Tagged: UNC-Chapel Hill

Big-time college basketball is a way of life in North Carolina. It brings excitement and millions of dollars to the Triangle, and gives the region much of its identity. But actually playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference is out of reach for everyone but the most elite athletes. Except at UNC-Chapel Hill, where a Junior Varsity basketball team continues to prosper. It’s a one-of-a-kind opportunity for “regular” students.

Contrary to what doctors have believed for decades, a high-fiber diet may not stave off one intestinal disease. That's the conclusion of a study from UNC-Chapel Hill. It found no correlation between a lack of fiber and a higher incidence of diverticulosis. Anne Peery is the study's lead researcher.

Anne Peery: It's too early to tell patients what to do differently, but these results are really exciting for researchers. It gives us the opportunity to look at a disease process in new ways and to really rethink why people develop asymptomatic diverticulosis.

A new study out of UNC Chapel Hill's Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute shows that high-quality early childhood education has dramatic effects on quality of life.

Dave DeWitt: In academic circles, the Abecedarian Project is renowned for its rare length. For 30 years, researchers have followed the same group of high-risk, largely African-American children. Half received intensive pre-school and child care; the other half did not.

North Carolina will play in its 4th consecutive bowl game later today. The Tar Heels take on Missouri in the Independence Bowl.

The last 18 months have seen major changes to North Carolina’s football program. And the state of transition will last one more game, as interim coach Everett Withers coaches the team despite the hiring of a new head coach.

Larry Fedora was chosen to lead the program, but Withers will coach the team at the Independence Bowl. Withers was a candidate for the permanent job, but didn’t get it.

Orange County and UNC Chapel Hill are working together to make productive use of a landfill gas. Methane originates from the decomposition of organic materials such as food. The collaboration will collect methane from the county's landfill and use it to produce electricity using a generator at UNC. Ray DuBose is the director of UNC Energy Services. He says projects like these are not without precedent.

The historic YMCA building on the Carolina campus will also serve as the home of a new Social Entrepreneurs initiative for students.  The Social Innovation Incubator officially opens in January and will provide space for three teams of students to nurture their projects.  Richard Harrill is the director of the Campus "Y" at UNC.  He says they are currently accepting applications from students who want to be the first residents to work out of the innovation incubator.