Professor to teach in Kyrgyzstan

MSU law Professor Catherine Dwyer will trade the halls of MSU for the mountains of Kyrgyzstan when she leaves on Jan.

Rogers to run for majority whip

Despite reports of other early favorites for the No. 3 Republican spot in the U.S. House, Rep. Mike Rogers of Brighton could compete for the position. Rogers, whose district includes MSU and Ingham County, would be charged with gathering votes and support in the House if he was picked for the majority whip position. Four candidates have announced their intention to run for the position, which would be open if Rep.

Historic commission seeking applicants

The East Lansing Historic District Commission is seeking applicants to fill a term of appointment ending Dec.

Scholarly article connecting sex, hunting disgusting; uninformed opinions false

Hunting. Sex. Animal. Women. It's a crazy analogy, I know, but stay with me here. Three MSU sociology professors used this ridiculous comparison in regard to a fictionalized video called "Hunting for Bambi" released in 2003.

Police briefs 01/11/06

Here's the good, the bad and the ugly for No. 14 Spartans

The bad news: The No. 14 MSU men's basketball team lost its first two Big Ten games and is in danger of falling out of the conference race before it even starts. The worse news: The Spartans have to right the ship tonight against No.

City considers enacting commission's proposals

The East Lansing City Council discussed Tuesday the possibility of instituting a tailgate-style event, as well as improving communication with the public about the consequences of rioting, as part of a review of 29 recommendations made in response to the April 2-3 disturbances. The recommendations about preventing, preparing and responding to future incidents were released in November by an independent review commission. "(The council's) role is to provide the guidance on what needs to change, what needs to be added," Mayor Sam Singh said. The council reviewed 18 of the recommendations at a Dec.

Prof denies affiliation with false cloning data

An MSU professor has requested that university officials investigate him to clarify his involvement with a South Korean researcher's fabricated report on cloning human stem cells. Jose Cibelli, an MSU professor of animal biotechnology and one of the world's top cloning researchers, said he only reviewed the research and had no involvement in making the false data. Cibelli's name was included on the paper that Woo-Suk Hwang, a former professor at Seoul National University in South Korea, received major international accolades for after he claimed he cloned human stem cells. But on Tuesday a Seoul National University panel confirmed his research was made up, saying "DNA fingerprinting analyses and photographs of cells have been fabricated" in the 2004 article in the journal Science. In 2003, Cibelli reviewed a manuscript of the paper written by Hwang and 13 other researchers after all research was completed and the article had been rejected once by the journal Science. The article claimed Hwang had created human stem-cell lines using a cloned embryo through the process of transferring somatic cell nuclei. But Hwang has been under investigation by Seoul National University since December for alleged errors in the 2004 paper, as well as a second paper published in 2005. "I suggested some experiments to somehow validate the results," Cibelli said, adding that Hwang's researchers did the experiments he suggested and then returned the results to him which he predicted. "They sent to me figures and tables, and everything was perfect for the manuscript," he said. All research and findings for Hwang's 2005 paper were falsified as well, the Seoul National University panel's summary said. "This is a setback for millions of people who were waiting for this technology to be real, and it's disappointing," Cibelli said. It is hard to verify from the data just what Hwang did through his research to make it appear like cloning, Cibelli said. But the process Hwang said he used — involving somatic cell nuclei — could further understanding of diseases and potential cures, Cibelli said. "At the same time, it's very good for American scientists," he said, adding that Hwang's missteps will encourage further interest in cloning research under American standards, safeguards and ethics. Cibelli said he was unaware of any tampering with the research when he analyzed the manuscript, which is why he requested MSU officials to conduct their own investigation. "They can judge for themselves that the data was misleading," Cibelli said.

Grant helps prof study HIV, AIDS

An MSU professor is in Africa to research and treat people with HIV and AIDS. Gretchen Birbeck, an associate professor in the departments of epidemiology, neurology and ophthalmology, is using a recent grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation to begin her research. Birbeck said she wants to look at stigmas that surround HIV and AIDS in Africa, as well as reasons why people might not or do not take their medications. "I was ecstatic about receiving the grant," Birbeck said, adding that the funding made the research possible. According to AVERT, a United Kingdom-based HIV and AIDS charity, an estimated 25.8 million people were infected with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa at the end of 2005. Birbeck's work will benefit MSU, but is aimed specifically for HIV and AIDS patients in Africa. "The virus develops resistance to the medications if it is not taken correctly," Birbeck said.

Free music sharing offered on campus

Students concerned about repercussions for illegal file sharing will now have a new and legal alternative offered by the university. MSU is providing students on campus a way to download virus-free music for no charge by working with Ruckus, a digital entertainment network that offers file sharing for college students.

MIDDAY UPDATE: Spartan gymnasts plagued by injuries

Sprained ligaments, pulled muscles and bone fractures are all frequent hindrances on tumbling mats and balance beams. These types of injuries are expected on football fields, but according to MSU women's gymnastics coach Kathie Klages, gymnasts put their bodies through abuse for the love of sport as well. "They go through intense training all through high school, and their bodies get a little beat up when they get to the college level," Klages said.

Ideal resolutions

Let's be honest — East Lansing and MSU had some ups and downs in 2005. There was the disturbance/riot/student behavior problem/police-using-too-much-force "incident" in April. There was a City Council election and elections for student representatives that no students showed up for. But it's 2006.

Festival of giving

Rasha Sayet knelt and arched toward the sage green carpet of East Lansing's Islamic Center Tuesday afternoon. Sayet was taking part in something millions of Muslims do five times every day. She was praying. That morning, Sayet and more than 1,000 area Muslims entered the Islamic Center, 920 S.

Novel impresses with candid detail

It's unfathomable that James Frey even lived to tell his story. Frey woke up on an airplane half dead without any memory of what had happened to him.

Walking the Appalachians

It had been a hectic final semester at MSU for John Stegmaier. Balancing final classes, waiting tables and keeping up with an internship at a local newspaper, Stegmaier was burnt out by his graduation in May. As other new alumni filled out job applications or prepared for graduate school, Stegmaier knew he needed a break. An idea that had been in the back of his head for years began to take shape — leaving East Lansing to walk the Appalachian Trail — a more than 2,100 mile journey that stretches through the mountainous wilderness between Mount Katahdinin Maine to Springer Mountain in northern Georgia. "I was always trying to get ahead, do the next thing that was expected of me," said Stegmaier, who earned an English degree.

Chef: Fresh ingredients make the best meal

It never fails to surprise Gary Ignat that people pay to have something as easy as a sandwich made for them. But the owner of Iggy's Deli, 623 E.

Woman helps runners train for marathons

When East Lansing resident Ann Forshee-Crane was 12, she was one of the few kids excited to run 600 meters in gym class.

Muslim prayer begins multiple-day holiday

The three-day Muslim holiday, Eid al-Adha, begins today. Eid acknowledges the Quran's account of Abraham's readiness to sacrifice his son to Allah. The Islamic Society of Greater Lansing will be recognizing the holiday today at the center, located at 920 S.

Chunky, beaded necklaces

Does this scenario sound familiar? You are frantically scouring your closet for something, anything to wear out tonight.

Police stress caution after local kidnapping

The man charged with abducting a 21-year-old student on Thursday reportedly tried making the student think the incident was a prank and he wasn't actually kidnapping her, police said. "He was playing upon the security provided to students in East Lansing," said East Lansing police Lt.