17, the Kaplan MCAT, GRE, GMAT and LSAT practice tests will be offered in the UC Ballrooms from 10 to 11 a.m. The practice tests will include detailed feedback regarding practice scores. Email Anthony.Coloca@kaplan.com to register.

The Ponce de Leon Garage will be closed from Nov. 22 to 25. All holders of valid UM parking permits may park in the Mahoney/Pearson Garage during this time.