LOCAL/STATE
The Michigan Daily - Thursday, April 11, 2002 - 3A
RESEARCH
Pfizer expansion encourages Ann Arbor
* Stem cells used
to combat heart
disease in human
Australian surgeons have carried out
the world's first trial using adult stem
cells to repair heart damage in a 74-
year-old man, researchers said yester-
day. Surgeons at John Hunter Hospital
extracted stem cells from the patient's
bone marrow and then injected them
back into his heart wall to stimulate
blood vessel growth in areas which
lacked sufficient blood supply.
The patient, who was discharged from
the hospital Tuesday, will be monitored
over the next six months by researchers
in Australia, Hong Kong and China as
part of the international experiment.
Success in using stem cells during
operation could eventually offer hope
to 30 percent of patients in the final
stages of coronary heart disease and
those unable to undergo angioplasty or
bypass surgery.
Last week, Australia announced sup-
port for using human embryos in stem
cell research.
Changes to ballot
layout proposed
by psychologist
The prevention of controversies sim-
ilar to the infamous "butterfly ballot"
used in Florida's Palm Beach County
during the 2000 presidential election
has undoubtedly become a key goal for
the Federal Election Committee.
To assist the FEC, cognitive psycholo-
gist John O'Hara of the U.S. Department
of Energy has been appointed to revise
federal guidelines on voting systems.
O'Hara specializes in the way humans
* respond to complex systems.
"Whether you're designing a simple
voting ballot or a complex control
room for a nuclear power plant, the
systems have to be designed to mini-
mize human error," O'Hara said.
Some of O'Hara's recommendations
include providing all necessary voting
information in a single space - on
paper, machine or computerized ballot
- to minimize attention shifts. He also
wants to institute a means for correct-
ing a vote response and feedback on
whether or not a vote was properly reg-
istered. O'Hara added that voters
should be given the opportunity to
practice before they vote, especially if
using a computer-based voting system.
Spice substance
may, curtail cancer
Curcumin, the substance that gives
the spice turmeric its yellow color, may
help fight cancer, according to a new
study. Preliminary evidence suggests
that curcumin can enhance the cancer-
fighting power of treatment with TRAIL
- tumor necrosis factor-related apopto-
sis-inducing ligand - a naturally occur-
ring molecule used to kill cancer cells.
"Using these two agents - curcum-
in and TRAIL - we killed up to 80
percent of cells in culture," said study
author Subhash Gautam, a researcher
* at the Henry Ford Health System in
Detroit. "That's pretty remarkable."
A common ingredient in Indian
food, turmeric has been known to
reduce inflammation and may even
protect against Alzheimer's disease.
Researcher finds
carcinogenic ties
" to permanent dye
Women who use permanent hair dye
on a regular basis may have higher risk
for bladder cancer, according to a new
study from the University of Southern
California.
"In earlier research, we found that
permanent dye was a significant, inde-
pendent risk factor for bladder cancer.
Now we have found a genetic connec-
tion. Women who eliminated the car-
cinogen more slowly are more at risk,"
research author Manuela Gago-
Dominguez said. '
Although the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration requires inspection of
all coloring agents used in cosmetics
and food, hair dyes have historically
been exempt from safety testing.
However, the probability of develop-
ing bladder cancer is fairly low.
Approximately 6 percent of new can-
cer cases in men and 2 percent of cases
in women arise in the bladder.
- Compiled by Daily Staff Reporter
Kylene Kiang.
By Jordan Schrader
Daily Staff Reporter
Local government and University officials
responded enthusiastically to the announce-
ment by Pfizer, Inc. that the world's largest
pharmaceutical company is expanding its Ann
Arbor property.
Pfizer paid $19.6 million for 29 acres of land
near North Campus from the non-profit research
company Altarum Monday. The purchase is adja-
cent to the 144 acres already owned by Pfizer,
part of which was acquired from the University in
September.
With 3,600 employees working at its Ann
Arbor Laboratories, the New York-based Pfizer
is Ann Arbor's largest private employer. The
company makes drugs such as Viagra, Zoloft
andcLipitor.
University Chief Financial Officer Robert Kas-
din said the expanding site contributes to the Uni-
versity's research opportunities.
"It's a matter of forming a critical mass of
researchers, both at the University and in the pri-
vate sector, who through formal and informal
contact, enhance research," he said. "This is
another movement in that direction."
Kasdin said the University and Pfizer have
not discussed the possibility of making another
land sale.
The two parties work together on many proj-
ects, Pfizer spokeswoman Betsy Raymond said,
adding she anticipates further cooperation with
the University as the Life Sciences Initiative takes
shape.
"There are research relationships already, and
have been for years, between the University and
the laboratories," she said.
Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje said Pfizer's
expansion shows the drugmaker's continuing
commitment to Ann Arbor.
"I think Pfizer is here for the long term," he
said. "This is another example of this - another
example of the fact that we made the right deci-
sion when we decided to work with them on their
taxes last year. We've cemented their place in the
community."
The City Council granted Pfizer a 50 percent
tax abatement on the former University property
in October. The grant came with several stipula-
tions for the company including a minimum
investment in its property and an agreement to
help the council deal with housing and traffic
issues.
The new acquisition is not eligible for an
abatement, according to city officials, and Ray-
mond said the company has no plans to seek one.
Pfizer Ann Arbor Laboratories paid $7.3 million
in state and local taxes last year.
More employment opportunities will enter the
area as Pfizer expands, said Tim Robinson, vice-
president of operations for the Washtenaw Devel-
opment Council.
"These are very well-paying jobs," he said.
"That's more money that gets recycled in the
community. ... Usually it can lead to a greater
quality of life for the county."
Raymond agreed the expansion will lead to
job growth but said its greatest effects will not
take place immediately. Pfizer is planning 20
to 30 years in the future with the acquisition,
she said.
"Pfizer is buying land now to be prepared for
future expansion," she explained.
Ann Arbor's growing importance gives the city
a voice in the direction of that expansion, Ray-
mond said.
"When the Pfizer research division plans what
it needs ... Ann Arbor can now participate in that
planning," she said.
6th Circuit grants
government stay
in Haddad case
Slide away
® Case will not be heard
at district court level until
April 24
By Jeremy Berkowitz
Daily Staff Reporter
The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals
granted a partial stay to the U.S.
government in the Rabih Haddad
case yesterday. A panel of three
judges said the Department of Jus-
tice would not have to turn over
transcripts of Haddad's three closed
immigration hearings to the Ameri-
can Civil Liberties Union and the
press until the court took further
consideration.
"In order to preserve the status
quo pending our consideration of
the motion to stay, it hereby is
ordered that the portion of the dis-
trict court's injunction requiring the
defendants to turn over transcripts
and related documents to the plan-
tiffs is temporarily stayed pending
further order of this court," Judges
R. Guy Cole, Karen Moore and
Martha Daugherty wrote in their
decision.
Haddad, an Ann Arbor Muslim
leader arrested on a visa violation
four months ago, is currently being
held in the Chicago Metropolitan
Correctional Center. He might
appear in front of a grand jury soon
where he may be asked questions
regarding the possible terrorist con-
nections to the Global Relief Foun-
dation charity he helped establish.
Global Relief's Chicago offices
were raided by federal agents the
same day of Haddad's arrest.
The Department of Justice and
the Michigan Public Affairs Office
for the Immigration and Naturaliza-
tion Service would not comment on
the 6th Circuit's order or any other
aspect of the case.
Haddad's immigration hearing,
originally scheduled for yesterday,
has been rescheduled for April 24.
The government decided Tuesday to
appeal a decision made last week by
U.S. District Court Judge Nancy
Edmunds to open all immigration
hearings, marked "special interest"
after a lawsuit was filed against the
government by the ACLU, two
Detroit newspapers and Rep. John
Conyers (D-Detroit).
"The government has an internal
process that it has to go through to
authorize appeals which sometimes
take time," Georgetown University
Law professor and Haddad lawyer
David Cole said.
David Cole also said the goal of
the plantiff's lawsuit is to gain "the
ability of the public and the ability
of immigrants to have the law
applied and adjudicated in open and
fair proceedings."
Kary Moss, executive director of
the Michigan chapter of the ACLU
said Haddad's April 24 hearing is
still open. But she said she would
not be surprised if the hearing is
postponed until the 6th Circuit
makes a decision on the Department
of Justice's appeal. The 6th Circuit
will not hear the case until next
month at the earliest, she said.
But vice president of the Muslim
Community Association and Had-
dad family friend Nazih Hassan
said he is not worried about an
overturn of Edmunds' decision.
"I still believe that when the
appeals courts hears the arguments,
they will rule in favor of Mr. Had-
dad and the newspapers," Hassan
said.
PATRICK JONES/Daily
Ann Arbor resident Hannah Cagulat plays and smiles on an inflatable slide on the Diag during the FemFair yesterday
afternoon.
""""
On-site admissions process
gaispplnyin nation
By Kara Wenzel
Daily Staff Reporter
Ann Arbor native
plans for secretary
of state campaign
In a growing trend, colleges are relieving high school
seniors' anxiety about finding out if they are accepted
to their school of choice by holding on-site admissions
interviews.
In the on-site admissions process, a student goes to the
campus or is visited by an admissions officer at their high
school for an interview. During the interview or shortly after,
the admissions officer reviews the student's application and
tells the student that same day if they are accepted.
Big Ten schools such as Michigan State University and
the University of Iowa, as well as nearby Western Michigan
University do some form of on-site admissions.
"This seems to be a growing trend, and Michigan State is
one of the older schools to take part in it," Michigan State
Director of Admissions and Scholarships Gordon Stanley
said. "It doesn't fit every situation. Some schools don't nec-
essarily need it or want it."
While the University of Michigan does not have on-site
admissions, it uses a practice of rolling admissions.
"Applications are accepted starting around the beginning
of September," said Sally Lindsley, associate director of
admissions. "The first decisions are usually sent out the first
week of November, and students are encouraged to apply as
early as possible. They will usually hear from us in 10 to 12
weeks as long as their applications are complete."
Lindsley said part of the reason the University of Michi-
gan does not do on-site admissions is because it has a "very
competitive" admissions process.
"We do a fairly extensive review of the students' curricu-
lum, grades and extra curriculars ... and we like to pride
ourselves on that," Lindsley said.
At Michigan State, on-site applications are done at a num-
ber of high schools throughout the state.
"We do that as a convenience for students," Stanley said.
"We target some high schools that usually deliver a large
number of applications and other schools where students
typically apply later to help them along by making the deci-
sion on-site."
Stanley said the on-site process at Michigan State has
been in effect for over six years, and students are normally
"very enthusiastic" about it.
Michigan State does not keep records of how many stu-
dents who are admitted on-site actually matriculate, but
Stanley said he estimates that even if they come in at the
same rates as students who were admitted using other
processes, many on-site admitted students are those who
were less likely to come to Michigan State had they not par-
ticipated in an on-site interview.
The University of Iowa admissions counselors also visit
selected high schools for on-site admissions.
"It started as a publicity thing," Iowa Associate Director of
Admissions Emil Rinderspacher said. "Our freshman class
is 42 percent non-residents, so we started this program in
select Chicago-area schools as an opportunity for students to
talk with an admissions counselor."
Rinderspacher said the decisions are usually easy to
give on the spot because "we're not very subjective in our
admissions requirements. Our admissions standards are
published, so students usually know whether they'll be
admitted or not."
Western Michigan holds an annual On-site Admis-
sions Day every fall on their campus, but on-site inter-
views and immediate decisions are available throughout
the year.
"We mail out an invitation to all the high school students
on our database," Western Michigan Admissions Counselor
Alicia Johnson said. "There are no requirements as long as
they have a complete application."
The Western Michigan on-site admissions day has been in
place for 10 years, Johnson said.
"The students really like it and so do the parents," she
added. "It's good public service we give to students because
it allows them to come in, look at the campus and meet with
someone as opposed to hearing the decision from a faceless
person."
LANSING (AP) - State Board of
Education member John Austin plans
to kick off his campaign for Michi-
gan secretary of state tomorrow.
Austin, a Democrat from Ann
Arbor, was elected to the state
board in 2000.
He has served as an assistant
chairman for the Michigan Democ-
ratic Party and as a consultant with
the Public Policy Associates of
Lansing.
Austin also ran for secretary of
state in 1998 but lost the Democrat-
ic nomination to state Rep. Mary
Lou Parks.
Parks lost the election to Secre-
tary of State Candice Miller, who
can't run this year because of term
limits.
"We have tremendous opportuni-
ties and need to make big changes,"
Austin said yesterday. "That's the
agenda I'm going to be pushing."
Austin also ran for
secretary of state
in 1998.
Austin already faces a challenger
for the Democratic nomination.
Detroit attorney Melvin "Butch"
Hollowell announced his candidacy
for secretary of state in February.
Both Austin and Hollowell say
they will place campaign finance
reform and election reform as their
top priorities.
But there is at least one big dif-
ference between the two candidates:
The Democratic candidates they're
backing in the governor's race.
Austin supports U.S. Rep. David
Bonior, while Hollowell is a close
friend of Attorney General Jennifer
Granholm.
Food for Thought
A Bombshell
The father of Yung Krall,
author of "A Thousand Tears
Falling," was a member of,
North Vietnam's Politburo
and its ambassador to
Moscow. Yung recently told
this writer that her father
once told her that North
Vietnam was within four
days of surrendering when
the protest movement
fnrrpi a halt to nur hnmhinn
THE CALENDAR
What's happening in Ann Arbor today
EVENTS
"David Lewis' Logic of
Counterfactuals and
Kyzysztof Wodiczko Lec-
ture; Sponsored by
School of Art and
Design, 7 p.m., Chrysler
Arts and Programs, 8
a.m., Pierpont Commons
Atrium Gallery, North
SERVICES
Campus Information
Centers, 764-INFO,
info@umich.edu, or
www.umich.edu/-info