A Sampling of Clips for
July 19th, 2007
* UCSD faculty and staff may obtain a copy of an article by e-mailing the University Communications Office
Feeling Secure With a Little Shocking Pink
The New York Times, July 19 -- In a few weeks, Taser will introduce an item that is far more compact and a lot less expensive than the standard Tasers used by police, though its shock is no less potent. The company’s executives say they are trying to capture a market of people looking for a weapon that is more reliable than pepper spray, but less reliable, so to speak, than a gun, and less expensive than the standard Taser. (Quotes Dr. Ted Chan, a professor of clinical medicine at UCSD, who has studied the effect of Taser shocks on healthy human volunteers) More
Vive la High-Speed Internet!
Business Week, July 18 -- What a difference a few years make. In 2001, France had one of the weakest markets for broadband Internet access in the developed world, with less than a quarter of the penetration of the U.S. Today, it has sailed past the U.S. to become one of the world's most wired nations, with more than one in five inhabitants enjoying high-speed Internet connections. (Quotes Peter Cowhey, a former official with the U.S. Federal Communication Commission and now professor of telecom policy at UCSD) More
UC Regents Seek Compromise on Tobacco Industry Funding
Los Angeles Times, July 19 — Members of the UC Board of Regents, unable to agree on a proposal to ban tobacco industry money for research, said Wednesday that they would seek a compromise to maintain the university's integrity while protecting academic freedom. (Mentions UCSD) More
Traditional Roles Shift for College Leaders' Spouses
San Diego Union-Tribune, July 19 -- Increasing numbers of spouses are requesting that they be paid to serve traditional hosting roles, or are pursuing their own careers. Part of that trend is reflected at the University of California, whose board of regents will revisit their policy on president and chancellor spouses at a meeting today. (Mentions James Whitesell, husband of UCSD Chancellor Marye Anne Fox) More
Heart Transplant Patients Play the Waiting Game
KPBS, July 19 -- For people who suffer from end-stage heart disease, a heart transplant may be the only option. The problem is, there just aren’t enough donated hearts available to satisfy the demand. So, people who need a transplant have to go on a waiting list. (Mentions UCSD) More
Treasures and Trash
San Diego Union-Tribune, July 19 -- The college semester-end student departure has proved a boon for charity groups and at least one passer-by at UCSD. Some 7,377 students evacuating UCSD residence halls donated more than 9 tons of usable items to the Disabled American Veterans receptacles on campus – including clothing, bedding, furniture, shelving, working electronics, appliances and household items. More
Local Firm Stakes Claim to 40,000 Square Miles of Ocean
North County Times, July 19 -- The guy who wants to build an airport out in the ocean isn't giving up. After failing to persuade San Diego County airport officials to endorse his project a couple of years ago, North County entrepreneur Adam Englund has come up with another way to pursue his dream of building a floating airport. Now he is asserting that he and his firm, OceanWorks Development, have the exclusive right to build such a hub in 40,000 square miles off the Southern California coast. (Quotes UCSD political scientist Steve Erie) More