LOCAL/STATE Hang it up The Michigan Daily - Thursday, January 10, 2002-3A Plan for fuel-cell cars released at auto show 'U' research says " new black holes could exist Both extremely large black holes found at the center of many galaxies and the small holes found on the outer reaches were found years ago. Now, University astronomers say there may be intermediate mass black holes that connect the two known sizes. The researchers said that these inter- mediate entities may cause the emission of X-ray light seen from disks in galax- ies because of their optical counterparts, according to a recent press release. These holes are studied by examining the force they exert on surrounding objects and from the amount of light a material gives off before falling into the hole. Using X-ray, researchers can study the relationship between black holes and the stars around them, which are slowly being engulfed by the hole. X- rays are emitted as the black hole pulls gas off the surface of these stars towards the center of the hole. The brightness of the X-ray light is pro- portional to the mass of the black hole. 'U' physicist finds source of famous * rock formation The polygonal shapes that form the Giant's Causeway, a columnar rock formation in Northern Ireland, were formed by fractures in melting lava, according to a University physicist and his research partner. The columns, which are made of basalt, originally formed from the lava as it cooled, not from the work of the famous giant, Finn McCool, as the Celts once believed. University physicist Alberto Rojo and Eduardo Jagla, a physicist at Cen- tro Atomico Briloche in Argentina, postulate that fractures formed at the surface of the cooling lava and contin- ued downward. The pattern of fractures that creates the least resistance results in a hexag- onal shape, the shape of the forma- tions as they stand. Body piercing popular, but often dangerous More than half of undergraduate students surveyed by researchers at the Mayo Clinic had some type of body piercing, and 17 percent suffered com- plications, according to a recent study. The study also found that 23 per- cent of students had tattoos, though there were no medical complications. Female students were most likely to choose navel piercing over other forms, including the ear (not includ- ing earlobes). People with pierced body parts suf- fered the most from bacterial infec- tions, followed by bleeding, injury or tearing to the site. The study was conducted at Pace University in Pleasantville, N.Y. More caring doctors sought New ways of training and assessing physicians may help to increase the competency and amount of more per- sonal care given by doctors, according to researchers at the University of Rochester. By examining the current defini- tion of what makes a good doctor, researchers said they hope to increase qualities in doctors that patients look for, including trust- worthiness, good judgment and communication. Researchers will introduce skills to the medical school curriculum that emphasize teamwork, interpersonal rela- tions, managing in unclear situations and clinical reasoning. The University of Rochester's School of Medicine already combined these ideas with old practices in their new curriculum, and comments on the changes were published in yesterday's issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. - Compiled by Daily StaffReporter Lisa Hoffman. DETROIT (AP) - Tossing aside a Clinton administration program to develop high-mileage vehicles, the Bush administration yesterday announced a new pact with the major automak- ers that focuses on accelerating the development of non-polluting vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The new program, called Freedom Cooperative Automotive Research, also will focus on devel- oping a hydrogen refueling infrastructure, Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said. "The long-term results of this cooperative effort will be cars and trucks that are more effi- cient, cheaper to operate, pollution-free and com- petitive in the showroom," Abraham said during the announcement at Cobo Hall, site of the North American International Auto Show. Freedom CAR replaces the Partnership for a New Generation Vehicle program started by the Clinton Administration to develop a vehicle that could attain 80 miles per gallon fuel efficiency. "PNGV wasn't cost-effective, and it wasn't moving a competitive automobile to the show- room," Abraham said. General Motors Corp. chairman Jack Smith said that PNGV focused attention and money on trying to develop more fuel efficient vehicles, but the world's No. 1 automaker has turned its atten- tion and research dollars to fuel cells. "As far as we're concerned this is our highest priority in R&D investment and has been for some time,' Smith said. A fuel cell produces energy from a chemical reaction when hydrogen is combined with oxy- gen. The only byproduct is water. In recent years, the cost of fuel cells has dropped sharply. Hydro- gen can be produced from natural gas aboard vehicles or pure hydrogen can be used, requiring development of a new supply infrastructure. DaimlerChrysler AG plans to market a fuel cell-powered bus by the end of this year and some passenger cars by 2004, Chrysler Group president and CEO Dieter Zetsche said during the ceremony. Ford Motor Co. also plans a "limited build" of fuel cell vehicles by 2004, said Tom Boddie, vice president, global core engineering. The automakers have targeted 2010 as the earli- est any sort of mass market versions of fuel cell vehicles could be available, but one expert said this new partnership could accelerate the timetable. "I think the biggest thing is, this will let the auto industry do what they do best which is developing technology," said Thaddeus Malesh, director, alternative power technologies at the market research firm, J.D. Power and Associates. An executive at Ballard Power Systems Corp., which supplies fuel cells for DaimlerChrysler and Ford, said the partnership will help overcome one of the major obstacles to a so-called "hydro- gen society'' "To me the most significant thing about this is the emphasis on the hydrogen infrastructure," said vice president Ross Witschonke. "This is a real opportunity to put a lot of investment into the storage, the production the delivery of hydrogen," he said. Environmental groups, however, scoffed at the new program, saying it is not so much aimed at developing emission-free fuel cells as it is at holding off legislation to increase fuel economy standards. "What is needed is regulatory guidance to raise efficiency across the board in cars and light trucks," said John DiCicco, a senior fellow with Environmental Defense. "It's an enormous waste of taxpayer money," said Ann Mesnikoff, of the Sierra Club. DAVID rKAZDay Connie Escobar, a Law student, hangs up her jacket In the lobby of the Lawyers Club Dining Hall yesterday afternoon. Bonior under fire WASHINGTON (AP) - A donor to U.S. Rep. David Bonior has apolo- gized for speaking in support of anti- Israeli militant organizations. Bonior, a Democrat from Mount Clemens, who is running for governor, said that should end the debate over whether he should give back two $500 donations from Abdurahman Alamoudi. "This isn't about money, this is about politics," Bonior said in an inter- view with The Associated Press. "They are trying to smear someone by association. It's not an unusual politi- cal tactic." Alamoudi, a board member of the American Muslim Council who lives in the Washington suburb of Falls Church, Va., said during ai anti-Israel protest outside the White House on Oct. 28, 2000, that he supported Hamas and Hezbollah. Hamas has taken responsibility for attacks on Israeli citizens. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the 1983 explosion at the U.S. Marines barracks in Beirut that killed 239 people. Both are considered terrorist organizations by the U.S. government. "The words I spoke in 2000 were spoken at a rally in the heat of anger and frustration," Alamoudi said in a statement distributed by the Bonior campaign. "I apologize for my intem- perate and divisive remarks." After the rally, President Bush, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Rep. John Sununu (R-N.H.) returned dona- tions that Alamoudi gave to their cam- paigns. But Bonior has declined to take that sep. "What I can't get over is why he for keeping doesn't just refund it," said Craig Ruff ernor, said it of Public Sector Consultants, a Lans- to return then ing think tank. "It could just be a prin- "I can tell cipled dogmatism. But he's taking a any money] one-day story and making it conceiv- where nearn ably fodder for TV ads in July." source very, v Some gubernatorial candidates also Bonior isg say they are baffled by Bonior's refusal of his Demo to return the donations, which were nents, state S made in 1999 during his last campaign of Salem To' for Congress. should not h "I was really shocked that he keeps since the don the money and doesn't send it back," victed of bein said former Gov. Jim Blanchard, who "I think it is running against Bonior for the said. "It's ju Democratic nomination. "I think that's take a bite ou really poor judgment. I don't think this Bonior sai kind of money has any place in Ameri- tors and does can politics." opinions. Re State Sen. John Schwarz of Battle Arab Americ Creek, a Republican running for gov- his leadersh contributions is up to Bonior whether money. you absolutely, positively like that that came any- me would go back to its very quickly," he said. getting support from one cratic gubernatorial oppo- en. Alma Wheeler Smith wnship. She said Bonior ave to return the money hors have never been con- ng terrorists. 's a real non-issue," she st a chance for people to t of their opponent." d he has many contribu- n't agree with all of their eceiving donations from cans isn't unusual given hip on issues affecting them, including his support for a Palestinian homeland. "I'm proud of my support from the Arab-American community," Bonior said. "I trust the voters in this situation to sort out the facts." . Bonior also received a donation from Sami Al-Arian, a former com- puter science professor at the Universi- ty of South Florida who was fired last month amid questions about his ties to Islamic Jihad. Al-Arian once headed an academic think tank and charity the FBI said were fronts for Palestinian terrorists. He has never been arrested for a crime and denies supporting terror- ism. Al-Arian and his wife, Nahla, gave Bonior $2,200 in his last congressional campaign. Farmers now able to purchase manure through MSU website EAST LANSING (AP) - Manure has gone high-tech. The Michigan Manure Resources Network, a Web site operated by Michigan State University, allows farmers to buy or sell manure from cattle, horses, pigs, poultry - even rabbits. Entries can be posted for free. Farmers from 13 counties now have entries on the two-year-old site. Entries include information on the manure as well as prices and whether the farmer agrees to haul it. Prices range up to $50 per ton. James Cox, general manager of the West Michigan Turkey Co. in Allen- dale, has 8,000 tons of manure avail- able. Cox says the site allows farmers to move manure more efficiently. Cox said he hasn't had much luck with the site yet, but expects interest will grow once word spreads. "I think it will become useful, but like any technology, it'll take time," Cox said yesterday. "The next genera- tion of farmers will embrace it more fully." M. Charles Gould, the site's manag- er, said using the site could increase farmers' profits. Gould said he doesn't know how much traffic the site is get- ting, but plans to study that soon. Some areas of Michigan have fewer nutrients in their soil, Gould said. As a result, farmers often drive long dis- tances to pick up manure for fertilizing. "There is a gentleman that, drives all the way from Copper Harbor down to Allegan County to pick it up," Gould said. Gould expects the site would get more use if Michigan changed its laws regarding farm waste. The state has a zero-tolerance law that penalizes farm- ers for any discharge that runs into state waters. That makes many farmers reluctant to spread manure on their fields, he said. Anne Swink, a horse breeder in Eaton County, recently found the site and placed an entry offering to haul gallons of manure for no charge. Although she hasn't received any offers, Swink said she's not worried because she has enough acreage on her farm to spread out her manure. Another horse breeder from Benton Harbor, Penny DePree, said she also hasn't been able to sell manure through the site. DePree is charging $50 per ton. DePree said she thinks the site will be more useful once more people sign up. Correction: A story on page 1 of yesterday's Daily should have said that Harvard University does not offer early decision to students applying for admission. THE CALENDAR What's happening in Ann Arbor today EVENTS "Affordable Housing Breakfast"; Sponsored by Religious Action for Affordable Housing. 8:00 Working Group on Southeast European Studies, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m., 2609 School of Social Work Building, 1080 South University Philippines Studies Initia- tive; Sponsored by the University Phillipine Study Group, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m., School of Social Work, 2609 Inter- SERVICES Campus Information Centers, 764-INFO, info@umich.edu, or www. umich.edu,/ info S.A.F.E. Walk, 763-WALK, Cal 24hours a dav. i , .. ,r . .::.::.::......::.:..:.. ...........:....:: .::.:::. ,,. ... s , .. ... . .::.::.:..... ......... ,.::.:, .,sa . , N .? s ,<..... . ? :..., .f.t"::,,.,,...,.s, .._.,._.. rnr eata #:r+r r tal ff"srRe .T ttc fit: [ iaY3'1xr';:::':au:>: :'::>z:n> ;.. ,.