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In the development of heart disease, ldl cholesterol isn't the only villain

New York, NY (July 9, 2003) -- A major educational conference in New York on July 10-13 -- the International Symposium on Triglycerides, Metabolic Disorders, and Cardiovascular Disease -- will show that it may not be enough simply to reduce LDL cholesterol (or "bad cholesterol") in the effort to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Each year, CHD kills more men and women in the United States than the next seven causes of death combined. But about half of the heart attacks each year strike people with low to normal cholesterol. Thus, factors other than high cholesterol must also contribute to CHD risk. The conference will elucidate a particular group of risk factors that have come to be known as the "metabolic syndrome." Dr. Antonio J. Gotto, Jr., M.D., the Dean of Weill Cornell Medical College and one of the world's foremost experts on cardiovascular disease, will open the conference and participate in satellite symposia.The metabolic syndrome represents a constellation of risk factors for coronary heart disease, comprising abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol (the "good cholesterol"), elevated blood pressure, and elevated glucose levels, among other factors. It is vitally important, as it increases a person's risk for developing CHD (e.g., a heart attack) and can also lead to diabetes. Persons with Type 2 diabetes have a twofold to fourfold greater risk for CHD. The increasing prevalence of obesity in Western societies, including the United States, has led to a growth in the number of people with the metabolic syndrome.

Tom Frantzen, who grows organic forage, will give keynote talk at second annual New York Organic Crops and Soils Field Day, Aug. 12

Tom Frantzen, an organic farmer from Alta Vista, Iowa, will provide the keynote address on how to grow organic forage crops, at the second annual New York Organic Crops and Soils Field Day, Aug. 12, at Cornell's New York State Agricultural Experiment Station.

Cornell dispute resolution group to share its mediator roster with the EEOC to help federal agency resolve its workplace disputes

A Cornell University group with a national roster of mediators skilled in dispute resolution will help the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) resolve any workplace disputes that might arise within its own agency. The EEOC is the federal agency governing equal opportunity in employment throughout the United States. As part of the new working relationship, the Alliance for Education in Dispute Resolution at Cornell will open to the EEOC its nationwide roster of expert mediators, all of whom received alliance training and are experienced in workplace discrimination and related employment issues. (July 9, 2003)

'Domestic Peace Corps' seeks local recruits, housing options, via Cornell's Public Service Center

The Cornell University Public Service Center currently is recruiting AmeriCorps*VISTA members to serve in the Ithaca community. AmeriCorps is a federally funded network of national service programs that engage 50,000 Americans each year. VISTA stands for Volunteers in Service to America and is often referred to as the "domestic Peace Corps." Since the early 1960s, the VISTA program has embedded volunteers for one-year terms within low-income communities to help address critical issues related to poverty. In 1993, VISTA formally joined the AmeriCorps network, and today nearly 6,000 AmeriCorps*VISTA members serve in hundreds of nonprofit organizations and public agencies throughout the United States -- working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, increase housing opportunities or help bridge the digital divide. (July 9, 2003)

Cornell names Joseph A. Burns as vice provost for physical sciences and engineering

Joseph A. Burns, the Irving Porter Church Professor of Engineering, Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, and professor of astronomy at Cornell University, has been named as the university's vice provost for physical sciences and engineering. Burns' role is to facilitate Cornell's research in the areas of physical science and engineering, especially at federally funded centers, and to advise on the university's research policies and priorities in those areas. In the appointment, which became effective July 1, Burns replaces John Silcox, who retains his post as the David E. Burr Professor of Engineering, Applied and Engineering Physics. (July 8, 2003)

Fidelity is key mate-preference factor for both sexes, Cornell students learn

Not looks or money but rather life-long fidelity is what most people seek in an ideal mate, according to a Cornell behavioral study that also confirmed the "likes-attract" theory: We tend to look for the same characteristics in others that we see in ourselves.

Cornell's Regenstein to discuss how humane slaughter issues may affect kosher and halal practices at Chicago food conferences July 11 and 16

The humane slaughter of agricultural animals has been improved in recent years due to consumer demands on fast-food chains and supermarkets, says Joe Regenstein, Cornell University professor of food science. Regenstein will discuss how these changes could affect the future of halal practices, the Islamic food laws, as part of his keynote address to the Fifth International Halal Food Conference, July 11, at the Palmer House in Chicago. (July 7, 2003)

Cornell President Jeffrey Lehman to strengthen university's outreach

ITHACA, N.Y. -- Cornell University President Jeffrey Lehman, who assumed office July 1, announced plans to strengthen the university's outreach in key strategic areas, including government affairs, community relations and…

City-grown air pollution is tougher on country trees

A tree grows in Brooklyn — despite big-city air pollutants. Meanwhile, identical trees planted downwind of city pollution grow only half as well — a surprising finding that ecologists in a Cornell University-based study, reported in the current issue of Nature.

Damon Runyon's continuing influence on TV, films and media celebrity coverage is subject of Cornell professor's new book

The writer and reporter Damon Runyon captured New York City's colorful lowlifes of the 1920s and '30s so indelibly that his legacy still lives on in American popular culture. So says Cornell University Professor of English Daniel Schwarz. His new book, Broadway Boogie Woogie: Damon Runyon and the Making of New York City Culture, was released this spring by Palgrave Macmillan and is now in bookstores. (June 30, 2003)

Community Development Society holds conference at Cornell, July 20-23

Aiming to help resolve economic development, community health and other local issues, the Community Development Society, a national organization for community development professionals, will hold its 35th annual conference at Cornell University, July 20-23. The conference will feature a July 21 keynote address by the Rev. Calvin O. Butts III, pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York City and president of The College at Old Westbury, Long Island. Butts will speak at 9 a.m. in the David L. Call Auditorium of Kennedy Hall. (June 30, 2003)

Cornell Police warns motorists: 'You Drink & Drive. You Lose'

With more people than ever expected to travel on America's highways during the long July 4th weekend, this week could be one of the deadliest periods ever for impaired driving fatalities.