monday, September 22, 2003
news
the university daily kansan 5A
A graphic illustration shows the plan for the new, 205,000 square-foot biomedical research facility at the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kane.
Medical center building underway
Contributed photo
Officials broke ground on KU Medical Center's new building in Kansas City, Kan. The new biomedical research facility will contain state-of-the-art equipment and will cost about $56 million.
Construction begins in Kansas City for new biomedical research facility
By Robert Perkins
rperkins@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
The University of Kansas sacrificed parking space for the fight against diseases last week.
On Friday, Kansas officials broke ground on the KU Medical Center's new biomedical research building in Kansas City, Kan., in what used to be a parking lot.
When it's completed, researchers will have a five-story, 205,000-square-foot facility to fight AIDS, diabetes and infertility, and to find genetic links to diseases.
"To unravel the mysteries of disease and debilitating illnesses, we need to create an environment that will attract top researches and foster collaboration," Chancellor Robert Hemenway said in a press release.
The new facility, located at the northeast corner of 39th Street and Rainbow Blvd., will feature state-
of-the-art equipment and give researchers more room to work.
"They're interested in KU and Kansas, and they see the economic impact of the life sciences initiative," Scarffe said.
Each research group in the building will have between 15,000 and 20,000 square feet of space for their offices and labs.
University research is estimated to have a $900 million positive impact on the state's economy and create 9,500 jobs.
space Vishal Patel, Shawnee senior, is applying to the University's medical school. He said improving the University's already above-average facilities would benefit more than just the University's students.
"The gift from the Halls and private funds were viewed as seed money, which made the state step up and realize that they can float the bonds," said John Scarffe, director of communications for the KU Endowment Association.
Edited by Michael Owells
"Their facilities were good to begin with, and they're going to be even better now," he said. "I think it's great that they're committed to putting money into fixing problems that affect not just KU or the country, but the world."
The new facility will include labs for molecular biology, toxicology and pharmacology and will cost about $56 million.
Private donations and state-supported bonds covered the rest of the building's cost.
The Hall Family Foundation provided $27 million of the total needed for the facility. That money came from the $42 million pledge the foundation made to the KU Endowment Association in 2001.
Gas prices increase local average low
By Kevin Kampwirth
kkampwirth@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
■ Replace elogged air filters at least twice a year. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, this can improve gas mileage by up to 10 percent.
Millard said that the price of crude oil, from which gasoline was extracted, was about $27 per barrel, down four dollars from the summer. Ongoing conflict in Iraq has also kept oil prices high in the United States. However, Americans aren't quite yet doomed to a life of paying an arm and a leg for gas.
Though gas prices have been on the rise — one year ago, the average price for a gallon of unleaded gas in Lawrence was $1.35, five cents lower than the national average — it's still less than the national average of $1.69 per gallon.
Make sure tires are properly inflated. The AAA claims under-inflated tires are the largest contributor to losing fuel efficiency.
Regardless of funds, gas can be a drain on student finances, especially with rising prices. The National Institute for Automotive Excellence recommends several tips to improve fuel efficiency.
The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in California is $2.03. Lawrence residents might try to remember that the next time they fill up for an average of $1.56 a gallon.
pergami Gas prices fluctuate for a variety of reasons," said Amanda Millard, public affairs coordinator for the American Automobile Association. "Supply and demand is probably the biggest factor."
- Avoid speeding, rapid acceleration and frequent braking, actions that can lower gas mileage by as much as 33 percent with highway driving and
"I don't get as good of mileage as I used to. SUVs are great for a lot of reasons, but not when it comes to filling them up."
Scott Burrage Palm Springs, Calif., senior
five percent in the city. Using cruise control on the highway greatly improved miles per gallon.
AAA statistics showed that for every 5 mph over 60 mph that one drives is like paying 10 cents more per gallon.
The type of car a person drives also has a major effect on gas mileage. Millard said that trucks, SUVs and vans were the least fuel efficient vehicles because heavier cars eat up gas quicker. Midsize cars are the most fuel-efficient vehicles, led by the Honda Accord which got the best miles-per-gallon of any midsize car last year, according to www.fueleconomy.gov.
The Toyota RAV-4 was the most fuel efficient SUV, averaging 25 mpg in the city and 31 for highway driving. While the Cadillac Escalade was the least efficient SUV, averaging 12 mpg city and 16 mpg for highway.
Scott Burrage, Palm Springs, Calif., senior, drives a 1996 Ford Explorer.
"I don't get as good of mileage as I used to," Burrage said. "SUVs are great for a lot of reasons, but not when it comes to filling them up."
Gas prices in Lawrence are as low as $1.52 at some stations, but are as high as $1.66 at other stations. These prices change on a daily basis.
Edited by Erin Riffey