A Sampling of Clips for March 5^th, 2008

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

U.S. Institutions Establish  Multi-disciplinary Center to Study Human Origins
People’s Daily, China, March 5 -- Following a 10-year independent study, scientists in the U.S. have founded a multi-disciplinary center bringing together various sciences to explore the origins of humanity, UCSD said Tuesday. More

Academic Freedom and Evolution
San Diego Union-Tribune, March 5 -- Our nation presently is embroiled in a debate over whether educators and researchers should have academic freedom to dissent from Darwin in the classroom. (Written by Casey Luskin, who received his bachelor's and master's in Earth sciences from UCSD and studied at Scripps Institution of Oceanography) More

China's Defense Spending to Soar
The Age, Australia, March 5 -- The military budget would rise 17.6% to 417.8 billion yuan, a Government spokesman said, following a 17.8% rise in 2007. China says it will raise military spending by nearly 18% this year, triggering renewed tensions with the US and its close regional allies. (Quotes UCSD political scientist Susan Shirk) More

Nader Simply Doesn't See Two-party Value
The Sacramento Bee, March 5 -- Ralph Nader's entrance into the presidential race as a third party candidate demonstrates – not for the first time – that he has made the wrong decision at the wrong time for the wrong reasons. (Quotes UCSD political scientist Gary Jacobson) More

Banks' Losses Could Put $900 Billion Squeeze on Consumers
Christian Science Monitor, March 5 -- By one new estimate, troubled mortgages alone could knock a full percentage point off economic growth in the year ahead. And mortgages are just part of the problem. With losses also rising on loans for everything from cars to commercial real estate, banks effectively will have less money available to make new loans – perhaps $900 billion less. (Quotes UCSD economist James Hamilton) More

If Approved, Medicaid Changes Could Severely Impact Local Hospitals
KPBS, March 4 -- A new Congressional report says California stands to lose more than $2 billion a year if the Bush Administration's proposed Medicaid changes are approved. San Diego hospitals warn the impact could be severe. (Mentions UCSD) More