Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

As faculty members prepare for the holiday season, “Today’s Response” will go on hiatus following this edition. “Today’s Response” will return on Monday, January 17, 2011.

Too much of a good thing

A panel of experts at the Institute of Medicine now says that people are taking more Vitamin D and calcium supplements than they need. In light of this new research, how should people alter their diets? Dr. Janet Colson, human sciences, says, “Moderation is the key to nutrition. For the last 15 years or so, some studies (many sponsored by calcium manufacturers) have suggested that older women need 1,500 milligrams of calcium a day, higher than the 1,200 milligrams recommended by the established Dietary Reference Intakes. It has been well-established for many years that excessive calcium may result in kidney stones, which are typically made of calcium oxalate.”

Contact Colson at 615-898-2091.
jcolson@mtsu.edu

Don’t know much about history

Children in Israel and Palestine will not get to read a book titled Learning Each Other’s Historical Narrative. Israeli and Palestinian educators designed the book together. Dr. Rami Shapiro, adjunct professor of religious studies and an ordained rabbi, laments this development. Shapiro writes, “Of course, the leaders on both sides fear both empathy and dialogue, and so both have banned the book from public high school curriculums. How sad. On the other hand, it does show that the leader(s) of both sides are not really on opposite sides at all. They are on the same side: the side of fear and hatred that keeps them in power. Just as the Israelites could not enter the Promised Land until almost all of the older generation passed away, peace may not come to the region until all those currently in power pass away.”

Read Shapiro’s blog at http://rabbirami.blogspot.com/.

Stocking up

Do you expect the stock market to be higher 12 months from now, lower, or remain about the same? When this question was put to respondents to MTSU’s Middle Tennessee Consumer Confidence Index, only 10 percent expected the stock market to decline in value in the next 12 months. Almost half (46 percent) expect the stock market to stay relatively level for the next 12 months. Dr. Tim Graeff, director of MTSU’s Office of Consumer Research, says, “The fact that relatively few consumers expect a decline in the stock market over the next 12 months is a positive indicator that consumers also do not foresee a sharp decline in the value of their savings and investments. This can provide a level of comfort that can lead to increased spending.”

Contact Dr. Tim Graeff at 615-898-5124.
tgraeff@mtsu.edu

TR EXTRA

HAPPY HOLIDAYS--It’s time again for “Operation Christmas Care,” the project that sends holiday cheer to wounded warriors. The service, which was started in 2006 by Lee Ann Newton, executive aide for the Tennessee Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Center, has sent more than 20,000 Christmas cards to hospitalized military personnel. “Unfortunately, our soldiers’ individual support systems often dwindle after the life-threatening danger has passed,” says Norton, “and yet their painful daily regiment toward recovery continues. E-mails are nice, and they’re appreciated, but a colorful card or letter with a heartfelt message of support and encouragement can beam from the walls of their hospital rooms until they leave.” Contact Newton at 615-904-8573 or lnewton@mtsu.edu.