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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
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