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University researcher Jeff Davis predicts a modest sales increase in new cars over the next 10 years, even though prices are expected to increase by almost 20 percent over the same time period.

"There has been a great deal of talk lately that vehicles are becoming too expensive and that the price of new cars and trucks is outstripping the incomes of potential buyers," Davis said.

Davis, who works at the University Transportation Research Institute, recently wrote the marketing volume of the eighth annual University Delphi Forecast and Analysis of the North American Automotive Industry.

"Despite rising prices, the outlook for the industry as a whole is favorable, which is comforting news to industry leaders and analysts, who fear the impact of higher new vehicle prices and greater availability of nearly new used cars could have a depressing effect on sale of new cars and trucks," Davis said.

The report, which polled more than 300 automotive experts on trends in marketing, materials and technology in the next decade, said the average price of a new domestic vehicle is expected to rise 9 percent by the year 2000. Prices are expected to rise 10 percent by 2005.

The average cost of imports is projected to increase 4 percent by 2000 and 14 percent by 2005. However, foreign vehicles are still expected to be priced higher on average than the ones manufactured by the Big Three -- Chrysler, Ford and General Motors.

The most important factor that will influence vehicle buying decisions is, according to the forecast, the purchase price for entry level and intermediate cars, vans and pickups.

Report issued on telemedicine's future

A wide range of representatives from the public and private sectors issued a report on the future of telemedicine to Congress on Tuesday. The report, "Telemedicine and the National Information Infrastructure," made recommendations regarding the future of telemedicine in the United States.

Telemedicine is the process by which medical diagnosis of a patient can be done via two-way, interactive television, remote sensing equipment and computers. Widespread use of this technology means increased access to high quality, specialized medical care at a reasonable cost.

Health management and policy Prof. Rashid Bashshur said some patients, such as those with diffcult diseases to diagnose and those in rural areas and on battlefields, could all benefit from telemedicine.

Interactive Reference helps link students with librarians

For University students, librarians are now as close as their desktop.

Interactive Reference Assistance is the first stage of a project to use interactive technology for reference consultation via the campus computing network. Links between the Shapiro Undergraduate Library and selected residence hall libraries allow students to confer with librarians "long distance."

IRA uses CUSeeMe communications software, Connectix digital cameras and desktop computers to provide live video images and sound across the campus ethernet. Now University students can consult librarians face to face without leaving their residence halls.

Linda TerHarr, head of the Shaprio Undergraduate Library, said IRA makes reseraching a topic less overwhelming because students can collaborate with a reference librarian to formulate a research plan before entering the library or going online.

-- Compiled by Daily Staff Reporter Soumya Mohan.