A Sampling of Clips for February 5, 2010

* UCSD faculty and staff may obtain a copy of an article by e-mailing the University Communications Office

Athlete Alert: Is Genetic Juicing Set to Replace Steroids?
Scientific American, Feb. 4 -- As the steroid era evolves amidst increased testing and public hectoring, what other performance booster will enter the ring? Gene therapy, say a host of researchers, three of whom call for more oversight of the technique's use in athletics. In a commentary published online February 4 in Science, Theodore Friedmann, of UCSD in La Jolla, and his colleagues wrote that aside from ethical questions of good sporting practices, many genetic therapies are far from proven. More

Similar story in
Science
National Geographic
Reuters, India
BusinessWeek

India's Roaring Economy Is Hitched to a Galloping Addiction to Coal
The New York Times, Feb. 4 -- While environmental groups in developed nations talk of a coming world based on solar, wind and other forms of renewable energy, India's 8 percent economic growth rate is powered by coal. Its consumption is projected to increase by at least 400 percent by the year 2030, according to the government's 2005 Integrated Energy Policy report. (Quotes David Victor, a professor at the School of International Relations and Pacific Studies at UCSD) More

Millions in Stimulus Spending Being Doled Out for Questionable Jobs
FOXNews, Feb. 5 -- Federal agencies are spending stimulus money at the rate of $196 million an hour. And they will do so every hour for the next eight months until a September 30, 2010, deadline. (Mentions research by UCSD)
More

Passion for Books Leads to Outreach Job at Local Library
The Desert Sun, Feb. 3 -- UCSD alumnus Miles Hill grew up reading all the books he could get his hands on at the Indio Public Library. Now, years later, the 40-year-old Coachella Valley native hopes to teach other children that it's cool — and pays off — to be a bookworm. Hill, the La Quinta Public Library's newest employee, is the outreach coordinator for the library. More

Virtual' Fence a Virtual Bust
NBC San Diego, Feb. 4 -- Is Homeland Security's "virtual" border fence a virtual bust? After spending hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars, the government is now rethinking the scope of the $6.7 billion project, which has shown little in the way of reliable results. (Quotes Professor Mohan Trivedi, the director of UCSD's Computer Vision and Robotics Laboratory) More

Cal Western, UCSD Holding Info Session on Joint Degree
San Diego Daily Transcript, Feb. 4 -- California Western School of Law and UCSD will host an informational session regarding the schools' joint Master's in Health Law program, Thursday, Feb. 11. More

* Subscribe with In the News and receive our clips automatically