LOCAL/STATE
The Michigan Daily - Thursday, November 5, 1998 - 3A
ESEARCH
Genetics treat
muscular dystrophy
in muscles of mice
University researchers have success-
ully delivered a gene that produces dys-
rophin - the protein lacking in those
afflicted with muscular dystrophy - in
the muscles cell of mice, without elicit-
ing an immune system response.
Last year, human genetics Prof. Jeff
Chamberlain reported the success of a
viral vector - the whole package of
genes that delivers the intended gene to
the cells - in promoting dystrophin in
mice with no immune systems at the
American Society for Human Genetics'
meeting.
At this year's meeting, Giovanni
Salvatori, a research fellow in
Chamberlain's lab, reported that by elim-
inating some of the other genes involved
in delivering the dystrophin gene, the
researchers had managed to induce dys-
trophin production in mice without trig-
gering an immune response in normal
mice.
The gene leads to the stable produc-
on of dystrophin in the muscles of mice
with muscular dystrophy for at least four
months. Chamberlain and his colleagues
are scheduled to test whether the vector
is safety in humans beginning in the
spring of 1999.
Immune response
to virus might be
linked to autism
k Autism may be linked to antibodies
ound in the bloodstream of autistic chil-
dren, thought to be an immune response
to a virus, University researchers report
in the October issue of the journal
Clinical Immunology and
Immunopathblogy.
Pharmacy researchers Vijendra
Singh and Victor Yang conclude that
the bodies of autistic children pro-
uced high levels of antibodies to
rain proteins because of past expo-
sure to certain viruses.
Autism delays development of brain
function, reasoning ability, communi-
cation and socializing skills in chil-
dren.
Religious teens
lead healthy lives
American teenagers for whom reli-
on is an important part of their lives are
ess likely to engage in risky behavior
than their peers, according a new
University study.
Social work Profs. John Wallace and
Tyrone Forman questioned 5,000 high
school seniors about their religious
beliefs and involvement, and about their
behaviors and activities.
About one-third of those involved in
the survey were classified as highly reli-
*ous.
The study, published in the journal
Health Education and Behavior, shows
that highly religious teens were less like-
ly to drink and drive, smoke cigarettes or
marijuana, carry weapons and fight with
others.
These teenagers were also more likely
to wear seat belts, eat healthily, exercise
and sleep properly.
U' students
eceive fellowships
Three doctoral and postdoctoral stu-
dents in the University have received
research fellowships for the 1998-99
academic year from the American
Association of University Women
Educational Foundation in Washington
D.C.
The three women are Jasmine
cinder, studying for a doctorate in art
story and appreciation; Naomi
Andre, finishing a postdoctorate in
history, literature and musicology; and
Elizabeth Smith, pursuing a Ph.D. in
mechanical engineering.
This year, the AAUWEF awarded
$2.8 million in grants and fellowships to
290 accomplished women.
The AAUWEF is one of the largest
sources of funding for women's schol-
arship in the world and supports
omen finishing dissertations and pur-
ing degrees in professions where
women have been underrepresented in
the past.
- Compiled by Daily Staff Reporter
Gerard Cohen-Vrignaud.
Methane used for power
By Avram S. Turkel
Daily StaffTReporter
The recent transformation of an
Ann Arbor landfill has turned an
environmental problem into an
effective energy source.
In 1994, the trash piled higher and
higher in the Ann Arbor Swiftrun
Landfill until the methane gas
released by the refuse was becoming
an environmental hazard.
Landfills serving most middle-to-
larger cities are required by the
Environmental Protection Agency to
dispose of their methane.
The city of Ann Arbor decided to
dispose of its gas by leasing the
rights to the pollutant methane, a
byproduct of the garbage, to Detroit
Edison Biomass Energy.
The lease, enacted last April for
the duration of 10 years, gives DTE
Biomass Energy, an electricity-pro-
ducing subsidiary of Detroit Edison,
the right to bring in equipment, bur-
row holes into the landfill and suck
the pollutant gas from the ground.
DTE Biomass Energy pays the
city a yearly $15,000 fee, for which
it receives full rights to the gas and
the electricity produced, and has
already invested approximately $2.5
million dollars in the project.
"It's taking what was an environ-
mental problem and turning it into a
resource," said David Konkle, ener-
gy coordinator for Ann Arbor's facil-
ities management division. "It's a
win-win situation and just an intelli-
gent thing to do."
When burned, the methane, which
is pumped by Biomass at the rate of
800,000-1,000,000 cubic feet a day,
produces electricity.
"This form of energy is renewable and
non-polluting," Konkle said. Burning
methane does not allow the pollutant to
drift into the atmosphere.
"The combustion of methane pro-
duces nitrogen oxides which are pollu-
tants and effect the ozone," said Stuart
Batterman, associate professor of
environmental and industrial health,
"but the effect is small," he said.
When the City Council approved
the resolution accepting the con-
tract, it also formed a panel to
explore the avenues open to the city
once the lease is up. The panel is
made up of representatives from the
Parks Advisory, the Recreations
Advisory, the Energy Commission,
the South East Area Task Force and
Pitsfield Township.
"There are over 400 acres. There are
a lot of options for the future" said
Gerald Clark. deputy superintendent of
Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation.
Clark said the city would like to
use the equipment DTE Biomass
Energy leaves at the landfill, but
other forms of energy, such as solar f.
power and energy through burning
wood, are being explored in case the
equipment can't be used.
"Power would probably be sold to
Detroit Edison. It's the easiest way"
Clark said.
Another option is using the land
for open park area or development.
"We would hope to use it for some .
beneficial purpose," Mayor Ingrid
Sheldon said.
No decisions will be made imme-
diately. ANI MAIO/Daly
"We're in a waiting phase right Once an ordinary landfill, Ann Arbor officials now lease the rights to the Ann Arbor
now," Clark said. Swiftrun Landfill to Detroit Edison for use as a power source.
Bombing# trial wtnss
Shf tpe
Sheriftipp e d off sttmia
I
AP PHOTO
Dr. Jack Kevorklan talks to the media as friend Neal Nicol pays the fines for
his conviction outside the Royal Oak District Court yesterday.
Kevorkian convicted
of 2 isdemeanors
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) - A Calhou
iff's officer tipped off a militia group accuse
to blow up federal buildings and attack fed
witness told a federal jury yesterday.
The testimony came on the second da
Metcalf's trial on conspiracy and illegal we
Security was tight. Courtroom spectators ha
an extra metal detector, and a bomb-snif
through the building.
Authorities allege Metcalf, of Olivet, Mich
members of the North American Militia consp
federal buildings, roads and other targets, as w
en and murder federal officials, including jud
Authorities seized thousands of rounds ofa
well as loaded semiautomatic weapons, du
Metcalf's property earlier this year.
One of the co-defendants, Ken Carter, off
expected to testify against Metcalf in retu
lenient sentence. The other co-defendant, Ran
Springfield, goes on trial next year on similar
In court yesterday, Robert Stumpenhaus,
with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firea
that a Calhoun County Sheriff's Department
alerted the militia that a government raid mig
Federal prosecutors found out about Lt. M
after Carter began cooperate with the governi
Wan to write
for the Daily?
Come by 420
Maynard
Stree to learn
more.
n County sher-
d of conspiring
eral officials, a
.y of Bradford
eapons charges.
d to go through
fing dog went
., and two other
pired to blow up
veil as to threat-
Iges.
ammunition, as
ring a raid on
Battle Creek, is
irn for a more
ndy Graham, of
charges.
a special agent
arms told jurors
lieutenant had
lht be imminent.
'lichael Discher
ment.
"He said Lt. Discher basically let them know of any police
investigations or actions pending against them;'
Stumpenhaus testified.
Calhoun County Sheriff Al Byam said yesterday was the
first time he had heard the specific allegations against
Discher, who he estimated had been with the department fot
more than 15 years.
"We take this very seriously," Byam said. "But I can't just
based upon what I've heard go and suspend him just like that,
We're going to know have some type of more specific infor
mation about the allegations and what the federal government
is going to do next."
He said Discher has since been demoted to the rank of
sergeant for reasons unrelated to the militia allegations.
Byam said Discher was the sheriff's department liaison
with militia group until 1997, when Byam became sheriff.
"We decided it was not a relationship we wanted to contin-
ue," Byam said. "Now, I can't control my officers' private
lives, but as far as a recognized relationship between the sher-
iff's department and militia that would stop."
Byam said he was not sure, but the relationship might have
included Discher going to militia meetings.
In court Tuesday, another militia member who is not
charged in this case told jurors that "anybody in higher ranks
of politics was considered a target" of the plot, as were the
Battle Creek federal building and IRS office in Portage.
ROYAL OAK (AP) -
Yesterday a jury convicted Jack
Kevorkian of two misdemeanors
and acquitted his associate in a
May confrontation with police
outside a hospital where they were
dropping off a body.
Kevorkian later opted to immedi-
ately pay $700 in fines and $200 in
court costs in lieu of 60 days in jail.
Jurors deliberated over two days
before concluding that Kevorkian
interfered with police and resisted
arrest May 7 outside William
Beaumont Hospital in this Detroit
suburb. The six-member jury acquit-
ted Kevorkian associate Georges
Reding, of identical counts.
District Judge Daniel Sawicki also
sentenced Kevorkian to two years of
probation, rejecting Kevorkian's
courtroom demands for the maxi-
mum 90 days behind bars and $1,000
in fines.
"Without a maximum penalty, I
don't think that's justice," Kevorkian,
told the judge in dismissing
Schwartz's requests that the sentence
include no jail time, given
Kevorkian's age and previously con-
viction-free record.
Kevorkian agreed to have the fines
paid by friend Neal Nicol.
Moments later, City attorney
Charles Semchena Jr. said he agreed
with Kevorkian about the maximum
punishment but found the imposed
sentence "a slap on the wrist."
"I don't understand why the judge
took Kevorkian's side," Semchena
said, alluding to Sawicki's excusing
Kevorkian from the trial, waiving the
need for a presentence report on
Kevorkian and not letting prosecu-
tors recommend a sentence.
Kevorkian has acknowledged being
present at some 120 deaths. He has not
acknowledged being present at a death
since early June, when he offered the
kidneys of a man whose death he
attended for donation. No medical
transplant team expressed interest in
the kidneys, and Kevorkian was criti-
cized by the medical community.
Since then, Kevorkian has
remained largely out of the public
eye, as his longtime attorney,
Geoffrey Fieger, ran for governor of
Michigan. Fieger was beaten easily
by Republican Gov. John Engler on
the same day voters rejected
Proposal B, which would have made
Michigan the second state with
legalized physician-assisted suicide.
The defeat of Proposal B - a
measure Kevorkian opposed as too
restrictive and regulatory - means
that the Legislature's assisted-suicide
ban effective since Sept. I remains in
force. Moments after his conviction
yesterday, Kevorkian pledged to
flout the ban.
"You think I'm going to obey the
law? You're crazy?" he said, later
adding he "had to pay the fine
because I've got things to do." He
would not elaborate.
In the past, Kevorkian has been
acquitted in three Detroit-area trials
covering five assisted suicide deaths.
A fourth trial in June 1997 in Ionia
County resulted in a mistrial.
In the latest trial, which began last
week, prosecutors alleged Kevorkian
and Reding were dropping off the
body of Matt Johnson, a quadripleg-
ic from Aptos, Calif., at the hospital
May 7 when two officers approached
to question them and impound
Kevorkian's car.
QUALITY DRY CLEANING
& SHIRT SERVICE
332 Maynard
(Across from Nickels Arcade)
668-633:5
Your Ann Arbor Community is Inviting YOU
to a Mosque Open House...
Let us come together to dispel the stereotypes introduced
and reinforced in movies, such as "The Siege", which result in the singling
out and harassment of our Muslim neighbors, friends and colleagues...
Let us engage in an open dialogue and build bridges between
peoples of all faiths and races...
Let us celebrate our community's richness and diversity...
What: Mosque Open House
When: Sunday, November 8 b at 3:00 p.m.
Where: Islamic Center of Ann Arbor at 2301 Plymouth Road
(across from the University of Michigan North Campus)
We will be serving FREE tasty ethnic dishes!
(Modest dress is greatly appreciated)
For more information contact the Islamic Center of Ann Arbor:
Phone: (734) 665-6772
Internet: masjid@umich.edu http:\\www.mca-aa.org.
1XI -
lE CALLKLtR
EVENTS
0 "Community Service Awe
Week," Meeting and
Project, Sponsored by C
Michigan Union, Anderson
7 p.m.---
What's happening in Ann Arbor today
Underground, 8-10 p.m. Lobb
J "The Clothesline Project Exhibit," U Psychol
Sponsored by SAPAC, SAPAC 647-
Sreness office, 715 North University St., 11 a
irce K, Suite 202, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 0 Safewa
7 Room, Lobb
I', SERVICES YO
8 p.m.- 1:30 a.m.
ogy Academic Peer Advising,
3711, East Hall, Room 1346,
.m.-4 p.m.
lk, 936-1000, Shapiro Library
y, 8 p.m.-2:30 a.m.
ur went cnold b e here.
}
I