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University researchers look at effects of Ritalin on driving

By Juliana Chan | March 9, 2000

If you are facing a long drive home and suffer from ADHD, Ritalin may help you get home safely. Three recent University studies are shedding light on the controversial stimulant Ritalin, which doctors say has been over-prescribed in recent years and is sometimes touted as a miracle drug to improve concentration. A report published last week by University Health System researchers in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease found that Ritalin, the drug commonly used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, can improve driving in young men with ADHD. ADHD is a common disorder which prevents individuals from focusing their attention on specific tasks for an extended amount of time. Dr. Daniel Cox, principal investigator of the study, said that individuals with ADHD are three to five times more likely to receive traffic violations and get into automobile accidents than those without ADHD. Cox tested men between the ages of 19 and 25 in a computerized simulation that generated rush-hour driving conditions. Cox and Dr. Larry Merkel, a co-investigator in the study, tested two groups of six men -- half that took a placebo drug and half that took Ritalin.

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Republican contenders look to fill Bliley's Congress seat

By Carolyn Klosko | March 9, 2000

After 20 years of service in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Thomas J. Bliley (R-7th) announced this week that he will retire from the House at the end of this term. Bliley, from Richmond, has served as chairman of the House Commerce Committee since January 1995.

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Bradley likely to abandon nomination bid

By Emily Roper | March 9, 2000

After devastating losses in all 16 Super Tuesday primaries, former Sen. Bill Bradley (D) is expected to bow out of the nominating process today in a press conference at his New Jersey campaign headquarters. While the Bradley camp would not confirm the candidate's withdrawal officially, many political experts believe retreating from the race is Bradley's only option. "He's absolutely foolish not to" drop out of the race, said Robert Holsworth, chair of the department of international and public affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University. "Bradley collapsed," said Larry J.

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Conference to discuss religion, bioethics issues

By Shelley Johnson | March 9, 2000

It is a thin line between medical miracles and playing God. This intertwining relationship between religion and ethics in medicine has brought the University and its bioethics program, which examines moral issues within the field of medicine, to the forefront of academic discussion. Exploring just how far scientists can go in their medical advances without violating religious principles will be the focus of the University's Center for Biomedical Ethics-sponsored bioethics conference, "Belief and Bioethics: Religious Faith and Secular Medical Ethics." A variety of issues relating to both research advancements and basic medical treatment will be the topics for discussion.

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Honor forms new Alumni Advisory Group

By John McArdle | March 8, 2000

In order to facilitate dialogue between past and current Committee members, the Honor Committee is creating a formal Alumni Advisory Group that will meet twice each year to advise the Committee on constitutional and operational concerns. Committee Chairman Hunter Ferguson brought this proposal to the Committee last week as a replacement for the former Old Chair's Conference.

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University faces nursing shortage

By Jaime Levi | March 8, 2000

Many nurses at the University Health System are facing longer hours and busier days as a result of a nursing staff shortage. According to Marlene Bond, University associate vice president for nursing, there are about 50 nursing vacancies in the Health System.

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Local man shot, killed in area near 10th Street

By Jacqueline Roper | March 8, 2000

A Charlottesville resident died early yesterday morning after being shot in the head late Monday night. The shooting occurred in the 900th block of Paoli Street at approximately 11:45 p.m.. Authorities identified the victim as Jonathan Tibbs, a man in his early 20s. Charlottesville Police responded within 60 seconds to a 911 call Monday night and found the victim lying on the ground, Police Detective Blaine Cosgro said. Police recovered several shell casings from the scene of the shooting and now are investigating the incident.

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Internet gains value as important

By Emily Rockwood | March 8, 2000

The Internet's political prowess is being tested this week during the Super Tuesday presidential primaries. This date marks one of the most important times in the primary season when vote-swinging states like New York and California enter the electoral ring. This week's primaries predict more than just the presidential chances of the five hopefuls; they also help assess the Internet's potential to shape the political process. This week will "tell the tale" and determine just how much impact the Internet will have at the voting booth, Politics Online site editor Tom Kennedy said. Related Links Cavalier Daily Election 2000 Coverage Already, Arizona Senator John McCain (R) has used the medium to his advantage, racking up donations and enlisting campaign volunteers online. For most of the cadidates, once the Web site is accessed a box pops up offering an easy way to donate money. "The Internet provided rocket fuel for McCain after New Hampshire," said Michael Cornfield, spokesman for the Democracy Online project at George Washington University.

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Bush, McCain focus on education, ethics

By Rakesh Gopalan and Michael Greenwald | March 7, 2000

PLEASANT HILL, Calif.-Arizona Sen. John McCain and Texas Gov. George W. Bush stomped through the Golden State yesterday, each hoping to take home California's 162 Republican delegates and capture the GOP presidential nomination. North of San Francisco at Diablo Valley College Sunday, McCain urged Californians to participate in today's Super Tuesday primaries and emphasized the bipartisan strength of his campaign. "I'm the only candidate that can beat Al Gore," McCain said at the rally.

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University reports rise in crime rates

By Jaime Levi | March 7, 2000

Despite stepping up its crime prevention strategies, the University faced a 13-percent overall increase in crime last year, even as the city saw an overall decrease in crime. The number of reported incidents at the University in 1999 totaled 418, compared to 370 for 1998. In each category except for rape, which decreased to one from two incidents, the number of crimes increased. The categories of crime included in the statistics are homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft. Despite the University's crime increase, the overall crime rate for Charlottesville dropped 9 percent last year.

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Education finance bill provokes controversy

By John Teschner | March 7, 2000

The U.S. Senate passed a controversial - and expensive - college education finance bill Thursday that may face opposition because of one section that critics say would benefit only well-off families. The $4.3 billion legislation uses tax breaks to help students and families save for college tuition, pay back college loans and attend graduate school. While these aspects of the bill have met with little dispute, controversy surrounds a section which allows parents to put up to $2,000 a year into a tax-free, federal government-sponsored savings account specially earmarked for their children's education.

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Council, Honor to discuss bylaw

By John McArdle | March 7, 2000

Student Council will decide tonight whether to support the Honor Committee in its decision to hold a special election to vote eliminating the consideration of seriousness in cases of academic cheating. Now a student only can be convicted of an honor offense if the action is deemed serious enough to compromise the University's community of trust. The Committee's decision to move forward on holding a University-wide election to consider this matter has provoked tension between the two governing bodies. "I think it's absolutely ridiculous," Council Chief Financial Officer John Finley said.

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University to begin drug testing for hospital jobs

By Christine Buurma | March 7, 2000

Applicants for employment in certain health and security-related University positions will be required to undergo screening for drugs and alcohol beginning April 1. The policy will apply to about 35,000 University jobs, mostly in the Medical Center. The policy will affect only applicants for positions that directly impact individuals' safety, including hospital staff, University Police, security officers and operators of hazardous equipment. Thomas Gausvik, University chief human resource officer, emphasized that "this is not a random screening process." Testing is not required for those who currently are employed by the University unless there is sufficient reason to believe that an employee may be using a controlled substance, Gausvik said. He emphasized that there is no provision for random testing, except when offenders return to work. The University Health System proposed this policy four years ago, and it had been in development until now, he said. Board of Visitors Rector John P.

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