News-Medical
Researchers receive NIH grant to develop more effective flu vaccines
To build better vaccines, scientists want to know more about how our bodies make adequate numbers of effective, durable antibodies against the influenza virus. They are looking at a key pathway in how immune cells, called B cells, see the virus, then become the plasma cells that make the antibodies that can destroy it, or at least keep it from infecting us. This ufmylation pathway is known to modify proteins and so cell function, and immunologist Dr. Nagendra Singh has evidence that it is key to our essential production of antibodies. A $2.25 million grant (1RO1AI155774-01) from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is helping Singh, associate professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, further, explore these molecular mechanisms behind protective plasma cells and the longevity of the influenza-specific antibodies they make.
Fox28
Georgia Southern University opens Engineering and Research Building on Statesboro campus
by Jamie Burton
A ribbon cutting ceremony, with a robot and people, celebrating the new engineering and research building opening at Georgia Sothern’s Statesboro campus. Students will start attending classes in the building Monday morning. This new space will now serve 2,000 engineering students who will learn and innovate within the building. “As we stand in the state of art 140,625 square foot learning center, complete with 21 research and manufacturing labs, classrooms and collaborations spaces,” said Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero. A building that was finished on time and within the budget with an additional 5,000 square feet from the original plan.
WGAU
Orientation, advisement today at UGA
Spring classes start Wednesday
By Tim Bryant
The University of Georgia’s spring semester classes are set to start this week, with the first day set for Wednesday: today is an orientation and advisement day at UGA.
From Khristina Gallagher, UGA Today…
When students arrive on the University of Georgia campus in 2021 to begin their spring semester, they will be greeted with enhanced technology and more opportunities for face-to-face instruction.
Growing Georgia
ABAC Moves Start Date of Spring Semester to January 25
To ensure a safe start and productive Spring term, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is moving the opening day of the spring semester to Jan. 25. ABAC President David Bridges said ABAC hopes to gain an advantage on the post-holiday COVID-19 surge by giving students, faculty, and staff more time to prepare for a safe beginning for the 2021 spring term.
11Alive
Why should you continue wearing a mask even after you’ve been vaccinated?
The COVID-19 vaccine may protect you, but you might still transmit the virus to others
Author: Jerry Carnes
The COVID-19 vaccine is providing a light at the end of the tunnel, but don’t throw that mask away just yet. Masks have become a part of our wardrobe. The arrival of a vaccine doesn’t change that. Not yet. “Even if you’ve been vaccinated, it’s safest to go ahead and continue to wear a mask,” said Dr. Ashley Hannings of the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy. It takes two shots and time for the vaccine to train our body on how to combat the virus. After that, your immune system knows how block the virus from latching onto cells and multiplying if you’re exposed to it. “You’re able to fight it off because you’ve had the exposure with the vaccine,” said Dr. Hannings. “But it’s not known whether or not you still might be able to transmit it to others.” In other words, you might not get sick, but the virus you’ve repelled might leave your body and move on to someone else. …Encountering these attitudes, teachers are wondering if the job is worth it. Surveys by Education Week chart declining morale as the pandemic persists.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Educator’s passion for kids leads to adding science to ice cream
By Kathryn Kickliter
Q: My son attended a birthday party that N7 Kream Lab hosted and has talked nonstop about it. Will you tell me about this business? A: N7 Kream Lab is a chemistry-themed liquid nitrogen ice cream pop-up that serves up the frozen treat coupled with some science. The merger is the brainchild of Kelli Bain, chemistry major and University System of Georgia educator.
WGXA
Gordon State College makes changes to spring semester due to COVID-19
by Claire Helm
Gordon State College officials announced Friday that the spring semester will not start until Monday, January 25. The start of the second semester was supposed to kick off on Wednesday, January 13, but this was changed due to COVID-19. Move-in day for students is now scheduled for Sunday, January 24. Officials said delaying spring classes by about two weeks will give the college more time to monitor COVID-19. Spring classes are scheduled to end on Thursday, May 13. Officials said this end date still allows students the time they need for their credit hours, as set by the University System of Georgia and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Albany Herald
Georgia Southwestern soccer coach Eric Crawford adds administrator duties
From staff reports
Georgia Southwestern State University athletic director Mike Leeder has appointed head men’s soccer coach Eric Crawford as the assistant director of athletics for facilities. “I’m excited to add Eric to the administration staff in addition to his coaching duties with the Hurricanes,” Leeder said. “He’s been a great asset to our athletics department and will be a great leader for our facilities and operations.”
Atlanta Business Chronicle
State of Georgia names design finalists for six large capital projects
By David Allison
The state of Georgia has named design finalists for six big university projects that will cost an estimated $136 million or more. The major capital projects include enhancing agricultural facilities at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton; a nursing and health science simulation lab facility at Albany State University in Albany; renovation to academic buildings and campus infrastructure at Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley; phase one of a poultry science complex at The University of Georgia in Athens; the renovation of a humanities building and infrastructure improvements at University of West Georgia in Carrollton; and a performing arts center at Valdosta State University in Valdosta. The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia is scheduled to review the finalists at its Jan. 12 meeting.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fewer college students choose teaching. Will COVID dissuade more?
Get Schooled with Maureen Downey
With pandemic’s corrosive impact, education professors concerned about profession
To understand the mounting frustration of Georgia teachers, scan the 574 comments on a Gwinnett County Public Schools Facebook post about reopening classrooms, comments all too typical of the charged debate about whether to reopen for face-to-face classes amid a COVID-19 surge. In response to classroom teachers voicing fears over returning, a parent said, “Show up to work and do your job or quit and find a new job that will allow you to stay at home. So sick of this narrative.” Another wrote, “I’ve seen so many teachers complaining about having to go to school, yet the beach, football games and other activities are fine to attend.”
Other News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Map: Coronavirus deaths and cases in Georgia (updated Jan. 10)
An updated count of coronavirus deaths and cases reported across the state
CONFIRMED DEATHS: 10,282 | Deaths have been confirmed in all counties but one (Taliaferro). This figure does not include additional cases that the DPH reports as suspected COVID-19-related deaths. County is determined by the patient’s residence, when known, not by where they were treated.
CONFIRMED CASES: 636,373 | Cases have been confirmed in every county.
WJBF
Georgia Dept. of Public Health to begin Phase 1B vaccinations
by: Chloe Salsameda
Just weeks after the first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Augusta, the Georgia Department of Public Health is preparing to vaccinate people in Phase 1B, which includes first responders and people ages 65 and older. It has set up a drive-thru vaccination site at Craig-Houghton Elementary School, and will begin vaccinating individuals in this phase on Monday. “We’re going to put as many people through as we can,” Susan Beckham, the East Central Health District Emergency Preparedness Director, says. “We’re getting faster and more efficient every day.” DPH has vaccinated nearly 3,000 people at its site in Augusta. People are getting more eager to get vaccinated each day.
Hickory Daily Record
11Alive
Georgia COVID vaccine locator tool launched
The tool is aimed at helping people find a vaccination site near them in the state.
Author: Christopher Buchanan
Georgia has added a new tool to find COVID-19 vaccine providers as the state begins its next phase in the distribution plan. The Georgia Department of Public Health announced on Sunday that the agency had launched its own “COVID vaccine locator” to allow users to find vaccine providers in their communities. The agency stresses this is not a centralized scheduling tool but does help find locations and contact information for providers.
Kemp says he’s “not happy” with Georgia’s slow vaccine pace
By Jeff Amy Associated Press
Georgia ranks last among states for the share of available COVID-19 vaccines that it has administered, but Gov. Brian Kemp said the data is misleading as some hospitals have failed to report all the shots they’ve given. Still, the Republican governor acknowledged Friday that the state is struggling with the vaccine rollout that has become his primary focus even as Georgia sets daily records for people hospitalized with the respiratory illness. “Look, I’m not happy with it,” Kemp told reporters after giving an update on the state’s vaccine rollout. “I’m pleased with how hard everybody’s working, but I’m not happy with where we are, we got to keep moving the needle. We’re working on that every single day.” Kemp said the state now has the capacity to administer 11,428 doses a day. At that rate, it would take more than two-and-a-half years to vaccinate every Georgia resident.
yahoo!style
Dr. Fauci Names the “One Thing You Don’t Want to Do”
Leah Groth
Since the start of the pandemic, the entire world has been anxiously and eagerly awaiting the day when a safe and effective vaccine would be available to the general public. Now that two COVID-19 have been approved—Pfizer and Moderna—and first phases of vaccinations are currently happening, there is light at the end of the tunnel. However, there are a lot of people who are hesitant to get the vaccine, despite the fact that the FDA has given it approval. in a new interview with ABC7, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, reveals that there is one risk associated with this. Read on to find out what it is—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had Coronavirus.
Get Your Vaccine When It’s Available
“The one thing you don’t want to do, you don’t want to have vaccine in the refrigerator or the freezer waiting to be given to someone when there’s people who really want to get it, and are there, are out there waiting for it,” Dr. Fauci said. His solution to avoid this? Start vaccinating the people in the next phased group so that as many people can get vaccinated as possible.
Higher Education News:
Inside Higher Ed
CDC Compares COVID-19 Rates in Counties With In-Person and Remote Classes
By Scott Jaschik
A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, released Friday, compared the rates of COVID-19 exposure in counties with large universities with remote instruction and with in-person instruction. “U.S. counties with large colleges or universities with remote instruction (n = 22) experienced a 17.9 percent decrease in incidence and university counties with in-person instruction (n = 79) experienced a 56 percent increase in incidence, comparing the 21-day periods before and after classes started. Counties without large colleges or universities (n = 3,009) experienced a 6 percent decrease in incidence during similar time frames,” the study said.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
Colleges Share the Blame for Assault on Democracy
For four years, Trump unleashed a tsunami of lies. Higher education responded with silence.
By Patricia McGuire
Indelible images of the insurrectionist mob invading the U.S. Capitol define the closing act of the Trump show, which has not been known for respecting American traditions and values. Indeed, disruption was a stated goal of the Trump administration from Day 1, a goal that quickly devolved into destruction. The insurrection failed, but the forensic investigation into the causes of the riot is just beginning. College presidents, quick to issue lofty statements decrying the assault on our beloved democracy, must participate in the investigation, taking up a particularly painful question: How did so many of our graduates go so wrong? Higher education must own some responsibility for the moral failures that established the conditions that led to the January 6 insurrection. We presidents love to boast about our graduates in high places. When it comes to securing plum appointments at the White House, cabinet agencies, or top congressional offices, it helps to have Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Duke, Penn, Georgetown, or other top universities on your résumé. As with prior administrations, there’s no shortage of academically elite pedigrees in the Trump administration, or in the halls of Congress.
Inside Higher Ed
Some college leaders quickly cracked down on students and faculty voicing support for rioters who attacked the U.S. Capitol. Others walked a fine line between protecting free speech rights and tamping down incendiary language.
By Greta Anderson
In the aftermath of the attacks on the United States Capitol by supporters of President Trump, college leaders are being asked to confront dangerous and offensive speech by students and faculty and staff members that promote false claims about the 2020 election and support the violence that occurred last week as a result of the spread of such claims. The calls for administrators to rid their colleges of those who hold such views, and to examine how their institutions combat misinformation, is often complicated by First Amendment protections. Colleges and universities, after all, are meant to be forums for students to voice, debate and defend arguments founded in truth, experts on political expression said.
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
Higher Education Leaders Celebrate the Resignation of Betsy DeVos
by Sara Weissman
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos – one of President Donald J. Trump’s most loyal cabinet members – resigned her position on Thursday, following transportation secretary Elaine Chao. In a letter to the president, DeVos condemned Trump supporters’ breach of the U.S. Capitol the day prior. “We should be highlighting and celebrating your Administration’s many accomplishments on behalf of the American people,” she wrote. “Instead, we are left to clean up the mess caused by violent protestors overrunning the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to undermine the people’s business. That behavior was unconscionable for our country. There is no mistaking the impact your rhetoric had on the situation, and it is the inflection point for me.” Reactions from the education world were swift, and some were celebratory. American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten issued a two-word statement: “Good Riddance.” That sentiment echoed across the higher education sector.
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
Lehigh University Rescinds Trump’s Honorary Degree
by Jamal Eric Watson
Lehigh University, the private research university in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has rescinded and revoked the honorary degree that it awarded to President Donald J. Trump in 1988, according to The Brown and White student newspaper. The university announced the decision on Friday, two days after a group of Trump supporters violently led an insurrection at the Capitol while legislators were in session. A number of student activists had been pressuring the university to rescind and revoke the degree for some time but the school’s trustees convened an emergency session on Thursday to take up the issue.