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A Party Divided - Will Infighting Lead to a Government Shutdown in Washington Friday?
President Donald Trump will celebrate 100 days in office Saturday. But one day shy of that milestone, he may see Washington and the rest of America’s government grind to a halt. But with Republicans controlling Congress, the Senate and the Presidency – a standoff of this nature seems almost impossible. There is almost guaranteed to be negative consequences publicly and financially – and to follow it through just doesn’t make any political sense. So why? Is it President Trump’s demand for a funded wall that he promised to be built along the Mexican border? Are there left-over aspects to the Affordable Care Act that have some members of the GOP divided? Other issues that have the GOP at a boiling point? Or, is there a way out so each side can make a point but save face in the end? Politics is seldom simple and almost always confusing. That’s where the experts from Augusta University can help. Dr. William Hatcher is the director of the Master of Public Administration program and an associate professor of political science. He is an expert in politics, policy and the relationships between different levels of government. Dr. Craig Albert is an assistant professor of political science and an expert in American politics and political philosophy. Both are excellent speakers, have experience with all forms of national and local news organizations and are available to speak to media regarding this latest development in Washington. Click on Dr. Hatcher or Dr. Albert's icon to arrange an interview. Source:
One Child Dies Every Two Minutes from Malaria – VCU Experts Are Working to Stop Statistics Like This
Did you know 91 countries reported ongoing malaria transmission in 2015? In fact, in that year, according the World Health Organization there were 429,000 malaria deaths and 212 million new cases. While the numbers are astounding – some progress is being made. In fact, according to the World Malaria Report 2016, the rate of new malaria cases fell by 21% globally between 2010 and 2015. Malaria death rates fell by 29% in the same period. However, malaria still claims one child every two minutes. At the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Engineering, the Medicines for All Initiative is helping address the crisis of diseases like malaria by increasing global access to lifesaving medications. Medicines for All develops processes that reduce the cost of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) - a major cost driver in treating infectious diseases in the developing world. VCU is helping find solutions that utilize the lowest-cost raw materials and most efficient tools available. Medicines for All is bringing essential drugs to patients who need them most. VCU’s experts are available to speak regarding the devastating consequence of disease around the world and how VCU's Medicines for All Initiative is saving lives, promoting health and transforming pharmaceutical engineering. B. Frank Gupton, Ph.D., is a professor and the chair of the Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering at the VCU School of Engineering. He leads the Medicines for All project and is an award-winning researcher and an expert in his field. Simply click on his icon to arrange an interview. 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:
Payday loan rollovers do not harm some borrowers’ financial welfare
Research by a Kennesaw State University professor has found that there is a potentially limited adverse relationship between repeated refinancing and credit scores for those at the lowest end of the credit spectrum, casting doubt on the claims of payday loan critics that extended refinancing of these loans is universally harmful to consumers' financial welfare. Jennifer Priestley, a professor of applied statistics and data science and author of the 2014 study, says that "payday loans may not only fail to harm borrowers, but may actually contribute to an improvement in borrower welfare for some customers on the lower end of the credit continuum." 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:
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:
There’s no app for that. Financial planning and your retirement are not a click away
Smartphones may be one of the best technological advancements of our era. In your pocket, you have you home computer, your phone and for most people – their life. Be it a cab, your bank account or a dinner reservation – anything you may need is simply a touch away. Apps have transformed service models and convenience, but not everything in life should be as simple as posting to social media or hailing a ride with Uber. A growing trend some financial experts are seeing is investing apps. People are investing small and large amounts of money through their phone. Some are minor increments, some can be substantial sums of money. Most are done without thought or advice. While convenient – what’s not clear are the fees nor the portfolios. Odds are someone is getting rich, and it might not be those investing. James Philpot is an associate professor in finance and general business, and director of the Financial Planning Program at Missouri State University. He's an expert in this area and is available to speak to media. Click on his icon to arrange an interview. Source: