A Sampling of Clips for June 9^th, 2008

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

Fake Patients Test Vermont Medical Students
MSNBC, June 9 -- It's one part drama, two parts science as doctors-in-training test their diagnostic skills and bedside manner by assessing the ailments of patients played by real people in a program that’s growing in popularity at U.S. medical schools. Dr. Howard Barrows came up with the idea in the 1960s at UCSD. More

Similar stories in
FOX News
ABC News
CBS News
NPR
Newsweek
Forbes
The Washington Post
Los Angeles Times
San Jose Mercury News
San Diego Union-Tribune

"Lunar Concrete" May Form Buildings on the Moon
National Geographic, June 4 -- A new type of "lunar concrete," made by mixing moondust and carbon nanotubes, could be used to construct buildings, solar power arrays, and monolithic telescopes on the moon. (Quotes Yu Qiao, a materials scientist at UCSD, who was not involved with the study) More

Victim or Victor? China's Olympic Odyssey
The Wall Street Journal, June 7 -- The tragic earthquake in Sichuan province showed the best of China, and glimpses of the worst. (Mentions UCSD political scientists Susan Shirk's "China: Fragile Superpower: How China's Internal Politics Could Derail Its Peaceful Rise") More

Race and the White House
San Diego Union-Tribune, Opinion, June 8 -- In times like these, the Democratic nominee for president would normally be viewed as a shoe-in. But the Democratic nominee this time around is different. He is an African-American – the first African-American to represent one of the two major parties in its bid for the presidency. And he is not leading. (Written by Zoltan Hajnal, an associate professor of political science at UCSD and the author of “Changing White Attitudes Toward Black Political Leadership”) More

Proposition 13 -- 30 Years On
KQED, San Francisco, Calif., June 9 -- Friday marked the 30th anniversary of California's Proposition 13, the landmark ballot initiative that capped property taxes. At a time of huge state budget deficits, people continue to debate the legacy of Prop. 13. The measure remains popular with voters. Guests include Isaac Martin, assistant professor of sociology at UCSD and author of "Permanent Tax Revolt: How the Property Tax Transformed American Politics." More

Incoming UC Chief 'Proven Manager'
San Diego Union-Tribune, June 8 -- As graduation ceremonies signal the end of another school year and the onset of summer, it's doubtful many are relaxing at the University of California's presidential headquarters. (Mentions UCSD) More

'Thrilled' to Help UCSD
San Diego Union-Tribune, June 8 -- Local philanthropist Conrad Prebys has donated $3 million to establish the Conrad Prebys Music Endowment in support of UCSD's department of music.  More

Architecture Group Awards San Diego 16 Design Honors
San Diego Union-Tribune, June 7 -- "San Diego is the new sexy," according to out-of-town architects who awarded 16 design awards at Saturday night's annual program by the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects. (Mentions two UCSD projects, which received awards) More

Saving Kelp
San Diego Union-Tribune, June 7 -- For the first time anywhere, scientists say they've designed an artificial reef north of San Diego County that should be able to sustain itself for decades. (Quotes Ed Parnell, a marine ecologist at UCSD’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography) More

June Gloom Won't Alter Golfers' Gray Matter
San Diego Union-Tribune, June 9 -- Golfers and people watching this week's U.S. Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla likely won't face gale-force winds that hook tee shots off fairways or cloudbursts that send galleries scrambling. What they can expect are the challenges of June gloom. (Quotes Brian Jiang, a dermatologist at UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest) More

UCSD Graduation Delayed for U.S. Open
San Diego Union-Tribune, June 7 -- The timing of the 108th U.S. Open may be a boon to the sagging San Diego economy, but it couldn't be much worse for students at UC San Diego. More

UCSD Melon Drop Tradition Continues
San Diego Union-Tribune, June 8 -- It signaled one thing when pitchfork-wielding watermelon queen Ricardo Gonzalez raced up the steps of UCSD's Urey Hall today and heaved the summer fruit seven stories below to the theme song from "Rocky." Ah, the last day of classes had finally arrived. More

Similar story in
La Jolla Light

Playing a Big Role in Their Lives
San Diego Union-Tribune, June 9 -- The 14 student actors who'll take to the Old Globe's outdoor stage this month for the Summer Shakespeare Festival can thank Richard Seer (or gasp an exasperated “Fie!” at him) for their substantial roles in this theatrical Tilt-A-Whirl. (Mentions UCSD's Department of Theatre and Dance) More