The Michigan Daily-Saturday, July 11, 1981-Page 3 Another hurdle conquered U' scientists edge closer : toward defeating cancer By LOU FINTOR Daily staff writer University medical researchers an- nounced another breakthrough recently in the battle against cancer with the discovery and development of a new radioactive compound which can detect-for the first time-potentially lethal tumors and has also proven ef- fective in diagnosing many heart. ailments. Laced with a weak tracer dose of radioactive iodine, the new compound has been found 100 percent effective in the diagnosis of tiny tumors in the body's adrenaline-producing tissues. IT IS ESTIMATED that between 100,000 and 200,000 Americans are stricken with the tumors and that 90 percent are located in the central core of the adrenal glands (the medulla)l with the other 10 percent found developing on sympathetic nerves in other parts of the body. The new compound, called "131-I meta-iodobenzylguanidine," was syn- thesized by organic chemist Dr. Donald Wieland, head of research and development in nuclear pharmacy at the University's division of nuclear medicine. According to Wieland, the compound can specifically detect pheochromocytomas-tiny tumors that when triggered by routine stress during simple surgery, produce surges of adrenaline-type hormones (ephinephrine and norephinephrine) which overstimulate the car- diovascular system, resulting in death. THE COMPOUND can identify these previously undetected growths by fun- ction as well as location simply by in- jecting it into a vein, then "imaging" or scanning the body with a radiation registering device. The current method of diagnosis in- volves making a long incision and manually manipulating suspicious growths until the tumors are found, which Wieland described as like "fin- ding a needle ina haystack." "We like to call it a functional agent rather than an anatomic agent (such as the CAT scanner), because we're into See ANOTHER, Page5 Daly 'Poo by PAUL ENGST ROM DR. DONALD WIELAND, University researcher who successfully syn- thesized a new radioactive tumor detection compound, consults with his biological testing head, Larry Brown. FINE IS REDUCED TO $20: A2 police ticket bike offenders By JENNIFER MILLER Daily staff writer Yes, the Ann Arbor police have star- ted issuing tickets to bicyclists, but the fine for all violations has been reduced ,from $35 to $20. And as a result of citizen letters and complaints, the police are especially targeting the State-Liberty-Thompson area for bike violations.."Most bicycle problems emanate from there," said Patrolman Walter Willard. THE ACTUAL number of tickets already issued is unknown, because separate records for bicycle and motor -vehicle tickets are not kept. However, police say they are giving warnings more often than tickets. Willard, who is the only officer riding a bike on patrol, said, "Every day I warn at least 15 people for bicycle violations." "Going the wrong way on a one way street," Willard said, "is the worst violation, and the most dangerous." Motorists pulling out onto a one-way street usually don't check the opposite way for traffic, he explained. He said the majority of tickets that have been given out are for one-way street violations. CANDY ELLISON, 27, was given a ticket last month for riding down Liber- ty toward State Street. "I'm used to just casually and carelessly riding my bike. I never realized they were giving out tickets," she said. When the officer told her the fine was $35, "I was just floored," Ellison said. Ellison was angry about her ticket. "I feel at least they could have given me one warning. But -(the policeman) made-it-hard to argue- because he was apologizing the whole time-he said he was getting pressure from the station." When Ellison went to City Hall to pay the ticket, she found the fine had been reduced to $20. But, she said, "How can they justify charging so much money? They at least should bring the amount in line with the offense." THERE ARE indications that the traffic court may discuss changing the fine. Tom Pendleton, the city bicycle coordinator, said, "At the moment, the court is charging $20. But remember, it could be (as much as) $35." Both the police and Pendleton stressed that the motivation behind the ticketing is to make bicyclists become aware of riding safely, not to harass them. Pendleton said that once the majority of bicyclists start riding carefully and obeying the laws, then the ticketing can be "saved for the recalcitrant, argumentative person" who refuses to obey the traffic laws. These are the main violations that police may ticket a bicyclist for: " running a stop signor red light. " no registration (now mandatory by a city ordinance, registration costs $2.50). " not yielding to pedestrians, especially on sidewalks. " no lights or reflectors at night. THE BICYCLE safety problem in Ann Arbor is not solely the fault of the bicyclist, Willard said. As a bicyclist himself, "You start to appreciate how motorists don't watch for bicyclists," he said. Willard has been riding his patrol bike for five years, ahd also rides to work rather than drives. "I have a feeling for the problems the bicyclist has," he said._ ny rnu o oy PAUL ESUOM OFFICER WALTER WILLARD says he likes riding his bike on patrol because it facilities easy interaction with people. On his own initiative, * Willard has starte toppatrjL.the Nichols Arboretum in addition to his cam- , pus dati'eg.A Studeit fah os'the Ding painted 911 and AAPD on the bicycle for - i I K. .e;JN ' ' .LfYi" a- ' r , . . _ -, - e . t