LOCAL/STATE
The Michigan Daily - Thursday, April 2.:1998 -IA
ESEARCH
Study links
catastrophizing
to early death
A study conducted over time by psy-
hology Prof. Christopher Peterson and
olleagues concluded that males with
the tendency to catastrophize about bad
events are 25 percent more likely to die
by the age of 65 than men with differ-
ent outlooks.
Peterson studied 1,182 subjects for
their tendency to catastrophize, or
seeing the bad in one's life as part of
an overwhelming evil that occurs to
everyone.
The study began in 1921 when sub-
ets were asked questions about disap-
pointments, failures, losses and person-
al faults and flaws.
He concluded that catastrophizing is
linked with poor problem solving, risky
decision-making and tendency to be
socially withdrawn.
Peterson said that being in an acci-
dent or violent situation may not be
random, but rather the result of a pes-
simistic lifestyle.
%tudy finds some
born as smokers
A recent study concluded that per-
sons who are inherintly more sensitive
to nicotine are more likely to decide to
continue to smoke after experimenting
with tobacco.
Ovide Pomerleau of the Nicotine
Research Laboratory conducted the
*tudy with his colleagues, and detailed
he effects of nicotine on experiment-
ing smokers.
Those individuals who said nicotine
produced pleasurable effects such as a
buzz or relaxation were more likely to
become addicted. The study noted that
other factors, such as peer pressure,
also play a role.
The study has importance concern-
ing cigarette advertising because it
tresses the significance of reducing
the number of teens who smoke their
first cigarette.
The results of the study suggest that in
the future it may be possible to identify
high-risk children and then target them
to deter them from picking up the habit.
Adoption rates up
for private agencies
Social Work assistant prof. Leslie
lollingsworth conducted a study that
showed adoption rates for private adop-
tion agencies rose 19 percent in 1996,
including a 31-percent increase in
adoptions of special-needs children.
Although finding homes for special-
needs children is traditionally more dif-
ficult than finding homes for infants,
steps have been taken to find homes for
more of these children.
0 Of the parents who adopt a special-
needs child, 90 percent are given assistance
with medical treatment and counseling.
Also noted by the study is the
increase in the number of African
Americans who adopted a child with a
special need.
African Americans adopted 60 percent
of the total 1,394 special-needs children.
Hubble pictures
drom study of
comet released
Two pictures of the comet Hyakutake,
taken by NASA's Hubble Space
"telescope last year during the comet's
pass by Earth as part of a University
researcher's observations, have recently
been released to the public.
The photos focused on the inner coma
r gassy head of the comet, and were
used to study the water photochemistry
in comets. Study of the images found
that Hyakutake expelled seven to eight
tons of water per second. Researchers
used an elaborate computer model to
confirm these observations.
Researchers found that another image
showed an illusion due to the spherical
distribution of the hydrogen atoms - the
most plentiful element in comets - in
the nucleus of the comet, which efficient-
scattered incoming ultraviolet rays.
The comet Hyakutake passed within
about 16 million kilometers of Earth in
1996.
-Complied by Daily StafReporter
Will Nash.
Panel discusses pro-choice movement history
By Melanie Sampson
,Daily Staff Reporter
Students learned about the past
and present of the pro-choice move-
ment in a panel discussion last night
co-sponsored by Students for
Choice and the Michigan Abortion
and Reproductive Rights Action
League.
Renee Chelian, a representative from
the Northland Family Planning Center,
began the discussion by telling about
the illegal abortion she had in 1966, a
procedure that took place when she was
15 years old.
"Have a baby or commit suicide -
that's what I felt my options were,' said
Chelian, who had planned to marry her
16-year-old boyfriend - the only
choice, other than abortion, her parents
gave her.
She said the abortion was neces-
sary, even though the risks were still
high.
I knew "I would have a second
chance at my life," Chelian said. "I
knew that it was illegal and I could pos-
sibly be arrested."
She described the events surround-
ing the abortion in detail. Her
boyfriend's father knew someone
who could perform the abortion.
Chelian and her father were sent to a
meeting place where they were
blindfolded and driven to a secret
location where the abortion would be
performed. She looked around the
warehouse that was filled with other
women waiting to have abortions.
"Whatever they told us to do, we
were going to do,' Chelian said.
Chelian was sent home after the
procedure and given medication, but
had to return to have a follow-up
abortion.
After the Roe v Wade decision made
abortion legal, she opened some of the
country's first abortion clinics.
"Abortions were legal and women
were coming," she said.
The discussion focused on the fact
that many supporters of the pro-choice
issue are older and many younger peo-
ple are not being educated on surgery,
especially in the medical comnlunity.
Medical second-tear student Mike
Evers, co-president of Medical Students
For Choice, said abortion training is an
option for medical students, but due to
tight schedules, is often unfeasible for
students.
The issue of legislation and pro-life
opposition was also discussed.
"I'm pro-choice, but that doesn't
mean I'm not pro-life" Chelian said.
"Being pro-choice simply means you
can't make the choice for someone
else."
Preeti Garg, a representative from
Planned Parenthood of Michigan, said
the organization does much in terms of
pregnancy prevention and deals with a
variety of reproductiv cissues. iudiiw
pegnianvy testing. pre-natil Care znid
gynecological care, as cl as a variet\
o0 educational and prex 11ion pro-
grams.
"We do more in one day to prevent
abortions than Right to Life (does) in a
year,"iarg said.
RC sophomore (arole Patrick
said people often don't rcalize that
the issue's lealityv is at such high
risk.
"With it legal, it's easy to take it fdr
granted," said RC sophomore (Caro;
Patrick, adding that people shotld esp-
cially pay attention to the tact ai4
pro-choice representativcs' terms areI
this year.
Injured face long stint in ER
waiting room of 'U' hospital
w
Y
By Amelia Levin
Daily Staff Reportcr
Anyone familiar with the television
series "ER" knows the drama and
excitement typically associated with an
emergency room.
But at the University Hospitals
Emergency Room, the waiting room is
more crowded and bustling than the
operating area.
The number of patients that visit the
Un iversity's emergency room has
increased by 4 percent this year. This
rising percentage, coupled with a con-
sistent shortage of beds in the emer-
gency room, has ultimately made
patients wait.longer for treatment.
"The turnaround time, or the average
time patients remain in the ER from the
time they sign forms up until they exit the
doors, continues to remain at three hours,
and we are hoping to reduce that num-
ber:' said Dr. Bill Barson, director of the
ER.
In an effort to mitigate this onogoing
problem of packed rooms and space con-
straints, hospital administrators and archi-
tects have been formalizing a costly reno-
vation project to expand ER services.
"The project will cost S19 million, so
this is a big deal," said Peter Forster,
Associate Hospital Administrator.
"The overcrowding situation signaled
that the ER needed to be renovated, and
that is why we are spending the time
and money to do it," he added.
Recently approved at the February
meeting of the University Board of
Regents, the plan was originally intend-
ed to begin in 1995, yet was postponed
due to an imposed halt on all capital
projects by University Health Services,
which at that time was undergoing seri-
ous financial strains.
Now, as the plan returns to the fore-
front of hospital affairs, project officials
await state approval, required by law
under the Certification of Need Act,
which determines whether or not a pro-
ject is worthy of state funds.
Confident that the project will gain
state approval, hospital administrators
said they anticipate that construction
will begin next fall and continue for
approximately two years. taking place
in an area currently located outside the
ER so as to prevent interference with
the present ER.
Upon completion, the old ER will
become an intermediary, or observa-
tion unit where patients may stay for.
longer periods of time. This new unit
will not only free room space for
more immediate trauma patients, but
will also help to reduce the number of
admitted patients, currently averaging
20 percent of all ER inconers a day,
comparable to a rate of 10 percent at
other local hospitals.
"If a child is suffering from dehydra-
tion, for example, he or she can receive
treatment in the intermediary unit and
not have to be admitted overnight,"
Barson said.
Other new additions in the ER will
include a pharmacy, as well as X-ray
machines and CAT scans, Crucial for
reducing the patient turnover rate and
increasing the efficiency of FR ser-
vices.
"Right now patients must be trans-
ferred to the radiology department to
receive X-rays and that takes a lot of
time," said Alex Oguejiofor, lead clerk
of the ER. "We want a setup that better
reflects the responsiveness of our staf."
The proposed 1ew setup for the FR
will therefore help to unify its dispersed
branches into ne cohesi ve unit, al low-
ing doctors to deliver Carc more CxpCdi-
ently.
"Our renovation plan will bring all
the three areas of adult. pediatric. and
urgent care services together" F orster
said.
Yet with or without the renovation,
University Hospitals continues to pro-
vide the highest quality of energency
care.
"It's an excellent hospital in terms
of the type of trainilMing and research
that goes on here," Barson said. "BIut
there's more to it than that. In my
opinion, you can't get better care any-
where else."
"My ER experience was xery l'rus-
trating," said LSA first-vcar student
Meredith Spiegel, who last year
received ER treatment at University
Hospitals for a minor injury. "Tlie
waiting room wxas packed with people
just sitting arounil for hours before a
doctor would come in and call their
names."
DANA LINNANE/Daily
English and religion prof. Ralph Williams speaks last night at the Michigan
League as part of the first ever Evening of Literature, Science and the Arts.
Evening dispel
myths of LSA,
-°'1
By Erin Holmes
Daily Staff Rcporter
In an evening beginning with
Shakespeare. and ending in song,
LSA students dedicated last night
to showcasing their school's diver-
sity, excitement and personality.
The first-ever Evening of
Literature, Science & the Arts
attempted to create a sense of iden-
tity within the large student popula-
tion of' LSA, said members of the
LSA Student Government Public
Activities Committee.
"In LSA, a lot of people think we
go through four years just being
here," said Sanju Krishnan, an LSA
sophomore and the chair of the
Public Activities Committee.
Krishnan said, one cannot assume
that LSA is less unique than other
schools because of its size.
"We have so many identities with-
in LSA," Krishnan said. "We need to
build unity within our college."
Krishnan said lie hoped the event
would dispel myths about LSA rep-
resenting fun and games instead of
dedicated study.
"We are a serious college and we
do serious work," Krishnan said.
The event, held in the Ballroom
of the Michigan League, combined
representatives from several disci-
plines within LSA to illustrate the
school's breadth of study.
English and religion Prof. Ralph
Williams, the event's keynote
speaker, said LSA houses some of
the most creative and imaginative
students on campus.
"The stereotype does not fit the
students that I know," Williams
said. "The students here explore
and push and probe and press me
for my best ideas."
Williams, who said lie was fortu-
nate to be in the presence of the LSA
students, addressed what he called
"the voices of LSA" in his speech.
"Diversity isn't an abstract goal,"
Williams said. "The most challeng-
ing of our tasks is putting our sto-
ries together."
Williams quoted William
Shakespeare and Walt Whitman to
illustrate the importance of uniting
the attributes of literature, science
and the arts.
"You and I am one," Williams
said, in a line from the play "As You
Like It." "In literature, we lay out
our narratives in the hopes that we
can be understood. In arts we
attempt to represents ourselves."
The evening featured the
University musical group Sugar Pill
and representatives from the
American Chemistry Society, who
incorporated the audience in their
experiment. Last year's M-Flick
winning film was shown.
The State Street Poetry Project and
58 Greene, an a cappella musical
group, were also involved in the
event.
Hwee Tay, an Engineering first-
year student, said she enjoyed watch-
ing the night unfold.
"At the engineering school, peo-
ple assume engineers work, work,
work and don't party as much as
LSA students do," Tay said.
"LSA students simply cannot be
-non-serious about their work,"
Williams said. "At their best, their
characteristic best, they are simply
splendid."
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
FALL 1998 COURSES
* Introduction to Infectious Diseases:
Designed to introduce undergraduate biology majors and pre-professionals to
the variety of strategies used by bacteria and viruses to cause disease. Taught
by faculty who study pathogenesis of cholera, cystic fibrosis, gonorrhea, oral
and genital herpes, Legionnaire's disease and tuberculosis. Micro 505.
Lectures. 3 credits. MWF, 1-2 pm, G127 Angell Hall.
* Basic Microbiology and Immunology:
Three separate but integrated modules present fundamental concepts of micro-
biology (Micro 501), immunology (Micro 502), and virology (Micro 503).
Appropriate for students interested in a basic understanding of the field.
Lectures. 1 credit modules*. MWF, 10-11 am, 5623 Medical Science
Building II.
. Studies in Microbial Physiology and Molecular Biology:
Three separate modules that can be taken individually or combined to form a
single course focusing on important topics in microbial physiology, molecular
biology, and genetics. Appropriate for students preparing for careers in health
professions or graduate work who are interested in a relatively advanced pre-
sentation of topics in microbial physiology (Micro 606), genetics and DNA
transactions (Micro 604), and regulation of gene expression (Micro 605).
Lectures, focusing on the literature. 1 credit modules*. TTH, 9-10:30 am,
5623 Medical Sciences Building II.
* Advanced Virology:
Three separate but integrated modules present fundamental molecular and cel-
lular concepts of viral replication and pathogenesis through lectures and dis-
cussion of the primary literature by the class. Will focus on viral-host interac-
tions (Micro 615), DNA tumor viruses (Micro 616) and retroviruses (Micro
617). Appropriate for pre-professionals and students interested in graduate
study in biology who are interested in a relatively advanced presentation of
topics. 1 credit modules*. TTH 1:30-3 pm, 5623 Medical Science Building
II.
* Molecular Recognition of the Immune System:
This one credit course (Micro 640) will consist of lectures and discussions
pertaining to receptor-ligand interactions in the immune system. The goal of
the course is to provide students with a broad overview o the structural basis
1
II. .L -LL
LKLLWL IbR
What's happening in Ann Arbor today
GROUP MEETINGS
L Graduate and Professional Mishneh
Torah Chug, 769-0500, Hllel,
1 A W~ ~il - 0 0.QCI a
J "The Ann Arbor Women Painters,"
Sponsored b Pierpont Commons
Arts and Programs, Pierpont
Commons, The Gallery Wall.
U "The North Campus Environment. A
Maple Rd., 6-9 p.m.
U Northwalk, 763-WALK, Bursley
Lobby, 8 p.m.- 1:30 a.m.
J Psychology Peer Advising Office,
647-3711, East Hall, Room 1346,