wednesday, march 31, 2004
news
the university daily kansan 5A
New drug helps arthritis sufferers
By Bill Cross
bcross@kansan.com
Kansas staff writer
Arthritis is typically associated with senior citizens, however one in five adult Americans that have arthritis are under 44-years-old according to the Center for Disease Control.
College students may be affected by adult arthritis, or juvenile arthritis which can begin anytime before 16-years-old. Symptoms are similar to adult arthritis: inflamed joint tissue, limited range of motion and even stunted growth. Juvenile arthritis can also affect the eyes and internal organs, according to the National Institutes of Health.
The most common problem with college students who have juvenile arthritis is not taking their medication.
Michael Rapoff, professor of behavioral pediatrics at the University's Medical Center, said only 38 to 59 percent of juvenile arthritis patients take all of the prescribed medication.
A new treatment may be on the way to circumvent the problem of patients not taking their medication. An injection of methotrexate, now taken orally, is being developed by researchers in Vancouver, Canada.
medicine will reach the joints faster and more efficiently.
According to the Journal of Rheumatology, the injection will also benefit patients who take the pills on schedule because the
College students with arthritis who are unable to take notes or tests quickly are granted special privileges, said Melissa Manning, associate director of KU Services of Students with Disabilities. She said students with arthritis may also have problems getting to class. For these situations, Lift Van is available, and SSD can request that departments provide a place to keep books in the building, minimizing the workload for affected students.
"There is really a wide variety of accommodations these students need, so it's all tailored to meet the needs of each student," she said.
Manning said arthritis presents a special situation because it is not chronic in the strictest sense.
"Symptoms can change and vary over time," she said. "What might be right for one semester is not for the next."
Lyme disease and lupus have symptoms similar to juvenile arthritis, and careful differentiation must be made before treatment, said Herbert Lindsley, pediatrician at KU Medical Center.
Steps to treat and accommodate young people with arthritis continue, but no cure is in sight, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
Edited by Paul Kramer
WATER: Many reasons at hand
Office will experience problems fulfilling local water needs from Clinton Lake, said Margaret Fast, Kansas Water Office manager of water planning for the Greater Kansas River Basin. She said silt was at the heart of the problem.
CONTINUED FROM 1A
Each year the lake is losing an average of 301 acre feet, or a little more than one-day's supply of water, she said. The office is looking at ways to decrease the silt load, Fast said.
Siltation is caused by erosion, a natural-occurring process that humans accelerate by straightening rivers and streams and removing trees and grasses along banks. Then, sediment is able to enter the watershed, eventually ending up in Clinton Lake. Erosion from open fields also contributes to higher silt and nutrient levels, Reber said.
Besides reducing the lake's size, increased silt levels cause a darkening of the lake. The dark color of the lake traps heat. The heat, coupled with the increased nutrients in the lake — mostly nitrogen and phosphorous — may cause a growth of toxic algae. The algae uses up oxygen needed for fish and other aquatic life, she said. An increase in algae could led to the death of fish on a large-scale.
841-PLAY
1029 Massachusetts
Dredging Clinton Lake or developing wetlands at its upper end to catch the silt could prolong the life of the lake, Fast said. But those procedures would be very expensive. Volunteers could also plant trees and thick grasses, called buffers, that would catch sediment along the watershed. Reber said that developers should not alter the landscape along rivers and streams.
"We tend to want to change the environment to suit us, but the trees and other plant life are there for a reason." she said.
Liecheti plans to begin initial conservation efforts on Deer Creek and Rock Creek, both of which drain directly into Clinton Lake. Deer Creek empties into the northwest edge of the lake and Rock Creek connects with the lake in the southwest corner. About 75 percent of the Wakarusa watershed, including
Deer and Rock Creeks, cover cropland and rangeland.
Liechti said farmers and ranchers could improve water quality by changing their practices. For example, farmers could disk after fertilizing so chemicals wouldn't run off easily. Or ranchers could not water their cattle in the Wakarua River and its tributaries.
Liechti said livestock may be causing most of the fecal matter in the river. Researchers from Kansas State University are collecting samples of water to see if this is true.
Fast said tests for fecal matter at Clinton Lake have exceeded more than 200 colonies of fecal coliform bacteria per 100 milliliters of water, which is the maximum allowed for recreational lakes and rivers. Tests from the Wakarusa River have at times revealed 2,000 colonies per 100 milliliters of water, she said. Wakarusa River is considered a recreational waterway.
Swimmers who ingest water from Clinton Lake may be at risk for gastrointestinal infections, but that depends on the level of fecal matter in the water, Liechti said.
Tests from Clinton Lake also show that eutrophication is occurring. Eutrophication is a build up of nutrients, primarily phosphorous and nitrogen, in the water. The nutrients exist naturally in soil and are applied by farmers in the form of fertilizer. The applied fertilizers and the naturally existing nutrients enter the lake through erosion.
Liechti said people who fish and use the lake for recreation, as well as the counties and cities in the watershed, need to be involved in preventing pollution and siltation.
Agencies involved in the Wakarusa watershed restoration project include Kaw Valley Heritage Alliance, City of Lawrence Department of Utilities, University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Douglas County Conservation District and the Shawnee County Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Edited by Danielle Hillix
Officials identify victim of two-vehicle collision
LEAVENWORTH — Leavenworth County Sheriff's officials have identified the second fatal victim of Sunday's two-vehicle collision near Tonganoxie as Michael R. Arneson.
Arneson, 56, of De Soto, was killed when his vehicle was struck by another vehicle that
apparently crossed the center line on U.S. Highway 24-40 early Sunday morning.
Adam M. Kosanke, 22, of Tonganake, was driving the other vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Arneson died from his injuries at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, 325 Maine St.
Officials continue to investigate the cause of the accident.
The Associated Press
CONTINUED FROM 1A
DROPPING: University helps students graduate as planned
students evaluate their options.
"We try to help students work through it, or to slow down their decision process a little bit," he said.
But, DeSalvo said, if students really want to drop, it's probably the right decision for them.
When that happens, Herbison and other advisors try to ensure the student graduates by their projected date.
This usually incudes taking classes over the summer, which can be frustrating for students. Herbison said.
student is already having time management problems, he said.
"It really has more to do with how classes relate to each other," he said. "Sometimes just twelve hours can be a very difficult semester."
The University doesn't compile information on how many students drop classes every semester, said Deborah Teeter, director of Institutional Research and Planning.
"It's really no big deal. I'm going to France next semester. I'll make up the credit there."
For Pearson, making up the class will be easy.
Edited by Stephanie Lovett
ENROLLMENT: Center facilitates students' needs for online system
CONTINUED FROM 1A
during orientation. She said she thought the most difficult part of enrollment was getting into classes.
There is nothing the administration can do to make the process easier, the Kansas City, Kan., freshman said.
Online enrollment began last spring during enrollment for Fall 2003. Before, students had to fill out paperwork and enroll physically at the Enrollment Center.
She said her office had looked at student feedback and was currently working with the I-Enroll program to make the process work for more students.
to the system during this enrollment time.
"Some groups are comfortable with the online system," Derritt said, "but there is a smaller group of students that are still struggling."
Cindy Derritt, interim registrar, said students enrolling for the spring and summer semesters wouldn't see any major changes
Students can view enrollment dates and times after logging in on the Kyou portal site. The Summer and Fall 2004 course listings are available at www.opensections.ku.edu.
- Edited by Robert Perkins
There's no such thing as the perfect professor... but there IS the PERFECT APARTMENT.
JEFFERSON COMMONS
Security Deposit is only $50 bucks!
unique student apartments
CHECK OUT THE DETAILS!
Individual Leases
Pool Plaza and Jacuzzi
Washer/Dryer in Every Apartment
Updated Fitness Center
Cable with HBO, MTV, and ESPN
Lighted Basketball Court
Internet Access (optional)
Fitness Center
www.jellersoncommons.lawrence.com VISA ACCEPTED
We Buy, Sell & Trade USED & NEW Sports Equipment
785-842-0032
Amenities, Rents and Incentives are subject to change.
PLAY IT AGAIN
SPORTS
KU INDEPENDENT STUDY offers more than 160 online and print courses
Thursday
$1.75 schooners
Ask about
our Fooseball
Tournament!
1009 Mass.
upcoming events
APRIL
www.suaevents.com
wednesday
Cabaret/Chicago night See both fabulous films and dress up for a costume contest at intermission!
thursday
Afternoon Tea 3-4pm kkII
Amateur Comedy Night 7pm $60 Cash prize to winner
friday
Photo Scavenger Hunt Ends
Toons at Noon 12:30pm See Conner play in front of the Union
Open Mic Night 7pm
Play to win $80
tuesday
Elvira Kurt 7pm
Come see this hilarious comedian!
SUA Committee Meetings 5.6. & 7pm
Governor's Room
International Room
Alcove D
Interested in joining SUA?
Come to a committee meeting on Tuesday night to find out more.
All videos for movies are locked at the Haak Shop Level 4. Kansas Unison free
with an SUA Music Card. Questions about these or other SUA events? Check
units.com or call the SUA Office at 364. SHOW
event locations
Led Center
Bingo Union
Kansas Union Ballroom. 5th Floor
SUA Office-4th Floor; Kansas Union
Kansas Union Ballroom, 5th Floor
Kansas Union Lobby, 4th Floor
Hawks Neat-1st Floor Kansas Union
Alderson Auditorium 4th floor Kansas Union
Matthew Anderson, gchFloor, Kansas Union
Woodland Auditorium, gchFloor, Kansas Union
student union activities . The University of Kansas Level 4. Kansas Union · 785-864-SHOW · suaevents.com