NEWS The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, January 17, 2006 - 3A ON CAMPUS Career Center to hold internship fair at Union The Career Center is sponsoring an internship fair today in the Mich- igan Union Ballroom from 2 to 6 p.m. Students can meet with organi- zations that are specifically looking to hire interns from the University. Registration for the event will take place on-site today. Some of the participating organi- zations include American Eagle Out- fitters, Clean Water Action, ESPN and LaSalle Bank Corporation. Lecture to explore * gender, culture and Prozac Johnathan Metzl, director of the Program in Culture, Health and Medicine, will present a lecture today titled "Gender, Culture, and Medicalization: The Lessons of Prozac." The lecture will take place in room 2239 of Lane Hall from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Toastmasters to give feedback to interested speakers The Michigan Toastmasters, a public speaking group at the Uni- versity, will be holding a lecture and discussion focusing on the topic of "Finding Your Voice - The Dreams and Visions of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King." Participants will be given a chance to speak on a variety of top- ics and receive feedback tonight. The event will be held at 7 p.m. in the Michigan Union. CRIME NOTES Caller leaves unclear message about local bar An caller phoned the Department of Public Safety yesterday morning and said something about a fire haz- ard and Good Time Charlie's. The dispatch officer was unclear about the complete message. DPS said the information was turned over to the Ann Arbor Police Department. Slippery situation will be solved with absorbent There was an oil slick on Glenn Street Sunday from a vehicle that lost an oil pan, DPS reported. According to DPS, a quick dry absorbent will be applied to the pavement. Police respond to reports of skateboarding Police responded to reports that skateboarders and roller-bladers were in the area near the 4200 block of Plym- outh road, DPS reported. When police arrived on the scene, the subjects were gone. THIS DAY In Daily History Democrats fear redistricting will limit their power Jan. 17, 1982 - The Washtenaw County Apportionment Commis- sion was notified Friday by the State Court of Appeals that it has until 8 p.m. to prove its redis- tricting plan for the county is not unconstitutional. Local Democrats challenged the commission earlier this month, say- ing its plan was created to favor the Republican Party. The Democrats' appeal said the new districts divided PIRGIM remains active despite - funding setbacks Members say they won't ask for more money until MSAs policy changes By Katerina Georgiev Daily Staff Reporter Despite failing to obtain the $20,000 in fund- ing it requested from the Michigan Student Assembly last year, Students for Public Inter- est Research Group in Michigan has remained undaunted in its quest to start a pilot chapter at the University. It just has a new strategy. The group now has no plans to request fund- ing again until significant changes within the assembly are made. After a long and drawn-out campaign for funding by the assembly, the resolution to give PIRGIM funding was never voted on by MSA because the Central Student Judiciary ruled that the request was not in compliance with the MSA constitution. "I'm disappointed there was no straight up-or -down vote, but I'm not expecting a retrial until MSA gets its policies in order" students for PIR- GIM chair Pam Baker said. CSJ ruled that funding the group could threat- en MSA's tax-exempt status because it could engage in activities that could be considered lob- bying. "It's confusing, and I'm not accusing MSA;' Baker said. "I believe they are working to create a more clear system but it's just not there yet" MSA President Jesse Levine agrees that reform is necessary. "We have been working to reform fund- ing guidelines in accordance with federal law," Levine said. "There are people (in MSA) looking into a resolution to resolve the issues regarding lobbying." Although the assembly spent $20,000 on November's Ludacris concert - an amount that would have sufficiently funded a University chapter of PIRGIM - Baker said she does not believe MSA has mismanaged its budget. "I don't like the idea of squabbling over pieces of the pie," Baker said. "I just think there should be a bigger pie." Without the $20,000 from MSA, the group has not been able to complete some of its goals., One of the primary goals the group wanted. to pursue was a student housing campaign thaLt would provide a hotline and educational materi- als to help students navigate the Ann Arbor hous- ing market. The group also wanted to advocate for improved University housing policies. Baker said she will not petition MSA for the $20,000. to fund a PIRGIM chapter until the political climate changes. "If (MSA has) a more clear tax status, keep: better track of lobbying, and if people start get- ting excited about a PIRGIM chapter then it could definitely happen," Baker said. "But its just not a feasible battle to win at this time." In the meantime, the group is campaigning to raise the minimum wage in Michigan and to reverse legislation recently passed in the Senate- and House of Representatives to cut nearly $14 billion in federal student financial aid. The organization works to further its public policy goals by pressuring lawmakers through calls, letters and petitions, and by publicizing issues and educating people. Students for PIRGIM has also started plane ning an environmental campaign to change the University's sustainable energy policies. LSA freshman Kate Mitroka, a member of th, group, said she is excited about the organization'- continued efforts on campus. "The group tackles pertinent, nonpartisans issues that affect everybody," Mitroka said. NY Times reporter speaks about evolution Biologist Bryan Fry has been conducting in depth research on various types of snake venom By Christine Beamer For the Daily New York Times science journalist Carl Zimmer sees the study of evolution as a way to learn more about our current world. On Saturday, Zimmer gave a lecture in honor of the opening celebration for the "Explore Evo- lution" exhibit in the University's Exhibit Muse- um of Natural History. The exhibit highlights the recent evolutionary discoveries of scientists regarding whales that walked, Galapagos finches and the HIV virus. Each display features panels of text written by Zimmer, who focuses most of his writing on evolu- tion and also regularly contributes to National Geo- graphic, Science and Newsweek magazines. At the lecture, Zimmer discussed the ways evolu- tion is applicable in the world and talked about the newest developments in evolutionary biology. "By asking an evolutionary question, you find out something new," Zimmer said. Zimmer explained that in the case of Australian biologist Bryan Fry, an evolutionary question was the origin of snake venom. Over generations, the enzyme mutated further, Because many drugs manufactured by pharma- becoming more potent and resulting in the venom ceutical companies use venom to treat stroke and to present in modern day snakes. lower an elevated blood pressure, Zimmer said an The discovery of venom's genealogy has led to the understanding of venom could aid the development realization that many snakes previously thought to be of more effective medications. non-poisonous actually make venom. Garter snakes, Through his research, Fry found that venom for example, produce potent venom, but only in min- is composed of many diverse molecules. Each molecule "I liked thi acts differently on prey. induc- ing paralysis, muscle decay or that in evo unconsciousness. By pinpoint- ing the genes in the venom the ideas a molecules, Fry compared the stil similarities between venom sill evolvi genes in different snake species and then constructed a geneal- ogy of the genes. Zimmer said Fry looked at various versions of one venom molecule, called chrotamine, and found that the gene that produces the molecule is closely related to a gene found in the snake's pancreas which pro- duces a digestive enzyme. "Snakes have been borrowing genes from all over their body to put in their venom," Zimmer said. He explained that a random genetic mutation led to the enzyme being sent to the snake's venom gland instead of the pancreas. S J i iscule amounts. s idea Most importantly, Fry's research revealed that lizards lution, - close ancestral relatives of snakes - possess some of the ire same venom molecules as their legless counterparts. ng. Fry hypothesizes that snake Zimmer explained that scientists have recently taken a closer look at chromosome inversions, which., are mutations that cause part of a chromosome to be flipped when replicated. Scientists have long known that inversions. are a source of mutation, which promotes evolu- tion. But they have only recently been examirl-_ ing flipped chromosome chunks to try and piece. together how the chromosomes of closely related species - such as chimpanzees and humans - are altered, Zimmer said. "It's as if evolution has been flipping chromosomes, like flipping pancakes," Zimmer added. Zimmer said scientists have found that certain sections of the chromosomes are particularly vul- nerable to inversion and so mutations tend to occur in the same spots. This understanding of chromosomal inver- sion becomes important in the fight against cancer, because in cancer cells, the chromosomes flip in cer- tain places repeatedly. "If you want to understand cancer, you're going to have to deal with this evolutionary heritage of ours," he said. LSA junior Sarah Romito said she enjoyed Zim- mer's approach to evolution that separated theol- ogy and science. "I liked his idea that in evolution, the ideas are still evolving," Romito added. - Sarah Romito LSA junior venom evolved tens of millions of years before snakes existed, which is why lizards such as Komodo dragons and igua- nas possess some of the same venom molecules. Although the finds are interesting from an aca- demic standpoint, Zimmer said a greater under- standing of the origins of venom has led to a new biotechnology front, which looks at the medicinal potential of lizard venom. And while the origins of snake venom have unlocked doors for medicine, studying the evolution of mankind is aiming to do the same against cancer. New program to deter gangs records early success $100 Off All June LSAT Courses when you sign up by Jan 27 The Prneton Review During the first year of the program the gun-related homicides in Detroit's former third police precinct dropped 35 percent DETROIT (AP) - There are reports of success in a state-initiated criminal justice program that uses reward and punishment to disrupt gangs and control paroled fel- ons in the city. The Joshua Project was started by Attorney General Mike Cox in 2004 after a jump in Detroit gun violence. It targets members of gangs and groups of suspects and pressures all of them if one is suspected of a crime. It also helps people on probation or parole develop skills and find jobs. In 2005, the first full year of the program, the rate of gun-related homicides in the city's former third police pre- cinct dropped 35 percent, compared with a 6 percent drop in gun crime in all of Detroit, The Detroit News said yes- terday. At the same time, nonfatal shootings in the precinct dropped 29 percent. "This decrease" represents "the largest reductions of any precinct in the city of Detroit in 2005,' Assistant Attorney General Tom Cameron said. Authorities say some other precincts had nearly as dra- matic decreases in shootings because of efforts with simi- lar tactics. The Joshua Project is named for the biblical hero who broke down the walls of Jericho as the Israelites entered the land of Canaan. It is a joint effort of Cox's office, Detroit police, the state Corrections Department and the Detroit Hispanic Development Corp. Cox's aides prosecute the cases, Detroit police supply information on gangs and groups, Corrections officers follow people on parole and probation who live in the area, and the Hispanic group gives job opportunities to former offenders. The team presses felons for information on crimes while warning of the severity of penalties that they face if they com- mit crimes or are involved with those responsible. Fieger says he will be indicted on charges of illegal contributions Former employee of attorney's firm said he gave $2,000 to a political campaign and was reimbursed by the firm bonuses to civic-minded employees," he said. Fieger refused to elaborate on the bonuses he gave. Joseph Bird, a lawyer formerly employed by Fieg- er's firm has said he and his wife each gave $2,000 to Edwards' 2004 campaign at the request of one of