A Sampling of Clips for June 9-10, 2011

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

Analysis: California Should Rely More on Sales Taxes
Reuters, June 9 --To prevent more fiscal turmoil, California needs a tax system that relies more on revenue from sales, including sales of services, than on its wealthy taxpayers' income taxes, according to a new report. (Quotes UC San Diego political scientist Thad Kousser.) More

Similar story in
International Business Times

Researchers See Unusually Rapid
Decline in Water Source for Western Rivers
New York Times, June 10 -- Snowpack in the northern Rocky Mountains has shrunk at an unusually rapid pace during the past 30 years, according to a new study. The decline is "almost unprecedented" over the past 800 years, say researchers who used tree rings to reconstruct a centuries-long record of snowpack throughout the entire Rocky Mountain range.  (Quotes Tim Barnett, a climatologist at Scripps Institution of Oceanography.) More

Similar story in
Scientific American

Google Earth, Columbia University Map
Seafloor Area Bigger Than North America
Washington Post, June 9 -- Thursday marked World Oceans Day, a United Nations effort to raise global awareness of the challenges faced by the international community in connection with the oceans. Getting in the spirit, Google Earth and about a dozen research labs paired their data, talents and technology to create high res maps of seafloor terrain. (Mentions Scripps Institution of Oceanography.) More

Corporations Profit From Health Care Waste
The Baltimore Sun, June 9 -- The United States wastes about $3,000 per person annually in health care spending — nearly $1 trillion a year. We spent $2.5 trillion on health insurance and health care in 2009, or $8,086 per person, fully 17.6 percent of gross domestic product. Our health spending is remarkably above average and yet our health outcomes are below average for developed nations. (Quotes Rick Kronick, political scientist at UC San Diego.) More

Pollution Controls Improve La Jolla Beach
San Diego Union Tribune, June 9 -- A popular surfing and diving beach next to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla should be less polluted by bacteria and chemicals after the completion of a major upgrade to the school's storm water control system. Officials at UC San Diego, which includes Scripps, said they finished their $4.9 million project to meet state mandates while also cultivating a more vibrant, pedestrian-friendly beach. The work involved landscaping features designed to filter pollutants from urban runoff, including particular plants, rocks and minerals that help filter storm water. More

UC San Diego Graduation Weekend
KNSD-TV (Ch. 7/39), June 10 -- For some students at UC San Diego today starts graduation weekend at the school. More than 7,500 diplomas will be awarded in 11 commencement ceremonies. (Mentions Albert Lin.) More

Similar story in
La Jolla Light

UCSD launches Tickets for Testing Campaign
LGBT Weekly, June9 -- Schedule an appointment for a free, confidential HIV Early Test with the UC San Diego Antiviral Research Center and get a free one-day ticket to the Pride Festival. More

* Subscribe with In the News and receive our clips automatically