A Sampling of Clips for 
July 16 - 18, 2005

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

Gold-Colored Staph Strains More Dangerous
Los Angeles Times, July 16-Gold-colored strains of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria tend to cause more disease than colorless strains because they carry antioxidants to protect themselves against immune system attack, researchers reported Monday. Victor Nizet of UCSD and colleagues found that the antioxidant compounds, called carotenoids, help defend the colored bacteria from toxic molecules made by immune system cells called neutrophils. More

Chemical in Brain Tied to Anorexia
Los Angeles Times, July 18-Women who suffer from anorexia have increased chemical activity in a part of the brain that controls reward and reinforcement, something that may explain why they are driven to lose weight but don't get any pleasure from it, a study by UCSD has found. More

Similar article appeared in:
Los Angeles Daily News, July 16

Pharmacy Robot
San Francisco Chronicle, July 16-Consumers have long been getting everything from cash to airline tickets from automated machines. Now add prescription drugs to the list. (Refers to research by UCSD.) More

Old Drug May Find New Use
Against Side Effect of Cancer Treatment
Innovations Report, July 18-Platinum-based drugs are commonly used in cancer therapy because they have proven effectiveness, but a potentially serious side effect can develop - peripheral neuropathy - for which currently there is no treatment. Now researchers at the Rebecca and John Moores UCSD Cancer Center are leading a national clinical trial in which an existing drug, Amifostine, is being studied to see if it can reverse symptoms of this side effect and provide relief to cancer patients who have survived their disease. More

Cunningham's Career Ends
with the Wrong Deal in a World of Perks
San Francisco Chronicle, July 16-After eight terms in Congress, Randy "Duke" Cunningham had become part of a culture of perks and friendly deals. By his own admission, he finally made at least one deal he shouldn't have. (Quote by Gary Jacobson, a political scientist at UCSD.) More

Similar articles appeared in:
Contra Costa Times, July 16
North County Times, July 17

San Diegans Ink
San Diego Union-Tribune, Diane Bell, July 16-It's a triple header: The San Diego Multiple Sclerosis Society chapter is honoring three university heads - SDSU's Stephen Weber, UCSD's Marye Anne Fox and USD's Mary Lyons - at its Sept. 22 gala. More

A Scandal by the Sea
U.S. News and World Report, July 25-This sun-baked vacationland likes to refer to itself as "America's Finest City," a squeaky-clean model of buttoned-down, Southern California-style conservatism. But the moniker feels a bit awkward in light of a torrent of scandal that has left San Diego's reputation in ruins. (Quote by Steve Erie, who teaches political science at UCSD.) More

Combining Treatments
May be Key to Quitting Smoking
Daily Breeze, July 18-With more tools and aids to kick the nicotine habit than ever, smokers need to find the right one, or combination, to succeed. (Quote by Gary Tedeschi, a licensed psychologist and clinical director of the California Smokers' Helpline, a telephone counseling service headquartered at UCSD.) More

Aloe Increases in Popularity,
Although Some are Skeptical of Benefits
North County Times, July 16-It's not just for sunburns anymore. Although aloe vera may conjure up summer memories of the cool gel healing raw, sunburned skin, it is now prominently displayed on your favorite shampoo, lotions and facial tissues. (Quote by Dr. Joseph Scherger, a professor of family medicine at UCSD.) More