A Sampling of Clips for May 13^th, 2008

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

Can Robot Worms Kill Cancer?
ABC News, May, 13 -- Scientists are creating tiny mechanical "nanoworms" that could zip through the human body like cruise missiles, finding cancerous tumors that are too small to be seen any other way. Nanoworms, three million times smaller than an earthworm, may find and kill cancer cells. That could lead to very early detection before the cancer even begins to spread, and ultimately these tiny vehicles — 3 million times smaller than an earthworm — may be able to deliver a lethal blow to the tumor. (Quotes Michael Sailor, professor of chemistry and biochemistry at UCSD who headed the research team) More

100 Most Influential People in the World
Time, May 12, 2008  -- Time magazine featured the “100 Most Influential People in the World” in its May 12 issue. Included are UCSD alums J. Craig Venter and Khaled Hosseini. More

Alcohol Sales Linked to Neighborhood Violence
ABC News, May, 13  -- People living near stores selling alcohol may have an increased risk of being the victim of a violent assault, compared to those who do not. So suggests a new study in which Canadian researchers report that the risk of being hospitalized from a violent assault increases during periods of higher alcohol sales near the victims' homes. However, some alcohol experts were more wary about translating the study's findings over to the situation in the U.S. (Quotes Dr. Fred Berger clinical professor of psychiatry at UCSD) More

Price Center East Gives UCSD New Activity Hub
San Diego Union-Tribune, May 13 -- Come this fall, 19-year-old Vannie Nguyen won't have to wait an hour for a bus ride when she gets a craving for crispy chicken. Instead of traveling from UCSD for a better variety of food or social events, Nguyen and the university's other 27,000 students can stroll to Price Center East, a new hub that will feature eight restaurants, a grocery store, hair salon and a performance lounge and restaurant called The Loft.  (Quotes Chancellor Marye Anne Fox and Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Life Gary Ratcliff.) More

State Fees Might Make Ivy League Look Cheap
San Diego Union-Tribune, May 13 -- Ivy League and other elite colleges may soon be cheaper for some of the state's top students than California's public universities. The governing boards for the California State University and University of California systems will consider increasing fees tomorrow for the sixth time in seven years. (Quotes UCSD students Greg Murphy and Lisa Chen) More

Scripps Scientists Believe They've Found a Red Tide Killer
KPBS, May 12 -- The Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego has discovered that RCA bacteria — a natural marine microbe —  can attack and kill the single-cell plankton that produce red tide algae. The blooms often foul coastal waters, giving them a rust-colored tinge and some can even kill fish and birds. More

Residents Near Paloma Valley High
Concerned about Speeding Student Drivers
Riverside Press-Enterprise, May 13 -- On one dirt stretch of road in rural Menifee, residents' frustration over the increased traffic at Paloma Valley High School is nearing the breaking point. Part of the problem is that the speed limit on Bradley Road just north of the 25 mph school zone is 55 mph, residents and California Highway Patrol officials said. (Quotes Jeff Tayman, economics professor at UCSD) More

Scientist Propose Unique Approach to Reducing Carbon Dioxide
KPBS, May 12 -- Global warming is something we should all be concerned about, and the good citizens among us have tried to make a difference through buying hybrid cars, taking public transportation, or reducing home electricity use. (Mentions Scripps Institution of Oceanography) More