Science Files

Wednesday, June 3, 1998

Science Files

RESEARCH:

Cause of fire may not be hydrogen

William Van Vorst thinks hydrogen has a bad rap.

"The word’s out," said Van Vorst, professor emeritus of chemical
engineering at UCLA. "Little by little, we’re trying to get the
word out that hydrogen is safe to use."

People are still scared that hydrogen lit the Hindenburg on
fire, he said.

Van Vorst and his colleague, Addison Bain, have offered strong
proof that a material used to coat the skin of the famous
Hinderburg, not hydrogen, caused it to explode.

After watching film of the Hindenburg, the common explanation
did not work for him. "I saw some picture, and it didn’t look like
a hydrogen fire." Van Horst said.

So he joined Bain to find conclusive proof and show that
hydrogen was not to blame.

They examined footage, examined the composition of the
Hindenburg skin and checked the records of the German firm which
built it.

Witnesses described it like fireworks, but that would not be a
typical hydrogen flame, Van Vorst said. Hydrogen usually burns a
colorless flame. Also, the substance used to coat the airship’s
skin was extremely flammable. Static electricity built up on the
surface enough and finally it discharged, igniting the Hindenburg
and sending it down to the ground in flames.

Van Horst will be leaving for Turkey in a week for a symposium
on environmental management. He will also discuss the findings.

And of course, he says, "I will keep boosting hydrogen."

Engineered virus used to fight HIV

Hot research puts a spin on fighting fire with fire.

HIV gene therapy uses genetically engineered viruses to shuttle
genes into specific target cells in order to better control another
virus, HIV.

Dr. Ronald Mitsuyasu, associate professor of medicine in the
division of Hematology-Oncology, is working on HIV gene therapy,
evaluation of treatments to enhance immunity in HIV patients and
research in the treatment of AIDS malignancies.

"Genes which may protect cells from being infected into either
mature T-cells or into stem cells, which are self-replicating and
can allow the propagation of the gene into new blood cells," said
Mitsuyasu.

He is also the director for the UCLA Center for Clinical AIDS
Research (CARE center) and education and medical director of the
UCLA AIDS clinic. These studies are currently being evaluated in
small pilot studies in HIV-infected patients.

"The CARE Center is also evaluating new treatments for other
complications of HIV/AIDS including various infections, weight loss
due to HIV and neurologic disorders."

Research aimed at improving adherence to anti-HIV treatments is
also being conducted.

Compiled by Matt Grace, Daily Bruin Contributor

Dr. Ronald T. Mitsuyasu

William Van Vorst