News
"Believe
in ME...Maine"
By Rep. Susan Austin
Representing portions of Gray, No.Yarmouth & Pownal,
serving on the Business Research and Economic Development
Committee I gain and gather "good news"
just for YOU!
The Second Special- Session is over now but there
is still plenty of information coming across my screen.
The University of New England College Of Osteopathic
Medicine established in 1978 on UNE's Biddeford campus,
Maine's only medical school and New England's only
osteopathic medical school, emphasizes education of
primary care physicians. Maine's Biomedical Research
Coalition of which UNE's medical school is a part,
has created close to 500 new, well paying jobs in
just the last 4 years. Maine state government has
invested approximately $42 million into biomedical
research in that time and that investment has leveraged
over $275 million in federal and private grants.
Let me share three examples of research taking place
right here in our state that may affect many of us
in the future. Ian Meng's research on the neurophysiologic
mechanisms at the base of headache pain is interested
in how the overuse of drugs taken in treating a migraine
may be found to increase headache frequency. This
phenomenon you may have heard referred to as "Rebound
headache."
Another Ph.D., Amy Davidoff is studying how diabetes
which some 16 Million Americans have, adversely affects
the muscle cells that allow the heart to pump blood.
Heart disease is the 6th leading cause of death by
disease in this country and the majority of diabetes
death is caused by heart disease. Ed Bilsky, Ph. D.
is studying a new family of drugs developed by him
and his research colleagues that may replace morphine
for severe pain treatment, help reduce certain drug
addictions and also treat drug related overdoses.
Morphine although extremely effective in treating
pain is a highly addictive drug that produces harsh
side effects.
Authors note: Biomedical research comes under the
prevue of my state committee and recently I learned
through a presentation that research in all major
diseases is taking place within the Maine Coalition.
The coalition consists of UNE, Maine Medical Center,
Eastern Maine Medical Center, Jackson Laboratory and
the Foundation for Blood Research.
Cumberland Fair 2005 is dedicated to "Thanking
our Maine Soldiers". The Fair will honor our
service men and women for their contributions and
sacrifices. On Sunday, September 25th, Opening Day,
Military personnel either wearing their uniform or
carrying their I.D. will be admitted to the Fair Admission
free.
General Libby is expected to make an address at the
Opening Ceremony. There will be a display of military
vehicles, rides for youngsters, and a display of area
fire and rescue emergency vehicles. An array of free
entertainment from area musicians will be presented.
Opening day ceremonies will occur directly in front
of the grandstands.
I invite our Maine military to join us for a day at
Cumberland Fair that we may say Thank YOU!
Sue
W. Austin
State Representative for portions of: Gray, North
Yarmouth and Pownal
Home Tel. 657-4100 swaustin@maine.rr.com
