U report dispels breast cancer race-based myth

Research by MSU faculty members suggests breast cancer death rates linked to race may be a myth. The report, which was published this week in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, said breast cancer death rates are associated with income level instead of race, something MSU researchers say is a common misconception. Researchers from the College of Human Medicine found women living in low-income situations were 41 percent more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer in the later stages of development and three times more likely to die.

Rising gas prices hit Michigan

Residents of Michigan and the rest of the Midwest have grown used to large increases in gas prices over the summer.But this year, the increases brought on by seasonal changes in travel have been joined by the United States interactions with Middle East oil producers.AAA Michigan spokesman Jim Rink said motorists already have seen some of the results of OPEC management.

RHA creates board to oversee movies, special events programs

Four new positions in the Residence Halls Association’s executive board will change the way its most expensive programs are run.The association’s general assembly approved a bill last week to create an events board responsible for RHA Movies and RHA Special Events.

Terrorism expert to discuss Sept. 11 attacks

Peter Bergen, an expert on global terrorism, will speak at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Wharton Center’s Great Hall. The event is free to the public. Bergen will discuss the Sept.

Former surgeon general speaks to U about health care backgrounds

Education and lifestyle changes are high on the list of necessary health care improvements, said former U.S.

Group hopes week helps worker rights

Protest signs, fliers and masses of students could be a common sight on MSU’s campus during Students for Economic Justice’s first Sweatshop Awareness Week. The week’s events began Monday as group members were outside Wells Hall for six hours with information about the activist group’s cause.

Police briefs 04/02/02

Paolucci Symposium to welcome 200 scholars

The College of Human Ecology is sponsoring the Paolucci Symposium April 4-6 at Kellogg Center. The title, “Personal, Social and Corporate Responsibility in a Common World,” will feature more than 200 scholars from various countries speaking on human ecological and environmental concerns. This year’s roster of speakers includes Clifton Wharton, former MSU president, Michael Crooke,CEO of Patagonia Inc., Kevin Burke, partner with William McDonough + Partners Architecture & Community Design, Paul Murray, senior executive with Herman Miller Inc., and Rebecca Grumet, an MSU horticulture professor. Elaine Williams, conference coordinator for the College of Human Ecology, said the program will give students an opportunity to learn about various types of responsibility. “This is a very good opportunity for students who attend to look at how individual corporate responsibility and social responsibility is taking place in the world,” she said.

Engler signs funding bill into law

Lansing - It’s official. MSU will receive no funding cuts next year provided it keeps tuition increases at or below 8.5 percent. Gov.

Proposed bill enables security guards to use reasonable force

Watch out unruly shoppers, disruptive concertgoers. Security guards may soon have legislative permission to use “reasonable force” when removing those who engage in disorderly conduct from the premises of a shopping mall or concert hall.A bill introduced by state Sen.

ASMSU representation from freshmen upped

The number of elected ASMSU representatives from the undergraduate student government’s Freshman Class Council has increased this year. The council, which is made up of about 30 members, met every Monday night in the middle of ASMSU’s territory - third floor of Student Services - instead of a basement corner, which officials say encouraged council members to be more involved.Five members were elected to ASMSUassemblies in the March elections.

Student continues to make movie

Famous movie directors won’t spend their entire budget filming in East Lansing, but to student filmmakers, pocket change might mean lunch for the entire crew.

Starbucks official to speak on public relations

Wanda Herndon, senior vice president of worldwide public affairs for Starbucks Coffee Co., will speak Thursday as part of the Edward Zabrusky Lecture in Public Relations series. The event will be held at 4 p.m.

Court declares obscenity law unconstitutional

The Michigan State Court of Appeals ruled Monday that a law prohibiting obscenities in front of women and children was too vague and thus unconstitutional. In 1999, Timothy Boomer, of Roseville was convicted for violating the law after shouting obscenities when he fell from a canoe into the Rifle River in Arenac County.

Seasons boost construction

The days are longer, jackets are removed, lunches are eaten outside and construction workers and laborers return to work.While many companies experience a surge of business due to higher temperatures and sunnier days, the construction trade often sees large fluctuations in both business and employment, secretary-treasurer for Laborers Local 998 Joe Gunther said.The recession the nation faced during the winter resulted in the worst winter layoffs in three years, and most in the trade have been affected, Gunther said.“If you have 10 employees for a company they’re going to lay off three but if you have 30 or 40 you’re going to see about 10 get laid off,” he said.The result is a large discrepancy in the number of projects done in the summer and winter. Jim van Ravensway, East Lansing director of planning and community development, said he saw a lot less paperwork cross his desk in the winter.“We’re starting to get into the construction season so we get a lot of projects in now,” he said.For Ravensway, the spring represents the first of two major business opening times.Many restaurants try to open in the spring to take advantage of the flow of people into the city.But in September retail shops open in time for the holiday shopping season.“(Timing’s) a really tricky part of the construction business,” Ravensway said.This summer is not expected to be any different with Cosi and Douglas J expected to open in May.But not all parts of city development shut down for the winter.

Child development program applications due

MSU’s Child Development Laboratories now are accepting applications for three programs beginning in fall semester 2002. Children aged 3 months through 3 years are eligible for the Family Infant-Toddler Learning Program.

Seniors awarded with Cambridge scholarships

Two MSU seniors were awarded scholarships for graduate study at Cambridge University in England last week. Camillia Smith, a mathematics senior, and Robin Stein, a chemistry and interdisciplinary humanities senior, interviewed in early February and also were candidates for Rhodes and Marshall scholarships.

Granholm wary of states pollution criteria

A proposed change in the state’s cleanup of dioxins drew fire last week from Attorney General Jennifer Granholm.The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, as part of its work to update its criteria for cleanup, proposed an increase to its standard for acceptable contamination from 90 parts per trillion to 150 parts per trillion.According to Granholm, there is no evidence to support such an increase.“Generally, scientific information suggests that we should be going for a tightening, not a loosening in standards,” said Genna Gent, spokeswoman for the Attorney General’s office.Granholm cited an analysis from the Michigan Department of Community Health that suggested a 12 parts per trillion standard.But DEQ spokeswoman Geralyn Lasher said that number wasn’t supported by any real data and was only a reaction to a U.S.

Domestic violence laws to allow more testimony, include more victim types

A set of laws designed to fight domestic violence will take effect today. These laws will allow victims’ statements made at the time of the crime to be counted as evidence in the court, will honor personal protection orders issued in other states and will create a uniform standard for reporting domestic violence.

Membership rises for area clubs

Michigan membership in international service clubs decreased through the ’80s and ’90s but Lansing-area chapters memberships have begun to boom.The Rotary International Club has 4,167 Michigan members, compared to 4,510 in 1994.