A Sampling of Clips for March 2^nd, 2009

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

Liked the Show?
Maybe It Was the Commercials
The New York Times, March 2 -- So why is it that commercial interruptions always ruin TV programs? Maybe they don’t. In two new studies, researchers who study consumer behavior argue that interrupting an experience, whether dreary or pleasant, can make it significantly more intense. One study co-author is Leif Nelson, an assistant professor of marketing at UCSD. More

Origin of 'T. Rex' Protein Questioned
Nature, Feb. 27 -- More doubt has clouded claims that dinosaur protein has been sequenced. Now a long-time critic has called for an independent review of the 2007 studies of ancient protein from a fossilized Tyrannosaurus rex  after fresh analysis revealed traces of ostrich haemoglobin in the original samples. (Quotes Pavel Pevzner, a computational biologist at UCSD) More

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss:
Where to See His Artworks
Los Angeles Times, March 2 -- Of course, you can head to your local library or bookstore to see plenty of Seuss works yourself, but following are a few other spots to get an up-close gander of the “wubbulous” Seussian world, which includes sketches and paintings beyond what we’ve seen in children’s books. The Mandeville Special Collections Library at UCSD at holds more than 8,500 Dr. Seuss items, including “original drawings, sketches, proofs, notebooks, manuscript drafts, books, audio- and videotapes, photographs and memorabilia.” More

Employment for Spouses Gets Harder to Find
Chronicle of Higher Education, March 2 -- As the economy continues to dip into uncharted waters, those in dual-career services are already mindful that job opportunities are tougher to come by, and both job consultants and job-seekers need to try harder than ever before. (Quotes Rebecca Skov, a director of the partner-opportunities program at UCSD) More

US Health Officials Back Study
Idea on Vaccinated vs. Unvaccinated
Children - Will Media Take Note?
Huffington Post, Opinion, March 2 -- It is not accurate for members of the media to report that the link between vaccines and autism has been "disproven." This is especially true in light of recent news from the National Vaccine Advisory Committee - and a series of other news items from the Federal Court of Claims, Federal health agencies, leading universities and top autism researchers around the country. (Mentions research at UCSD) More

Learning From Slums
Boston Globe, March 1 -- No one denies that slums - also known as shantytowns, squatter cities, and informal settlements - have serious problems. They are as a rule overcrowded, unhealthy, and emblems of profound inequality. But among architects, planners, and other thinkers, there is a growing realization that they also possess unique strengths, and may even hold lessons in successful urban development. (Quotes UCSD professor Teddy Cruz) More

Scholar Presaged U.S. Descent to Destitution
San Diego Union-Tribune, March 2 -- Starting in the Clinton years, Chalmers Johnson, the retired UCSD professor, China and Japan expert, former Cold War hawk and prolific writer has been warning against the financial collapse of what he calls – without a hint of irony – the American empire. More

Month-long Festival Celebrates the Sciences
San Diego Union-Tribune, March 2 -- The inaugural San Diego Science Festival is slated to include lectures, shows, workshops and activities celebrating science, nature, technology and learning at venues throughout the county this month. Several events take place at UCSD. More

Similar story in
KUSI

$12 Computers?
KUSI, Feb. 28 -- While it's hard to imagine life without a computer, it's a sad reality for many people in third world countries. A UCSD grad student is hoping to change all that with a $12 computer. More

Being Overweight Makes
Cancer More Dangerous
KUSI, Feb. 27 -- Being overweight can lead to many health problems. And Dr. John Mendelsohn says it makes cancer more dangerous and more difficult to treat. Mendelsohn was the founder of the UCSD Cancer Center, and he attended a cancer symposium held in San Diego. He says we still don't understand why there's a link between cancer and obesity. More

Bratty La Niña Finally
Gives San Diego a Break
San Diego Union-Tribune, March 2 -- The last 10 days or so, La Niña has stopped behaving like a rebellious teenager and started acting more like it's supposed to. (Quotes David Pierce, a climate researcher at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography) More

Door Tags Let Residents Play Water Cops
San Diego Union-Tribune, Feb. 28 -- They're the ones with the poorly calibrated sprinkler systems that send biblical torrents into the gutter during the hottest part of the day. You've always wanted to do something to turn the tide but don't know how to approach the problem tactfully. Local water officials think they've come up with a solution. It's a bright yellow door hanger that doubles as San Diego County's new scarlet letter, and it's coming your way starting tomorrow. (Quotes Nicholas Christenfeld, a psychology professor at UCSD) More

UCSD Dean Will Join Obama Administration
San Diego Union-Tribune, Feb. 28 -- Peter Cowhey, dean of the UCSD School of International Relations and Pacific Studies, will be joining President Barack Obama's administration to work on trade strategy and negotiations. Cowhey is to serve as senior counselor to the U.S. trade representative while on a one-year leave of absence from UCSD. More

Similar story in
San Diego Daily Transcript
La Jolla Light

UCSD Recognized
for Transportation Program
San Diego Daily Transcript, Feb. 27 – UCSD was recognized for its creative campus transportation program at the recent Clinton Global Initiative University (CGIU) held in Austin, Texas. More

* Subscribe with In the News and receive our clips automatically