Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 22, 2005)
Today Saturday Sunday High: 74 High: 66 High: 60 Low: 50 Low: 47 Low: 45 Precip: 10% Precip: 60% Precip: 40% IN BRIEF Forced hibernation could allow for better treatments WASHINGTON, D.C. — Consider it hibernation-on-demand. Researchers plunged mice into al most a state of suspended anima tion and then revived them, with no apparent ill effects, in an experiment that is generating excite ment because it might ultimately lead to new ways to treat critically sick people. It works essentially like hypother mia in reducing the amount of oxy gen needed to survive, scientists from Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Can cer Research Center report Thurs day in the journal Science. In hypothermia, extreme cold preserves brain cells from the cer tain death that would otherwise quickly follow oxygen deprivation. Following that logic, doctors now sometimes use ice to chill stroke victims in hopes of minimizing damage to their brains. Chilling might help other illness es, too, buying time for surgeons to stop a trauma victim’s hemorrhag ing, for example. But inducing hypothermia is difficult and can take time that patients may not have, so scientists are hunting for ways to lower body temperature more effectively from the inside out. The new experiment uses a small amount of hydrogen sulfide gas to force the body into a state of hiber nation for six hours. “We wonder whether we’ve stumbled on a way to access this quiescent state in a way that could be beneficial for medicine,” said lead researcher Mark Roth, a cell bi ologist at Fred Hutchinson. Within minutes of inhaling the gas, the mice appeared uncon scious. Their body temperatures plummeted from 98 degrees down to 59, and respiration slowed to fewer than 10 breaths per minute from 120, Roth reported. Overall, their metabolic rate dropped by 90 percent, meaning normal cellular activity slowed to almost a standstill, thus reducing the need for oxygen. Fresh air revived the mice, and testing uncovered no differences in behavior or functional ability be tween the treated mice and untreat ed ones, the study concluded. The research is “very intriguing,” said Dr. David Sachs, a Harvard Uni versity transplant specialist, who said it might point to ways to help donated organs survive longer be fore transplant. The next step is to see whether large animals can be pushed into this hibernating state, and if doing so while an animal is ill actually helps. — The Associated Press Catholics: Pope has power to speak on factious issues Continued from page 1 have a pope from the ... developing world,” Orique said. Barbara Miller, St. Paul Catholic Church’s coordinator of ministry to seniors, said Ratzinger is a learned man who is likely to follow in the path of Pope John Paul II. “He was chosen by the Holy Spirit; he’s well trained and ready to go,” Miller said. Archdiocese of Portland spokesman Bud Bunce echoed these sentiments. “There’s also been a lot of excite ment of where it might lead the church,” he said. “Most of us believe he’ll continue to lead us in the same direction as John Paul II.” Prentice said there might be some similarities between the new pope and the old one considering their close relationship and styles, but differences in areas of focus are like ly to emerge as Pope Benedict assumes leadership. “I think there’ll be a lot of continu ity,” he said. “Individual emphasis will shift in some way.” The new pontiff served for many years as the head of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Questions have arisen about his past stance on issues such as his steadfast opposition to abortion, ho mosexuality and women as priests. University graduate Kayla Em mons, a Catholic who is for abor tion rights, said if Ratzinger is known as a hard-liner, he might not be the right choice. “I don’t think (the church) should be in the business of telling people whether they should have an abor tion or be gay,” said Emmons, who is also a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Alliance volun teer. Emmons said the church is “a place to worship Christ” and should consider being more open to such issues as allowing women into the priesthood. But Ratzinger was simply doing his job, Bunce said. “What he’s been doing is defend ing the teachings of the Catholic Church,” Bunce said, adding that there are certain teachings that do not change. Orique said he doesn’t expect the new pope to make any drastic changes. “I think he needs to be given a lit tle time to prove himself,” Orique said. “I think he might surprise us.” Some say that as the new leader of the Catholic church, Pope Benedict has the potential to create dialogue on divisive issues. “I think he is conservative, but I think we need to look carefully at that — what are the best needs of the church?” said Gordon, adding that Ratzinger will give people direction. “People want to know clearly what is right and what is wrong.” His former role as chief inter preter and enforcer of doctrine may have contributed to his image as a conservative, Prentice said, and this image may change as he takes on his new duties. “I think that part of it is the nature of the office that he held before,” Prentice said. As pontiff, Pope Bene dict will have a more “pastoral role,” Prentice added. Miller said the new pope will “stand by his faith’s convictions.” “That’s how he will reach out to the children, to the youth,” she said. “He will be a good, strong leader.” “I think it’s good to give this pope just a little bit of time to establish his own style,” Bunce said. “I think we have to realize that he is not John Paul II.” ayishayahya@dailyemerald.com UNIVERSITY OF OREGON Ol 2005 Summer Session Registration Starts May 2 Book Your Summer in Oregon Summer Session starts June 20. Pick up your free summer catalog today in the Summer Session office (333 Oregon Hall), at the UO Bookstore, or read it online. You can speed your way toward graduation by taking required courses during summer. Check Out Our Website! http://uosummer.uoregon.edu EO/AA/ADA institution committed to cultural diversity GET EXPERIENCE [ now hiring freelance writers ] Write a freelance story for the upcoming Moving Guides, published May 6 through June 3. Contact Freelance Editor Ashley Griffin with your story ideas at ashleygriffin@dailyemerald.com or at 346-5511. Oregon Daily Emerald The campus newspaper for the UO Community
