IN. LOCK&ISTATt The Michigan Daily - Thursday, January 18, 1996 - A More Mchigan motorists are buckng up A new study released Tuesday by the University Transportation Re- search Institute indicates that more Michigan motorists are buckling up despite the current law, which allows police to issue a citation only if the driver is pulled over for another vio- lation first. Approximately two-thirds of people in passenger cars, vans and sport-utility #hicles are wearing safety belts, re- searchers David Eby, Fredrick Streff and Carl Christoff announced in their annual study of almost 9,900 Great Lakes State motorists. For the three vehicle types, these numberstareall- time highs. Researchers found noticeable differ- ences in the number of men vs. women who buckledup. In passengercars, about 71 percent of women wear safety belts, *hile 62.5 percent of men were found to travel with safety belts. The findings were recorded last fall by researchers posted at 168 intersec- tions and freeway exit ramps across the state. Scientists discover planets; life possible Two new planets have been discov- red outside the solar system, which toild have links to other life forms. At a meeting of the American Astro- nomical Society yesterday, San Fran- cisco State University physics and astronomy Prof. Geoffrey Marcy an- nounced the discovery of a gaseous planet orbiting the star 70 Virginis and a frigid planet orbiting the star 47 Ursae Majoris, a star within the Big Dipper. The discovery sets the precedent for a new age in astronomical re- search. Geologists, chemists and bi- ologists will now be able to research the new planets and learn about their climates, atmospheres and chemistry, which could have links to the exist- ence of life. "We are truly in the dawn of a new era. We'll probably be finding more new planets in coming years," Alan *oss of the Carnegie Institute told The Associated Press. Three months ago, Swiss astrono- mers announced their own impres- sive discovery, a planet in orbit of the star 51 Pegasi. Survey: Coughing no cause for alarm That nasty cough that's been pester- ng you for days may not be as much of a threat as you feared. Healthy people often cough twice an hour. Coughing actually helps protect the linings of the lungs and keep their passages clear of germ-causing dust. Those coughs that just won't go away, however, should be checked by a physician, who can provide medi- cine stronger than over-the-counter remedies. * Cough medicines are not intended to be a miracle treatment. The cough suppressant found in these medications only controls about half of hacks. An- -ther ingredient found in cough medi- aitions, called an expectorant, makes :coughing up phlegm easier for those :plAgued by a serious cold. A National Health Survey found that coughing is one of the most common reasons for doctor visits. - Compiled by Daily Staff Reporter Alice Robinson 'U, ter: recognizes Sen. Kassebaum for govt work ,, ,; By Jeff Eldridge Daily Staff Reporter U.S. Sen. Nancy Kassebaum - one of the most powerful members of in Congress and a University graduate - became the first recipient of a unique honor yesterday. The Kansas Republican received the first University of Michigan Distin- JOE WESTRATE/ Daily Fusion in a vacuumE D Fusing carbon steel in the above cube, Lei He conducts a "diffusion bonding" test yesterday. He, a Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering, is using the instron Machine to combine two metals and create a bond with few defects. guished Legislator is given to a leg- islator who is considered to have made an es- pecially valuable contribution to the federal gov- ernment. As part of the award, Kasse- baum selected a student from her state to receive a four-year, full-ride University. Award. The award "fShe hj affection Universit Assistant to S( scholarship to the Regents to hold shot Meetig sec f By Jeff Eldridge Daily Staff Reporter The University Board of Regents will forsake its typically elaborate monthly meeting tomorrow and spend most of the day on the presidential search. "We're going to have a very short business meeting," said University President James J. Duderstadt, who said the meeting will consist of "minor ac- tions that will last five minutes." University spokeswoman Kim Clarke said it is not unusual for a January meeting to be short. "In the past there have been sugges- tions that they don't even meet in Janu- ary," Clarke said, adding that previous January meetings have lasted only 20 or 30 minutes. Regent Shirley McFee (R-Battle Creek), who co-chairs the presidential search committee, said the length of the January meetings often vary. "It depends on if there are any items of business that need to be taken care of," McFee said, attributing the length of this month's meeting to the fact that there are only two items of business. Duderstadt attributed the regents' lack of activity to the fact that the University was closed down for three weeks dur- ing the holiday break instead of the usual two, saying the University is "go- ing to be a week behind in spinning things up." Tomorrow's meeting will start at 8:30 a.m. in the Gerald R. Ford Library, and will be immediately followed by a pub- lic meeting of the Presidential Search Committee. At 10 a.m., the regents will conduct a public forum to receive input on the presidential search. -Daily Staff Reporter Jodi Cohen contributed to this report. About PBB Polybrominated biphenyl, or PBB, is a fire retardant. it was mistakenly mixed with animal feed in 1973. Many farm animals were contaminated when the flame' retardant called Firemaster was accidentally substituted for a dairy cow feed supplement. More than 500 farms were quarantined and thousands of cattle, pigs and chickens were destroyed. PBB has not been manufactured since the 1970s. Source: The Associated' Press Tests reveal PBB in Huo ivestocbk LANSING (AP) - A fire retardant ingredient found to have contaminated much of Michigan's livestock feed and to have caused widespread fear of health problems in the 1970s has surfaced on a Huron County farm. The Michigan Department of Agriculture reported yester- day that a hog from the farm was found to contain PBB, or polybrominated biphenyl. "None ofthe contaminated meat reached the public and we have found no evidence of contamination beyond this one farm," said Gordon Guyer, director of the Michigan Depart- ment of Agriculture. Department officials did not publicly identify the owner of the farm, but said the farm was not involved in the 1970s contamination. The chemical has not been manufactured since the 1970s but turned up recently during routine testing by the U.S. Department of Agriculture when the hog was taken to a custom slaughter- house. Tests showed a PBB level of0.1 parts per million of PBB in the hog, above the federal action level of 0.03 parts per million. All other animals on the farm have been quaran- tined. Test results completed to date found three other hogs and three cattle at the farm contain very low levels of PBB. The department said all animals that test positive for PBB will be destroyed. The investigation is continuing into the source of the PBB. "The presence of PBB in the other animals on the farm indicates the likely contamination is on the farm itself. As a precaution, however, (department) inspectors have been visiting surrounding farms in the area to gain background information and have taken samples from slaughterhouses in the Thumb area," the department said in a statement. "I think of the University of Michi- gan, as well as the University of Kan- sas, as my alma mater," Kassebaum said in an interview with The Michigan Daily. "I was really honored to be cho- sen as the first recipient.' The award and scholarship were en- dowed by Bertram J. Askwith, a Univer- sity graduate and the CEO of Campus Coach Lines, a New York-based charter bus company. LSA Dean Edie N. Goldenberg said a scholarship coupled with an award like this is "highly un- usual." "(Askwith) is very devoted to the University," Goldenberg said. "He wanted it to be possible for a student to come here and be financially sup- ported." Goldenberg said the Distinguished Legislator Award will not be given ex- clusively to University graduates or Michigan legislators, even though the scholarship will always go to a Univer- sity student. "I was tickled pink to see it was someone who graduated from Michi- gan," Goldenberg said. "Apparently it was a very easy choice." David Bartel, an assistant to Kassebaum, said the senator was "greatly honored" to be chosen. "She has great affection for the University," Bartel said. Kassebaum selected Rebecca Ihire, a .senior at Topeka High School in To- peka, Kan., as the recipient of the schol- arship. Kassebaum said she was im- pressed by Ihire's academic and extra- curricular record. "She was first among her classmates at Topeka High," Kassebaum said. "She was varsity in cross-country and has done well in de- bate." Ihire ao iS great played the clai- net in her high for the schoolebatt. Bartel said thire , turned dowin - David Bartel Harvard in or r - to attendthe Ua- en. Kassebaum versity. Askwith said he established te awardto drawattention to the University's reputation, and especially that of the po- litical science department. He also saidgt is important to draw attention to wort- while legislators, especially in a tine when public sentiment is increasingty cynical of the federal government.' Kassebaum was chosen as the Dj.- tinguished Legislator by a panel mate up of Charles Eisendrath, director.of Michigan Journalism Fellows; eil Skene, publisher of CongressiAial Quarterly magazine; and MOTfn Tolchin, editor and publisher of The Hill newspaper. Kassebaum received the award jes- terday at the National Press Club in Washington, within two hours of fe- turning from a two-week fact-findtng tour in Africa. She said that seeing'the levels of poverty in Africa affirme(Me importance of education. "You realize it's going to take acouple of generations to really get to a brl- based citizenry, with basic education;" Kassebaum said, adding thatthe impor- tance of education was the center of her remarks at the award ceremony. Kassebaum spent four years at tie University of Kansas before receivinga master's degree in the history of dip%6- macy from the University of Michign. She was first elected to the Senaterin 1978 and announced last fall that shbe would not seek re-election in 1996. AATU hotline goes dead because of renovations From Staff Reports The Ann Arbor Tenants' Union is asking any tenants with questions to come to its office to ask them in per- son. The AATU's telephone hotline was scheduled to be disconnected at mid- night yesterday because of renova- tions on the fourth floor of the Michi- gan Union, AATU Director Pattrice Maurer said. The AATU is temporarily operating out of Room 21 in the basement of the Perry Building,justwest of South Quad. The new office is currently without telephone service. Maurer urged students needing ad- vice to visit the office during its walk- in hours: weekdays from noon to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. .a I "Gay activism has secured anew foothold in the University's aca- demic door with a Course Mart offering on Gay and Lesbian Lib- eration. "The course, officially entitled 'The Politics of Gay and Lesbian Liberation,' is the brainchild of Teaching Assistant Dan Tsang and will outline the history of gay op- pression and homosexual struggle for acceptance and equality." 1 What's happening in Ann Arbor today GROUP MEETINGS O AIESEC Michigan, International Student Happy Hour, 662-1690, Arbor Brewing Company, 9 p.m. L Campus Crusade for Christ, Real Life, 930-9269, Dental Building, Kello gg Auditorium, 7-8:15 p.m. U intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Mason Hall, Room G429, 7 p.m. Q Orthodox Christian Fellowship, 665- 9934, Michigan Union, Michigan Room, 7 p.m. U Pre-Med Club, meeting, 764-1755, Michigan Union, Pendleton Room, 6 p.m. U Reform Chavurah, weekly meeting, sponsored by Hillel, 1429 Hill Street, 7 p.m. EVENTs call 213-0885 for more infor- mation. U "Jewish Emigration From Russia and the Ukraine: Comparisons and Co- nundrums," sponsored by the Frankel Center for Judaic Studies, Frieze Building, Room 3040, 12 noon U "Molecular Dynamics and Solvent Cage Effects in Fluids Studied by Modern ESR," physical/ana- lytical seminar, Dr. Jack Freed, sponsored by Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Building, Room 1640, 4 p.m. U "Multicultural Career Confer- ence: Pre-Conference Work- shop," sponsored by Career Planning and Placement, 3200 Student Activities Building, Table," sponsored by Hillel, Cava Java, corner of E. Univer- sity and S. University, 5:30 p.m. D "The New Concentration in Communi- cation Studies," sponsored by The Department of Communication Stud- ies, Modern Languages Building, Lecture Room 1, 4-5 p.m. STUDENT SERVICES 0 Campus information Centers, Michi- gan Union and North Campus Com- mons, 763-INFO, info@umich.edu, UM*Events on GOpherBLUE, and http://www.umich.edu/info on the World Wide Web a English Composition Board Peer Tu- toring, Mason Hall, Room 444C, 7- 11 p.m. I