8/9/01

Following is a story lead and the University of Northern Iowa sources who can best address this topic. Feel free to contact the sources directly.

The debate about the use of stem cells in medical research will rage on, despite Pres. George W. Bush's appearance on national television tonight, says William Clohesy, associate professor in UNI's Department of Religion and Philosophy. Bush will be presenting his decision regarding use of stem cells harvested from embryos for research that could cure or alleviate certain diseases and conditions.

"The issue here is a fairly arcane one," Clohesy says. "I don't think anyone is looking to Bush for an answer. They may be interested in what he has to say, solely because a lot to federal money is riding on it. But I doubt there'll be an enormous audience of curious lay people tonight."

Clohesy says the stem cell research debate is similar to the ever-heated argument over abortion. "It is about whether the embryo is a human person with the rights that entails, or whether the embryo is the material basis for development into a human person."

He notes the embryos in question are not being created for the purpose of extracting stem cells, but are on hand already, although due to be destroyed as part of a process of in vitro fertilization.

Contact:

William Clohesy, associate professor, Dept. of Religion and Philosophy, (319) 273-6123

Gwenne Culpepper, University Marketing and Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

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For release during August 2001

Contact: Gwenne Culpepper, UNI Office of Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Earlier this year, the National Institute of Child Health and Development (NICHD) released some preliminary findings from the latest stage of its study on early child care. According to the study, children who attend day care for more than 10 hours a week were more likely to be aggressive or violent. Parents all over the country were mortified.

But that was only part of the story. Rheta DeVries, director of the Regents' Center for Early Developmental Education at the University of Northern Iowa, says that information was but a summary of the preliminary findings. In fact, while the study found that 17 percent of children who were in child care for more than 30 hours a week were rated as being aggressive toward other children, other research indicates that 16 to 17 percent of children in the general population show the same kind of behavior.

About 5 percent of the children who spent less than 10 hours per week in day care were rated as showing aggressive behavior. But when those same children went on to kindergarten, teachers rated 9 percent of them as having behavior problems.

"You have to read the entire study to be able to make sense of the findings," explains DeVries. "If you read only some parts, it's easy to become panicked or to misunderstand."

DeVries says reality is that more than 13 million children are in some sort of day care center on a regular basis, and suggests the focus should be on providing quality care for all children. "There are lots of components to quality child care," she says. "Among them are teacher-to-children ratio, the number of children in the classroom, the physical environment and the materials available. But for me, what's most important is the socio-moral atmosphere of the classroom."

The socio-moral atmosphere covers all the interpersonal relationships that the child experiences in the day care setting. "It's the teacher-child relationship that is particularly critical," says DeVries. "We advocate that teachers respect children by giving them choices, consulting them about what happens to children in the classroom, having them discuss what to do when selected problems arise in the room." It means having social and moral discussions about classroom events, and about events in children's literature.

"In general we advocate a non-authoritarian relationship. But that doesn't mean it's permissive. There have to be limits."

The result, says DeVries, is that children better understand various issues, and will take a more active role in making decisions about life in the classroom or day care center. "Children become much more autonomous and less dependent on adults. They will be more self-directed, and much better at conflict-resolution."

And that, she says, makes for a quality experience.

For release during August 2001

Contact: Gwenne Culpepper, UNI Office of University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

Each year, thousands of children nationwide are injured on school playgrounds. In fact, more than 80 percent of all school-related injuries are attributed to playground accidents. Donna Thompson, director of the National Program for Playground Safety (NPPS), based at the University of Northern Iowa, says many playground injuries can be prevented.

The NPPS has identified four major areas for risk control on playgrounds: supervision, age-appropriate design, fall surfaces, and equipment and surface maintenance.

Thompson says the first tenet of proper playground supervision is being alert and attentive. "Those supervising playgrounds must also be able to evaluate hazards, observe signs on the playground, know the playground rules, and intervene when inappropriate behavior occurs," she says. "Supervisors also should be aware of age-appropriate equipment, ensure that children wear safe clothing, be prepared with a first-aid kit, and be able to direct children toward equipment designed for their specific age group."

Age-appropriate equipment is that designed for children either 2 to 5 years old, or 5 to 12 years old. Equipment for younger children should be easily manipulated, and encourage exploration of space and interaction with others. Examples of such equipment are swings, activity panels and sand/water tables. Equipment for older children should encourage cooperation. Examples include swings, spiral slides and horizontal ladders.

"Playgrounds are one of the first social experiences for some children," explains Thompson. "Good play areas offer children opportunities to play alone or with other children."

Fall surfaces, the area surrounding and beneath playground equipment, should be cushioned. "Statistics indicate that nearly 70 percent of all playground injuries are related to falls to the surface," says Thompson. "And recent studies also have found that about 80 percent of playgrounds nationwide have unsuitable surfaces." Thompson says appropriate surfacing includes synthetic or loose-fill materials like wood chips, fine sand, pea gravel and wood fiber.

Finally, notes Thompson, many playground accidents can be avoided if the equipment is regularly inspected and repaired. For instance, surface materials should be examined to make sure the proper depth is maintained. Wooden equipment should be checked for splinters, large cracks or deterioration. Metal equipment can rust and should be checked periodically.

For complete information about playground safety, contact the NPPS: 1-800-554-PLAY, www.uni.edu/playground.

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For release during August 2001

Contact: Gwenne Culpepper, UNI Office of University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

CEDAR FALLS -- Over the past few years, national youth sports leagues have reported weekly incidents of fights or abusive behavior involving parents or coaches. The incidents have ranged from one that included 20 grown men in a fracas during a T-ball game, to another more tragic one in which a Massachusetts hockey referee died following a fight with a player's father.

Increasingly parents find themselves not only at odds with their children's coaches, but in fights.

Roberto Clemente, assistant professor in the Department of Postsecondary Education and Leadership at the University of Northern Iowa, says these attitudes have roots in professional sports. "Almost every type and level of professional sports offers numerous examples of our multi-million dollar heroes using profanity, hitting fellow players and attacking referees. We see it on live TV and repeated endlessly on sports shows."

What happens then, he says, is that sports fans -- parents included -- internalize and later imitate the actions. "Why not? They've seen their heroes applauded, admired and well-paid despite violent actions and poor sportsmanship."

It often begins with a parent's good intentions, simply hoping their child will be the next Kobe Bryant or Tara Lipinski. And when the child does not, for whatever reason, live up to those expectations, parents can feel frustrated. "Combine that with the constant coverage of sports, the increasing levels of violence in all sports, and the disproportionate glory we've given to athletes, and you sometimes end up with a parent ready to explode."

Clemente has developed a short list of questions to help parents decide whether sports have become too important in their family life. Answer true or false to the following statements.

My family's life revolves around my children's sports activities.

My mood swings are often directly linked with the outcome of my children's competitions.

When my children win, I reward them with gifts, verbal praise and words of love.

When my children lose, I withhold physical or emotional affection, may tease or put them down, may not even speak to them.

I give more of my time and attention to my children's sports than their academic endeavors

I push my children to train harder all the time and encourage them not to be 'lazy.'

When my children lose, I label the coach as inept, incompetent and weak.

I brag about and discuss my child's abilities and accomplishments all the time.

I will say, "WE are playing against ..." and not "My son or daughter is playing against..."

I have verbally abused other parents during sport activities.

I have felt like getting into a physical fight with parents from the other team after a loss.

I have often called in sick or lied to miss work to attend my children's sport events.

Before my children's competitions, I am cranky, nervous and anxious.

"If you answer true to more than a coupe of these questions, you may be putting too much emphasis on your children's athletic activities," Clemente says. "It's time to readjust your perspective regarding what you see on TV, your own expectations, and your children's sports. "

He suggests talking to a counselor about the issue. "It's quite possible to re-establish a healthy emotional balance between sports and parenting style. A professional counselor can help point you in the right directions."

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For release during August 2001

Contact: Gwenne Culpepper, UNI Office of Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

Much of the world watched last year as Great Britain’s sprinter, Dwain Chambers, buckled due to cramps in the Olympic track and field quarterfinals. The grimace on his face was enough to telegraph the intense pain.

Darryl Conway has seen it all before — athletes who succumb to heat or dehydration, and experience leg or full-body cramps that can bring tears to the eyes of even the strongest. But Conway knows what to do about it. "We give our athletes pickle juice," says the head athletic trainer at the University of Northern Iowa. The Northern Iowa Panthers have been using this tangy treat as a way to cure — and prevent — body cramps for a couple of years now, and Conway swears by it. "It works so well our athletes ask for it now."

He suggests that high school coaches, trainers and athletes consider making it part of their regimen as well. Conway says cramps typically occur when the body is severely dehydrated and electrolyte levels have dropped. Muscles in the body then tend to tighten or spasm. "It’s incredibly painful," says Conway who, as a former athlete, has experienced his share of cramps.

High school athletes can develop cramps for any number of reasons. "They may be dehydrated because they haven’t been drinking water, or they’ve been sick earlier with diarrhea or vomiting It might even be that their knee brace is too tight, making the muscle work overtime and become rapidly fatigued."

He notes too that winter sports at the high school level are typically performed in a gymnasium, which may not be well-ventilated or well-cooled. High schools, unlike universities or pro teams, don’t have the funding to provide an onsite trainer or the electrolyte drinks throughout practice, so the chance for cramps increases at this level.

Conway administers about two ounces of the juice half an hour before any athletic event, typically during the pre-game meal. In the event that a player didn’t get the pre-game treatment and ends up cramping during the game, Conway offers anywhere from two to six ounces during the cramp. "It eliminates the cramp in about a minute," he says. Athletes at the elementary age don’t need more than one-half to one ounce.

It’s possible to give too much of a good thing, but Conway says an overdose of pickle juice usually won’t result in anything more serious than an upset stomach. "And that could cause vomiting, which would exacerbate the dehydration and cause another cramp."

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