2008  Physical and Biological Sciences

Math professor Alexander Gamburd wins Presidential Early Career Award

Alexander Gamburd, professor of mathematics at UCSC, has won a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the White House announced today.

Stronger coastal winds due to climate change may have far-reaching effects

Future increases in wind strength along the California coast may have far-reaching effects, including more intense upwelling of cold water along the coast early in the season, "dead zones" in coastal waters, and increased fire danger in Southern Californi

Three UCSC professors elected AAAS Fellows

Three UCSC professors have been awarded the distinction of AAAS Fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Ocean acidification could have broad effects on marine ecosystems

Concern about increasing ocean acidification has often focused on its potential effects on coral reefs, but broader disruptions of biological processes in the oceans may be more significant, according to Donald Potts, professor of ecology and evolutionary

New California Academy of Sciences worth a visit--or two, or three

The newly reopened California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park is receiving rave reviews and giving many UCSC professors their own cause for celebration.

Oceans of data: Dan Costa tags along with marine animals

Dan Costa, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, studies how marine animals ranging from fur seals to dolphins to penguins make a living in the open ocean.

Griggs, Reguerin named Community Heroes for 2008

Gary Griggs, director of UCSC's Institute for Marine Sciences, and Pablo Reguerin, deputy director of the Educational Partnership Center, have been named Community Heroes for 2008 by the Community Assessment Project of the United Way of Santa Cruz County.

Astronomy professor Douglas Lin receives Outstanding Faculty Award

The Division of Physical and Biological Sciences has given its 2007-08 Outstanding Faculty Award to Douglas Lin, professor of astronomy and astrophysics.

Biologists John and Vicki Pearse receive Lifetime Achievement Award

The Western Society of Naturalists has awarded its 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award to UCSC biologists John and Vicki Pearse.

UCSC earns top ranking for scientific impact of astronomy research

UCSC is the top-ranking university in the country for the quality of its research in astronomy and astrophysics, according to a new analysis of papers published in scientific journals and how often those papers are cited by other scientists.

Mysterious microbe may play important role in ocean ecology

An unusual microorganism discovered in the open ocean may force scientists to rethink their understanding of how carbon and nitrogen cycle through ocean ecosystems.

Princeton awards Madison Medal to astronomer Claire Max

Princeton University will present the James Madison Medal, one of its top honors for alumni, to Claire Max, a professor of astronomy and astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz who has developed techniques to enable astronomers to more clearly observe the universe.

November 14 symposium marks a productive first year for UCSC's Chemical Screening Center

In its first year of operation, the UCSC Chemical Screening Center has enabled researchers to identify a variety of potentially useful compounds, including promising leads for the development of new drugs to treat infections, cancer, and neglected disease

Earth scientist Gregory Rau is finalist for ConocoPhillips Energy Prize

Gregory Rau, a senior researcher at UCSC's Institute of Marine Sciences, was chosen as a finalist for the ConocoPhillips Energy Prize for his energy and carbon management proposal.

Expert on origins of life to give free public lecture November 13 at UCSC

Biochemist David Deamer will discuss the origins of life in a free public lecture on Thursday, November 13, at UCSC.

Serendipitous observations reveal rare event in life of distant quasar

Thanks to the sharp eyes of a UCSC undergraduate, astronomers have obtained a surprise view of a never-before-observed event in the birth of a galaxy.

Biologist Daniel Costa appointed to Ida Benson Lynn Endowed Chair in Ocean Health

Daniel Costa is a leading authority on marine mammals, seabirds, and the impacts of humans on marine environments. His appointment to the Ida Benson Lynn Endowed Chair in Ocean Health recognizes Costa's important contributions in these areas and provides

Biologist John Thompson honored for contributions to ecology

John Thompson, Distinguished Professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, will receive the 2009 Per Brinck Oikos Award for contributions to the science of ecology.

Astrophysicist Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz wins prestigious Packard Fellowship

Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz, an assistant professor of astronomy and astrophysics, is the ninth young scientist at UCSC to receive a prestigious Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering.

Study finds high mortality of endangered loggerhead sea turtles in Baja California

A new study underscores the enormous impact of bycatch (marine life accidentally killed by fishing operations) on sea turtles.

Physicists Sriram Shastry and Peter Young honored by American Physical Society

The American Physical Society has awarded two of its annual prizes to physics professors at UC Santa Cruz.

Focus on Faculty: Mary Silver, Professor of Ocean Sciences

Oceanographer Mary Silver has had a lifelong love affair with the sea--and with teaching.

Mr. President . . .

The 44th president will have tremendous challenges before him. UCSC experts offer their advice on topics ranging from education to climate change.

Biologist Marm Kilpatrick honored by American Ornithologists' Union

The American Ornithologists' Union has awarded its Ned K. Johnson Young Investigator Award for 2008 to UCSC biologist A. Marm Kilpatrick.

UCSC wins NSF grant to train more math and science teachers

Regional schools in need of qualified math and science teachers will benefit from a $750,000 grant to UCSC from the National Science Foundation's Robert Noyce Teacher Scholars Program.

Valley networks on Mars formed during long period of episodic flooding, study finds

A new study suggests that ancient features on the surface of Mars called valley networks were carved by recurrent floods during a long period when the martian climate may have been much like that of some arid or semi-arid regions on Earth.

Researchers attract record $131 million in funding in 2007-08

UCSC researchers attracted a record $131 million in external grants and contracts to the campus in the 2007-08 fiscal year.

New space telescope reveals entire gamma-ray sky

NASA's newest observatory, the Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST), has begun its mission of exploring the universe in high-energy gamma rays using instruments developed by UCSC physicists.

Anthropologist explores plausibility of bulbs and tubers in diet of early human ancestors

Anthropologist Nathaniel J. Dominy painstakingly measured the mechanical properties of nearly 100 plant species across sub-Saharan Africa as part of his investigation of the diet of early human ancestors.

Large Hadron Collider set to unveil a new world of particle physics

The field of particle physics is poised to enter unknown territory with the startup of a massive new accelerator--the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)--in Europe this summer.

Study shows clumps and streams of dark matter in inner regions of the Milky Way

Using one of the most powerful supercomputers in the world to simulate the halo of dark matter that envelopes our galaxy, researchers found dense clumps and streams of the mysterious stuff lurking in the inner regions of the halo, in the same neighborhood

Community shows overwhelming support for UCSC research scientists

More than 200 community and campus members gathered at the UC Santa Cruz entrance Monday afternoon to show their support for scientific research at the university and denounce two recent firebombings targeting UCSC researchers.

Educational Partnership Center offers array of summer programs

This summer, many middle and high school students took advantage of a wide variety of academic enrichment programs offered by the UCSC Educational Partnership Center.

Two UCSC professors receive prestigious Humboldt Research Awards

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation has chosen Robert Coe and James Zachos, both professors of Earth and planetary sciences at UC Santa Cruz, to receive Humboldt Research Awards this year.

Researchers find new mode of gene regulation in mammals

UCSC researchers have discovered a type of gene regulation never before observed in mammals--a "ribozyme" that controls the activity of an important family of genes in several different species.

Gerhard Ringel, professor emeritus of mathematics, dies at age 88

Moore Foundation awards $3.7 million in additional funding for UCSC ocean scientist Jonathan Zehr

The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation has awarded a four-year, $3.7 million grant to Jonathan Zehr, professor of ocean sciences at UCSC.

Higher temperatures helped new strain of West Nile virus spread, study finds

Higher temperatures helped a new strain of West Nile virus invade and spread across North America, according to a new study.

Evidence of massive asteroid impact on Mars supported by computer simulations

The dramatic differences between the northern and southern hemispheres of Mars are the result of a massive asteroid impact, according to studies by UCSC planetary scientists.

UCSC biochemist Seth Rubin named Pew Scholar in Biomedical Sciences

The Pew Charitable Trusts has named Seth Rubin, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, a Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences.

New study raises concerns about proposed mitigation strategy for marine bycatch

A recent proposal would compensate for marine bycatch by reducing other impacts on affected species, but a new analysis suggests that this strategy could end up doing more harm than good.

Study by UCSC undergrad shows a solar system gone wild

Research by a UCSC undergraduate has shown how the regular orbits of the planets could go haywire at some point in the far distant future.

Three UCSC graduate students win big grants for biotechnology research

Three UCSC graduate students have been selected to receive training grants intended to hasten innovations in a variety of biotechnology-related fields. The two-year grants provide $50,000 per year for each student.

Strange ring found circling dead star

NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has found a bizarre ring of material around the magnetic remains of a star that blasted to smithereens.

Peregrine falcons at San Jose City Hall draw crowds online

Wildlife biologist Glenn Stewart is both pleased and amused at the huge popularity of the webcams he has helped set up to allow people to watch peregrine falcons in action.

Thirty-Meter Telescope focuses on two candidate sites

After completing a worldwide survey of astronomical sites for the Thirty-Meter Telescope (TMT), the TMT Observatory Corporation board of directors has selected two outstanding sites, one in each hemisphere, for further consideration.

Moore Foundation renews support for marine microbiology research at UCSC

The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation has awarded a $4.8 million grant to UCSC to fund ongoing research in marine microbiology.

UC Santa Cruz awarded $7.2 million grant for stem cell research center

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has approved a $7.2 million grant to fund a new stem cell research center at UCSC.

UC Santa Cruz to lead pioneering study of pumas in the Santa Cruz Mountains

A pioneering study of pumas in the Santa Cruz Mountains will generate unprecedented insights into the behavior of one of the region's top predators.

Seismologist Thorne Lay elected to American Academy of Arts & Sciences

Thorne Lay, professor of Earth and planetary sciences at UCSC, has been elected a fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious honorary societies.

Astronomer Claire Max elected to National Academy of Sciences

Claire Max, professor of astronomy and astrophysics at UCSC, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of her distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.

Compact galaxies in early universe pack a big punch

A team of astronomers looking at galaxies in the universe's distant past have discovered nine young, compact galaxies, each weighing in at 200 billion times the mass of the Sun.

Scientists obtain first direct observations of protein-synthesis mechanism

Research by UCSC molecular biologist Harry Noller and his collaborators has led to the first direct observations of the mechanism for protein synthesis in living cells.

Hatchery fish outnumber wild chinook salmon in troubled fall run

A recent study indicates that wild salmon may account for just 10 percent of California's fall-run chinook salmon population, while the vast majority of the fish come from hatcheries.

Rx for Health Care: Graduates of UCSC's innovative health sciences program are good medicine for California's ailing health-care system

Diego Inzunza grabbed a laptop on his way past the laboratory inside Plazita Medical Clinic, where jaunty Mexican music danced from a large speaker on the counter. Holding the computer open like a clamshell in one hand, the 21-year-old UC Santa Cruz stude

New findings from Tibetan Plateau suggest uplift occurred in stages

New evidence from an eight-year study by UCSC and Chinese researchers indicates that the Tibetan Plateau rose in stages, with uplift occurring first in the central plateau and later in regions to the north and south.

Nearby star should harbor detectable, Earth-like planets

A rocky planet similar to Earth may be orbiting one of our nearest stellar neighbors and could be detected using existing techniques, according to a new study led by UCSC astronomers.

Memorial to honor Tony Fink, April 13

Rats on islands disrupt ecosystems from land to sea, researchers find

The ecological impacts of introduced rats on islands extend far beyond seabird nesting colonies, according to a new UCSC study that provides support for efforts to eradicate rats from the Aleutian Islands.

Sciences dean donates 357-year-old book to Library's Special Collections

Dean of Physical and Biological Sciences Stephen Thorsett has donated a first edition of English philosopher Thomas Hobbes's famous 1651 book, <i>Leviathan</i>, to the UCSC Library's Special Collections.

Past greenhouse warming events provide clues to what the future may hold

Scientists studying an episode of extreme global warming in Earth's past are piecing together an increasingly detailed picture of its causes and consequences.

Earth scientist James Zachos elected fellow of the American Geophysical Union

James Zachos, professor of Earth and planetary sciences at UCSC, has been elected a fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU).

Astronomers find one of the youngest and brightest galaxies in the early universe

NASA's Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes have uncovered what may be one of the youngest and brightest galaxies ever seen in the middle of the cosmic "dark ages," just 700 million years after the beginning of our universe.

Ocean scientist Mary Silver to give Rachel Louise Carson Lecture at AGU meeting

Mary Silver, professor of ocean sciences at UCSC, has been chosen to give the Rachel Louise Carson Lecture at the Spring American Geophysical Union Joint Assembly in May.

Biologist Bruce Lyon's research featured on cover of Science

Research on lark buntings by UCSC biologist Bruce Lyon and his former graduate student, Alexis Chaine, was featured on the cover of <i>Science</i>.

Unusual supernovae may reveal intermediate-mass black holes in globular clusters

A strange and violent fate awaits a white dwarf star that wanders too close to a moderately massive black hole.

Changing fashions govern mating success in lark buntings, study finds

A study of how female lark buntings choose their mates, published this week in <i>Science</i>, adds a surprising new twist to the evolutionary theory of sexual selection.

Sea otter study reveals striking variability in diets and feeding strategies

Scientists studying southern sea otters at different sites in California's coastal waters were not surprised to find that the dietary diversity of the population is higher where food is limited. But this diversity was not reflected in the diets of individ

New nanostructured thin film shows promise for efficient solar energy conversion

Combining two nanotech methods for engineering solar cell materials appears to yield better results than either one alone does, according to UCSC chemist Jin Zhang.