A Sampling of Clips for
October 5 th, 2006
* UCSD faculty and staff may obtain a copy of an article by e-mailing the University Communications Office
Vaccine May Ease Ragweed Allergies
Forbes, Oct. 4 – Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine say they have successfully used an experimental DNA-based vaccine to protect against ragweed allergies, commonly known as hay fever, after just six injections. The team built on research done at UCSD. More
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Why Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder
Newsweek, Oct. 5 -- A study released last month in the journal Psychological Science and led by UCSD psychooogist Piotr Winkielman appeared to show that what we think is attractive, or beautiful, is whatever requires the least amount of effort. More
DNA Sequencing Tech Funding Announced
UPI, Oct. 4 -- The National Human Genome Research Institute Wednesday awarded more than $13 million to speed the development of DNA sequencing technology. The money will go to several researchers, including UCSD bioengineer Xiaohua Huang. More
On Consciousness Evolved
Seed Magazine, Oct. 5 -- What is consciousness? This really breaks down into two questions: The first is the nature of qualia--how does the awareness of sensations like bitter, or painful, or red arise from the activity of neurons? The second: How does the sense of self—the person who experiences qualia—arise? (Written by UCSD's V.S. Ramachandran) More
Flower Arrangement
Nature, Oct. 4 -- A project at UCSD has unearthed hints that pollinators had a role in the divergence of the local monkey flower, which has red blooms near the coast and yellow blooms inland. More
Bug Eyes
LiveScience, Oct. 5 -- A key protein called “spacemaker” in the compound eyes of fruit flies is responsible for the formation of separate light-gathering units in each of the 800 unit eyes, according to a new study by biologists at UCSD. More
Robots that Feel Like Rats
ScienceNOW, Oct. 4 -- a pair of mechanical engineers has devised a mathematical model that tries to mimic how animals use their whiskers to build a mental picture of their environment, and they've built a robot that works on the same principles. (Quotes David Kleinfeld, a physicist who studies rat whiskers at UCSD) More
Are You Suffering from E-Mail Overload?
10News, Oct. 4 -- Feeling a little overwhelmed by the amount of e-mail in your inbox? It is possible you could be suffering from e-mail overload. Most agree the Internet has had a dramatic effect on our lives, with e-mail playing one of the larges roles. “It’s too much, too fast and give me what I want,” said Dr. David Kirsh, a cognitive science researcher at UCSD. More
Airport Mailer Raises Questions
Voice of San Diego, Oct. 5 -- Coming soon to a mailbox near you: A four-page color mailer designed to educate you about problems at Lindbergh Field. With happy pictures of tow-headed children, rose-colored sunsets and wide-open beaches. (Quotes UCSD political scientist Steve Erie) More