UB in the News

Jerry Newman, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of Organizations and Human Resources, is quoted in an article in the Cincinnati Enquirer about contracts that allow workers to retire with six-figure sums for unused leave and sick pay. Cash-for-time allowances as generous as Cincinnati's "all but beg for individuals to find ways to abuse them by hoarding those hours," he said.

Elayne Rapping, professor emeritus of American studies, is quoted in an article in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle about recent political scandals in New York State. "There's an element of arrogance in a lot of these guys," she said.

An article distributed by UPI reports UB researchers are developing a unique smartphone application that will help them track participants in a study of urban air pollution exposure.

An article in the Tahoe Daily Tribune about the number of people with sleep problems reports scientists at UB found that people who sleep fewer than six hours a night during the work week are more likely to have elevated levels of blood sugar than those who sleep six to eight hours.

Jonathan Katz, associate professor of visual studies, was interviewed on NPR about the scheduled closing of the National Portrait Gallery exhibition Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture, the first Smithsonian Institution show to focus on gay and lesbian contributions to American culture, and the attention the exhibition generated.

Charles Carr, lecturer emeritus in the Law School, was interviewed by the Associated Press about the murder trial of Muzzammil Hassan and the hazards of acting as your own lawyer in a trial. "It's almost never a good idea," he said. "It's like putting a person who's never played baseball before out in the outfield and telling them, 'you'll catch on.'" The article appeared in outlets throughout the U.S. and the world, including the Los Angeles Times, Salon, The South African Star, The Canadian Press, Huffington Post and CBS News. Locally, WBEN-AM and the Buffalo News carried the story.

Elayne Rapping, professor emeritus of American studies, is quoted in an article in the Chicago Tribune on the appeal of romantic comedies. "Romantic comedies are very big….These movies become popular in times when there's a lot of social disruption," she said.

Nadia Shahram, a Law School adjunct instructor who lectures on the effects of religion and culture on family law, was quoted in an article distributed by the Associated Press about yesterday's conviction of Muzzammil Hassan, who stabbed and beheaded his wife in 2009. The murder, she said, was "a mix of domestic violence and honor killing." The article was picked up by news outlets throughout the nation, including the Wall Street Journal, Houston Chronicle, Boston Globe and CBS News. International coverage includes Metro Canada, Arab Times, The Australian and The Guardian.

Elayne Rapping, professor emeritus of American studies, is quoted in an article in the Los Angeles Times about the television series "Friday Night Lights" and its realistic portrayal of marriage. "It's a good family show, and I think it's a role model for how you handle normal life. It's very realistic because it's very grounded. It's not like a soap where crazy things happen," she said.

An article in the New York Times' Slap Shot blog about a movement to push back the age at which body checking is allowed in youth hockey reports not all researchers agree that the age should be pushed to 13, among them Barry Willer, professor of psychiatry and rehabilitation services, who has worked on youth safety programs with Hockey Canada and USA Hockey and has 25 years experience studying brain injuries.