MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2005
▼ HEALTH
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Professor finds West Nile vaccine
BY ZAK BEASLEY
editor@kansan.com
KANSAN CORRESPONDENT
Scientists at the University of Kansas have created a new method for treating cases of West Nile.
Vladimir Yamshchikov, associate professor of microbiology, found that mixing vaccines from similar diseases made an effective vaccine against West Nile.
West Nile is a mosquito-transmitted disease that causes encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. It is characterized by flu-like symptoms, which last just a few days. Symptoms normally show up within two weeks of the bite.
The elderly and those with weak immune systems are more likely to contract the disease. Less than 1 percent of people who contract West Nile develop serious symptoms. Most people don't even know that they are infected.
Yamshchikov and his staff performed the experiment by injecting themselves with vaccines from yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis and then compared their blood against the blood of a student who had recovered from West Nile.
"Our thinking was simple, if we combine two vaccines that are known to be extremely successful, we should be able to strengthen our immune systems," Yamshchikov said.
Yamshchikov performed his experiment in August and his findings were published on Sept. 15 in "Vaccine," a peer-edited journal for medical and biological scientists.
Besides developing strong antibodies to yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis, Yamshchikov also noticed that each blood sample contained certain antibodies that were also found in the West Nile patient. If used appropriately, the treatment could last for four years.
Although Yamshchikov's technique is effective, don't expect hospitals to recommend it any time soon.
"It takes a long time for something
West Nile virus was discovered in 1937 in the West Nile District of Uganda.
WEST NILE BASICS
History
Symptoms
- Most people infected with West Nile do not develop symptoms.
+ One-fifth of people who are infected with the virus develop West Nile Fever. Symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, body aches, possible skin rash and swollen lymph glands.
Less than 1 percent of people infected develop severe West Nile disease, which includes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord membrane.
$\textcircled{+}$ There is currently no treatment for the virus. People who develop severe West Nile disease need to be hospitalized.
like this to get approved by the CDC. There're lots of hurdles you have to go through before it's approved," said Sharon Watson, communications director for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The University is one of many U.S. institutions researching new ways to fight the virus, Watson said.
Treatment
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
While students can get yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis vaccines at Watkins Health Memorial center, Yamshchikov wouldn't recommend the shots to healthy students.
"It's just too expensive," Yamshikov said. "To get both yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis shots would cost students about $500."
Yamshchikov said he would only recommend shot to those who had weak immune systems. For the best everyday protection, the KDHE simply recommends bug spray.
Lending a hand
— Edited by Katie Lohrenz
Kim Andrews/KANSAN
Justin Stein, Lawrence junior, screws together planks of a handicap ramp for 89-year-old Lawrence resident Fayle Talley on Friday. Building the ramp is part of Push America, Pi Kappa Phila philanthropy project. The goal for Push America is to increase understanding and awareness of daily challenges for people with disabilities. Stein and his fraternity brothers met Talley through the Independent Living Center, which provides services for disabled people in Lawrence and the surrounding area. The construction took place Friday from about 10 a.m. until about 4 p.m.
Journalism professor wins HOPE award
CAMPUS
Charles Marsh, associate professor in journalism, was awarded the HOPE Award between the first and second quarters of Saturday's football game against Nebraska. He was one of eight finalists for the award.
The HOPE award was established by students in 1959 to recognize outstanding teaching and concern for students.
Since then, each senior class has voted on the recipient of the honor.
Marsh was also the winner of the Kemper Award, a fellowship that awards $5,000 to educators who are recognized by their outstanding teaching.
The recipients are determined by a seven-member committee made up of faculty and staff.
Read Tuesday's The University Daily Kansan for more on Marsh's accomplishment.
Kansan staff report
ON THE RECORD
A 42-year-old employer of Mid America Concessions reported to the KU Public Safety Office a theft of bottles of Coca-Cola products between 5 p.m. Oct. 25 and 11 a.m. Nov. 2 from Allen Fieldhouse. The bottles are valued at $411.
♦ An 18-year-old KU student reported to the KU Public Safety Office a theft of an Apple iBook laptop computer about 2:15 p.m. Oct. 31 from Murphy Hall. The iBook is valued at $1,000.
- A 58-year-old KU employee reported to the KU Public Safety Office a theft of $130.86 between 4:30 p.m. Oct. 31 and 11:30 a.m. Nov. 1 from Joseph R. Pearson Hall.
♦ A 22-year-old KU student reported to Lawrence police a burglary of a vehicle and a theft of a Lucky Goldstar cell phone between 1:15 and 11 a.m. Oct. 29 on the 1100 block of Tennessee Street. The cell phone is valued at $230.
♦ A 22-year-old KU student reported to Lawrence police a theft of a Giant bicycle between 6 p.m. Nov. 1 and 10:10 a.m. Nov. 2 from the 2100 block of Harvard Road. The bicycle is valued at $230.
ON CAMPUS
*Latin American Solidarity is holding a benefit dinner and presentation at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Simons Media Room at the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics. A South-American dinner will be served, followed by a presentation on the development of democracy in Guatemala by Dinorah Azpuru, former deputy director of the Department for North America at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala. Tickets for the dinner are $10, with proceeds going to disaster relief in Guatemala.
Anna Cienciola, doctor and KU professor emerita of history, is delivering a lecture and discussion called "Victory in Europe, May 1945: Different Interpretations by Russians, Poles and Baltic Peoples" from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday at 318 Bailey Hall. The event is part of the weekly Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies Brown Bag Discussion Series.
WORLD
U.S. launches attack on insurgents
BAGHDAD, Iraq — About 3,500 U.S. and Iraqi troops backed by jets launched a major attack against an insurgent-held town near the Syrian border, seeking to dislodge al-Qaida and its allies and seal off a main route for foreign fighters entering the country.
The U.S.-led force Saturday sporadically fought militants armed with rocket-propelled grenades, and two American service members were wounded, according to The New York Times.
The Associated Press
THIS WEEKON CAMPUS
Mentoring In the Lives of Kids is an after-school volunteer program that works with 8 different elementary and junior high schools
*For only one hour a week, volunteers can tutor, be in a class, or work one-on-one with local students.
*Times are 3:30-5:00 MTRF,
1:30-5 W
The sky's the limit!
*Also currently looking for a publicity co-ordinato
*Volunteering hours and locations are very flexible. Feel free to bring your own activities and ideas to your school site.
Contact milk@raven.cc.ku.edu or (785) 864-4072; SILC offices 410 Kansas Union
KU for Uganda
After the film,2005 KU graduate Erin Larive will speak about her experiences in the Ugandan war zone this summer and about how KU students can get involved in finding a peaceful solution to the conflict.
is showing the film Invisible Children at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 12 in Woodruff Auditorium.
November 7,2005
PAID FOR BY KU
Music Mentors (CCO Program) KU Student mentors provide free private lessons in musical instruments and vocal training to elementary and junior high students attending lower socio-economic schools.
Mentoring sessions take place every Monday through Thursday at 3pm at Central, West, & South Junior Highs. For more info, go to www.ku.edu/~mmentors or e-mail us at mmentors@ku.edu
Center for Community Outreach challenging. educating. empowering.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH 7:00PM @ THE ECM
PLEASE RSVP BY E-MAILING MICHELLE.KANSAS@GMAIL.COM
Student Senate has begun accepting applications for the following replacement senator positions:
- Graduate and Law Senator
- Freshman/Sophomore
- CLAS Senator
- Junior/Senior CLAS Senator
- Social Welfare Senator
Applications can be found in the Student Senate office in 410 Kansas Union and are due by 5:00 pm, Wed. November 9th.
If you have questions regarding your eligibility or the applications process, visit the website or contact us by phone. 785-864-3710