The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com

ANTIBIOTICS
From Page 1A
antibiotics from 2007 to 2009.
The study also found that five
of the 10 most commonly pre-
scribed antibiotics were "anti-
biotics of concern" - drugs
like Zithromax and Augmen-
tin - that treat many types of
bacteria, but can create antibi-
otic resistance within patients if
misused.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Michigan - Michigan's larg-
est health care provider and a
partner supporting the Center
for Healthcare Research and
Transformation - provided the
data on adults and children ana-
lyzed in the study.
The study reports that anti-
biotics, while useful in fighting
bacterial infections, do little
to cure viral infections such as
bronchitis and the common
cold. In addition, "antibiotics
of concern" or "broad spectrum
antibiotics" are only intended
to treat patients with infections
who haven't responded to other
antibiotics, according to the
study.
However, because antibiot-
ics are commonly prescribed in
Michigan and throughout the
SPEAKERS
From Page 1A
nation. This year's TEDxUofM
will be the largest in the history
of these spin-off events.
Independently organized
and targeted specifically for a
University audience, this year's
TEDxUofM event will bring
between 12 and 16 speakers
together from a variety of fields
to give presentations and perfor-
mances throughout the day.
Genser, one of the speakers,
works to legally free interna-
tional political prisoners and
has helped prominent figures
like 2010 Nobel Peace Prize
Laureate Liu Xiaobo. Liu, who
participated in the 1989 Tianan-
men Square protests in Beijing,
was imprisoned by Chinese offi-
cials for his human rights activ-
ism and is currently serving an
11-year sentence.
Also a speaker at this year's'
TEDxUofM, Sienko recently
received the Grand Challenges
Exploration grant of $100,000
from the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation for her team's work
with medical technology in
developing countries.

nation to treat the aforemen-
tioned illnesses, more than $20
billion in excess health care
costs in the U.S. have been used
as a consequence to treat preva-
lent antibiotic-resistant infec-
tions.
Despite these side effects,
the study found that nearly half
of the antibiotics prescribed
in Michigan were classified as
"broad spectrum antibiotics."
A geographic analysis of
Michigan found that children
and adult prescription rates
were higher in regions outside of
Southeast Michigan, especially
in regions in the Upper Peninsu-
la, Northern areas in the Lower
Peninsula and along the state's
Ohio border. The study points
to differences in education as an
explanation for this disparity.
Southeast Michigan may
have a lower child prescription
rate than other areas in the state
because it has a higher concen-
tration of pediatricians, who
were specifically targeted by
campaigns to reduce antibiotic
overuse, according to the study.
Heather Holmstrom, a clini-
cal lecturer in medicine at the
University's Medical School,
said she feels most doctors,
regardless of specialty, under-
stand the risks and benefits
Perhaps the most well known
of the presenters is School of Art
& Design alum Chris Van Alls-
burge, who in addition to "The
Polar Express," wrote and illus-
trated the book "Jumanji."
Prospective speakers either
apply or are sought by TEDx
organizers. A group of 40 stu-
dent volunteers then pick the
best lineup of presenters.
Engineering junior Laura
Willming, a member of the
TEDx marketing team, said the
success of last year's conference
on campus is one of the reasons
she got involved with the proj-
ect.
"The passion and stories that
come from the TEDx stage are
what drew me to it," Willming
said. "The idea of people from all
walks of life coming together is
one of the greatest parts of the
TED brand in general."
TEDxUofM also includes stu-
dent presenters. LSA and School
of Music, Theatre & Dance
senior Madeline Huberth, who
is studying physics and cello
performance, will speak about
her senior thesis on the relation-
ship between auditory feedback
and sound quality.
"The research should provide

when prescribing antibiotics. fc
She said a doctor's background T
and colleagues have a larger f
influence on how they prescribe a
antibiotics than his or her area ti
of expertise.
"It's not based on what spe- tc
cialty people are in, more their e
training and philosophy, and ti
whether they have the support c
to do what they think is right or s,
whether they have pressure to o
do something else," said Holm- ti
strom, who wasn't involved in a
the study. it
The recession might have
caused an increase in antibi- o
otic prescriptions, Holmstrom tc
added, because many unem- a
ployed people have been forced d
to change their health care d
plans. S
"Because of the economy, C
people are getting care from a
lots of different providers and
maybe don't have the ability to a
get care from their usual family s
doctor," she said. o
Holmstrom added that alter- p
native health care providers like a
clinics have difficulties deny-
ing patients who expect to be w
prescribed antibiotics because a
these doctors have weaker sup- w
port systems in place. ti
To decrease antibiotic over- tc
use, Holmstrom and the Center s
insight into the extent to which
musicians use , auditory feed-
back to adjust their sound qual-
ity and help us understand the
intimate relationship between
performer and instrument,"
Huberth said.
She added that she thinks she
was chosen to speak at the event
because of her work in "what
seems to be, at first glance, two
unrelated fields."
Due to the high level of inter-
est, prospective event attendees
are required to apply before-
hand. Last year's TEDx show-
case which was held at the
Biomedical Science Research
Building had about 350 people
in attendance but received about
600 applicants. To accommo-
date a bigger audience this year,
the event organizers sought a
larger venue - the Michigan
Theater.
In the coming weeks, the
TEDxUofM team will announce
the rest of the event's speakers.
Willming said she hopes the
event will inspire participants.
"This event will hopefully
give innovators and creators
that spark of passion and excite-
ment they need to bring their
visions to life," she said.

or Healthcare Research and P
'ransformation recommended P
Lrther public education about F
ntibiotic misuse and alterna-
ives to the drugs. to
"Giving people resources A
o other types of care - for M
xample, saline nasal irriga-
ion works really well but is not is
ommonly known," Holmstrom th
aid. "I think education about er
ther ways that people can help sa
hemselves get better and stay in
way from antibiotics is a really m
mportant thing." so
In terms of further research
n the subject, the center plans tr
o look into why the rate of yo
dults using antibiotics has o
ecreased while use amongchil- ev
ren is up, according to Karen vi
tock, spokeswoman for the
enter for Healthcare Research to
nd Transformation. er
But even with more education at
nd research, Holmstrom said de
he thinks it will take a number Cl
f years to significantly alter th
eople's perceptions and use of ve
ntibiotics. t
"For many, many years people en
ere used to going to the doctor tii
nd getting a shot of penicillin at
vhen they sneezed twice, and I
hink it's going to take a while th
o change people's use," Holm- ro
trom said. er
EPA
From Page 1A
gress as of yesterday afternoon,
asking Michigan's congressmen
to support the EPA and oppose
any further attempts to under-
mine its authority.
The panel of scientists speak-
ing during the conference call
included Howard Lerner, an
adjunct clinical assistant profes-
sor of psychology in the Universi-
ty's Medical School and president
and executive director of the
Environmental Law and Policy
Center - a Midwestern think
tank.
Lerner said a multidisciplinary
group of scientists have signed
the letter so far because they
believe actions should be taken to
"reduce greenhouse gas pollution
and protect public health."
"The 160 scientists that signed
the letter that we have distributed
today are urging Congress to not
support any measure that would
weaken the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency," Lerner said.
"The EPA has a responsibility
to do its job and do its job well,
implementing and applying the
Clean Air Acts standards, and
Congress must let the EPA do its
job."
However, a March 4 press
release from Upton's office states
that the intent of the bill is to pre-
vent the EPA's climate change
efforts from skyrocketing energy
costs forAmericans.
"Whether at the pump or on

ROGRAMt
rom PagelA
hear the ideas of many young I
mericans in the coming months,c
odi said.t
"The belief here, quite frankly, i
that young Americans today are
e most innovative, creative gen-r
ation that we've ever seen," Modi i
id. "You guys have inherited j
credible challenges, and you'vea
et them with really inspiringc
lutions."
Earlier efforts by the adminis-p
ation to connect with Americant
iuth include a trip to Cleveland,v
hio where officials hosted anc
ent last month that included ar
sit from Obama.t
Justin Pierce, executive direc-
r of undergraduate student gov- f
nment at Kent State University,c
tended the event along with stu-c
nt and business leaders in thet
leveland area. Pierce said duringd
e conference call that it was "ay
ry productive meeting," and aftert
e event, Obama hosted a confer-t
ice call with the students to con-
nue talking about topics discussede
the roundtable.
"I was so honored to have hada
e chance to participate in a i
undtable with other young lead-a
s," Pierce said. "It was an incred-c
their monthly utility bills, Ameri-
can families, farmers and employ-
ers feel the pinch when energy
prices go up," Upton wrote in the
press release. "The very last thing
the federal government should do
is make matters worse by inten-
tionally driving up the cost of
energy. Yet that is exactly what's
in store if the EPA moves forward
with its plans to regulate and
penalize carbon emissions under
the Clean Air Act."
The proposed law states that it
is "a bill to amend the Clean Air
Act to prohibit the Administra-
tor of the Environmental Protec-
tion Agency from promulgating
any regulation concerning, taking
action relating to, or taking into
consideration the emission of a
greenhouse gas to address climate
change, and for other purposes."
A recent EPA report projecting
the benefits of the Clean Air Act
revealed that the law will enable
a cost-savings of $2 trillion by
2020 and will save 230,000 peo-
ple's lives each year, according to
a press release issued yesterday
from the group of scientists.
But the press release from
Upton's office states that the pro-
posed legislation would simply
"clarify" the EPA's role in regard
to the Clean Air Act, "preserving
the law's important and long-
standing functions to reduce air
pollution."
Knute Nadelhoffer, a professor
of ecology and evolutionary biol-
ogy at the University and direc-
tor of the LSA Biological Station,
also participated in the call and

Thursday, March 10, 2011- 5A
ible and unforgettable experience
to meet and talk with President
Obama."
Since the roundtable, Pierce said
he has discussed the initiative with
other students and made an effort
to help his peers become more
nvolved in national issues.
"Our generation sees a lot of
negativity, and a lot of times we're
ntimidated by it," Pierce said. "We
ust need to become more informed
and engaged, and this is the perfect
opportunity to do that."
While the administration sug-
gests for a roundtable to include 10
to 15 participants for optimal con-
versation and productivity, groups
of any size can be submitted to
request attendance by an official or
to get feedback.
LSA junior Brendan Campbell,
former chair of the University's
chapter of College Democrats and
current MForward vice presiden-
tial candidate for the Michigan Stu-
dent Assembly, said in an interview
yesterday that he is looking forward
to the prospect of hosting a round-
table on campus.
"I think this is an incredible
opportunity," Campbell said. "We
knowyoungpeople havegreatideas
about where our country is headed
n the coming decade. I'm excited
about creating forums where we
can discuss these issues."
discussed his recent testimony
before the U.S. House of Repre-
sentatives Committee on Energy
and Commerce about the science
behind greenhouse gas pollution.
He explained why the EPA should
be allowed to continue its goal to
keep American citizens safe from
toxic air contaminants.
"We as Michigan scientists and
researchers are coming together
to send a clear message to Con-
gress", Nadelhoffer said during
the conference call. "The EPA
has been instrumental in protect-
ing Michigan's natural resources
from greenhouse gas emissions
using proven science facts, not
politics, and we stress that this is
not a political topic. This is a sci-
ence-based enterprise that we're
on."
According to the press release
from the scientists, the EPA
makes environmental strides, as
well as economic ones. In the let-
ter,the Michigan scientists drew
attention to the fact that having
clean air regulations can lead to
more than 62,300 jobs in the state
in the next five years.
"Federal policies aimed at
reducing greenhouse gas buildup
in the atmosphere provide oppor-
tunities to protect Michigan's
valuable natural resources and
stimulate our economy," the letter
states. "Importantly, we believe
that the benefits to Michigan will
likely far exceed the costs."
- Daily News Editor
Jon eph Lichterman
conribued Io this repor.

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