VIAGRA BLUES: When Jane Brody decided to feature problems caused by viagra in her nationally distributed health column, she turned to Sociology Professor Pepper Schwartz for a comment. Said Schwartz, “A pill cannot address interpersonal problems and feelings of anger and frustration that are common in couples who haven’t had sex in a long time. A newly restored capacity for sex needs to be accompanied by an exploration of what she wants, what he wants and what each of them expects.”

VIAGRA & WOMEN: The recent splash over the anti-impotence drug viagra has mostly concentrated on men, but an article in Time Magazine suggests it may also be effective for treating female sexual dysfunction. Quoted was Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Professor Julia Heiman, who said, “Male sexuality has always been viewed as more important. A man needs an erection to have intercourse, so it’s easy to regard a man’s sexuality as important and a woman’s as sort of an interesting pastime.”

GRADES AND EVALUATIONS: Psychology Professor Anthony Greenwald and Educational Assessment Center Director Gerald Gilmore’s study of how grading affects student evaluations was covered in The New York Times. “Grading leniency affects ratings,” Greenwald told The Times. “All other things being equal, a professor can get higher ratings by giving higher grades.”

BLACK SMOKERS: A scientific expedition to retrieve underwater chimneys formed over hot-water vents in the Earth’s crust received wide coverage, including an article in the Vancouver Sun that quoted Oceanography Professor John Delaney. Said Delaney, “We may very well gain insight into how to search for life on other planets if we can learn how to properly search for life here. What we have done is to bring a whole microbial habitat to the surface. ¶

Newsmakers is a periodic column reporting on the coverage of the University of Washington by the national press and broadcasting services.