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Baylor Film Expert Featured on NPR's Marketplace to Explain Marketing of Faith-Based Films
Chris Hansen, M.F.A., associate professor and chair of Baylor University's film and digital media department, is a featured expert in this Marketplace story by Adriene Hill about the marketing of faith-based films. During the interview, Hansen discussed how Mel Gibson’s 2004 film “The Passion of the Christ” – which made more than $600 million worldwide – helped kick-start Hollywood’s interest in faith-based films. "Once ‘The Passion’ came out and did that kind of business, Hollywood was all over the idea of making films for this audience,” he said. Source:
As tension mounts between North Korea and America, it seems like China has become an unlikely ally of U.S. President Donald Trump. On Wednesday, President Trump spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping about the issue. President Xi said China is willing to help the U.S. end North Korea’s nuke program. Trump has referenced the trade advantages China holds over North Korea and how working together, they may be able to rein in the rogue nation and its leader, President Kim Jong Un, who has threatened to use the country’s nuclear arsenal against any American advances. But is this new friendship or even partnership a reality? What will it mean in the long and short term? Will there be political and economic costs or even benefits with better U.S.-China relations? Or will America have to give something to get something? There’s a lot more to this new alignment than a simple agreement and that’s where Missouri State University experts can help. Dr. Dennis Hickey is a global studies expert specializing in Asian politics and American foreign policy. He is a go-to source when media agencies require clear perspective and answers regarding the complexity of Chinese politics and government. Dr. Hickey is available to speak regarding this increasingly escalating and important international issue. Click on his icon to arrange an interview. Source:
Expect more terrorist attacks in Russia, political expert says
A deadly subway explosion in St. Petersburg, Russia, Monday morning has been declared a terrorist attack, and we can expect more of these kinds of incidents and threats, according to Augusta University political scientist Dr. Craig Albert. As a leading scholar in American politics and foreign affairs, Albert’s research focuses on Islamic extremism, Chechnya and the rise of ISIS. “As more Russians return from Syria fighting for ISIS, and as the Caucasus region remains in strife, especially Chechnya and Dagestan, we can expect more and larger terrorist attacks inside Russia's major cities,” Albert said. Albert teaches courses on war and terrorism, American politics and political philosophy; he also directs the Model United Nations Program. Albert is a political contributor to The Augusta Chronicle and he’s appeared on national media broadcasts, including a live interview with Megyn Kelly for Fox News Channel on the Boston Marathon bombing. He has also testified before the U.S. Congress on Islamic Extremism. Albert is available for Skype, email and phone interviews. Source:
To Fight or Fill - Will Democrats Fight or Fold as the Vetting of Neil Gorsuch Begins?
On Monday, the official vetting and nomination process to fill the vacant seat on the Supreme Court left vacant by the sudden passing of Justice Antonin Scalia began. Earlier this year, President Trump nominated conservative judge Neil Gorsuch to fill this seat – since then it has been met with much attention and controversy. Democrats in Washington have promised a detailed vetting and for President Trump’s nominee to expect strong opposition. But will it matter? Republicans control the Senate. They already have the votes in-hand to ensure as speedy and smooth a process as possible. Gorsuch is also viewed by many legal and political experts as a reasonable replacement for the late Scalia. The make-up of the Court won’t be drastically changed at all. Politically, this could offer a great opportunity for Democrats to grandstand and oppose Gorsuch’s past rulings and potential influence on the country as he will be a sitting judge for decades to come. They’ll be heard, but they won’t win. Or, is this not the hill for Democrats to die on? Like all things in Washington – politics will be at play. So, what will it mean, how will it play out and what can Americans expect if Gorsuch is finally appointed to America’s highest court? That’s where the experts at Augusta University can help. Dr. Martha Ginn is a political expert on the judicial process, constitutional law and the U.S. Supreme Court. She is an associate professor of Political Science at Augusta University and has spoken with media many times regarding the Supreme Court. She is available to speak to this very important issue. Click her icon above to arrange an interview. Source:
Ten Types of Food Can Make or Break Your Health
According to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, eating the right amount of certain types of food can help to reduce deaths from heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes in the U.S. by almost half. The researchers at Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy identified 10 dietary components closely tied to heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes - six of them (nuts and seeds, seafood rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and polyunsaturated fats like soybean or corn oils) will help your health, while four of them (sodium, processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages and red meat like steak) will hurt it. So how much of the good stuff should we eat more of? And how much of the bad stuff should we cut out? How should we alter our dietary habits to ensure we lower our risks of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes? Natalie Allen, clinical instructor of dietetics in the biomedical sciences department at Missouri State University, can provide some insight. Allen has a background in clinical, community and sports dietetics, and is the team dietitian for MSU Athletics. She is an expert in this area and is available to speak to media. Click on her icon to arrange an interview. Source:
The Value of a Cure and Do All Americans Benefit from Medical Breakthroughs?
On February 28, 2017 policymakers, health officials, industry representatives and patient advocates were meeting in Washington to discuss the ‘value of a cure’ – the costs, the public health benefits and how America will move forward following the passage of the 21st Century Cures legislation. The Act, which was signed in December promises to accelerate funding for biomedical research while it also loosens regulations governing drugs and medical equipment and devices. Innovations in medical research and technology have produced cures and breakthrough therapies to overcome diseases that were once considered a death sentence. Polio is preventable with a vaccine, HIV is managed with a daily drug regimen, and Hepatitis C now has a cure. But are these breakthroughs reaching all communities? How can we balance the high costs of drug development with affordability? And what can we do to ensure that new cures continue to be developed? This is where Virginia Commonwealth University can help. Our experts are thought leaders and are some of the go-to opinions in this field. Dr. Thomas Roper is a professor and the director of the Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering at the VCU School of Engineering. Thomas specializes in efforts to bring engineering and science closer to patients who utilize medicines via novel technologies. Dr. Frank Gupton is a professor and the chair of the Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering at the VCU School of Engineering. He leads the school’s Medicines for All project that is striving to reduces costs of treatment for AIDS. He is an award-winning researcher and an expert in his field. Both Dr. Roper and Dr. Gupton are available to speak with media regarding this very important issue. Simply click on either of their icons to arrange an interview. Source:
Trump to Congress: Repeal and replace Obamacare! Is it easier said than done?
On Tuesday night, President Donald Trump called on lawmakers to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). He cautioned that the ACA, which covers 20 million people, is "collapsing." But how will lawmakers dismantle a nationwide healthcare system? President Trump is supposedly in support of a GOP bill repealing Obamacare but still provides protections for those with pre-existing conditions, allows individual states more flexibility on Medicaid and encourages tax credits and savings accounts. Is all of this easier said than done? How long will it take? How much will it cost? What will replace it? Missouri State University's expert can help answer some of these questions. Professor Michael Merrigan is a management expert who focuses on the healthcare sector. He has more than 20 years of experience in senior leadership roles in the industry and is known as a leading expert on a variety of issues related to healthcare, including the ACA. He is available to speak to media about this topic. Click on his icon to schedule an interview. Source:
Is there life out there? Our experts can provide some insight
According to a study published Wednesday in Nature, and announced at a NASA news conference in Washington – a mere 40 light years away, astronomers have discovered seven planets similar in size and shape as Earth. As well, scientists believe these planets are made of rock and not gas – meaning if the conditions were right, they could support life. This is an amazing discovery and a great step for science but what does this mean? What’s next? And how will we ever find out if there’s life out there? How far away is 40 light years and how long would it take to make contact or for a satellite to get there? There are a lot of questions. And astronomy and physics are not simple fields to understand nor comprehend. That’s where Missouri State University can help. Dr. Peter Plavchan is an assistant professor of physics, astronomy and materials science at Missouri State. He researches the formation and frequency of exoplanets around solar-type and low-mass stars, and is an expert in astronomy and astrophysics. Dr. Michael Reed is a professor of physics, astronomy and materials science at Missouri State who specializes in asteroseismology, binary stars and extrasolar planets. Both experts are well-spoken, available to speak and can explain to the media what this all means for science, the study of space and if there might actually be life out there. Click on either of their icons to arrange an interview. Source: