August 29, 1997 - Most people take reheating their food for granted. But there was a time, 30 years ago, when people were amazed by a new machine's ability to instantly turn cold leftovers into a warm treat. The microwave is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and while more than ninety-percent of American households own one, some questions about it remain unanswered. Minnesota Public Radio's Joe Fryer spoke with visitors at the Science Museum of Minnesota, and got answers from Jay Newlin, the museum's head of Physical Sciences.
September 9, 1997 - University of Minnesota researchers say they have found evidence that non-smokers absorb the carcinogen N-N-K if they live or work in smoke-filled rooms. The study found small amounts of the carcinogen in nine non-smoking hospital workers who cared for patients in a designated smoking area. Mayo Clinic Physician Tom Kottke says even though only eighteen people total were involved in the study -- nine exposed to second-hand smoke and nine who weren't -- it's of immense value.
September 9, 1997 - It may not seem like a news flash, but a study of thousands of U.S. adolescents found those who feel emotionally tied to family or school were less likely to engage in other risky behavior. The report says young people who feel connected to their parents or school were less likely to suffer emotional distress, think about suicide, be violent or smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, or smoke marijuana. They also tend to have their first sexual experiences later. Students who had to repeat a grade or appeared older or younger than their classmates were also found to be predisposed to depression, suicidal thoughts, violence, substance abuse, and an earlier age of sexual activity. University of Minnesota researcher Michael Resnick says the study not only points the way toward better health for kids, but eases one of the chief frustrations of raising teenagers.
September 10, 1997 - In an editorial today, the New England Journal of Medicine urges mandatory reporting of HIV infections to state health departments so more people will get early treatment. More than half of all states now require that the names of infected people be reported to confidential registries. But New York and California, the two with the most cases by far, do not. Minnesota was second in the nation to require mandatory reporting. It did so in early 1986, and Doctor Keith Henry, an AIDS specialist at Saint Paul Ramsey Medical Center, says we've been reaping the benefits.
September 16, 1997 - Mainstreet Radio’s Mark Steil reports on workers at Oak Hills Living Center, a New Ulm nursing home in southwest Minnesota, who unionized several years ago and currently are locked in a bitter strike with management. They want higher pay, but government Medicaid policies and other regulations make that a difficult goal to reach.
September 16, 1997 - The Twin Cities, with its plentiful parks, shimmering lakes, vibrant cultural life ,and booming economy is a pretty good draw these days for "out-of-staters" ... as long as you can withstand the deep freeze of winter. But for some people who move here, there's another deep freeze operating that can hurt a newcomer's ability to make friends. That's one of the reasons the group "Twin Cities Transplants" was formed, to help take the edge off what can be an icy reception for non-Minnesota natives. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts -- a transplant himself -- went to a semi-regular meeting of "Twin Cities Transplants" to find out more. The next meeting of Twin Cities Transplants will be October 16th around 6 P-M, at City Billiards in Minneapolis. If you're interested in findi
September 26, 1997 - Gay-themed movies and T-V shows generally address the most broad themes of gay life, like the difficulty of coming out. Edmund White's latest book, "The Farewell Symphony," digs deeper into the trials and tribulations faced by homosexuals in American society today. Yet, taking a mentor's advice, White keeps you at a little distance, letting you draw your own conclusions. "The Farewell Symphony" is an autobiographical novel about White's repressive Midwest childhood and his life as a usually struggling writer in New York and Europe ... during which time he had sex with thousands of men. In the title, White may be saying farewell to Brice, his lover of five years, who died of AIDS in 1994. This was White's first reciprocated love affair and you'd think he'd be more prominent in the book, but Brice makes only cameo appearances in "The Farewell Symphony." We learn why he's mostly quiet about Brice when White is reunited with an old flame.
September 26, 1997 - Last summer, researchers at the 11th International Conference on AIDS in Vancouver were practically bursting with excitement over new drugs that had reduced HIV in some patients to undetectable levels. A year later, the drugs have worked their magic on thousands of AIDS patients bringing many back from the brink of death. The treatment successes have prompted sudden changes in patients lives, government health insurance plans and prevention programs. Tomorrow Minnesota AIDS activists will discuss these changes during the 1997 State of AIDS Conference in Minneapolis and plot their next step in dealing with the disease. As Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson reports, most are still optimistic about the treatment breakthroughs even though new data is beginning to dispel the notion that these drugs can cure AIDS.
September 29, 1997 - An article in today's New York Times explored the possible link between chemicals in the environment and rising cancer rates in children. For the past twenty years researchers have noticed a moderate but steady increase in childhood cancers, averaging about one-percent per year. But little is known about what's causing the increase. Much of the cancer research has been conducted at the University of Minnesota. Professor of Pediatrics, Dr. Les Robison, told Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson researchers believe the rising childhood cancer rate is real, and not a function of increased reporting.
September 30, 1997 - EVERY YEAR THOUSANDS OF MINNESOTA'S WILDFLOWERS ARE TURNED INTO LANDFILL DURING DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND ROAD CONSTRUCTION. NO ONE KEEPS TRACK OF THE LOST PLANTS WHICH OFTEN INCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE HALF-DOZEN SPECIES OF PROTECTED WILDFLOWERS...LIKE ORCHIDS AND LILIES. PEOPLE WHO WANT TO RESCUE THE PLANTS MUST RECEIVE PERMISSION FROM THE LANDOWNER AND SECURE A PERMIT FROM THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. THIS SALVAGE HAS PROVOKED A QUIET DEBATE OVER WHETHER THESE PLANTS SHOULD BE RELOCATED. MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO'S KATHLEEN HALLINAN REPORTS. (SOUND OF PULLING/BRAD...) BRAD MRZLAK IS PULLING NATIVE CALLALILIES AND STASHING THEM IN A PLASTIC TRAY. HE GENTLY GRABS THE PLANTS AT THE BASE AND EASES THEIR ROOTS TO THE SURFACE. HE'S STANDING IN A PEAT BOG--WITH WATER MIDWAY UP HIS SHINS.