I _ - LOCAL/STATE ..O j J - y RESEARCH " *Study disproves traditional evolution theory A newly released study by University researchers in the anthro- pology department published in the January edition of the journal Molecular Biology and Evolution suggests a theory of human evolu- tion that disproves other research. The study, which is similar to the prominent "Out of Africa" theory, explains that two million years ago, a small number of australop- ithecines in Africa - the ancestors of Homo sapiens - separated from the group, leading to a series of evo- lutional changes. The "Out of Africa" theory, which claims that human life began in Africa and spread throughout the world, is further expanded in this study by explaining that the changes in body size, brain size, skeletal proportions and behavioral differ- ence produced the first Homo sapi- en members. * By examining anatomical, arche- ological and genetic information, the researchers were able to con- clude that the changes were sudden, contrary to previous studies that =siuggest the changes were gradual. The difference can be seen in examining fossils of early Homo sapiens and australopithecines. The 3 million year-old australopithecine skeleton of a woman stands only 3.5 feet tall, while the 1.6-million-year- old Homo sapien woman stands 5 feet, 9 inches. The study could shed light on the evolution of humans as well as dis- prove other theories that are inaccu- * rate. Ul' receives NSF grant to study digital monitoring A University project titled "Identifying Where Technology Logging and Monitoring for Increased Security Ends and Where Violations of Personal Privacy and Student Records Begins" has been awarded a $37,000 grant from the National Science Foundation's Digital Government Section. The project is designed to study and develop a plan for colleges and universities to deal with the issues of electronic logging and monitor- irng activities and privacy issues regarding student records. The results will highlight these issues and suggest the best practices regarding privacy that could be provid- Odmto colleges and universities. ""The project, led by Virginia Rezmierski, University Office of Policy Development and Education Director, is being supported in con- *unction with other organizations including the U.S. Department of Education's Family Policy Compliance Office, the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, the U.S. Policy Committee for the Association for Computing Machinery. 'U' researchers gexplain functions of iron protein University chemistry Prof. James -7iner-Hahn and colleagues have determined that the key to the func- toning iron protein is the distance between atoms. The professor revealed the results of his study in a recent issue of the ournal Science. Using analytical techniques to examine the molecular structure of peroxide intermediates in di-iron proteins, the researchers have dis- ,covered how the same intermediate can act as a catalyst with oxygen- activating enzymes, as well as act as a substrate with ferritin proteins. The reason for this, the researchers explained, is due to the ery short distance of 2.53 ngstroms between iron atoms in he peroxide-bridged ferritin inter- mediate, as opposed to the 3.03- 4.03 angstroms distance between iron atoms in other peroxide- bridged intermediates. The peroxide-bridged intermedi- ate can sometimes aid other enzymes in the synthesis of DNA or in converting methane into methanal. * Compiled by Daily Staff Reporter Lindsey Alpert. Conference to unite Arab -Americans By Tiffany Maggard Daily Staff Reporter In an effort to join together University communi- ty members, the Arab-American Anti- Discrimination Committee will sponsor the National Arab-American Student Conference. The event will coincide with the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Organizers expect about 200 Arab-American students from across the coun- try to attend the event, "Marching into the Millennium." A small group of ADC members, who are also university students, initiated the conference last year. The idea was presented to ADC's executive board where members worked with other Arab-American committees in Detroit and supporters in Washington, D.C. The ADC members said they hope to make the conference a traveling event hosted by a different university each year. Members plan to celebrate issues and concerns shared by black students and other ethnic groups during the weekend. "The issues are seen within both groups alike. It is "'Education and activism go hand in hand. This conference accomplishes both things."I - Norah Rabiah National Arab-American Student Conference organizer a benefit to see the activities of other minority groups because they can learn from one another; we can try similar activities to fight our similar issues," LSA senior Robert Zaid said. "We have similar issues that we're facing, and so they can be addressed in similar ways," he said. The conference is scheduled to begin tomor- row at 8 p.m. in the Michigan Union Pendleton Room with "Arabesque," a cultural show fea- turing Arab-American music, dancing and poetry. Participants of the conference will tackle issues including the media's portrayal of Arab- Americans, politics and its potential use in Arab- American activism and impacting foreign policy in the Middle East. This year, ADC has a recruited young speakers in an effort to impact the students attending the conference. "One of my main goals for this year was to get younger people to speak. Usually older people are used and they try to (transcend) their ideas on younger people. But graduate and PhD. students will have the opportunity to speak this year and connect with the younger crowd," said SNRE sophomore Norah Rabiah, who organized the con- ference. Students also will have the opportunity to convene in small groups to discuss the issues presented by Ice castles House 2bills Porno' LANSING, Mich. (AP) -T that would restrict adult entert were approved yesterday by House committee. The vote followed a hear focused on the detrimental ef strip clubs, porn shops, adu stores and massage parlors. Those who work in the decried the hearing as unfair a were not given a chance t against the bills. A lawyer f businesses called it "a disapp staged event." One of the bills would requ clubs and massage parlors to health inspections to prevent th of disease. It also. would employees of adult businesse licensed by the state. The other bill would allow citizens to collect attorney f court costs when they win ar complaint against the adult bus The measures are part of a co sial 13-bill package being co speakers. "Students are smart too. I think that having the discussion groups will help students get their ideas out in the public too," Rabiah said. The conference will continue through Jan. 16 with additional activities, including a ban- quet followed by a speech from keynote speak- er Jim Zogby. Rabiah said she is enthusiastic about the educa- tional aspects of the conference. "I think that the main benefit of the meeting is that students can find out what they can do on their own campuses (to fight discrimina- tion) by learning about what students on other campuses do. "Education and activism go hand in hand. This conference accomplishes both of these things," she said. Zaid added that MLK Day celebrations at the University will offer the Arab-American popula- tion even greater opportunities to learn about dis- crimination relative to black and Arab-American students. I approves to restrict graphy two bills by the House Constitutional Law abd ainment Ethics Committee. a state Hundreds of people filled tae House's largest committee room yestfr- ing that day and were directed to an overfldw fects of room to watch the debate on a vido lt book monitor during the two-hour hearing In contrast to earlier hearings, whoe industry adult entertainment owners and wotk- fter they ers opposed to the bills got as muph o speak time to testify as supporters, the 14 or adult people who testified yesterday sup- ointing, ported the bills and condemned ie industry. ire strip Several local and county officils undergo said they need state help to keep e spread pornography out of their communities. require "We do not have the resources ,to s to be deal with these profitable busineses and the crime they bring to our streets" private said Lansing Township Treasurer Kathy ees and Rodgers. nuisance Rep. Mike Bishop (R-Rochester), inesses. chair of the committee, said the cozl- ntrover- mittee was overwhelmed with support nsidered for the bills. AP PHOTO The completed Spicer Ice Castle stands along the shores of Saulsbury Beach, in Spencer, Minn., yesterday. The castle is part of the city's "Ice Fest." Abraham could receive blended murder sentence #1 I 'I Domino's Pizza Grand Re-Opening! DETROIT (AP) - Convicted of gunning down a man when he was only 11 years old, Nathaniel Abraham faces sentencing today under a Michigan law that allows juveniles to receive adult prison sentences. The Rev. Al Sharpton, Martin Luther King III and other protesters say the law is barbaric and the case sets a dangerous precedent. Prosecutors defend the law and its use against Nathaniel. now 13. On Nov. 16.a juy convicted him of second-degree murder in the Oct. 29, 1997 rifle slaying of Ronnie Greene Jr., 18, outside of a Pontiac convenience store. The Oakland County Prosecutor's Office has asked that Nathaniel receive a blended sentence, which puts him injuve- nile custody now and defers a decision on adult imprisonment until he is older. "It's never been our position that we were going to lock Nate up and throw away the key," Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor Lisa Halushka said yesterday. "Really, Nate's fate is in Nate's hands." Nathaniel was prosecuted under a law that went into effect in 1997 that allows adult prosecutions of children of any age in serious felony cases. If a child is tried and convicted, the judge can choose among an adult sen- tence, juvenile sentence or a blended sentence that defers the issue of adult punishment until lateed Nathaniel cannot get an immediate adult sentence because the prosecution has not - and will not - present the case for it to Probate Judge Eugene Arthur Moore, Halushka said. Instead, she is asking Moore to sen- tence Nathaniel to juvenile custody, where he can get rehabilitation treatment. "All of the experts believe that is exactly what he needs," Halushka said. If Nathaniel is .rehabilitated, then he could be released at age 21 or earlier, she said. "I'll be frank with you. I hope he is." Halushka defended the law, saying some child criminals may merit imme- diate adult sentences, even if Nathaniel does not. But Nathaniel's defenders say even the possibility of a child his age facing an adult sentence is a great injustice. The case showsthe "very barbarous face of jurisprudence that is being introduced into this country," Sharpton said at a news conference Tuesday. He, King and others called for a mass protest outside the courthouse before today's sentencing. A society that considers children too mentally immature to vote or drive increasingly is subjecting them to adult criminal treatment, Sharpton said. "It is sick, and it feeds into the grow- ing prison-industrial complex in America," he said. If Moore imposes a juvenile sen- tence, he could order Nathaniel held until age 21. If he imposes a blended sentence, the judge could order him held as a juvenile for now and later consider whether to impose an adult sentence. Second- degree murder carries a penalty of up to life in prison. Defense attorney Michael Schwartz said last week that he expected to file motions this week to have Nathaniel's conviction set aside and to grant him a new trial. The appeal had not been filed as of yesterday afternoon. The same jury that found Nathaniel guilty of fatally shooting Greene in the head acquitted the boy of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. The inconsistency of those verdicts will form part of the argument for a new trial, Schwartz said. Come 342 S. State St. 761-1111 Now Delivering to Your Door out and celebrate with us January 15th from 1-3pm! Lots of entertainment and prizes! 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