Mice fed crumbs from local eatery to examine yeast, sugar digestion By LEA GIOTTO Daily Staff Reporter When Ann Arbor locals think of Zingerman’s, they are most likely not considering the estab- lishment as a beacon for medical advancement. However, bread from Zinger- man’s Bakehouse contributed to a new study involving intestinal bacteria and its role in curing intestinal and autoimmune dis- eases such as yeast infections and Crohn’s disease. The study, co-conducted by a University professor, found that certain bacteria in the intestines — namely one strain called Bacte- roides thetaiotomicron — are able to digest sugars on the surface of yeast, a large and unique com- ponent of the human diet. These sugars have previously been dis- covered to exacerbate many of the symptoms of common intestinal diseases. Eric Martens, assistant profes- sor in the Department of Micro- biology and Immunology at the University Medical School; Wade michigandaily.com Ann Arbor, Michigan Monday, January 12, 2015 CELEBRATING OUR ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIFTH YEAR OF EDITORIAL FREEDOM Mayor officiates ceremony as fire department welcomes new head By LARA MOEHLMAN Daily Staff Reporter Ann Arbor’s new fire chief is preparing to set the city ablaze with plans to improve its fire- fighting unit. Friday morning, members of the Ann Arbor Fire Department, the Ann Arbor Police Depart- ment and the Ann Arbor City Council gathered for the inaugu- ration of the city’s new fire chief, Larry Collins. Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor (D) served as master of the ceremony, which took place at the Ann Arbor Fire Depart- ment on North Fifth Avenue. Taylor said he was excited to welcome Collins to Ann Arbor, who had previously served as fire chief for the Brevard County Fire Rescue in Florida since 2009. “It’s a tremendous day for Ann Arbor to welcome a new chief,” Taylor said. “I want to say, chief, that I think you’ll like it here in Ann Arbor. I think you’ll be proud, and you will value your colleagues in the fire department because they are dedicated, pro- fessional, and work hard every day to protect us.” Taylor stressed the impor- tance of the Ann Arbor Fire Department in maintaining the city’s mission of maintaining the quality of life of its citizens. “At its core, basic services are what this city is all about, and at the core of basic services, of course, is fire, and police, and law enforcement.” Amy Brow, Ann Arbor Fire Department assistant chief of operations, also expressed Governor gains national media attention ahead of 2016 primaries By EMMA KINERY Daily Staff Reporter Following his reelection and the success of several of his state economic reforms, several national media outlets have float- ed Republican Gov. Rick Snyder as a contender in a crowded field of potential GOP presidential can- didates. Snyder sparked national media attention after he visited Wash- ington, D.C. in early December to accept Governing Magazine’s award for Public Official of the Year. During the trip, he said he hoped to visit more places around the country to tell the story of Michigan’s recovery. Several major national media outlets have since run stories about Snyder’s prospects, includ- ing Politico and The Washington Post. However, the governor has remained noncommittal, tell- ing reporters at the U.S.-China Automotive Forum on Sunday he thought experience running a state would make for an ideal presidential candidate, but he declined to say whether or not he would consider running for the position. “Right now I’m just trying to get around,” he said jokingly, in reference to a torn Achilles ten- don. “I’m back to working on lit- eral running first.” Michigan’s first lady Sue Sny- der has been less reserved. Dur- ing the annual joint interview with her husband on Michigan Public TV, she said she would not want Snyder to run for president nor seek the vice presidency. Snyder’s office did not return several requests for comment on the prospect of his 2016 candi- dacy. In regard to Snyder’s overall chance of attaining the presiden- cy, Political Science Prof. Vincent Hutchings said the candidacy University researcher stresses importance of disease awareness By PARISHA NOVA Daily Staff Reporter A University-based data project has found patients with kidney disease are living longer than in the past. The United States Renal Data System, whose coordi- nating center is located in the School of Public Health Build- ing, reported fewer cases of end-stage renal disease and fewer deaths related to it in the U.S. this year compared to last year in its annual data report. As of 2012, there were 636,905 people in the United States being treated for end- stage renal disease, which worsens or eliminates the kid- ney’s ability to function and support the body’s needs. The kidneys filter wastes and tox- ins out of the body’s blood sup- ply, making them an essential organ for supporting life. Treatments for end-stage renal disease include dialysis — a method through which blood is purified clinically, or kidney transplant. Rajiv Saran, a professor of internal medicine and the associate director of the Uni- versity’s Kidney Epidemiology and Cost Center, said the report shows a declining trend in the growth rate of new cases of the disease. “The USRDS registers and tracks every patient diagnosed with end-stage renal disease,” Saran said. “For the last three years, the rate of appearance of patients reaching end-stage has decreased.” Saran said the data indicates an improvement in U.S. health care. After the age of 30 to 35, the body’s organ functions start declining. Low kidney func- tion coupled with risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity makes the body more prone to end-stage renal disease. Fewer cases of this disease indicate an increased focus on addressing risk factors Vice president for student life discusses current campus issues By IRENE PARK Daily Staff Reporter E. Royster Harper, vice president for student life, participated in the third #UMichChat event to discuss student life at the University on Friday afternoon. Participants asked Harper questions using the #UMi- chChat hashtag on Twitter about various topics, includ- ing the rewards and the chal- lenges of her administrative role and campus issues she considers most important. The University’s Office of Stu- dent Life manages programs and facilities related to life on the University’s campus. When asked about the stu- dent life challenges on the agenda for the upcoming year, See FIRE CHIEF, Page 3A See SNYDER, Page 3A See TWITTER, Page 3A See ZINGERMANS, Page 3A See KIDNEY, Page 3A RUBY WALLAU/Daily During an inauguration ceremony, Chief Larry Collins is sworn in as Ann Arbor’s 14th fire chief at the Ann Arbor Fire Department Friday. ROBERT DUNNE/Daily LSA senior Monica Korzon, Woman’s Ice Hockey forward, plays in a scrimmage against the HoneyBaked senior B team Sunday. FROZE N FACE- OFF Red Berenson doesn’t want the attention to be on his 800th win » INSIDE SportsMonday INDEX Vol. CXXIV, No. 44 ©2015 The Michigan Daily michigandaily.com NEWS......................... 2A OPINION.....................4A ARTS...........................5A SUDOKU..................... 3A CL ASSIFIEDS............... 5A SPORTSMONDAY..........1B NEW ON MICHIGANDAILY.COM The Filter: Introducing Sidewalk Kal MICHIGANDAILY.COM/BLOGS GOT A NEWS TIP? Call 734-418-4115 or e-mail news@michigandaily.com and let us know. WEATHER TOMORROW HI: 13 LO: -7 Snyder not discussing Oval Office possibility Intestinal bacteria study uses Zingerman’s bread National report: Kidney patients now living longer Harper addresses concerns in ‘U’ chat A2 inaugurates new fire chief after lengthy search CAMPUS LIFE HEALTH GOVERNMENT