— UW-Madison reports that a new, highly detailed study of the H1N1 flu virus shows the pathogen is more virulent than previously thought. Writing in a fast-tracked report published today (July 13, 2009) in the journal Nature, an international team of researchers led by University of Wisconsin-Madison virologist Yoshihiro Kawaoka provides a detailed portrait of the pandemic virus and its pathogenic qualities. The H1N1 virus exhibits an ability to infect cells deep in the lungs, where it can cause pneumonia and, in severe cases, death. Seasonal viruses typically infect only cells in the upper respiratory system. “There is a misunderstanding about this virus,” says Kawaoka, a professor of pathobiological sciences at the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine and a leading authority on influenza. “People think this pathogen may be similar to seasonal influenza. This study shows that is not the case. There is clear evidence the virus is different than seasonal influenza.” See the UW-Madison release: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=164263 — Both the Dow Jones and the WisBusiness index of Wisconsin stocks open the week below their starting points from a week ago. The Dow opens at 8,146, down from last week’s open of 8,280. And the WisBusiness index of 70 state stocks opens at 1,417, down 30 points from last week’s open. This week wil see quarterly earnings releases from seven state companies. Thursday releases are due from Harley-Davidson, Associated Banc-Corp., Renaissance Learning, private mortgage insurer MGIC and manufacturer Badger Meter. Friday will see releases from M&I Bank and manufacturer A.O. Smith. See the WisBusiness Stock Tracker for more on the WisBusiness stock index: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=140042 — A new report from a conservative state group says Wisconsin’s economic growth is lagging behind Midwestern neighbors like Minnesota and Illinois thanks to below-average wages and below-average job growth. The Wisconsin Policy Research Institute says the state needs more focus and an overarching strategy to grow the economy and address a trend of upper-income workers leaving the state. The report says Wisconsin ranks 47th in a five-year comparison of personal income growth and 43rd in change in state gross domestic product since 2000. See the report: http://www.wpri.org/WIInterest/Vol18No2/Hefty-Torinus18.2.html — Fish farmers hit with high feed costs last year may be able to recoup some of their losses under a new federal recovery program, but they need to act by July 31. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 allocated $50 million to aquaculture producers, including more than $27,000 to those in Wisconsin. To qualify, they must have paid at least 25 percent more for feed in 2008 than the previous five-year average. See details: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=164190 TOP STORIES
Doyle clears $8M in Mitchell Airport projects: Wisconsin Gov.Jim Doyle has approved $8 million in funding for construction and improvement projects at General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee. Wisconsin shipyards receive federal grants: Bay Shipbuilding Co. of Sturgeon Bay and Marinette Marine Co. of Marinette have received a total of $4.3 million in federal funding for capital and infrastructure work on their shipyards. Local firm to build $26.9M spine center at VA: C3T Construction Co. of Milwaukee has been awarded a $26.9 million contract to design and build a free-standing spinal cord injury center at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee. Paper converter Pacon Corp. stays busy: Paper converter Pacon Corp. is up and running on a brisk summer schedule, having recently completed a plant closure in Iowa. ************************************************************ See commentary from around the state and columns from WisBusiness contributors Jennifer Sereno, Kevin McKinley, Tom Burzinski, Gregg Hoffmann, Tom Still and Steve Jagler: ************************************************************ TECHNOLOGY (back to top) – Battery innovation thrives in area
ECONOMY (back to top)
MANUFACTURING (back to top) – For GM suppliers, struggles remain – Metal-product manufacturers expect uptick in activity
LABOR (back to top) – Rasmussen College’s Wausau campus gains certification – Study: Few PR managers, lawyers unemployed
SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
INVESTING (back to top) – Wisco Research zeros in on state, consumer stocks
REAL ESTATE (back to top) – Short circuit: Struggling homeowners opt for alternative in order to avoid foreclosure – Short sales not only hard on homeowners – Lenders abandoning foreclosed properties
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top) – Portage County hits the sweet spot with cranberry industry
TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
RETAIL (back to top)
UTILITIES (back to top)
HEALTH CARE (back to top) – Study: BadgerCare Plus improving access to health insurance
MANAGEMENT (back to top) PRESS RELEASES (back to top) For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82 |
Quick links
WisBusiness sponsors Media partners National business round-ups |
(c)2009 WisBusiness.com.
All rights reserved. Reproduction or retransmission of this
publication, in whole or in part, without the express permission of
WisBusiness.com is prohibited. Unauthorized reproduction violates
United States copyright law (17 USC 101 et seq.), as does
retransmission by facsimile or any other electronic means, including
electronic mail.
