Wednesday, September 3, 1997
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 5
Twins step forward to test vocal, physical similarities
By Mike Perryman Kansan staff writer
KU anthropologists need twins to come forward and donate their voices.
In an effort to determine the effect of genetics on speech development, the department of anthropology is sampling and analyzing the voices of fraternal and identical twins.
Twins must be willing to take 15 minutes to have their voices recorded and facial features measured. Recent twin studies show that genetics play a large role in voice similarities between twins, said Michael Crawford, professor of biological anthropology.
Genetically identical twins raised in the same environment have greater similarities in voice acoustics than fraternal twins raised in the same environment, Crawford said. Identical twins share a 100-percent genetic similarity whereas fraternal twins share only a 50-percent genetic similarity.
"Even genetically identical twins separated at birth or reared in different environments have a greater
similarity in voices than fraternal twins raised in the same environment," he said. "This shows the importance of genetics in voice similarities."
Sobha Puppala, graduate student, said the research being conducted is unique because it primarily studies twins' with normal speech and their voices' relationship to genetics. Most voice-acoustic studies have been done only on individuals with speech problems, she said.
Puppala: Researching genetics'influence on speech
Puppala first notes twins' facial features and nasal physiology. She then records their voices as they each read the same sentence at the same speed and volume.
The environment plays some role in a person's voice development, but the research has shown that the genetic makeup and physiology
of the nasal area and vocal cords, among other things, play a huge role, Crawford said.
"Nature versus nurture is a false dichotomy," he said. "It is not black and white; they both play a role."
Although the National Science Foundation did acknowledge the importance of the study, it did not award a grant because the research was not in the realm of anthropology, Crawford said.
Only about 20 sets of twins who have participated in the study have been KU students. There are probably about 200 sets of twins at the University, Crawford said.
Jeff Gilger, a behavioral geneticist involved in the voice acoustic research, said that all twins were welcome to participate, but that the study particularly needed fraternal twins.
Forty-nine pairs of identical twins have participated in the research, but the study has attracted only 18 fraternal twins.
If twins want to volunteer, they can call Sobha Puppaul at 864-4172 or go to Crawford's office in 116 Twente Hall.
Cops cruising for minors in possession
First weeks of school busy for local courts
Mary Corcoran
mcorcoran@kansan.com
Kansas staff writer
Lawrence courts will process about three times the average number of minor-in-possession cases, or MIPs, during each of the first two months of the school year.
John Powell, Lawrence Municipal Court official, said that the average number of MIP citations was normally 15 per month. But in August and September, the number increases to about 45 citations. At the end of September, the number of reports falls to about 15, Powell said.
Lawrence police said that during the first few weeks of each new semester, they made a point to
check more bars for under-age drinking. Consequently, the number of MIP citations and arrests that go through the Lawrence Municipal Court increases.
Lawrence police Det. John Lewis said that the increased patrolling deterred future underage drinking.
Possession of alcohol by a minor or possessing a false form of identification are misdemeanor crimes according to Kansas and Douglas County laws.
Although police records show that The Crossing, 618 W. 12th St., has served under-age drinkers, Chris Throckmorton, manager of the bar said minors were not served.
"Everyone is carded when they come in and again at the bar," Throckmorton said. "If we find out they are under age, they are asked to leave and definitely not served."
Throckmorton said it was not
Crossing policy to call police if they caught a student using a false form of identification. Rather than deal with prosecuting minors, bar employees ask them to leave.
To aid bars in identifying fake IDs, the state of Kansas issues ID-checking guides each year. The state gives these guides to The Crossing and other Lawrence bars.
Managers at The Yacht Club said they had never had a serious problem with under-age drinkers, either, although police records indicated that under-age drinking citations had been issued at that bar.
The Yacht Club uses doormen to check identification at the entrance. Once inside, identification is not checked again.
The Yacht Club representatives said they also would not call the police if they found under-age drinkers in the bar. Instead, staff members ask the person to leave or remove them from the bar.
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