ASSOCIATED PRESS This is a copy of the "Vinland Map" as seen at Yale University in New Haven, Conn. Experts dispute the authenticity of the map, said to be the earliest known cartographic representation of North America.

UA tests may reveal oldest map of North America

After seven years of research, UA scientists have concluded with 95 percent confidence that the parchment of a controversial map dates to the 15th century and could be the oldest map of North America found to date.

To determine the origin of the parchment of the "Vinland map," a sliver was brought to the National Science Foundation-University of Arizona Accelerator Mass Spectrometer facility for radiocarbon testing.

In order for the map to be authentic, it has to date to the 15th century.

However, results that the parchment is from the 15th century do not alone prove or disprove authenticity.

"Some think that the ink (on the parchment) is from the 1920s and that itās a forgery," said physics professor emeritus Douglas Donahue. "But the parchment is without a doubt from the 15th century."

Donahue wrote the results of testing with Jacqueline Olin from the Smithsonian Center for Materials Research and Education and Garman Harbottle from the Brookhaven National Laboratory for the journal Radiocarbon.

The 11 by 16.5-inch map surfaced in Europe in the 1950s without any record of ownership or origin. In 1958, the map was shipped to Yale University for research.

The Vinland map could be the first cartographic representation of North America, but four decades of ongoing scientific investigation and debate have not ended in an ultimate conclusion on the mapās authenticity.

If the map is real, it could mean that Columbus had prior knowledge of the map before sailing the Atlantic Ocean.

If the map was forged, scientists note that the 15th century parchment date is highly coincidental, since only a handful of specialists knew about radiocarbon dating before the 1950s.

Surgery professor appointed in U.S. Department of Education

A UA professor of surgery will take her new role in the U.S. Department of Education to overseeing federal programs and policies in the United States.

Valerie Reyna, also a professor of medicine, biomedical engineering, Mexican-American Studies and womenās studies, was appointed as senior research adviser to the Assistant Secretary for Educational Research and Improvement in the U.S. Department of Education.

Her own research on false memories in children and risky decision-making in youth has resulted in millions of dollars of funding from the National Institute of Health, the National Science Foundation and private foundations.

Reyna also helps promote interagency collaboration, including the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Health.

She organized speakers for the June 19 White House Conference on Character and Community. Other speakers at the conference included President George Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell and Secretary of Education Rod Paige.

Two new female doctors join surgery department

Two female surgeons have joined the UA Department of Surgery.

As one of only 20 female cardiothoracic surgeons in the United States, UA graduate Pei Tsau is interested in artifical heart research.

Tsau won the Presidentās Award for Excellence as an undergraduate and a Trainee Award of Excellence by the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs.

She completed the UAās cardiothoracic surgery program for residency training in June 2002.

As an undergraduate, Dr. Tsau won a number of awards, including the John P. Schaefer Scholarship, the Presidentās Award for Excellence and the Fansett Scholarship.

During her fellowship year in cardiothoracic transplantation and artificial hearts, Dr. Tsau was awarded a Trainee Award of Excellence by the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs, having presented the resident award paper at an international meeting in New York.

Christina Kim is another joining UAās Department of Surgery this year.

Kim is an assistant professor of surgical oncology and has received a nomination for the Association of Women Surgeons Outstanding Woman Resident Award.

Dr. Kim is the co-author of 15 articles and three book chapters.

Her professional memberships include the American College of Surgeons and the Society of Surgical Oncology.

Kimās research focuses on the development of novel immunotherapies and vaccine therapies for pancreatic cancer and melanoma, and the investigation of the molecular mechanisms of tumor progression.

Memorial service for Likinsā son moved to St. Josephās

John Likinsā memorial service will be held at St. Josephās Catholic Church, 215 S. Craycroft at 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 10.

This is a change from the arrangements that were first publicly announced, which stated the service would be held at the St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center at the University of Arizona.

Cards can be sent to Peter and Pat Likins, University of Arizona, Administration Building, Room 712, Tucson, AZ 85721-0066.

In response to the flood of messages of sympathy and flowers, donations can be made in memory of John Likins to the Catholic Newman Center, 1615 E. Second St. or to the UA Athletics Department, P.O. 210096, McKale Center, Room 249.