LOCAL/S TATE
The Michigan Daily =-Thursday. October 7, 1999_- 3A
-RESEARCH
New guidelines
weigh bypass
surgery benefits
People who suffer from heart disease
ow have a tool to help them decide
hether bypass surgery will help them
live longer and better. A committee of
-scientists led by the University's
Division of Cardiology interim Chief
Kim Eagle created a set of guidelines
for physicians based on more than 750
studies of coronary artery bypass surg-
eries.
Patients were divided into categories
depending upon heart condition, age
and other factors to predict how well
pass surgery will work. These guide-
ines also offer the best ways to prevent
conditions such as heart rhythm prob-
lems, stroke and infection. Researchers
also suggest which medications and
lifestyle changes bypass patients need.
The authors of the study encourage
more to be done on patient groups that
'have been underrepresented in past
studies, including bypass in older peo-
ple, minorities and diabetics.
ead in candles
can pose threat
While candles may be a favorite dec-
oration for bedrooms and bathrooms on
campus, a recent School of Public
-Health study shows that some candles
available in southeastern Michigan
stores may be emitting potentially dan-
erous levels of lead.
The study, conducted by environ-
mental health sciences Prof. Jerome
Nriagu, examined 15 different candle
brands made in the United States,
Mexico and China found that some
-candles on the market contain lead in
the wicks or have lead cores.
After candles were burned in a room
measuring 12 feet by 12 feet for five
hours, some produced lead levels that
could pose possible health risks to peo-
le with weak immune systems if they
were to experience regular exposure to
them.
Risk of asthma
linked to genes
Researchers at the University of
California at Berkeley have discovered
that human genes are linked to
creased levels of asthma. Researcher
dward Rubbing and post-doctoral fel-
low Derek Symbol have' isolated two
genes that increase an individual's
chance of contracting asthma.
The researchers used a new tech-
nique that examined sets of genes in
humans associated with allergic activi-
y. After inserting genetic data from
humans into mouse DNA, the mice
were tested for several characteristics
f asthma, including lung inflamma-
tion and Immunoglobin E, an antibody
involved in allergic attacks. In addition
to genetic makeup, Symbol notes that
environmental factors also play a role
in development of asthma.
New drug could
save life of heart
attack victims
A new drug called amiodarone may
iave the lives of heart attack victims.
he' drug has been able to stabilize
arrhythmia, which often makes the
=Heart more difficult to shock back to
Tife. Researchers at the University of
Washington performed a clinical trial
;that proved the drug can successfully
,resuscitate patients when they are suf-
ring from a heart attack.
The study, led by Peter Kudenchuk,
was done on 504 people, ages 20 to 94,
'who suffered from heart attacks caused
by dangerous heart rhythms. The drug
was most effective when administered
immediately, but still improved
patients' chances for resuscitation 'even
when administered later.
Kudenchuk said stopping cardiac
'arrest and getting patients to the hospi-
tal is a big step, but not the only hurdle.
4e said the next step is to determine
hether drugs like amiodarone can
help long-term survival.
- Compiled by Daily Staff Reporter
Risa Berrin.
Carnegie Mellon prof. to head Art School
By Jeremy W. Peters
Daily Stafi Reporter
Pending University Board of Regents
approval at the October meeting, a newcomer
to the University will soon head the School of
Art and Design.
Bryan Rogers, who currently holds the top
post at Carnegie Mellon
University's School of Art,
will take over for School of
Art and Design interim
Dean Allen Samuels.,
Rogers said of his recom-
mendation for the dean's
position, "I am honored....
It's a wonderful opportunity
for me and my family. I
hope I can help the school Rogers
fulfill its potential."
Both University President Lee Bollinger and
Provost Nancy Cantor recommended Rogers
for the position.
"The remarkable breadth of his interests
"I'll be a newcomer so it's not wise to make
new plans,"
-M U Bryan Rogers
Carnegie Mellon University art professor
position him to guide the School of Art and
Design as it connects to a wide variety of cre-
ative and scholarly pursuits within and beyond
campus," Cantor said in a written statement.
Bollinger also expressed his approval about the
recommendation, saying in a written statement,
"This should be a new era for the School of Art and
Design and Bryan Rogers is the perfect leader."
The University began to look for a new School
of Art and Design dean a year ago after Cantor
appointed a nine-member search advisory com-
mittee to assist her in the nationwide search.
Associate Art and Design Prof. James Cogswell
said he is pleased with Roger's recommendation.
"He impressed me as being very capable of
bringing out the best in our faculty," said Cogswell,
adding that, "he will help us to capitalize on the
many benefits of working at the University."
Rogers has been head of Carnegie Mellon's
School of Art since 1988 where he has imple-
mented such significant changes as helping to
create an interdisciplinary undergraduate pro-
gram that allows students to receive a degree
in science and the arts.
He hopes to continue this interdisciplinary
work at the University.
"I am interested in helping to connect the
School of Art and Design as much as possible
to the rest of the University," Rogers said.
Cogswell said he anticipates Rogers' linking
the Art and Design School to the entire campus.
"I look forward to his establishing strong
working relationships with those on North
Campus," Cogswell said.
Rogers brings with him to the University a
background of many academic and career
accomplishments.
He obtained a bachelor's degree in engineer-
ing from Yale University and a master's degree
and a doctorate in chemical engincering from
the University of California at Berkeley.
Under Rogers' leadership, the School of Art
at Carnegie Mellon instituted programs that
offer bachelor's and master's degrees in the
fine arts. He further established a lecture
series that has brought more than 200 visiting
lecturers to campus and was largely responsi-
ble for the campaign to build a new art gallery
at Carnegie Mellon.
But Rogers does not have any plans to make
radical changes upon his arrival at thw
University. "I'll be a newcomer so it's not wis .
to make new plans," he said.
Dance with me
Big Brothers Big Sisters]kick
off drive to recruit students
By Karolyn Kokko
For the Daily
The Big Brothers Big Sisters of America program and
First USA launched a national kick-off at Fordham
University in New York City Sept. 21 in hopes of recruit-
ing college students to become volunteer mentors.
Big Brother Big Sister spokesperson Sarah Bessette said
the kick off was for purposes of "implementing the pro-
gram at the local level through various colleges and uni-
versities."
Interested University students do not have to go far to
become Big Brothers or Big Sisters. Since 1990, the Big
Brothers Big Sisters program has operated a division in
Ann Arbor for Washtenaw County.
The time commitment for a big brother or big sister is
one academic year. Students can be singly paired up with
a youth or join with a friend. Big brothers and sisters are
required to spend one to two hours per week with their lit-
tle brother or sister.
Little brothers and sisters are usually between the ages
of 8 to 12 and typically live with a single parent. The pur-
pose of the program is for the volunteers to serve as a
mentor and befriend the youth.
Architecture and Urban Planning senior John Mortimer
has been with the program for 11 months. Although, he
and his little brother Jared were separated at the end of the
school year, they are back together to continue their
friendship for another year.
"I think it's good for everyone involved. I have gotten a
lot out of it and you just feel good about doing it,"
Mortimer said.
Mortimer is one of the few males involved in the pro-
gram. Judy Holzschuh, the program's executive director,
said "We are desperately in need of men." Overall, the pro-
gram has about 12 matches, but organizers hope to double
that number this year.
Once volunteers are paired with a little brother or sister.
they are encouraged to partake in activities that are recre
ational, educational or philanthropic. Since this is a vol4
unteer program, it is up to the students to fund their own'
activities.
Bessette said students are also encouraged to find low
cost activities, but that "time spent is the important,
thing."
To try to make things easier for the students, the Big
Brothers Big Sisters division holds monthly events right
on the University campus. Many of these activities are
sporting events, along with other community service type
activities. A
A kick-off party will be scheduled for November for the
new members as well as returning ones, Holzschuh said,
Interested students can contact Robin Myler, a cafe
manager at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtena
County at (734) 994-4224, or visit the office at 1952 .
Industrial Highway. Students can also join through
Project Serve.
For graduating students who would like to become
mentors, they can learn more by checking out the Big
Brothers Big Sisters of America Website at
www.bbbsa.org.
DANNY KAUCK/Daily
Business senior Rebecca Laper promotes Dance Marathon in front of the
Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library yesterday.
ate rea forY ,
warns of sCam treat
NOT GOING TO CLASS TOMORROW?
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LANSING (AP) - In its latest
update on Y2K, a Senate committee
learned yesterday that Michigan utili-
ties are prepared for the Y2K threat and
various agencies are warning the public
about illegal scams linked to the mil-
lennium.
The upshot? Treat the New Year like
any long holiday weekend, officials
said. There may be problems, but they
probably won't-be linked to Y2K com-
puter deficiencies.
"You're more likely to have an out-
age by somebody hitting a pole," James
Roosen, manager of the Y2K program
office for Detroit Edison Co.
With the new year approaching,
computer technologists across the
country are trying to figure out if com-
puters are going to be confused by the
year 2000 and identify it as the year
1900, throwing programs into chaos.
Utility experts testified yesterday
that dry runs of internal communica-
tions have turned up few problems.
"The bottom line is, it went well,"
said Charles Maclnnis, a spokesperson
for Consumers Energy Co.
State agencies which deal with the
public - especially those which serve
the elderly - said they're getting the
word out about scam artists waiting to
prey on those nervous about Y2K. One
common trick: People posing as bank
officials who call others and ask for
their account information.
"Most of our concerns are human -
either scams or people overreacting,"
said Lynn Alexander, director of the
state Office of Services to the Aging in
the Department of Community Health.
"We are not anticipating any problem
that would impact public health, safety
or welfare," said Mark Wesley of the
Michigan State Police's emergency
management division.
The head of the Senate Technology
and Energy Committee expressed con-
fidence in Michigan's preparation for
Y2K.
"We feel very satisfied in the readi-
ness,' said Sen. Matt Dunaskiss (R-
Lake Orion). "It's not going to be the
panic people originally thought."
But he added: "There are many
predatory individuals out there who
would like nothing better than to access
the bank accounts of people worried
that they could lose their funds when
the new year arrives."
Even as the Senate panel studied the
Y2K threat, the House has been draft-
ing package of five bills to limit liabili-
ty for Y2K problems. The bills would
protect businesses, local governments
and banks and credit unions.
Supporters of the bills say unfore-
seen consequences of Y2K computer
problems could result in a rush of law-
suits.
"Y2K lawsuits could bankrupt
local units of government," Caroline
Weber Kennedy, a lobbyist for the
Michigan Municipal League, recently
told a House committee considering
the bills.
The committee has passed part of the
package and was scheduled to take up
the remaining three bills today.
The bills would not provide complete
immunity for Y2K problems, but con-
sumers who felt they had been dam-
aged would have to meet a standard of
"gross negligence."
"I'D LOVE TO LEARN MORE
ABOUT SWEDISH MASSAGE,'
BUT* I'M GOING BACK
TO MY ROOM
TO CHECK MY EMAIL:'
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" gx
Wha
GROUP MEETINGS
QCircle K Meeting, Michigan Union,
Parker Room, 7 p.m.
VENTS
.ATha feChv Hour" ,nnnred hv
it's happening in Ann Arbor today
From Insular to international"
lecture by Paula Murphy,
Sponsored by Museum of Art,
Museum of Art Apse, 7:30 p.m.
0 "Phyllis Janowitz Poetry Reading,"
Sponsored by Department of
English and Office of the
Provost, Rackham Amphitheater
5 p.m.
1644, 12-1 p.m.
SERVICES
J Campus Information Centers, 764-
INFO, info@umich.edu, and
www.umich.edu/-info on the
World Wide Web
VNarthwalk. 76'-WAI K Rrslev
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