‘Pay It Forward’ Pays Off
Researchers report experimental findings
on spread of cooperation in a social network
For all those dismayed by scenes of looting in disaster-struck zones, whether Haiti or Chile or elsewhere, take heart:  Good acts — acts of kindness, generosity and cooperation — spread just as easily as bad. And it takes only a handful of individuals to really make a difference. More

Annual San Diego Science Festival to
Host Countywide 'Excite Your Mind' Events
The largest celebration of science on the West Coast, held annually in San Diego, promises to once again “excite the minds” of thousands of students and their families March 20 to 27. In 2010, the San Diego Science Festival will continue to raise awareness of the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education among San Diego’s youth to inspire them to pursue careers in these rewarding fields. More

Protein Shown to be Natural
Inhibitor of Aging in Fruit Fly Model
Scientists at the School of Medicine, have identified a protein called Sestrin that serves as a natural inhibitor of aging and age-related pathologies in fruit flies. They also showed that Sestrin, whose structure and biochemical function are conserved between flies and humans, is needed for regulation of a signaling pathway that is the central controller of aging and metabolism. The work, led by Michael Karin, distinguished professor of pharmacology in UCSD’s Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Signal Transduction, is the cover story of the March 5 issue of the journal Science. More

Study Shows Potential for Using Algae
to Produce Human Therapeutic Proteins
Pharmaceutical companies could substantially reduce the expense of costly treatments for cancer and other diseases produced from mammalian or bacterial cells by growing these human therapeutic proteins in algae—rapidly growing aquatic plant cells that have recently gained attention for their ability to produce biofuels. More

Bt Protein Found Effective
Against Parasitic Roundworm Infections
Biologists at UC San Diego have discovered that a protein from a soil bacterium used to kill insects naturally on organic crops is a highly effective treatment for intestinal parasitic roundworms. These parasites, which include hookworms and whipworms, infect about two billion people in underdeveloped tropical regions and are cumulatively one of the leading causes of debilitation worldwide. More

Researchers Help Create New System to Improve Safe Use of Medicines and Vaccines by Pregnant Women
Tracking the effects of drugs on pregnant women has long been a difficult and nearly impossible task for researchers— until now. Researchers at the UCSD School of Medicine, Boston University and The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology have created a new system to provide information to pregnant women and their doctors about using medications and vaccines safely in pregnancy. More

Research Shows More Vitamin D May
Mean Fewer Bladder Cancer Cases
The latest in a series of papers from researchers the School of Medicine shows a clear association between deficiency in exposure to sunlight, specifically ultraviolet B (UVB), and bladder cancer. UVB exposure triggers photosynthesis of vitamin D3 in the body. This form of vitamin D is also available through diet and supplements. Previous studies from this research team have shown associations between higher levels of vitamin D3 and lower risk of cancers of the breast, colon, kidney, ovary and more. More

Groceries for a Cause: Whole Foods
Market La Jolla to Donate Portion
of March 10 Sales to Student Wellness
Student wellness at UC San Diego is getting a healthy boost thanks to Whole Foods Market in La Jolla. To ensure that students on the nearby university campus thrive, the market will donate 5 percent of net sales March 10 to support student wellness at UC San Diego. The Whole Foods Market “5% Day” is a quarterly program which supports nonprofit groups that are making a difference in the community. More