A Sampling of Clips for
December 5th, 2006
* UCSD faculty and staff may obtain a copy of an article by e-mailing the University Communications Office
New Tool to Catch Sports Cheats: Gene-doping Test
USA Today, Dec. 5 -- For the first time in decades, scientists say they have an edge against sports cheaters: a test for gene doping. Theodore Friedmann, the world's leading expert on gene doping and director of the Center for Molecular Genetics at UCSD’s School of Medicine, told USA TODAY that researchers have found a way to detect the practice through blood, urine and saliva, the same methods used to detect illegal steroids, EPO (erythropoietin) blood boosters and testosterone. More
Genetic Differences Lead to Ant Warfare
Fox News, Dec. 1 -- When it comes to differentiating a friend from a rival, invasive ants have it easier than humans: They can spot genetic differences, a new UCSD study shows. More
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Air Pollution Hurts India's Rice Crop - Study
Reuters, Dec. 4 -- Air pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels like coal and diesel has contributed to a worrisome slowdown in rice harvest growth in India in the past two decades, scientists said on Monday. Maximilian Auffhammer, of UC Berkeley, and UCSD scientists V. "Ram" Ramanathan and Jeffrey Vincent examined historical data on India's rice harvests and gauged the combined effects of atmospheric brown clouds and greenhouse gases on growing conditions. More
Physics Meets the Brain
The Scientist, Dec. 5 -- It was the grueling qualifying exam for his doctorate in theoretical physics in the 1970's that sparked Terry Sejnowski's interest in neuroscience. The exam "takes a week in which every morning or afternoon is a different topic in physics," he says. "Cramming all of physics into your head for that week is so concentrated that you need to be able to take a break and do something else. That summer I started to read books about the brain." (Quotes UCSD philosopher Patricia Churchland) More
Updates on Billion-Dollar Campaigns at 28 Universities
Chronicle of Higher Education, Dec. 5 -- The 28 American universities that are seeking to raise at least $1-billion collected a total of $527.2-million in gifts and pledges during the last month for which they had data available. UCSD raised $938.7-million as of October 31 (increase of $13.3-million in the last month); the goal is $1-billion by 2007. More
Woman with AIDS Tells her Frightening Story
KUSI, Dec. 1 -- Researchers at UCSD were among the first to discover the AIDS virus more than 20 years ago. Research on new drugs and vaccines continues there today. On World AIDS Day, we take a look at the AIDS epidemic in San Diego and introduce you to a woman living with AIDS, and living with a purpose. More
Scripps Institution Plans Conference Center
San Diego Union-Tribune, Dec. 5 -- The Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UCSD is scheduled to begin building a beachfront conference center in early January. The $12.5 million complex, to be south of the Scripps Pier, is expected to raise Scripps' profile by providing scientists, policymakers and others with a high-tech place to discuss the health of the oceans, global warming and other environmental issues. More
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North County Times
Philanthropy Comes in Any Amount
San Diego Metropolitan, December 2006 -- The holidays typically are a time to think of giving and receiving, but for many businesses, this is a year-round effort. Bruce Blakley, board chair at The San Diego Foundation, a resource for information about charitable giving and community needs, says companies need to consider giving as a long-term mission, not a one-time deal. For example, Gen-Probe, a San Diego-based molecular diagnosis company, has donated $100,000 over three years to the Preuss School, an innovative public school for low-income students on the UCSD campus. More
S.D. Airport Authority Goes Back to the Drawing Board
KPBS, Dec. 4 -- Now that San Diegans have soundly rejected the idea negotiating for a new international airport at Miramar, the flight plan shifts to expanding Lindbergh Field. But already, questions have come up over the best way to maximize Lindbergh’s potential. (Quotes UCSD political scientist Steve Erie) More
UCSD, Medarex to Work Together
San Diego Union-Tribune, Dec. 5 -- The Moores Cancer Center at UCSD said it will collaborate with New Jersey-based Medarex to provide specific cancer targets discovered at its research laboratories. More
Partners Suggested for County Health
San Diego Union-Tribune, Dec. 5 -- County health care officials should form a public-private partnership to mend holes in the patchwork of safety-net services available to indigent patients, the county health agency proposed yesterday. (Mentions UCSD) More
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