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Author: Anthony Adragna

Madson staff urge students vaccinations

The University of Wisconsin at Madison (UW-Madison) has begun a campaign to ensure all students are properly vaccinated against the measles after a recent outbreak in the community. Four came down with the measles over the past month and the news prompted officials to call for complete vaccinations for all members of the school community, citing the dangers of the illness.

"Measles is one of the scariest, most contagious diseases known to man," said UW-Madison Associate Professor of Pediatrics James Conway.

Symptoms of the illness include fever, rash and pinkeye, and, in severe cases, pneumonia. In rare cases brain damage and death can also occur. Some infected people may have flu-like symptoms for over a week before realizing they have the disease. Although the vaccination is not completely perfect at preventing the disease, success rates of up to 99 percent have been reported.

"People forget about measles because they think we've wiped it out," said University Health Services (UHS) epidemiologist Craig Roberts. "If I was one of those people who didn't receive a vaccine as a child, I'd march over to UHS to get the vaccine."
-The Daily Cardinal


Georgia Tech accuses ex-professors of fraud

Two University of Minnesota health professors have come under investigation by the Georgia attorney general's office for allegedly collecting payment from both the university and their former empoyer, Georgia Tech University.

The two professors, Francois Sainfort and his wife, Julie Jacko, are suspected of fraud and theft for double-billing their time at Georgia Tech and falsifying travel reimbursement documents. Initial investigations by Georgia Tech has pinpointed about $100,000 in questionable activity, according to a statement.

Sainfort is currently serving as the head of the Division of Health Policy and Management in the university's School of Public Health, while Jacko is serving as the director of the Institute for Health Informatics in the university's School of Nursing.

Sainfort and Jacko's attorney claimed that they were "completely bewildered and shocked by Georgia Tech's actions."
- Uwire.com


Rescue workers save student after river stunt

Rescue workers in Keene, N.H. rescued a Keene State student after his attempt to go over a dam in an inflatable pool.

Firefighters took to the water to rescue the man after the attempt failed and he plunged into the 40-degree water. They also stopped to rescue a woman who jumped into the water in an attempt to save him. The student was in critical condition following the stunt.

"He went over the dam, got caught in the turbulent water and was clinging to the pool," said Deputy Fire Chief Mark Boynton. "When you get in (the swirling current), you can't get out."

Two men initially started in the pool but one bailed out before entering the treacherous stretch. Boynton said that the area is very dangerrous this time of year.

"That's what leads you to being deceived," Boynton said. "With all that water going over, it's just moving in circular motion that you can't get out of."
-The Boston Globe