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June 1, 2005
Vol. CXLVII. No. A
Hidden Danger. The Puente Hills fault runs from downtown Los Angeles all the way to Orange County — passing underneath USC’s campus. ScientistSKsay a large earthquake from the fault, while highly unlikely, could be the worst in the city's history.
Downtown on shaky ground
Quick Facts
A major earthquake on a fault beneath USC's campus could cause tragedy.
By JANINE KAHN
Contributing Writer
The Puente Hills fault, a large, yet little-known fault that lies beneath downtown Los Angeles, could bring about the most catastrophic earthquake in U.S. history — with as many as 18,000 fatalities and over $250 billion in economic losses, scientists revealed at USC on Wednesday.
“I call it the 'monster beneath our
feet' here at USC. because the university sits right above the tip of the fault on its western end,” said Tom Jordan, director of the USC-based Southern California Earthquake Center.
The Puente Hills fault system runs for about 25 miles from downtown Los Angeles to northern Orange County, and consists of a scries of faults buried beneath thick layers of sediment, making the fault difficult to study. New seismic technology applied to this system has uncovered new information about the fault, which was discovered just six years ago.
Using several computer-generated models, a research team from SCEC and the U.S. Geological Survey found that an earthquake between magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 could cause more damage than the 1994 Northridge earthquake and possibly more than the historic 1857 San Andreas Fault quake.
Depending on its magnitude, the quake could result in fatalities numbering between 3,000 and 18,000, injuring as many as 268,000 and cause between $82 and $252 billion in damage.
But according to Jordan, an
I see Earthquake page 3 I
An earthquake of magnitude 7.2 to 7.5 could cost more than $250 billion.
There is only a 1 percent chance of such a quake by 2035.
Keck doctors uncover new cancer therapy
Early results show treatment effective for HO percent of patients in advanced stages.
By ADRIAN FL0RID0
Contributing Writer
A combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy has proved effective in treating patients suffering from advanced stages of head and neck cancer, according to clinical trial findings presented May 14 at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
The results of the phase II trial • suggest that the treatment is more effective in treating advanced stages of head and neck cancer than other forms of chemotherapy and radiation are in treating less advanced tumors, said Dr. Parvesh Kumar, presenter and chair of the Radiation Oncology department at the USC Keck School of Medicine.
"Our results are 40 to 60 percent better in terms of improving patient survival than other studies that dealt with earlier stage, less advanced disease," Kumar said.
The treatment, known as RADPLAT, combines radiation with once-weekly administration of intra-arterial cisplatin, a platinum-based chemotherapy drug that, when using this technique, directly targets the arteries feeding the tumor.
The new technique differs from traditional methods of treating cancer, where drugs are injected into veins, exposing the entire body instead of only cancerous cells.
“Intravenous chemotherapy affects all cells in the same wav," Kumar said. "It kills more normal cells than cancer cells. Because of this, patients get sick, including hair loss, and for this reason intravenous chemotherapy is not as effective as intra-arterial chemo.”
Instead, RADPLAT identifies the specific arteries supplying the tumor with Ijlood, and using tiny catheters, injects cisplatin only where it is needed, Kumar said. The patient then receives sodium thiosulfate, a neutralizing agent that makes any stray cisplatin harmless to the rest of the body.
see Cancer page 3
The (new) technique ... targets the tumor and does not expose the rest of the body to the harmful effects of chemotherapy drugs." ♦
PARVESH
KtJMAK
Chair
Radiation
Oncology
Two faculty members receive merit award
INDEX
My Chemical Romance took the stage to pay tribute to AP Magazine. 5
Women 's crew places 11th at NCAAs. •
News Digest_____2 Sports______________8
Guest Kditoria]. 4 Classifieds—12 Opinions..........4 Lifestyle__________S
WEATHER
Today: Partly cloudy. High 73, low 60.
Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy.
USC "Teaching Has No Boundaries"awards honor five faculty members in all.
By LAUREN W0JCIK
Staff Writer
Professors Rick Meyer and Ricardo Ramirez .recently received this year’s "Teaching Has No Boundaries” award from the Academic Culture Initiative.
The award represents "an effort to recognize faculty who take teaching beyond the classroom door.” said Mark Kann, AC1 director and professor of political science. Nominated professors typically demonstrate a commitment to their students both in and outside of class.
The grand prize this year was split between Meyer and Ramirez, who were recognized at an Apnl 18 banquet lunch. Additional awards went to Lisa
Anne Auerbach of the fine arts department. mathematics lecturer Cymra Haskell and Kathi Inman Berens from the Writing Program.
Rick Meyer, a former photographer for the Los Angeles Times and UCLA Extension photojournalism professor, called the award "a big honor.” He said he found out about the existence of the award only after he had won: "It was quite a surprise, especially considering that I am a part-time instructor.” he said.
Meyer currently teaches four courses at USC. including Beginning and Advanced Photojournalism, Photo Editing for News Media and Visual Journalism, but he strives to help his students succeed professionally as well as academically. He has helped many of his students find professional mentors.
“My students have dreams and goals. They know where they want to go. I provide the rules of the road and
the driving directions," Meyer said.
“I think one of the best things I can do is fill the students with confidence."
Ricardo Ramirez, an assistant professor of Meyer political science and American Studies, has been teaching at USC for two years. He also serves as a live-in residential faculty member for the Parkside International Residential Community.
The annual awards began four years ago and usually consist of one $1000 grand prize and several smaller $100 prizes. Winners receive gift certificates to the USC Bookstore. This is the first time two professors have tied for the grand prize.
Each spring, USC students, faculty
and staff are encouraged to nominate any USC faculty member who teaches undergraduates. Entries are judged based on a 300-word nomination letter submitted by the nominating student, staff, or faculty.
A panel of student judges go through the nominations — usually 30 to 40 per year — and choose the winners. Kahn said."
This year's exemplary teachers join a group of about 30 past winners from all academic fields. Some of the winners have already put their awards to use. "I bought a new computer," said Meyer. "(It’s) a Macintosh iMac with a 20-inch flat panel monitor. The computer is the greatest and every time 1 use it. I remember that my students are responsible for it being on my desk."
Ramirez was on leave during the spring semester and could not be reached for comment.