By: Parker Lemke

Screening for serious illnesses like cancer, HIV and heart disease could one day become part of routine checkups thanks to a handheld device called z-Lab, which can detect an array of ailments using only a single drop of urine or other bodily fluid.

The new, potentially lifesaving technology, which uses sensors on biochips to detect early signs of disease, was developed by the Golden Gopher Magnetic Biosensing Team — a collaboration between University of Minnesota researchers and engineers, Mayo Clinic doctors and industry partners.

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By: Liz Anderson

After a student group raised criticism on the University of Minnesota’s commitment to diversity, President Eric Kaler has plans to confront their concerns.

While administrators say the school is working toward building a more diverse climate, the student organization Whose Diversity? is among a group of students, staff and faculty that is criticizing the institution’s efforts to increase and retain students and employees from a range of backgrounds.

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By: Ethan Nelson

After nearly 20 years of work, Prospect Park may finally see historic designation.

The neighborhood’s residents opposed a local historic designation in 2010, but some residents and city officials hope the 130-year-old neighborhood will gain national historic designation this spring.

Citizens opposed the city’s requirements for local designation because of their time-consuming and strict nature.

Along with some other incentives and requirements, national recognition would add the area to the National Register of Historic Places.

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By: Haley Hansen

When a department at the University of Minnesota gets new office chairs, the old ones are shipped off and packed away in a warehouse in the Southeast Como neighborhood.

The storeroom is part of the University’s ReUse Program, which collects surplus office furniture, appliances and supplies from around the school and sells them to students, employees and the public at a reduced price.

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By: Blair Emerson

The Minnesota Daily sat down with University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler on a snowy Monday afternoon for its monthly Kickin’ It with Kaler interview.

Kaler discussed a range of topics, including demographic changes in the state and the University’s 2016-2017 biennial budget request.

You took a trip last week to Sungkyunkwan University in South Korea. How was your trip, and why did you travel there?

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By: Nick Wicker

Two University of Minnesota students were assaulted Friday morning during an attempted robbery on the outskirts of Dinkytown, according to a crime alert emailed to the school community later that day.

The alert said two women were walking along 12th Avenue Southeast when a dark-colored minivan stopped at the road’s intersection with Sixth Street Southeast.

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Dr. Date,

My boyfriend and I have been getting in really nasty fights lately, and it’s because of his views on women. Don’t get me wrong, he’s not radically sexist in the term’s literal sense; he just has views that don’t match with mine.

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By: Haley Hansen

The Graduate and Professional Student Assembly may undergo major restructuring next year in an attempt to prevent overlap and to better serve students.

Leaders within the group are proposing a new student government organization that’s equivalent to the Council of Graduate Students to specifically focus on the needs of professional students.

GAPSA President Alfonso Sintjago said with the proposed change, GAPSA would only meet a couple of times per year to discuss issues that cross between the groups.

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By: Sarah Connor

Some University of Minnesota fraternity members say they’re faced with the tough decision of staying quiet or standing up and saying something — and potentially putting their reputation on the line — when their fellow brothers are harassing women at parties.

And this type of internal conflict isn’t uncommon, members say. Brothers may feel pressured to conform to what they think is society’s view of masculinity, which in turn can perpetuate problems within the greek community, like sexual harassment and hazing.

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By: Kelsey Christensen

Though new University of Minnesota research could break ground on treatment for Parkinson’s disease, Jackie Christensen, who was diagnosed with the illness 18 years ago, said she has a hard time imagining a fix for her daily struggles.

“There’s not a short answer,” said Christensen, who is also the state of Minnesota’s director for the Parkinson’s Action Network. “I think it’s hard to find a cure because we don’t know what causes it in most cases.”

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