Stories this week at WFU

WFU RESEARCHERS ASSIST WITH ‘PARADIGM BREAKING’ NITRITE STUDY— Scientists in the Wake Forest physics department have collaborated with researchers from the National Institutes of Health and the University of Alabama at Birmingham on a new study that shows that nitrite, a common salt found in the body, can open blood vessels and improve blood flow in parts of the body. “This study is paradigm breaking regarding the role of nitrite in expanding blood vessels. At the very least it holds promise as a new therapeutic agent for sickle cell anemia and other diseases that include pathophysiological blood flow.” The study will be published in the December issue of Nature Medicine. Contact: Jacob McConnico, mcconnjn@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.

INSIGHT INTO NOV. 8’s LUNAR ECLIPSE — Students in Associate Professor of Physics Eric Carlson’s astronomy class will join skywatchers across most of the Americas to view one of nature’s most fascinating spectacles Nov 8: a total eclipse of the moon. “Eclipses, especially lunar eclipses, played an important part in the development of science, and allowed ancient astronomers to deduce that the Earth was round centuries before Columbus,” says Carlson. Carlson is a particle physicist with a special interest in astronomy and the interplay between particle physics and the universe. He is available for interviews about the lunar eclipse, including discussion of how they occur, their historical importance, and the best ways to view and enjoy them. His class will hold a private viewing party from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Nov. 8 on Davis Field at Wake Forest. Contact: Sarah Mansell, manselss@wfu.edu or 336-758-4393; Eric Carlson, 336-758-4994 (o); 336-724-2008 (h) or ecarlson@wfu.edu.

“SHOOTING KENNEDY”: ART PROF’S NEW BOOK EXPLORES FAMOUS KENNEDY PHOTOS — Forty years after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, a new book by a Wake Forest art professor explores famous images of Kennedy and his family and their connections to American culture. David Lubin, Charlotte C. Weber Professor of Art at Wake Forest, is the author of “Shooting Kennedy: JFK and the Culture of Images.” “The Kennedy images derive their power in good measure from their ability to activate latent memories of other powerful images in the histories of art and popular culture,” Lubin says. He draws from Hollywood films, TV sitcoms, neoclassical painting, modern art and designer fashion to show how the public came to identify personally with the Kennedys. Contact: Cheryl Walker, walkercv@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.

MEN WHO TAKE FAMILY LEAVE VIEWED NEGATIVELY — Men who take time off for family are generally viewed more negatively in the workplace than women who take family leave, according to a recent study by Julie Holliday Wayne, an adjunct assistant professor of business. What the study suggests is that women get more latitude when they take family leave to care for a family member – including infants or an elderly parent – while men get the same consideration only when they take leave to care for a sick child, Wayne says. “Working fathers may have to choose between taking leave to care for family needs and being perceived negatively at work, or not taking care of family needs in order to avoid undue penalties at work.” Contact: Cheryl Walker, walkercv@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.

‘WORLD’S GREATEST HYPNOTIST’ COMES TO WAKE FOREST — The power of suggestion. That’s what renowned hypnotist Tom DeLuca says empowers people to access their untapped creative imaginations. Wake Forest will host his show, “The Greatest Hypnosis Show in the World,” Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. in Wait Chapel. DeLuca and his “hypnotism-imaginism” has been featured on “Good Morning America” and “Dateline NBC” as well as national magazines and is one of the “hippist” college entertainment shows in the nation. Fortune 500 companies and associations nationwide book his hypnosis show as well as his new stress-prevention workshop, “The Power Napping® Workshop for Less Stress.” Tickets are available at the door for $5. The chapel box office opens at 6 p.m., and doors open at 7 p.m. Contact: Pam Barrett, barretpm@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.

WAKE FOREST HONORS VETERANS PAST AND PRESENT — World War II veteran and Wake Forest professor emeritus of interdisciplinary studies, Robert M. Helm Jr., will honor veterans and speak at Wake Forest’s Veteran’s Day memorial event Nov. 11 at 11:30 a.m. at Perritt Plaza outside Benson University Center. All veterans in attendance will be recognized and presented with a small memento. Contact: News Service, 336-758-5237.

ABOVE THE BOARD: DISCUSSION ABOUT CORPORATE GOVERNANCE — Wake Forest’s Babcock Graduate School of Management will host a forum, “Keeping it Above Board: Corporate Governance, Compensation and Conflicts of Interest,” from 2-4:45 p.m. Nov. 13, in Room 1312 of the Worrell Professional Center. Panelists for the forum include Andrew Schindler, chairman and CEO, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings Inc.; Richard Blackburn, chief administrative officer, executive vice president and general counsel, Duke Energy; and moderator Chris William, senior executive consultant, Wachovia Securities, and executive producer/moderator of the southeast regional PBS series, “Carolina Business Review.” Following the forum, John Mackey, chairman and chief executive officer of Whole Foods Market, will deliver the Babcock Leadership Series lecture. A media section will be designated for registered media representatives. Contact: Dusty Donaldson, dusty.donaldson@mba.wfu.edu, 336-758-4454.

Categories: Arts & Culture, Events, Research, Speakers