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The Michigan Daily - Thursday, November 16, 1995 - 5
In study of climate changes,
scientists use mammals' teeth
Researchers hope to learn more about global warming
By Cathy Boguslaski
Daily Staff Reporter
University researchers are using data
from an unlikely source - the teeth of
long-dead mammals - to determine
past climate changes.
The research is based on measuring
amounts of oxygen present intooth
enamel, said Henry Fricke, a graduate
student in geochemistry.
"There are two different oxygen iso-
topes, a heavy one and a light one, and
they react differently," he said.
The ratio of oxygen isotopes in an
animal's teeth and bones comes from
three different sources: food, drinking
water and atmospheric oxygen, said
James R. O'Neil, professor of geologi-
cal sciences.
Since climate changes are related to
the ratio of oxygen isotopes in drinking
water, that ratio can be used as a proxy
to determine the climate conditions
when the animal was alive, Fricke said.
"The oxygen isotope ratio of water
changes as a function of the mean an-
nual temperature," O'Neil said.
The study used samples from the
teeth of large herbivores, bison and
sheep, which grow continuously, Fricke
said.
Instead ofjust taking one sample from
a tooth, the researchers have now found
that several samples can help them de-
termine seasonal changes as well.
We may take 10 samples from a
single tooth, and analyze them from
oldest to youngest. Then we can see
the variation from winter to summer."
- James R. O'Neil
Professor of geological sciences
ELIZABETH LIPPMAN/Daily
,Let 's get physical
Stephane Coutu (left) and Shawn McKee, University research assistants in physics, demonstrate a spark chamber. The
- tracks of red dots, occur when cosmic ray particles from outer space strike the receiving box.
F FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Dinners provide 'appreciation' for elderly
"We may take 10 samples from a
single tooth, and analyze them from
oldest to youngest. Then we can see the
variation from winter to summer,"
O'Neil said.
The research shows "if you don't
have a consistent sampling strategy,
you may see changes that you interpret
as long term that is, in fact, a short-term,
seasonal change," Fricke said. Taking
multiple samples from each tooth, and
comparing them with multiple samples
from teeth of the different time periods,
can show evidence of climate change.
"It also allows us to do some
paleobiology," O'Neil said. "We can
tell when an animal was born from
when it started laying enamel, and when
it stopped.
"We used to worry that there would
be a diagenetic alteration, and that we
would lose this record just from it being
buried so long. Finding these seasonal
variations gives us more confidence."
Information on past climate changes
couldhelp scientists predict future ones,
Fricke said.
"People are interested in the whole
idea of global warming. Also, geologi-
cally, people are interested in how long
our current ice-free period will last,"
Fricke said. "Studying these cyclic
variations could tell us what sort of
clues we're likely to get that it's going
to start getting cool again, and what the
results of us putting CO2 and other
greenhouse gases into the atmosphere
might be."
O'Neil said,"We can study the varia-
tions in the past climate to find out if
global warming is part of that periodic-
ity. It's important for agricultural and
economic reasons, as well as reasons of
health and happiness."
The research also will help scien-
tists see how climate changes affected
groups of humans in the past, Fricke
said.
By Heather Miller
aily Staff Reporter
Holiday Meals on Wheels offers an
opportunity for elderly, homebound
citizens to enjoy a traditional Thanks-
giving meal of turkey, stuffing, cran-
Oerries and pumpkin pie.
The federal government provides
qtialified elderly citizens with hot, nu-
Jritious meals Noonday through Friday
Thider the Older Americans Act. How-
O(yer, federal money is not available to
cpntinue the program through the week-
"ends and holidays.
Eight years ago, the Area Agency on
Aging 1-B, a non-profit organization,
extended the program. "The purpose of
(Meals on Wheels) is to fill a gap," said
Tina Abbate-Marzolf, communityplan-
ner for the agency.
"We try to cover every area that we
in," she said, "but holiday meals is
Our major stress."
Write the Daily. daily.letters@umich.edu
For, more info
Students who wish to volunteer in
the program can contact the
agency s headquarters at (810)
948-1640.
Monetary contributions to the
program can be sent to: Elder
Care Programs,. Washtenaw
Community Care Management,
119 Pearl St., Suite HI, Ypsilanti,
Mich. 48197.
The agency delivers meals to more
than 8,000 citizens in six counties in
southeastern Michigan.
"Our mission is to maintain the dig-
nity and independence of older adults
through funding community-based ser-
vices, and we place a special emphasis
on older adults who are economically
disadvantaged, socially disadvantaged
or physically frail and at the risk of
nursing home placement," Abbate-
Marzolf said. "Holiday Meals on
Wheels fits into our mission."
Abbate-Marzolf said many of the re-
cipients often have no contact on the
holidays except with the volunteers.
"It's a lot more than just meals," she
said. "They also get a little bit of com-
panionship.
"Hundreds of people volunteer," she
added. "We have a lot ofyoung people."
Volunteers are required to have ac-
cess to a car and will deliver about 10
meals on Thanksgiving. Abbate-
Marzolf said it is possible for volun-
teers to ask to deliver meals in a specific
area.
"Providing someone who's
homebound and frail is really the least
we can do to show our appreciation for
all they've done for us over the years,"
Abbate-Marzolf said. "It's a little thing,
but it means so much."
-CHARM
FARMu
pervert
CHATR d FARM1
erert
Judge postpones hearing for suspect in
Baits hall blaze, attempted murder case
J
1 Attorney was unable to
attend hearing; new
hearings set for Dec. 7
By Josh White
Daily Staff Reporter
- Washtenaw Circuit Court Judge Ann
-Mattson again postponed preliminary
' earings yesterday for Dale L. Lipke,
23, one of two suspects facing arson
% ,charges in connection with a Sept. 22
fire in Vera Baits II residence hall.
' Preliminary hearings for Lipke, who
-:also faces separate arson and murder
charges, were rescheduled for Thurs-
It's never
too late.
Call 76-DAILY for
Information.
day, Dec. 7.
Lipke's attorney, Randall Roberts,
was unable to attend yesterday's
hearing, which prompted Mattson to
postpone the formal hearing a fourth
time:
"I don't want to proceed without
your attorney here to represent you,"
Mattson said. "I believe it would be in
your best interest to have representa-
tion."
Roberts was in Flint for a separate
case yesterday.
Lipke will remain in Washtenaw
County Jail at least until his December
hearing.
Yesterday, Lipke signed 14-day
hearing waivers for both the charges
in the Baits arson and charges con-
nected to the murder of Daniel P.
Rice, a Superior Township man. The
waivers allow the hearing for all the
charges to be adjourned until the later
date.
LSA sophomore Crystal Lujan is
also behind bars facing charges of,
attempted murder and arson in con-
nection with the Baits fire, and another
incident that led to the murder of Rice.
Lujan and Lipke are suspected of act-
ing together in both incidents.
Lujan, who faces life imprisonment,
also is scheduled to appear at a prelimi-
nary hearing on Dec. 7.
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