January 25 to February 1, 2002

A weekly guide to news and features from UAB Media Relations.

For more information on these stories or any others, please call the UAB Office of Media Relations at (800) UAB-9091 or (205) 934-3884.

Chronic Sorrow in HIV-Positive Women

HIV-positive mothers are more likely than men to suffer from chronic sorrow, or a profound sadness related to their illness, fear of death, poverty and social isolation, and HIV-infected African-American women experience depression at twice the rate of whites, according to a published study in AIDS Patient Care and STD’s. Researchers found that the stigma of HIV resulted in social isolation and women were likely to be stigmatized “because of their association with ‘dirty sex,’ contagion and moral threat in heterosexual communities. Men were often shielded from the worst effects of stigma because of their ties to the gay community and associated health networks,” said UAB sociologist Bronwen Lichtenstein, Ph.D. Contact Gail Short, Media Relations, (205) 934-8931 or gshort@uab.edu before January 31.

Where the Jobs Are

Graduates with a combination of computer savvy and pre-technology skills in such fields as quantitative analysis, accounting and communications will have an edge in an increasingly competitive market, says Lance Nail, Ph.D., finance professor in the UAB School of Business. "Those who can assimilate financial data quickly through their computer and information technology skills and then quantitatively analyze this data will be in high demand. As financial data becomes more abundant in the future, it will be of critical importance to be able to filter through information rapidly and accurately while performing analyses on increasingly complex financial securities transactions, which will require a solid mathematical base." Contact Jennifer Park, Media Relations, (205) 934-3888 or jpark@uab.edu.

How to Protect Your Retirement

The changing fortunes of companies have affected the portfolios of their employees and retirees, costing people thousands of dollars in retirement savings. An unanticipated decline in wealth such as this is known as a negative wealth effect. “In theory, such an effect will result in a decline in consumption and an increase in saving,” says economics professor Bradley Wilson, Ph.D. It also may cause a person to rely less on 401(k) plans and opt to manage a larger share of their own wealth portfolios. Good, easy-to-set-up alternatives are money market mutual funds. “Certainly 401(k)s are brainless decisions, but in the face of likely ruin people might search for this next best and next most brainless/costless saving vehicle.” Contact Jennifer Park, Media Relations, (205) 934-3888 or jpark@uab.edu.

Gentle Treatment for Newborn's Lungs

In part because of its “gentle ventilator” practices for premature babies, UAB is among the top neonatal units in the nation, particularly in its low incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). BPD can occur in newborn babies when the lungs become injured. It is especially common among babies with underdeveloped and immature lungs and is one of the most common adverse outcomes of prematurity. Now, 14 other top centers in the nation will attempt to mimic UAB’s ventilator and intensive care practices as part of a three-year study to reduce BPD nationwide. The centers are all part of the NICHD Neonatal Research Network, which maintains a registry on the treatments and outcomes of more than 35,000 very low birth weight babies. Contact Tracy Bischoff, Media Relations, (205) 934-8935 or tracy@uab.edu.

Cold Weather Lip Care

Chapped, peeling lips are a cold-weather woe. Oral pathologist Brad Rodu, D.D.S., cautions that lip balms could make the condition worse, resulting in an uncommon but difficult-to-treat condition called cheilitis (kye-LYE-tus). Balms and lip licking may create a crust that traps bacteria or fungus. People pick at their irritated, peeling lips and become dependent on balms or jellies. “The body becomes involved in a feedback loop of inflammation and healing that is extremely difficult to break. Antifungal and antibacterial ointments sometimes help, but patients may be required to quit using balm or jellies as well as refrain from licking and biting the lips for several weeks. Dry lips also may be a side effect of acne and some other medications.” Contact Hank Black, Media Relations, (205) 934-8938 or hblack@uab.edu.

New Hope for Sickle Cell

Allopurinol, a drug currently used to treat gout, might also relieve the intense pain of sickle cell disease, according to Bruce Freeman, Ph.D., UAB professor of anesthesiology. In a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Freeman’s team found that an enzyme called xanthine oxidase contributes to the circulatory disorders common to sickle cell patients. “Allopurinol is an effective inhibitor of xanthine oxidase and the oxygen free radicals that it produces. If it works as we anticipate, it may lessen the painful episodes and other symptoms of sickle cell disease.” Freeman plans to begin human clinical trials with allopurinol soon. Contact Bob Shepard, Media Relations, (205) 934-8934, bshep@uab.edu.