The Rochester Institute of Technology is launching an Institute of Health Sciences and Technology, reports James Goodman at the Democrat and Chronicle:
"This whole field of medical science is moving in our direction," said RIT President Bill Destler, noting that so much of medical research now concerns information technology. Initially, the health sciences institute will take in seven of RIT's existing programs in such fields as biomedical sciences/medical technology and medical illustration. About 1,000 students will be expected to take courses in the fall in these programs.
The new institute will draw the school closer to its current health partner, Rochester General Hospital.
Keuka College
A former RIT dean will be the new president at Keuka College, writes Nate Dougherty at the Rochester Business Journal. Jorge Diaz-Herrera, of the college of computing, will be heading to Penn Yan to take the reigns:
“Dr. Díaz-Herrera has close to 30 years experience in the field of postsecondary education,” said Melissa Moore Brown, chairwoman of the Keuka College board of trustees. “His achievements in computing and information technology are well known, and his commitment to integrate liberal arts, sciences and mathematics, and professional programs will further equip our students to meet the challenges of tomorrow’s global workplace.”
University of Rochester
University of Rochester professor Jannick Rolland has developed a device that helps detect lesions beneath the skin, reports Katharine Gammon at MIT's Technology Review:
The screwdriver-sized probe has a resolution of two microns, sufficient to see if the nuclei of cells are enlarged—a potential indicator of cancer. The device creates a 3-D image using an oil-water composite liquid lens. Applying a small amount of electricity to the lens causes it to change shape, and doing so repeatedly captures a wide range of focal distances. One of the problems with imaging the skin is getting a high-resolution picture quickly, says Rolland. The system takes thousands of pictures, refocusing every 30 milliseconds at a different depth. An algorithm stitches the images together into a coherent 3-D whole. Rolland says the probe is now being tested in clinics and would be inexpensive to manufacture.
Binghamton University
A Binghamton University professor has been trolling strip clubs and swingers joints to determine what makes people cheat, reports Nancy Dooling at the Press & Sun-Bulletin. The result: a cheaters gene, says researcher Justin Garcia:
Garcia and other researchers gathered detailed history of the sexual behavior and intimate relationships of 181 young adults along with samples of their DNA. He discovered individuals with certain types of the DRD4 gene were more likely to engage in uncommitted sex and one-night stands. The gene has already been linked to other sensation-seeking behaviors, including gambling and alcohol. The singles study was also headed by Garcia's mentor, Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist and research professor at Rutgers University. Fisher has written five books and does research on evolution and the future of sex, love, marriage, gender differences in the brain and how personality shapes who you are and who you love. Fisher said Garcia's "cheater's gene" study adds to the body of knowledge about fidelity and infidelity.
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