A Sampling of Clips for July 27^th, 2009

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

The Formula
Boston Globe, Opinion, July 26 -- On politicized issues like climate change, embryonic stem cell research, the teaching of evolution, and the safety of vaccines, many Americans not only question scientific expertise but even feel entitled to discard it completely. (Mentions “Climate Change and Marine Ecosystems,” a course taught at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography by marine biologist Jeremy Jackson) More

Similar story in:
Discovery Magazine

Scientist Conducting Noble Social Experiment
San Diego Union-Tribune, July 26 -- UCSD professor Antonio De Maio is on a mission to change the face of biomedical science, and Mohamud Qadi and Jonathan Okerblom could serve as his poster boys. Qadi lived in refugee camps in war-torn Somalia before immigrating to Chula Vista as a child. Okerblom was jailed on drug charges and dropped out of high school. More

Wasps on Maui, Big Island Expand Diets
KITV, Hawaii, July 26 -- A new study finds invasive wasps on Maui and the Big Island are becoming a menace to more native species. Researchers at UCSD said the western yellowjacket wasp has expanded its diet to include the shearwater, a type of bird, and geckos in addition to traditional prey such as caterpillars. More

Apollo 11 Experiment Still Going After 40 Years
Space.com, July 24 -- The Apollo 11 astronauts returned from the moon 40 years ago today, but they left behind more than footprints. An experiment they placed on the moon's surface is still running to this day. (Mentions research at UCSD) More

Expert Cites Flawed Studies,
Rejects Moving Murder Trial
Modesto Bee, July 25 -- A prosecutor's expert Friday refuted the defense's argument that the trial of a Stockton man accused of killing a California Highway Patrol officer should be moved out of Modesto. Ebbe Ebbesen, a psychology professor at UCSD, has testified dozens of times against venue change motions, including in the Scott Peterson case. More

A Playwrights' Festival an Exciting Look at New Plays
The Oregonian, July 24 -- JAW: A Playwrights' Festival, Portland Center Stage's annual developmental workshop for new theater scripts, offers you an early look at exciting plays by some of the country's most intriguing and entertaining writers. This year's stars, culled from hundreds of applicants, include Naomi Iizuka, who is in on the UCSD faculty. More

A Safer Cigarette? Tobacco Companies Testing Alternatives
Chicago Herald, July 27 -- Tobacco companies have begun "clinical trials" to assess whether a range of prototype "safer cigarettes" really do slash levels of toxic chemicals entering the body.  (Quotes David Burns of UCSD) More

She Has It Down to a Science
San Diego Union-Tribune, July 26 -- For as long as anyone can remember, Ronit Abramson has pushed herself. Science fairs. Swim teams. Internships. Every door that opened, she walked through. Abramson has been working in the lab of Mark Hildebrand, a research professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, since she was 16. More

System May Lose its Pre-Eminence Within Five Years
San Diego Union-Tribune, Opinion, July 24 -- The University of California is in the midst of the most severe crisis in its history. In little more than a century, it has become the best public university system in the world. (Written by Andrew Scull, distinguished professor and chairman of the sociology department at UCSD) More

Proposal is an Elitist Vision for the System
San Diego Union-Tribune, Opinion, July 24 -- The recent decision by 23 UCSD department chairs to sign a letter calling for potential closure of up to three UC campuses — UC Merced, UC Riverside and UC Santa Cruz — reflects a massive and growing disconnect between California's research university system and the rest of the state. (Written by James T. Shea, a former UCSD employee who now works in development at Dartmouth College) More

California Still Living Life on the Edge – of a Fiscal Abyss
San Diego Union-Tribune, July 26 -- After five months of wrangling, our leaders in Sacramento have finally reached a deal on the budget. We now have an accord that will allow the state to stride strongly into the future – at least for another six months or so until we dip back into the red again. (Quotes UCSD political scientist Thad Kousser) More

Eight Greats: ‘Wise Latina’ Leaders from San Diego
San Diego News Network, July 24 -- Here’s a list of San Diego’s top Hispanic women leaders in politics and other areas. Of course, there are many more, but this is SDNN’s eight great “wise Latina.” The list includes Alejandra Sotelo-Solis, vice mayor and councilmember in National City, who also is the director of the UCSD Community Law Project, which supports law and public policy undergraduates. More

* Subscribe with In the News and receive our clips automatically