A Sampling of Clips for July 26, 2010

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

Exploring Algae as Fuel
The New York Times, July 26  -- In a laboratory where almost all the test tubes look green, the tools of modern biotechnology are being applied to lowly pond scum. The goal is nothing less than to create superalgae, highly efficient at converting sunlight and carbon dioxide into lipids and oils that can be sent to a refinery and made into diesel or jet fuel. (Quotes Stephen Mayfield, a professor of biology at UC San Diego and a co-founder of Sapphire Energy) More

UC San Diego Will Focus on Diversity in Faculty Hires
Inside Higher Ed, July 23 -- UC San Diego has announced that it has authorized 33 new faculty searches for 2010-11 -- and that 12 of the searches will be focused on hires who will "contribute to diversity, equity and climate of inclusion at UC San Diego." An additional 7 slots beyond the 33 will be available for "opportunities that emerge throughout the year," with a focus there on diversity and inclusiveness as well. More

Study Explores Links Between Obesity and Chronic Pain
MSN Health, July 26 -- Obesity and chronic pain are both linked with family history and mood disorders, a new study suggests. In this new study, Lisa Johnson Wright of UC San Diego along with colleagues there and at the University of Washington in Seattle and the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, examined data from 3,471 people in the University of Washington Twin Registry in order to determine how family history and psychological factors influence the relationship between obesity and chronic pain. More

The Binky Fairy and Other Lies Parents Tell Kids
TIME Magazine, July 24 -- Jean Twenge knew her daughter was too old for a pacifier but liked the comfort it provided — not only for her three-year-old, but also for mom and dad. Twenge, a psychology professor at San Diego University and co-author of The Narcissism Epidemic — Living in the Age of Entitlement, knew it wouldn't be easy to part ways with the pacifier. So she did what many other modern parents have done and enlisted the Binky Fairy to take her child's pacifiers and (wink, wink) give them to babies who need them. (Quotes Gail Heyman, professor of psychology at UC San Diego) More

Temperatures Hit Record Highs Globally. El Nino or Global Warming?
Christian Science Monitor, July 23 -- You might have missed it if you live in many spots in the lower 48 states, but the first six months of 2010 were the warmest on record globally, according to preliminary data from the National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C. (Quotes David Pierce, a climate scientist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography) More

In Family’s Death, Trying to Fathom the Unfathomable
The New York Times, July 22 -- Familicide is common enough that a profile exists for those who commit it: usually white, a bread-winner, older. For the young adolescent who destroys himself and the family that surrounds him, no such profile exists; the numbers are too small for there to be anything typical. (Quotes J. Reid Meloy, an expert in forensic  psychology and a clinical professor of psychiatry at UC San Diego) More

Concern Over Animal Molecule in Drugs
Sydney Morning Herald, July 26 -- Modern drugs used to treat serious diseases contain an animal molecule that can harm the health of some patients, according to UC San Diego researchers. The non-human sugar is also present in meat and could help explain dietary associations with heart disease and cancer, say scientists. Sialic acids are found in all mammals and coat the surfaces of cells, allowing them to interact with their companions and the surrounding environment. More

Similar story in
MSN News, U.K.

Advocates Raise Concerns Over Prosecuting HIV-positive People
Vancouver Sun, July 23 -- The troubling increase in the number of new HIV cases in Canada may be attributed to the country's reputation of being a world leader in prosecuting HIV-positive people who fail to disclose their status, according to one group of AIDS advocates. (Mentions Dr. Steffanie Strathdee, associate dean of Global Health Sciences in the department of medicine at UC San Diego) More

Similar story in
Calgary Herald

Berkeley Lab Co-leads $122 Million Sunlight-to-fuel Effort
Contra Costa Times, July 23 -- Plants fuel the world with their ability to convert sunlight into a usable form of energy. Now, the Department of Energy is putting up $122 million to help humans capture the energy of the sun and create renewable liquid fuels through "artificial photosynthesis." (Mentions UC San Diego) More

Similar stories in
San Jose Mercury News
Oakland Tribune
Santa Cruz Sentinel

Only 2 California House Races IDd as Competitive
San Francisco Chronicle, July 24 -- The anti-Congress fervor sweeping the nation may threaten Democrats' majority in the House and Speaker Nancy Pelosi's leadership position but it poses little threat to California's representatives, nearly all of whom appear poised to win re-election. (Quotes UC San Diego political scientist Gary Jacobson) More

Similar story in
North County Times

Migrant’s Place in the Underground Economy
Often Reflects Culture as well as Caution
Arizona Republic, July 26  -- Up to half of illegal immigrants, perhaps 152,000 or more in the state, are believed to work in a large shadow economy, where workers are compensated in cash, don't report the income and don't pay income taxes. (Quotes UC San Diego economist Gordon Hanson) More

Trolley to UCSD, UTC Gets Green Light
San Diego Union-Tribune, July 23 -- As expected, the SANDAG board of directors this morning selected the route for a $1.2 billion extension of the San Diego Trolley north from Old Town to the UC San Diego campus and University Town Centre. More

Similar story on
10News
KPBS
San Diego 6

UCSD Effort Reaches Out to Compton
San Diego Union-Tribune, July 24 -- A group of 20 Compton High School students and four of their teachers ended up in La Jolla for a special three-week summer program at the university’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography. More

UCSD Scientists Researching Vanishing Honey Bees
KPBS, July 26 -- Imagine a world without apples, almonds and broccoli. It takes honey bees to pollinate most of our favorite fruits, nuts and vegetables -- but the bees are mysteriously disappearing. Some commercial beekeepers in San Diego have already been affected by this phenomenon. Beekeepers are keeping a close eye on the research, some of it at UC San Diego. More

Heavy on the Bass
San Diego Union-Tribune, July 25 -- It is a very happy coincidence that three of the finest bassists in the nation live in San Diego. Even more happily, the three — Bertram Turetzky, Mark Dresser and Bob Magnusson — are performing Sunday at downtown’s all-ages Dizzy’s as part of the third annual San Diego Bass Summit. Turetzky, 77, is the musical patriarch of the group. He taught Dresser, Magnusson and myriad other bassists during his 45-year tenure at UC San Diego. “Bert is a pioneering champion of the bass as a solo instrument,” noted Dresser, who now holds the same position at UCSD that Turetzky had. More

Research can be Rocky Aboard Revelle
San Diego Union-Tribune, July 25 -- We landlubbers can avoid foul weather pretty easily. That’s not always true for the crew and scientists aboard the R/V Roger Revelle, one of the research ships operated by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla. More

A Rare Sight
NBC San Diego, July 24 -- The Chula Vista Nature Center has a new resident -- with a nasty sting. The rare Black Jellyfish, also known as a Black Sea Nettle, is now on display. (Quotes Dr. Nigella Hillgarth of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography) More

Good Grief: Local Resident Became Voice of Charlie Brown 45 Years Ago
North County Times, July 25 -- "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?" UC San Diego alumnus Peter Robbins, 53, uttered those words as the voice of Charlie Brown in the 1965 animated television classic, "A Charlie Brown Christmas." He revised the role for four other TV specials ---- "Charlie Brown's All Stars," "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," "He's Your Dog, Charlie Brown" and "You're in Love, Charlie Brown" ---- and for the movie, "A Boy Named Charlie Brown." More

The Mayor's Fleeting Moment
Voice of San Diego, July 25 -- This election is a defining moment in Sanders' five years in office, political observers say, the mayor's last, best shot at achieving voter-mandated financial reforms. Two years from now, the next opportunity to put reform measures on a ballot, voters will be choosing Sanders' successor, clouding and diminishing the mayor's influence. (Quotes Steve Erie, a UC San Diego political scientist) More

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