2A -- Wednesday, January 5, 2011
The Michigan Daily - michiganda ly.com
2A - Wednesday, January 5, 2011 The Michigan Daily - michigandailycom
THURSDAY: FRIDAY:
Campus Clubs Photos of the Week
Moving toward a cure
With a joint appointment in the
School of Kinesiology and LSA,
Rachael Seidler, a University pro-
fessor of movement science and
psychology, is taking her work
outside the classroom to improve
medical treatment for the elderly
and those afflicted with Parkin-
son's disease.
Seidler's research focuses on
understanding how the brain con-
trols movement. She said she works
with elderly people to determine the
effects of aging on structural chang-
es in the brain.
"What my work is showing is that
as people age, that structure that is
bridging the two sides of the brain
breaks down and you actually get
more interference between the two
sides of the brain and what they're
trying to do," she said.
Though numerous studies are
required to make an impact in
the field, Seidler said her current
research on how the brain changes
with Parkinson's disease aims to
identify whether medications for
the disease help patients or actu-
ally worsen the condition. With this
identification, Seidler said she hopes
to discern which areas of treatment
need to be improved.
As an undergraduate, Seidler
majored in exercise science and
minored in biology at the University
of Oregon. She continued her edu-
cation at Arizona State University,
completing a master's in biomechan-
ics and a doctorate in motor control
before going to the University of
Minnesota for post-doctoraltraining
in neuroscience.
Seidler said she came to the Uni-
versity of Michigan in 2001 because
of its reputation for research. She
said she enjoys the multi-faceted
nature of her job, which includes
working on her own research and
teaching students.
"Focusing on my research allows
me to hopefully make a difference in
people's lives, people with movement
disorders, or to better understand
changes with age," she said. "At the
same time Ireally enjoy teaching and
trying to impart this knowledge on
students and helping them to achieve
their own career goals and even to
help them identify what their career
goals are."
Seidler added that she appreciates
working as a professor in the School
of Kinesiology and in the Depart-
ment of Psychology because it allows
her to interact with people who have
different interests.
"I really like having the joint
appointment because I get exposure
to lots of different colleagues, and
a large number and wide range of
students in comparison to probably
what most faculty interact with," she
said.
COURTESY OF RACHAEL SElDLER
Kinesiology Prof. Rachael Seidler researches how the human
brain controls motion. In carrying out this research, Seidler
- SARAH ALSADEN often works with the elderly.
(Th~e Ifidhian DAik
420 Maynard St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1327
www.michigandaily.com
$TEPHANIE STEINBERG BRADWILEY
Editor in Chief Bosiness Manager
734-418-4115 ext. 1251 734-418-4115 ext.1241
steinberg@michigandaily.com tmdbusiness@gmaiLcom
CONTACT INFORMATION
Newsroom Office hours Sun.-Thurs.11a.m.-2am.
734-418-4115 opt.3
News Tips news@michigandaity.com
Corrections corrections@michigandailycom
Letters to thetEditor tothedaily@michigandaily.com
Photography Department photo@michigandaily.com
Arts Section artspage@mihigandaily.xon
Editorial Page opinion@michigahdaily.com
Sports Section sports@michigandaily.com
Display Sales display@michigandaily.com
ClassiedSafes classified@michigandaily.com
Online Sales onlineads@michigandailycom
Finance finance@michigandaily.com
EDITORIAL STAFF
Kyle Swanson ManagingEditor swanson@michigandailycom
Nicole Aber ManagingNewsEditor aber@richigandaily.omn;
SNIOsRoNEWnSDIOSoBehany BiorronDlnCint~i, itinHo~,aJoseph
Lchteran,onThosby
A SA NEWSEDIORS:RachelBrusstar, Claire Goscicki,Suzanne JacobsMike,
Merar,MicheleNarov,BriennePrusak,KailinWilliams
MichelleDeWitt and opinioneditors@michigandaily.om
tmilylOrley Editoril PageEditor
NR EDIT oIL EITORSAi daAli,AshleyGriesshammerHarshaPanduran
ASSISTANT EDITORIALPAGEEDITORS:EaghanDavis,HarshaNahata,AndreWeiner
Tim Rohan and sportseditors@michigandaily.com
Nick Spar Managing Sports Editor
SENIOR SPORTS EDITORS:Mark Burns,MichaelFlorek,Chanel Jennings,RyanKartje,,,
Stephen J.Nesbitt, ZakPyzik
ASSISTANT SPORTSsEDITORS: EmilyBonchi,BenEstes,CasandraPagni,LukePasch,
KevinRa fteryMatt Slovin
Sharon Jacobs Managing Arts Editor jacobs@michigandaily.com
SNIRoARTSEDIORS:onLahoBurgi, Kavi ey,mJnniferoX
ASTANTARTSEDORS:oeCadagin, EamaGseroaho sla,DaiTao
MarissaMcClainand photo@michigandaily.com
Jed MOch ManagingPhotoEditors
SENIOR PHOTO EDITOR: Jake Fromm
ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITORS: Erin Kirkland, Salam Rida, Anna Schulte, Samantha
Trae
Zach Bergson and design@michigandaily.com
Helen Lieblich Managing Design Editors
,SNIn O EIN EOR:00Maya Friedan
ASEISTANTESIGNEDITORS:Alex Bndy,Hermes Risien
Carolyn Klarecki MagazineEditor klarecki@michigandaiy.com
DEPUTY MAGAZINE EDITORS:Stephenostrowski, Elyana Twiggs
Josh Healy and copydesk@michigandaily.com
Eileen Patten CopyChiefs
Sarah Squire Web Development Manager squire@michigandaiy.com,
BUSINESS STAFF
JuliannaCrimsaesManager
SALESFORCEMANAGER:Stephanoe
MARKETING MANAGER: Gjon Juncaj 'ke
Hillary Szawala classifiedsManager
CLASSIFIED ASSISTANT MANAGER: Ardie Reed
Jason Mahakian Production Manager
Meghan Rooney Layout Manager
Nick Meshkin Finance Manager
Chrissy Winkler Circulation Manager
Zach YancerWebProject Coordinator
The Michigan Daily(IS0N0745-967)is published Mondaythrough Friday during thefall and winte
termsbystudentsat the Universityof Michigan.onecopy is availablefreeof chargetoall eaders
Additional copiesmaybepicked uprat theoaily'sofficefor $2. subscriptionsforfalterm, startingin
september, via U.S.mail are$110. Winter term anuary through Aprl)tisr$115,yearlong(September
through April)is$195.University affiliates are subject toareduced subscription rate.On-campus
subscriptionsforfalltermare$35.subscriptionsmustbeprepaid.TheMichiganDailyisamember
of The Associated Press and The Associated Collegiate Press.
0*
0
CRIME NOTES
$25 Jack Daniels Table shattered
iftWHERE: School of Social
g0.set soen Work
WHEN: Monday at about 2:30
WHERE: UMHS Cardiovas- p.m.
cular Center WHAT: A table valued at $700
WHEN: Monday at about 11:15 was found shattered, Univer-
p.m. sityPolice reported. The dam-
WHAT: A man was caught age appears to have been an
stealing on a security camera accident.
at the hospital gift shop, Uni-
versity Police reported. The C rb o e no
stolen items, a Jack Daniels Car broken into,
gift set, are valued at $25.t
GPS siped nothing taken
GPS swiped g
WHERE: Lot M-10, 1502 East
from vehicle Medical Center
WHEN: Tuesday at about 1:15
WHERE: Lot M-15, 1170 W a.m.
Medical Center WHAT: A hospital employee
WHEN: Sunday at about 10 said a subject attempted to
a.m. steal property from a vehicle,
WHAT: A GPS system was University Police reported.
stolen from a car, University Property inside the vehicle
Police reported. There are no was reportedly moved, but
suspects. nothing was taken.
CAMPUS EVENTS & NOTES
Concerto Physics talk
competition WHAT: English Prof.
Michael Byers will spet
WHAT: Students are com- in an event called, "Fin
peting in the final round of Percival's Planet." The c
a competition. Winners will is a part of a series cont
perform with ensembles ing throughout this sen
throughout the year. WHO: Department of
WHO: School of Music, Physics
Theatre & Design WHEN: Today at 4 p.m
WHEN: Today at 4 p.m WHERE: 340 West Ha
WHERE: Hill Auditorium
MHealthy
Winter courses indoor walk
presentations WHAT: An indoor
walk will be lead by
yak
ding
event
tinu-
mester.
.
all
The Susan G. Komen for
the Cure Foundation has
filed more than 100 legal
trademark oppositions against
other charities that use the
phrase "for the cure" in their
name, The Huffington Post
reported.
Approximately 214 stu-
dent veterans of Ameri-
can wars are currently
enrolled at the University.
FORMORE, SEE THESTATEMENT
3The Mexican drug cartel
La Familia has agreed to
a one-month truce with
authorities, according to
The Associated Press. A letter
reportedly signed by La Famil-
ia announcing the moritorium
of criminal activity circulated
Sunday. It has not been deter-
mined if the letter is authen-
tic. The Mexican government
said many leaders ofLaFamilia
have been killed or arrested.
WHAT: Faculty of the Col-
lege of Architecture and
Urban Planning will give
presentations on courses
available this semester.
Each presentation will be
about seven to 10 minutes.
WHO: College of Architec-
ture and Urban Planning
WHEN: Today at 3 p.m.
WHERE: Art and Archi-
tecture Building
Nickey Rosol from MHealthy.
WHO: MHealthy
WHEN: Today at 11:45
am., 12:15 p.m. and 1 p.m.
WHERE: The Cardiovascu-
lar Center, Level 2 Atrium
CORRECTIONS
" Please report any
error in the Daily to
corrections@michi-
gandaily.com.
0
House Republicans .
ask Obama to trim
federal spending
Obama challenged
to join GOP push to
make budget cuts
WASHINGTON (AP) - On the
brink of power, House Republi-
cans challenged President Barack
Obama yesterday to join them in a
drive to cut federal spending, ban
earmarks for favored projects and
overhaul the nation's tax code.
At the same time, incoming
House Majority Leader Eric Can-
tor, R-Va., conceded the new GOP
majority intends to bypass its own
new rules when it votes next week
to wipe out the health care law
approved by Democrats in 2010.
"We just need to repeal it,"
Cantor said of the effort to fulfill
one of the party's main campaign
promises from last fall.
Republicans, their ranks
expanded by tea party-backed
freshmen, take control of the
House when the 112th Congress
convenes at noon today. One of the
first orders of business will be the
election of Ohio Republican John
Boehner as speaker, replacing
Democrat Nancy Pelosi.
In a celebratory mood, House
Republicans met for nearly three
hours during the day as they
looked ahead to their two-year
term of office. GOP freshmen have
emphasized the need to reduce
the deficit, but there are limits to
how far the caucus is willing to go.
Ten-year veteran Rep. Jeff Flake,
R-Ariz., said his colleagues defeat-
ed his proposal to use savings
from spending cuts only for deficit
reduction, as opposed to shifting
some money to other government
programs.
Across the Capitol, Demo-
crats retained their majority in
the November elections.. But the
60 Senate seats they controlled
two years ago - enough to push
through much of Obama's agenda
- will fall to 53.
That will make it harder to
enact legislation Obama still
seeks. But it gives them more than
enough clout to block passage of
bills like the health care repeal
that House Republicans desire.
Obama, speaking with report-
ers aboard Air Force One as he flew
home from a year-end vacation in
Hawaii, predicted Republicans
would "play to their (political)
base" initially.
He added, "But I'm pretty con-
fident that they're going to recog-
nize that our job is to govern and
make sure that we are delivering
jobs for the American people."
He said the two sides can build
on the lame duck session of Con-
gress in December, when they
agreed on a compromise to pre-
vent income taxes from rising, to
extend unemployment benefits
and to enact a Social Security tax
cut that took effect on Saturday.
Cantor challenged and chided
Obama by turn in a news confer-
ence in which he said the GOP
envisions a "cut and grow major-
ity" to reduce government spend-
ing and regulations and benefit the
economy.
The first spending cut vote
is set for tomorrow, a 5 percent
reduction in the amount ticketed
for lawmakers' and committees'
offices as well as leadership staff.
Aides estimated the savings at $35
million over the next nine months.
Republicans have pledged to
vote on bills that cut spending at
least once a week.
Obama is expected to deliver his
State of the Union Address before
a joint session of Congress on Jan.
25, and Cantor said he was "look-
ing to see some significant spend-
ing cuts proposed by the president
that we can work on together."
He also said he hopes Obama
will prevail on Senate Democrats
to ban earmarks, which are funds
dedicated to specific pet projects
of individual lawmakers.
He added, "Tax reform could be
a significant boost. and I'm hope-
ful and expecting the president"
will speak on that subject as well.
Cantor also said he was "hopeful
the president will re-evaluate his
position on regulations."
Republicans argue that the
economy suffers from over-reg-
ulation by the government, high-
lighting the health care bill as one
example.
Cantor's comments under-
scored the change that has
occurred in the political land-
scape since the last election.
Instead of merely opposing
Obama's every proposal, as they
did in 2009 and 2010, Republicans
must compromise with him if they
are to show results in their drive
to cut spending.
Yet their eagerness to vote
quickly on repealing the health
care bill is in line with a no-com-
promise position articulated by
the tea party forces that helped
propel many GOP challengers to
victory.
Republicans have the votes to
pass the health care repeal bill
though the House. Yet the action
is largely symbolic, since Demo-
cratic leaders have already pro-
nounced it dead on arrival in the
Senate.
And Democrats made it clear
they intend to make the House
vote as uncomfortable as possible
for Republicans, too.
"Under the Republican repeal
effort, insurance companies
would once again be able to drop
people when they get sick.. Chil-
dren with pre-existing conditions
would be denied coverage," said
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz,
D-Fla. "Young people will not be
able to stay on their parents' insur-
ance until they're age 26. Pregnant
women and breast cancer survi-
vors could be denied coverage.
Seniors will face an increase in
their prescription drug costs, mil-
lions thrown back into the Medi-
care Part D doughnut hole."
One of the first votes on
Wednesday will be enactment
of a series of rules changes that
Republicans crafted to increase
openness in Congress' proceed-
ings.
Hundreds of dead birds lie along the side of the Morganza Highway in Pointe Coupee Parish, La.
Thousands of blackbirds
eris in Southern U.S.
According to experts,
mass bird deaths are
not uncommon
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - It
isn't easy being a blackbird in
the South.
First, New Year's Eve fireworks
were blamed in central Arkansas
for making thousands of black-
birds confused, crashing into
homes, cars and each other. Then
300 miles to the south in Loui-
siana, power lines likely killed
about 450 birds, littering a high-
way near Baton Rouge.
It's almost certainly a coinci-
dence the events happened within
days of each other, Louisiana's state
wildlife veterinarian Jim LaCour
said yesterday. "I haven't found
anything to link the two at this
point."
Mass bird deaths aren't
uncommon. The U.S. Geological
Service's website listed about 90
mass deaths of birds and other
wildlife from June through Dec.
12. There were five deaths of at
least 1,000 birds, with the larg-
est near Houston, Minn., where
parasite infestations killed about
4,000 water birds between Sept.
6 and Nov. 26.
In Louisiana, the birds died
sometime late Sunday or early
Monday in the rural Pointe Cou-
pee Parish community of Labarre,
about 30 miles northwest of Baton
Rouge. The birds - a mixed
flock of red-winged blackbirds,
brown-headed cowbirds, grack-
les and starlings - may have hita
power line or vehicles in the dark,
LaCour said. Two dozen of them
had head, neck, beak or back inju-
ries.
About 50 dead birds were near
a power line 30 or 40 feet from
Louisiana Highway 1. About
a quarter-mile away, a second
group of 400 or more stretched
from the power line and across
the highway, he said.
Dan Cristol, a biology professor
and co-founder of the Institute for
Integrative Bird Behavior Studies
at the College of William & Mary,
said the Louisiana birds may have
been ill or startled from their
roost, then hit the power line.
"They don't hita power line for
no reason," he said.
In Beebe, New Year's revelers
spent the holiday weekend clean-
ing up dead red-winged black-
birds. Some speculated that bad
weather was to blame. Others said
one confused bird could have led
the group in a fatal plunge. A few
spooked schoolkids guessed the
birds committed mass suicide.
Officials acknowledged,
though, they may never know
exactly what caused the large
number of deaths.
Cristol was skeptical of the
fireworks theory, unless "some-
body blew something into the
roost, literally blowing the birds
into the sky."
Wildlife officials in both
Arkansas and Louisiana sent
carcasses to researchers at the
National Wildlife Health Center
in Madison, Wis. and the Univer-
sity of Georgia.
LaCour said he didn't expect
results for at least two or three
weeks.
In 1999, several thousand
grackles fell from the sky and
staggered about before dying
in north Louisiana. It took five
months to get the diagnosis: an
E. coli infection of the air sacs in
their skulls.
"I hope things go faster than
that," said Paul Slota, branch chief
for the National Wildlife Health
Center in Madison, Wis. He said
necropsies of the Arkansas birds
beganyesterday afternoon.
0
I A