A Sampling of Clips for March 17^th, 2008

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

Edward D. Goldberg, 86; Scripps Chemist Studied Ocean Pollution
Los Angeles Times, March 17 -- Edward D. Goldberg, a marine chemist at UCSD's Scripps Institution of Oceanography who studied the effects of ocean pollution, died March 7 at his Encinitas home in northern San Diego County after a long illness, the institute announced. He was 86. More

Similar story in
North County Times

The Cost of Superstition
The Chicago Tribune, March 17 – A word of warning to those who believe in lucky numbers, auspicious colors and star-crossed dates: Beware. The Ides of March are upon us. (Mentions 2002 study led by David Phillips, a sociologist at UCSD) More

Similar story in
Santa Barbara News-Press

Promise in HIV Switch
Scientist Live, March 17 -- If the battle against HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is a chess match, then new research published today gives new insight into one of the virus' most important moves. The findings, by scientists including Leor Weinberger who led the research at UCSD, reveal new information about how a critical genetic switch in the virus operates. They are published as a letter in the upcoming issue of Nature Genetics. More

Iran's Firewalls Tightened Ahead of Election
New Scientist, March 14 -- As Iranians head to the polls, the existing government has tightened its grip on the internet and even turned its firewall against politicians close to the current rulers, say researchers who have detected a shift in the kind of sites blocked over the last two weeks. (Quotes Babak Rahimi, a researcher at the Program for the Study of Religion at UCSD) More

UCSD Develops High-Tech Campus Security Measures
10News, March 14 -- At UCSD, campus officials employ the services of MIR3. UCSD isn't relying on just one system, though. A campus-wide signage system is being developed that could be custom-tailored by police. More

New Alzheimer's Treatment
News Leader 9, Ala., March 16 -- A promising finding in the fight against Alzheimer's. UCSD researchers may have figured out a way for drugs to treat the disease.  Right now, none are available. The doctors say if a drug targets certain enzymes in the brain, it could help improve memory. More

Historic Experiment Prevents, Repairs 2 Major Eye Diseases
KSLTV, Utah, March -- An amazing experiment at the University of Utah has successfully prevented, even reversed, two major eye diseases that can lead to blindness. Dr. Randall Olson, who heads up the university's Moran Eye Center, calls the findings "historic." The study involved a major collaboration between the University of Utah, UCSD, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, and the Harvard Medical School More

Long-distance Learning Takes New Twist for UCSD Students
San Diego Union-Tribune, March 15 -- On the third floor of a state-of-the-art building at UCSD, more than 20 students have been hashing out how they can improve living conditions in India with technology. They connect directly to the developing nation through 63-inch television screens to see their instructor, UCSD graduate student Derek Lomas, teach from different locales in the country via a webcam. More

Early Lead of No Help to Tritons
San Diego Union-Tribune, March 16 -- The UCSD women's basketball team's season came to an end in the NCAA West Region Division II semifinals last night as top-seeded Seattle Pacific overcame a 35-28 halftime deficit to win 76-67 in Seattle. More

La Jolla Symphony & Chorus to Build on 'Building Blocks of Music'
San Diego Union-Tribune, March 16 -- The U.S. premiere of a work about the tragedy in Rwanda, appearances by the Tijuana dance troupe Lux Boreal Danza Contemporanea and performances of Mahler's stirring Symphony No. 2 are all part of the La Jolla Symphony & Chorus' 54th season, which runs from November to June of 2009 at UCSD's Mandeville Auditorium. More

UCSD Surgeon Performs 'Scarless' Appendix Removal
San Diego Union-Tribune, March 15 -- Surgeons at the UCSD Medical Center said they have successfully performed what is believed to be a first-of-its kind surgery -- the removal of a diseased appendix through the mouth. The clinical trial procedure took place on Wednesday, according to UCSD. More

Mammals Make Economic Splash
San Diego Union-Tribune, March 15 -- Commercial hunting of gray whales was banned in 1949. Since then, the marine mammals have become prized quarry for the growing eco-tourism business. (Mention’s UCSD’s Birch Aquarium, which offers a research-focused whale-watching experience) More

Making a Push to Treat Mental Health Issues
San Diego Union-Tribune, March 17 -- Now a growing number of health experts, law-enforcement leaders, court officials and advocates ask: Why not aggressively treat schizophrenia, bipolar problems and psychoses with medicine, support services and case management instead of jail? (Quotes Dr. James Dunford, who directs the city of San Diego's paramedic system and also works in the emergency room at UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest) More

UCSD Offers Free Tours of Campus on Sundays
San Diego Union-Tribune, March 15 -- UCSD is offering free Sunday tours of its campus. Tours leave from the South Gilman Information Plaza at 2 p.m. The campus offers a 90-minute walking tour the first Sunday of the month. Other Sundays offer a bus tour of the campus. More

Drugs in the Water Supply? Not to Fear, Scientists Say
San Diego Business Journal Staff, March 17 -- Minute traces of pharmaceutical waste in drinking water supplies aren’t cause for alarm, say local scientists and researchers, because San Diegans are routinely exposed to small amounts of chemicals. (Quotes Dr. Richard Clark, director of UCSD’s Division of Medical Toxicology and medical director of the San Diego division of the California Poison Control System) More

‘Icy Fire’ Drug Developed at UC San Diego Might Be First of Its Kind
San Diego Business Journal Staff, March 17 -- The FDA has approved a drug developed at UCSD to treat a rare chronic disease characterized by rash, fever, chills and joint pain in patients exposed to cold temperatures, the university said March 6. More

SDSU Offers Four New Ph.D. Programs
10News, March 13 -- California State University trustees approved four new doctoral programs at San Diego State University, it was announced Thursday. The geophysics program would involve a partnership with UCSD’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography. More