A Sampling of Clips for December 11^th, 2008

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

When Blindness is in the Mind, Not the Eyes
Scientific American, December 2008 -- Until about 35 years ago scientists believed there was only a single visual-processing area, called the visual cortex, situated at the back of the brain. We now know more than 30 areas in the brains of primates—including humans—are involved in handling aspects of vision such as the perception of motion, color and depth. (Written by UCSD researchers Vilayanur S. Ramachandran and Diane Rogers-Ramachandran) More

A Push for Early Action on Climate
Nature, Dec. 10  -- Even if the international community is able to sign a global warming treaty in Copenhagen in 2009, ratification and implementation could take years. This inevitable lag is reviving interest in various fast-track strategies that could slow the rate of warming today, providing a little breathing room for the carbon dioxide regulations to kick in. Leading the charge is Durwood J. Zaelke, a man of many titles, one of which is president of the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development. Zaelke begins his talks by citing recent research by Veerabhadran Ramanathan at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography indicating that we are already facing warming of 2.4 degrees Celsius - based on greenhouse gases that have already been pumped into the atmosphere. More

Cell Imaging: New Ways to See a Smaller World
Nature, Dec. 10  -- Advances in imaging are allowing researchers to gain better insights into the function of tissues, cells and even individual molecules. Newer dyes have been optimized for near-infrared excitation. One of these, mCherry, one of the 'fruit fluorescent proteins' was developed in the lab of Roger Tsien at UCSD — who shared the 2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery and development of green fluorescent. More

Two Local Biotechs Get Stem Cell Grants
San Diego Union-Tribune, Dec. 11 -- Two San Diego-area biotechnology companies yesterday were among six commercial operations to receive grants from the state's taxpayer-funded stem cell institute. The funding included 23 grants ranging from $700,000 to $1.1 million. Two tools-and-technology grants went to the Scripps Research Institute and one to UCSD. More

Name That Species--After Yourself, Purdue Auction Suggests
Scientific American, Dec. 9 -- Naming your kid after you is one thing. But imagine if an entire species were named for you. This week, Purdue University is auctioning off the rights to name seven newly discovered bats and two turtles. (Mentions the Scripps Institution of Oceanography) More

A Parents' Guide to Managing Vaccinations
U.S. News & World Report, Dec. 11 -- The vaccine schedule that most pediatricians follow, recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, takes a one-size-fits-all approach since that's what's best for protecting the population at large. Many parents, though, are searching for a schedule that allays their safety concerns, says pediatrician Robert Sears, author of The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child. (Quotes Robert Naviaux, an associate professor of medicine and pediatrics at the UCSD School of Medicine) More

Scientists Monitor Fisheries in Mexico to Protect Ecosystems
News8, Dec. 10 -- Sharks, sting rays and ocean creatures big and small - they're all affected by humans, especially when it comes to the way we fish. Scientists here in San Diego are collaborating with researchers in Baja to figure out what can be done to keep the oceans healthy south of the border. (Quotes Scripps Institution of Oceanography graduate student Dan Cartamil) More

Vice Mayor Now One Step from Her Childhood Goal
San Diego Union-Tribune, Dec. 10 --As a 10-year-old fifth-grader at Kimball Elementary, Alejandra Sotelo-Solis made it her goal to one day be mayor of National City. Sotelo-Solis, 29, the Community Law Project director at UCSD, recently took office as a National City council member, her first elected position. It has inspired her to pursue her childhood goal. More

Patients Not Affected by Hospital Search
San Diego Union-Tribune, Dec. 10 -- San Diego police say a burglary suspect who ran into UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest about noon today is still being sought, but operations at the hospital are not affected. More

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Search On for Man Who Groped Women at UCSD
San Diego Union-Tribune, Dec. 11 -- Police are searching for a man who groped at least three women on the UCSD campus over the past few weeks. More

Gas Price Plunge Brings Little Relief
North County Times, Dec. 10 -- Plummeting fuel prices are pumping tens of millions of dollars into consumers' pockets and onto local companies' balance sheets. (Quotes UCSD economist James Hamilton) More

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