Check Archive

January 2010

• Channel 8 Eyewitness News of January 1 reported on the results of a recent medical experiment that can cure sickle cell disease among adults through bone marrow transplant, a procedure that is already used among children to cure the disease. The paper quoted Dr. Miguel Abboud of the American University of Beirut Medical Center in an editorial accompanying the study as saying that the treatment “could be ideal for patients with severe sickle cell disease.” Full article available at: http://www.klkntv.com/Global/story.asp?S=11654362&nav=menu96_1_2_4
• ABC27HD of January 5 reported the results of a recent medical experiment that can cure sickle cell disease among adults through bone marrow transplant, a procedure that is already used among children to cure the disease. The paper quoted Dr. Miguel Abboud of the American University of Beirut Medical Center in an editorial accompanying the study as saying that the treatment “could be ideal for patients with severe sickle cell disease.” Full article available at: http://www.wtxl.com/Global/story.asp?S=11654362&nav=menu594_10_1_11
• ASCE Publications of January 5 published a list of the reviewers for the “Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering”, including Muhammad Harajli of the American University of Beirut, in acknowledgement of their help. Full article available at: http://pubs.asce.org/journals/materials/reviewers/default.htm
• ASCE Publications of January 5 published a list of the reviewers for the “Journal of Hydraulics Engineering”, including Habib Basha of the American University of Beirut, in acknowledgement of their help. Full article available at: http://pubs.asce.org/journals/hydraulic/reviewers/default.htm
• ASCE Publications of January 5 published a list of the reviewers for the “Journal of Composites for Constructions”, including Bilal Hamad of the American University of Beirut, in acknowledgement of their help. Full article available at: http://pubs.asce.org/journals/composites/reviewers/default.htm
• ASCE Publications of January 5 published a list of the reviewers for the “Journal of Bridge Engineering”, including Mounir Mabsout of the American University of Beirut, in acknowledgement of their help. Full article available at: http://pubs.asce.org/journals/bridge/reviewers/default.htm
• The New Vision of January 6 reported the results of a recent medical experiment that can cure sickle cell disease among adults through bone marrow transplant, a procedure that is already used among children to cure the disease. The paper quoted Dr. Miguel Abboud of the American University of Beirut Medical Center in an editorial accompanying the study as saying that the treatment “could be ideal for patients with severe sickle cell disease.” Full article available at: http://www.klfy.com/Global/story.asp?S=11654362&nav=menu61_10_1_11
• Asia Times Online of January 6 published an article surveying the reasons behind the rumors that Ain Al Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp harbors al-Qaeda members, and in which the author met with the clergy and AUB graduate Jamal Khatab, leader of the Islamic Mujahideen Movement, one of the largest Islamic groups in the camp. Full article available at: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/LA07Ak02.html
• My Sun Coast of January 7 reported the results of a recent medical experiment that can cure sickle cell disease among adults through bone marrow transplant, a procedure that is already used among children to cure the disease. The paper quoted Dr. Miguel Abboud of the American University of Beirut Medical Center in an editorial accompanying the study as saying that the treatment “could be ideal for patients with severe sickle cell disease." Full article available at: http://www.mysuncoast.com/Global/story.asp?S=11654362&nav=menu577_11_4
• KTVZ of January 7 reported the results of a recent medical experiment that can cure sickle cell disease among adults through bone marrow transplant, a procedure that is already used among children to cure the disease. The paper quoted Dr. Miguel Abboud of the American University of Beirut Medical Center in an editorial accompanying the study as saying that the treatment “could be ideal for patients with severe sickle cell disease.”

  Full article available at:

  http://www.ktvz.com/Global/story.asp?S=11654362&nav=menu578_6_1_11

• Tree Hugger of January 7 reported on a lecture given by AUB Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Iman Nuwayhid at the Global Health and the UAE Asia Middle East Connections conference at UAE University. The paper said that Nuwayhid urged Arab nations to take steps to reduce carbon emissions.

  Full article available at:

  http://topics.treehugger.com/article/00xd5OEf3C2Np?q=%28environment+OR+%22climate+change%22%29+AND+city+OR+cities+OR+urban+OR+%22green+cities%22+OR+%22greenest+cities%22+OR+%22urban+life%22+OR+town+OR+village

• Gant Daily of January 7 reported on Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’s recent criticism of Qatari journalists for showing bias in favor of Hamas. The paper quoted Nabil Dajani, a professor of media studies at the American University of Beirut, as saying, “Cutting off life support for Palestinians in the Hamas areas is unacceptable and you cannot justify the way the people in Gaza are being treated. This makes people sympathize with Hamas, whether they are for Hamas or not.”

  Full article available at:

  http://www.gantdaily.com/news/36/ARTICLE/69100/2010-01-07.html
• Tobacco.org of January 7 published an article surveying the dangers of smoking shisha. The paper reported that in her research among smokers in four Middle Eastern countries, Professor Rima Nakkash of the American University of Beirut found a tendency for shisha smoking among women and youths in particular, and quoted her as saying, “Youths start smoking water pipes because it is socially acceptable and much more permissible than cigarettes, and for women, it is a fashionable trend.”

  Full article available at:

  http://www.tobacco.org/news/295094.html

• Tobacco.org of January 7 published an article addressing the myth that smoking shisha at social events cannot turn into an addiction. The paper quoted Dr. Rima Nakkash, assistant research professor of health behavior and education at the American University of Beirut, during the Global Health and the UAE conference taking place at the UAE University in Al-Ain, who highlighted the growing number of shisha smokers, which has become a global phenomenon.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.tobacco.org/news/295095.html

• Vcaonline of January 8 carried the announcement by Siguler Guff, an independent, multi-strategy private equity firm with over $8 billion in assets under management, that Solomon Owayda has joined the firm as a Managing Director. The paper said that Owayda attended the American University of Beirut.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.vcaonline.com/news/news.asp?ID=2010010821

• Architectural Digest of January 8 published a profile and an interview with internationally renowned architect Chakib Richani and said that he is an AUB graduate.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.architecturaldigest.com/architects/100/chakib_richani/chakib_richani_profile

• City Journal of January 10 published a political editorial entitled, “From Baghdad to Beirut,” in which the author explains what Baghdad should aspire to and avoid based on lessons learned from Beirut. The paper said that Lebanon’s education system is “excellent” and that the American University of Beirut is considered the Harvard of the Middle East.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.city-journal.org/2010/eon0110mt.html

• Yahoo News Canada of January 11 reported on Lebanon’s unseasonably warm winter and subsequent lack of a skiing season this year. The paper quoted AUB professor of land and water resources Nadim Farajallah as saying, "The short winter season could also negatively impact agriculture this summer as groundwater levels are dropping, making irrigation difficult.”

  Full article available at:

  http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/100111/world/lebanon_weather_snow_tourism_ski
• Iafrica.com of January 12 reported on Lebanon’s unseasonably warm winter and subsequent lack of a skiing season. The paper quoted AUB professor of land and water resources Nadim Farajallah as saying, “The short winter season could also negatively impact agriculture this summer as groundwater levels are dropping, making irrigation difficult.”

  Full article available at:

  http://travel.iafrica.com/bulletinboard/2158880.htm

• Individual.com of January 12 reported on a lecture given by AUB professor at the Faculty of Health Sciences Rima Afifi on modern day obesity and diabetes, especially in the Arab world. The paper said that professor Afifi’s talk was part of the Global Health and the UAE, Asia-Middle East Connections Forum convened at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) last week.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.individual.com/story.php?story=112861498

• History News Network of January 12 published a political editorial in which the author explains what Baghdad should aspire to and avoid based on lessons learned from Beirut. The paper said that Lebanon’s education system is “excellent” and that the American University of Beirut is considered the Harvard of the Middle East.

  Full article available at:

  http://hnn.us/roundup/comments/122126.html

• iol travel of January 13 reported on Lebanon’s unseasonably warm winter and subsequent lack of a skiing season. The paper quoted AUB professor of land and water resources Nadim Farajallah as saying, “The short winter season could also negatively impact agriculture this summer as groundwater levels are dropping, making irrigation difficult.”

  Full article available at:

  http://www.ioltravel.co.za/article/view/5309749

• Bloomberg of January 13 reported that prominent Palestinian businessman, philanthropist and man responsible for the creation of the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University in 1993, Hasib Sabbagh passed away. The paper said that Sabbagh, who is co-founder of the Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC), is an AUB alumnus of the year 1943.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601104&sid=a6USaiKp2ch4

• OSN Supersite of January 14 published an article describing AUBMC ophthalmologist Dr. Ahmad Mansor’s approach of immediate phaco-vitrectomy with the use of silicone oil in severe ocular injury, thus doing all ocular repair at the time of initial surgery and avoiding a two-stage procedure. The paper said that Dr. Mansour can be reached at the Department of Ophthalmology at the Medical Center.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.osnsupersite.com/view.aspx?rid=59999

• The Washington Post of January 14 reported that prominent Palestinian businessman, philanthropist and man responsible for the creation of the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University in 1993, Hasib Sabbagh passed away. The papers said that Sabbagh, who is co-founder of the Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC), is an AUB alumnus of the year 1943.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/14/AR2010011404526.html

• The New York Times of January 15 reported that prominent Palestinian businessman, philanthropist, and man responsible for the creation of the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University in 1993, Hasib Sabbagh passed away. The papers said that Sabbagh, who is co-founder of the Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC), is an AUB alumnus of the year 1943.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/16/business/16sabbagh.html?ref=business

• Ethopian Review of January 16 reported on a lecture given by Professor Mohammad Marandi, head of North American Studies at Tehran University, on the difference between teaching history of American-Iranian relations at American high schools in Iran as opposed to Iranian high schools. The paper said that Marandi gave this lecture at a conference at the American University of Beirut.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.ethiopianreview.com/38329 

• Quote.com Switzerland of January 17 reported on the phenomenon of reverse brain drain in Lebanon whereby tens of thousands of Lebanese are returning to Lebanon after having left their jobs or having been laid off. The paper quoted Jenny Zailah, a senior economics student at the American University of Beirut as saying, "There are no more places for fresh graduates. We're turning and turning, and we don't know where to go.”

  Full article available at:

  http://ch.quote.com/news/story.action?id=KRO017e8856

• Gantdaily.com and All Media News of January 17 reported on the phenomenon of taxi robberies in Lebanon targeting mostly expatriates and foreign tourists. The papers said that Sean Lee, an instructor at the American University of Beirut, was robbed at gunpoint last week, and quoted him as saying, “It seemed there was a growing problem.”

  Full article available at:

  http://www.gantdaily.com/news/36/ARTICLE/69823/2010-01-17.html

• Monday Morning of January 18 published an interview with US based Lebanese oncologist Dr. Phillip Salem and said that he is a former professor at the American University of Beirut.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.mmorning.com/ArticleC.asp?Article=7567&CategoryID=3

• The Los Angeles Times and The Chicago Tribune, and Al-Rai of January 18 announced that prominent Palestinian businessman, philanthropist and man responsible for the creation of the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University in 1993, Hasib Sabbagh, passed away. The paper said that Sabbagh, who is co-founder of the Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC), is an AUB alumnus of the year 1943.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.alraimedia.com/Alrai/Article.aspx?id=179950

  http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-passings19-2010jan19,0,3713858.story

• Chron.com of January 19 announced that Dr. William Zoghbi, the William Winters Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Imaging at the Methodist Hospital, has been named vice president of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) effectve March of 2010, adding that he is slated to become president of the ACC in 2012. The paper said that Zoghbi received a BS in Biology and Chemistry from the American University of Beirut.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/bellaire/news/6824999.html

• 10 Academic Resources Daily of January 20 carried an ad by the American University of Beirut’s Center for Arab and Middle Eastern Studies announcing that it will be holding an intensive summer Arabic program from June 30 until August 13, 2010.

  Full article available at:

  http://freestudiesabroad.blogspot.com/2010/01/cfa-cames-summer-arabic-program-dl.html

• NewsRX of January 25 reported on a new research from American University of Beirut’s Department of Biology that provides new data on malaria immunology.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.newsrx.com/health-articles/1744946.html

• Eventseer of January 25 reported that AUB Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Hasan Artail is a member of the program committee of the Fourth International Conference on Pervasive Services to be held from July 13 to 16, 2010 at the Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

  Full article available at:

  http://eventseer.net/e/11797/55912/

• Uruknet of January 26 published an editorial on the occasion of the second anniversary of the death of George Habash, founder of the Popular Front for Liberation of Palestine, by Yousef Abudayyeh who recounted his memory of Habash during their student days at the American University of Beirut.

  Full article available at:

  http://www.uruknet.info/?colonna=m&p=62582&l=e&size=1&hd=0

• Sys-con and Human Rights Today of January 26 announced that Annenberg Fellow Ellen Hume, Khalilzad Associates President and CEO Zalmay Khalilzad, and Columbia University Professor Andrew J. Nathan have joined the Board of Directors of the National Endowment for Democracy and said that all three were elected for a three-year term on January 15, 2010. The papers said that Khalizad holds a BA and MA from the American University of Beirut.

  Full article available at:

  http://uk.sys-con.com/node/1261013

• The Globe and Mail of January 27 published a commentary and political editorial on Elizabeth Suzanne Kassab’s recently published book, Contemporary Arab Thought, by Rami Khouri, director of AUB’s Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, entitled, “Recognition at last for the Arab world's modern thinkers.”

  Full article available at:

  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/recognition-at-last-for-the-arab-worlds-modern-thinkers/article1445175/