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Genetics / Tougher controls sought for DNA ancestry testing

As take-home DNA kits grow in popularity, it's increasingly important that the federal government oversee "direct-to consumer" genetic testing and the use of DNA samples for research, say scientists from UC Berkeley and other academic institutions. More >

Economy & Environment / Green Corridor Partnership picks up steam as UC, LBNL drive innovation

East Bay Green Corridor logoRepresentatives of UC Berkeley and other members of a public-private East Bay consortium designed to solve environmental challenges while creating jobs gathered in Oakland June 26 for the partnership's second annual summit. More >

Biology / A scientist probes the origins of 'ouch!'

drawing of face in painSkinning a knee, swallowing habanero salsa, and installing snow chains bare-handed have one thing in common — they hurt. In her lab, biologist Diana Bautista investigates the molecular mechanisms behind 'noxious stimuli,' otherwise known as pain. More >

Health / Researchers share the skinny on school lunches

veggiesGood-bye Pop-Tarts and cheese-flavored Doritos; hello chard and spinach. The Center for Weight and Health at UC Berkeley is looking at whether an ambitious city school-lunch program is changing the way kids eat, their overall fitness, or their academic performance. Here's what they've discovered so far. More >

Campus News / Yudof summarizes feedback on proposed furloughs/salary reductions

Budget CentralUC President Mark Yudof, in a written update, reports on concerns raised by thousands of staff and faculty on proposed means of reducing UC payrolls to meet a huge budget shortfall. More >
En Español: Lo más reciente sobre la propuesta de días libres sin pago

Philosophy / Where does consciousness reside? A philosopher offers a new take on an age-old debate

Alva NoeMost scientists would say that the brain houses all our capacity to think, feel and perceive — while others believe that the seat of consciousness is a mind or soul; it isn't physical at all. Berkeley faculty member Alva Noë argues in his 2009 book Out of Our Heads that this debate, between neurons and the immaterial soul, misses a third possibility. More >

Budget/ UC president issues video message on proposed furloughs/ salary reductions

Budget CentralIn a six–minute online talk, President Mark Yudof says he hopes to protect employee benefits to the "absolute greatest extent possible" as payroll-reduction decisions are made. He will recommend that "if there are furlough days or salary reductions," employees' "original" (unreduced) salaries will used for calculating pension benefits. More video  >

Also: California's budget crisis: New journal explores causes and possible solutions

Public policy / Can we reduce medical costs while expanding health care access?

Stephen ShortellWithout reform, President Obama has warned, the U.S. health care system may "go the way of GM — paying more, getting less, and going broke." In a Q&A with the NewsCenter, Dean of Public Health Stephen Shortell, an adviser to the Obama administration, speaks about needed changes — from a center for comparing effectiveness of various treatment options to better incentives for doctors and hospitals to reduce costs. More >

Technology / New study charts green course to reducing CO2

A new report by industry CEOs, venture capitalists and academics, including Berkeley's Dan Kammen, shows that tech innovations in seven industries — biofuel, nuclear, solar, geothermal, wind, building efficiency and construction materials — could reduce the country's carbon dioxide emissions by 5 to 7 billion tons by 2020 AND create 5 million new jobs. Their message to Congress: Don't stand in the way! More >

People/ Robert BirgeneauSinnyo-en Foundation names Chancellor Birgeneau and Maria Shriver its 2009 'Pathfinders to Peace' Video

UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert Birgeneau, California's First Lady Maria Shriver, and Minnesota public school teacher Nan Peterson were honored for their contributions to bringing about a more peaceful world at a June 22 ceremony in San Francisco. More >

Also: Birgeneau speaks out on diversity leadership

Health / Children susceptible to pesticides longer than expected, study finds

It's known that infants are more susceptible than adults to the toxic effects of pesticides. But this increased vulnerability may extend much longer into childhood than expected, according to a new study by Berkeley researchers. More >

Campus News / Berkeley's GradLink-on-the-Web wins Sautter Award, UC's top technology honor

The University of California has recognized Berkeley’s GradLink-on-the-Web and its developers with the Larry L. Sautter Award for Innovation in Information Technology. The team was honored for its 'agile, lean approach' to putting businesses processes online. More >

Engineering / Berkeley students take title in national concrete-canoe competition

Berkeley team in concrete-canoe finalsA team of Berkeley civil engineering students captured the championship in the 22nd annual Concrete Canoe Competition, held in Tuscaloosa, Ala. June 11-13. Known as the America's Cup of civil engineering, the contest requires students to design and construct a boat, present a technical design paper, and race their craft in sprint and endurance races. More >

Engineering / Student design embraced by Pinoleville Pomo Nation

A yurt-style house conceived by freshmen studying engineering design and analysis has become the basis for culturally sensitive, energy-efficient homes for members of a small Indian tribe in northern California. More >

Campus News/ UC president proposes three systemwide furlough/salary reduction options

Members of the UC community are invited to comment on three draft plans. More >
Also:
• Q&A on UC furlough/salary-reduction options

• En espanol (PDF): Carta del presidente | Q&A
• Chancellor delivers grim budget news at BSA gathering

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