The No. 3 Washington University in St. Louis volleyball team earned an at-large berth to the 2009 NCAA Division III Championship, and the Bears will host the NCAA Central Regional Tournament, beginning today through Saturday at the WU Field House in St. Louis, Mo.
MoDOT urges Nixon to veto repeal of motorcycle helmet law
May 20, 2009 By
The Missouri Department of Transportation is urging Gov. Jay Nixon to veto Senate Bill 202, which would repeal Missouri’s motorcycle helmet law. All motorcycle riders and passengers are currently required by law to wear helmets. The Missouri General Assembly recently amended Missouri’s all-rider motorcycle helmet law, which has been sent to the governor for his consideration. The current law has been in effect for more than 40 years. MoDOT reports that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 42 additional lives were saved in Missouri in 2007 because of motorcycle helmet use. “By a nine to one ratio, Missourians know this simple fact: motorcycle helmets save lives,” MoDOT Director Pete Rahn said. “I urge Gov. Nixon to veto Senate Bill 202 and save precious lives.” Rahn says changing the motorcycle helmet law couldn’t come at a worse time – motorcycle crash deaths in Missouri are on the rise. In 2008, there was a 13 percent increase in motorcycle fatalities from 93 in 2007 to 107. In fact, even though traffic fatalities as a whole are down significantly in Missouri, motorcycle fatalities have nearly doubled since 2004. “Repeal of the helmet law will cause even more senseless loss of lives. A recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Study of 10 states found that when the helmet laws were repealed, helmet-use rates dropped from 99 percent to 50 percent and motorcycle fatalities increased significantly,” Rahn says. He was joined today at the Capitol Region Medical Center Emergency Room Entrance by opponents of the legislation: Dr. Jeffrey Coughenour, assistant professor of surgery with the University of Missouri Health Care; Dr. Greg Folkert with Washinton University School of Medicine, who lost his father at age 10 because of a motorcycle crash in which he was not wearing a helmet; and David Humphrey, a Fulton resident, who survived a serious crash while riding a motorcycle on Highway 54 a few years back. Humphrey says a helmet saved his life. 
“Nine to one. That’s the ratio by which Missourians support the state law requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets according to a new telephone survey,” says MoDOT Director Pete Rahn. “The survey revealed 84 percent of Missourians support the state’s current law requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets. Only nine percent opposed the helmet requirement. At the same time, 75 percent of those who have ridden a motorcycle in the past year support the law requiring helmet use.”
Pete Rahn talks about possible repeal of helmet law
Medical trial shows no mortality benefit for annual prostate cancer screening
March 18, 2009 By
Cancer researchers have completed a study which shows no early mortality benefit from annual prostate cancer screening.
Results of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial show that six years of annual screening for prostate cancer led to more diagnoses of prostate tumors but not to fewer deaths. Doctor Gerald Andriole, Chief Urologic Surgeon at the Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, was the study’s lead author and principal investigator.
Doctor Andriole says that while younger men might benefit from a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, those with limited life expectancy might not. He adds many older men might die with prostate cancer … not of prostate cancer … and aggressive treatment might not be needed.
The trial involved 76,693 men, who were randomly assigned to receive either annual PSA blood tests for six years and digital rectal exams for four years or routine care, which included physical checkups but no mandate for annual prostate cancer screening.
Deaths from prostate cancer did not differ significantly between the groups. Seven years after the start of the screening, there were 50 deaths from prostate cancer in the screening group and 44 deaths in the routine-care group.
VP candidates square off at Washington U.
October 3, 2008 By
It was a vice presidential debate that might have eclipsed the presidential face-offs because of the interest generated by one of the candidates – Republican Sarah Palin, the Governor of Alaska. Palin and Democrat Joe Biden of Delaware went at it toe to toe for 90 minutes, exchanging views and comments on such topics as the economy, the war in Iraq, national security, health care, and energy policy.
According to the dozens of spinners, who met with reporters following the debate, both candidates performed well in their presentations. But Democrats expressed confidence that Biden won the debate, while Republicans had no doubt Palin carried the day.
Heading into the debate, several Republicans had stated – some openly and others off the record – that they were concerned about the pressure being brought to bear on the Alaska Governor following what might be considered some less than positive reviews on the heels of a couple of national television interviews. Some of those Republican spinners made it clear, following the debate, that they were pleased with Palin’s performance. Some suggested she gave the Republicans a shot they would need.
Democrat spinners acknowledged Palin had a good night, but insisted Biden had done a better job of answering the questions and helping the Barack Obama candidacy.
This was the only vice presidential debate of this election. Two more presidential debates remain.
All eyes on Sarah Palin as Washington University hosts VP debate
October 1, 2008 By
The eyes of America’s political observers will be on Washington University in St. Louis tonight for the vice presidential debate between Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Sarah Palin.
For many Americans, this will the first chance to get an in-depth look at the Alaska Governor. And, heading into the debate, Republican officials say they’re excited about Palin and how she will perform.
Republican National Committee Deputy Chairman Frank Donatelli says Palin has been great for the campaign. Donatelli’s advice to Palin is to come across as herself, saying people can tell when a candidate is not being genuine. He adds Palin – like most politicians – will have a better opportunity to shine in an uncut debate than in an edited interview.
