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2011 Physical and Biological Sciences

December 22, 2011
Astronomers' pristine gas discovery among top scientific breakthroughs of 2011
Lists from Science and Physics World of the top scientific breakthroughs of the year include the discovery of primordial gas clouds by UCSC astronomers.
December 20, 2011
Lick Observatory open to public December 26 through January 1
Lick Observatory will be closed to the public December 24 and 25, but visiting hours will be extended for the rest of the holiday period.
December 19, 2011
UC Santa Cruz astronomer Jerry Nelson to receive 2012 Franklin Medal
The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia has announced that Jerry Nelson, professor of astronomy and astrophysics, will receive the 2012 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Electrical Engineering.
December 19, 2011
Do you use "vocal fry?" It's the most popular story on ScienceNOW, ever
Science communication student Marissa Fessenden's article about "vocal fry" is the most popular story ever published on Science magazine's online news site.
December 14, 2011
Study of research impact ranks UCSC 21st in the world
UC Santa Cruz ranks 21st in the world in a five-year measure of the top 500 universities based on the impact of its researchers' scholarly publications.
December 02, 2011
Astrophysicist Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz named to Silicon Valley's '40 Under 40'
Astrophysicist Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz is among 40 "rising stars" in Silicon Valley recognized by the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal.
November 30, 2011
State Assemblymember Bill Monning meets with UCSC health sciences interns
Three UCSC human biology/health sciences program interns spoke in detail about their experiences during an informal meeting with state Assemblymember Bill Monning, chair of the Assembly Health Committee.
November 29, 2011
Ocean scientist Tom Guilderson wins E. O. Lawrence Award
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded the 2011 E. O. Lawrence Award in Biological and Environmental Sciences to ocean scientist Tom Guilderson.
November 28, 2011
Submarine springs offer preview of ocean acidification effects on coral reefs
Observations at submarine springs found along the coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula are giving scientists a preview of the possible fate of coral reef ecosystems in response to ocean acidification.
November 21, 2011
Ulcer-causing bacteria tamed by defect in cell-targeting ability
Without the ability to swim to their targets in the stomach, ulcer-causing bacteria do not cause the inflammation of the stomach lining that leads to ulcers and stomach cancer.
November 15, 2011
Physicist Michael Dine receives Outstanding Faculty Award
Michael Dine, distinguished professor and chair of physics, has received the 2010-11 Outstanding Faculty Award from the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences.
November 15, 2011
UCSC leads $4 million NOAA project to monitor harmful algal blooms
Scientists are launching a major effort to understand the conditions leading to blooms of toxic algae along the California coast.
November 14, 2011
Arboretum celebrates partnership with Amah Mutsun tribe
The Arboretum and the Amah Mutsun tribe are working together on a project that highlights native plants traditionally used by the Mutsun people.
November 14, 2011
UCSC fundraisers honored at Silicon Valley Philanthropy Day
Two UCSC fundraising teams will be recognized by the Silicon Valley Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
November 10, 2011
Astronomers find clouds of primordial gas from the early universe
For the first time, astronomers have found pristine clouds of the primordial gas that formed in the first few minutes after the Big Bang.
November 09, 2011
Ancient lunar dynamo may explain magnetized moon rocks
A novel mechanism that could have generated a magnetic field on the moon early in its history may explain the presence of magnetized rocks on the lunar surface.
November 03, 2011
Fermi telescope adds surprising new pulsars to growing collection
Scientists using NASA's Fermi telescope have discovered nine new gamma-ray pulsars and a surprisingly powerful millisecond pulsar.
November 03, 2011
UCSC Arboretum holds Dried Flower and Succulent Wreath Sale Nov. 12 and 13
Wonderful holiday decorations and gifts will be available from the UCSC Arboretum at the Dried Flower and Succulent Wreath Sale on November 12 and 13.
October 31, 2011
UCSC cholera biofilm team wins Deloitte QB3 Award for Innovation
A team of UC Santa Cruz researchers working to find new drugs to fight cholera has won a $10,000 Award for Innovation
October 28, 2011
Excess nutrients threaten Elkhorn Slough ecosystem
A new study documents the effects of high nutrient levels in Elkhorn Slough, especially where water control structures limit tidal exchange.
October 28, 2011
Panelists to discuss renewable energy from the ocean in annual Norris Lecture Nov. 10
Panelists will explore the current prospects of deriving renewable energy from the ocean in the annual Ken Norris Memorial Lecture at the Seymour Center on Thursday, November 10.
October 20, 2011
West Nile virus transmission linked to land use patterns, 'super-spreaders'
In most places, only a few key species of bird "hosts" and mosquito "vectors" are important in transmission of West Nile virus.
October 20, 2011
UCSC sponsors SACNAS national conference in San Jose, October 27-30
UCSC is supporting the efforts of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science.
October 13, 2011
Galaxy mergers not the trigger for most black hole feeding frenzies
A survey of distant galaxies shows that galaxy mergers are not responsible for most active galactic nuclei.
October 13, 2011
UCSC team makes final round of QB3 Award for Innovation contest
A UCSC research team is among five finalists competing for online votes to win a $10,000 innovation prize.
October 12, 2011
Best-selling author, doctor Abraham Verghese wows capacity crowd
Physician and bestselling author Abraham Verghese worries that an overemphasis on medical technology is distancing doctors from patients. Dr. Verghese voiced his concerns during the 11th annual Sidhartha Maitra Memorial Lecture on campus.
October 11, 2011
Physicist Bill Atwood awarded Panofsky Prize in Experimental Particle Physics
The American Physical Society has awarded the 2012 Panofsky Prize in Experimental Particle Physics to physicist William Atwood.
October 07, 2011
UCSC ranked third in research influence in world university survey
In an analysis of the world's top universities, UCSC ranked third in research influence.
October 06, 2011
Crab pulsar beams most energetic gamma rays ever detected from a pulsar
Astrophysicists have detected pulsed gamma-ray emission from the Crab pulsar at energies far beyond what current theoretical models of pulsars can explain.
October 06, 2011
Geologist Casey Moore honored by Geological Society of Japan
The Geological Society of Japan has awarded its International Prize to UCSC geologist Casey Moore.
October 03, 2011
Founders Dinner on October 21 to honor achievement, service, and scholarship
UC Santa Cruz will host its fifth annual Founders Celebration dinner at the Cocoanut Grove in Santa Cruz on Friday, October 21.
September 30, 2011
Five UCSC students win Fulbright scholarships
Five UC Santa Cruz students in four disciplines are winners of Fulbright scholarships for a year of research and study abroad. They will travel to China, Germany, Italy, and Mexico for the 2011-2012 academic year.
September 29, 2011
Scientists release most accurate simulation of the universe to date
The Bolshoi supercomputer simulation, the most accurate and detailed large cosmological simulation run to date, gives physicists and astronomers a powerful new tool.
September 28, 2011
Video shows tool use by a fish
The first video of tool use by a fish has been published in the journal Coral Reefs by biologist Giacomo Bernardi.
September 28, 2011
Astrophysicist Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz featured in research profile
A profile of astrophysicist Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz is featured on the University of California Research web page.
September 28, 2011
Arboretum's fall plant sale on Oct. 8 features beautiful, unusual plants
The UC Santa Cruz Arboretum will hold its annual Fall Plant Sale on Saturday, October 8, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Eucalyptus Grove on High Street.
September 20, 2011
Frans Lanting’s multimedia show to highlight UCSC evening at Flint Center
For more than two decades, acclaimed nature photographer Frans Lanting has documented wildlife from the Amazon to Antarctica, in an effort to promote understanding about the Earth and its natural history. On October 15, he will join with the campus for a remarkable evening of art, science and life, at the Flint Center in Cupertino.
September 16, 2011
"Science Notes 2011" now available online
Sneaky salmon-snatching sea lions, African island tree frogs, and octopus-shaped sand dollars--these stories and more appear in Science Notes 2011, the annual magazine published by UCSC's Science Communication Program.
September 15, 2011
Astronomers confirm first planet orbiting two stars
A world with multiple suns is a common trope in science fiction, and scientific reality has now caught up, with a report from NASA's Kepler mission of a planet orbiting two stars.
September 15, 2011
Small distant galaxies host supermassive black holes
Using the Hubble Space Telescope to probe the distant universe, astronomers have found supermassive black holes growing in surprisingly small galaxies, suggesting that central black holes formed at an early stage in galaxy evolution.
September 15, 2011
Biologist Harry Noller honored by Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has awarded the 2012 Gregori Aminoff Prize in Crystallography to UCSC molecular biologist Harry Noller and two of his collaborators.
September 13, 2011
The New McHenry: It’s Not Your Parents’ Library
I’m sitting in a “Group Study” room of the newly renovated McHenry Library at UC Santa Cruz and I’ve got to admit—I’m pretty relaxed.
September 07, 2011
Lick Observatory will be closed to public from September 12 through October 5
Lick Observatory will be closed to the public from Monday, September 12, through Wednesday, October 5, for building maintenance.
September 06, 2011
New material shows promise for trapping pollutants
UCSC chemists have developed a new type of material that can soak up pollutants from water.
September 02, 2011
Seymour Center recruits volunteers for school programs and exhibit guides
The Seymour Marine Discovery Center is recruiting volunteers to work with the center's school programs and serve as exhibit guides.
August 29, 2011
Astrophysicists report first simulation to create a Milky Way-like galaxy
A simulation of galaxy formation by UCSC astrophysicists solves a longstanding problem in cosmology.
August 15, 2011
UCSC undergraduates exhibit summer research projects
More than 80 students presented their summer research projects at the 2011 Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium.
August 10, 2011
Biologist John Pearse awarded California Academy of Sciences Fellows' Medal
The California Academy of Sciences has awarded its highest honor, the Fellows' Medal, to UCSC biologist John Pearse.
August 03, 2011
'Big splat' may explain moon's mountainous far side
The mountainous region on the far side of the moon may be the remains of a collision with a smaller companion moon.
July 29, 2011
Physicists report progress in understanding high-temperature superconductors
A new theory may explain the unusual properties of high-temperature superconductors, a longstanding unsolved problem for theoretical physicists.
July 27, 2011
QUEST TV profiles biologist Dan Costa
UCSC biologist Dan Costa is featured in a new episode of KQED's QUEST TV program.
July 26, 2011
Microscopes borrow tricks from astronomy to see deep into living tissues
UCSC researchers are developing new microscope technologies to enable biologists to see deep within living tissues.
July 15, 2011
Jin Zhang named Fellow of American Chemical Society
The American Chemical Society (ACS) has named Jin Zhang, professor of chemistry and biochemistry at UC Santa Cruz, to the 2011 class of ACS Fellows.
July 14, 2011
Loss of large predators has caused widespread disruption of ecosystems
The decline of large predators and other "apex consumers" at the top of the food chain has disrupted ecosystems all over the planet, according to a review of recent findings.
July 12, 2011
New endowment supports students at UCSC Arboretum
A gift of $127,000 from the estate of World War II Navy veteran Dudley Green has established a new endowment in support of the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum.
July 08, 2011
Seymour Center is supported by New Leaf Market program
Shoppers at New Leaf Markets have selected the Seymour Marine Discovery Center as one of five local organizations that can be supported by a special "bring your own bag" rebate program.
July 06, 2011
Evolutionary / Revolutionary: an evening of art, music, science
The University of California, Santa Cruz will present Evolutionary/Revolutionary, a remarkable evening of art, science and life, on Saturday, October 15, at the Flint Center in Cupertino.
June 24, 2011
Condors land at UC Lick Observatory
Five California condors made a historic fly-by and stopover at the UC Lick Observatory atop Mt. Hamilton earlier this week.
June 23, 2011
Researchers win $2 million grant to study spread of bat-killing fungus
Two UC Santa Cruz researchers, Winifred F. Frick and A. Marm Kilpatrick, have won a $2 million National Science Foundation grant to study the spread of a fungus that is decimating bat populations in the northeastern United States.
June 22, 2011
Tracking of top marine predators reveals Pacific Ocean hot spots
Two big regions of the North Pacific Ocean are magnets for marine life according to results from the Tagging of Pacific Predators project.
June 17, 2011
Science Communication Program director to speak at National Press Club
Robert Irion, director of the UCSC Science Communication Program, will speak at the National Press Club on June 21.
June 07, 2011
President Obama meets astronomer Jerry Nelson and other Kavli Prize winners
President Barack Obama met in the Oval Office with UCSC astronomer Jerry Nelson and other recipients of the 2010 Kavli Prizes.
June 03, 2011
Outstanding work in the spotlight: Student Achievement Week recognizes accomplishment
Student Achievement Week closed with the highly anticipated 2011 Undergraduate Academic Achievement, Excellence in Teaching, and Mentoring Awards ceremony and reception. This year's winner of the prestigious Steck Award is undergraduate astrophysics major Luke Kelley, 23.
May 26, 2011
Earth scientist James Gill receives Humboldt Research Award
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation has elected Earth scientist James Gill to receive a Humboldt Research Award.
May 19, 2011
Paul Koch named interim dean of physical and biological sciences
UCSC has appointed Professor Paul Koch to serve as interim dean of the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences.
May 16, 2011
Bill Doyle traces the early history of UC Santa Cruz in new book
William T. Doyle, a founding faculty member of UCSC, has written a book that traces the early history of the campus.
May 13, 2011
Irene Hansen Osterbrock named Patron of the AAS
The American Astronomical Society has named Irene Osterbrock a Patron of the Society to recognize her lifetime contributions.
May 12, 2011
SCIPP researchers apply particle physics expertise to cancer therapy
UCSC physicists are working with medical researchers to develop a new imaging technology to guide proton therapy for cancer treatment.
May 12, 2011
Africa's sea turtles need passports for protection
Satellite tracking of olive ridley sea turtles has revealed that existing protected areas may be inadequate.
May 12, 2011
Galileo data reveal magma "ocean" under Io's surface
Data from NASA's Galileo spacecraft reveals a subsurface "ocean" of magma beneath the surface of Jupiter’s volcanic moon Io.
May 10, 2011
Clarity and vision: scholars impress judges at Graduate Research Symposium
The 7th annual Graduate Research Symposium on Friday, May 6, gave graduate students a chance to show off their projects and highlight their far-ranging achievements.
May 05, 2011
Planetary scientist Carolyn Porco presents findings from Saturn in May 25 lecture
Planetary scientist Carolyn Porco will present findings from the Cassini spacecraft now in orbit around Saturn in a free public lecture on Wednesday, May 25.
May 03, 2011
New endowment supports teaching and research at the Arboretum
A gift from botanist Jean Langenheim has established a new endowment in support of the UCSC Arboretum.
May 02, 2011
UCSC launches Center for Entrepreneurship
UCSC has launched a new Center for Entrepreneurship, which offers students across disciplines comprehensive, hands-on experience in bringing innovations to market.
April 25, 2011
Gift establishes Hellman Fellows Program to support junior faculty
The Hellman Fellows Fund has approved a gift of $625,000 to establish the UCSC Hellman Fellows Program.
April 19, 2011
Three UCSC professors elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Three UCSC faculty are among 212 leaders in the sciences, arts, humanities, business, public affairs, and nonprofit sector, who have been elected this year as fellows of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
April 14, 2011
Baby falcons draw viewers to nest cameras in annual ritual
It's that time of year again, when thousands of online viewers are captivated by adorable baby falcons huddled together in their nest boxes.
April 11, 2011
Cosmology and particle physics are focus of public talk on Monday, April 25
Princeton University physicist Curtis Callan will give a free public lecture on cosmology and particle physics on Monday, April 25.
April 01, 2011
Library exhibit honors faculty and the books that influenced them
During the month of April, an exhibit in the Science and Engineering Library will recognize UCSC faculty who have attained tenure or received promotion and showcase the books that have influenced them.
March 31, 2011
Spring Plant Sale on April 16 marks California Native Plant Week
The UCSC Arboretum will hold its annual Spring Plant Sale on Saturday, April 16.
March 31, 2011
UCSC shines in survey of senior women in astronomy
The Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics has more senior women faculty members than any other astronomy department in the country.
March 24, 2011
New book by Nancy Abrams and Joel Primack finds meaning in the cosmos
A new book by Nancy Abrams and Joel Primack explores the cultural and social implications of the modern scientific understanding of the universe.
March 17, 2011
Symposium celebrates influential career of biologist Burney Le Boeuf
Colleagues and former students of biologist Burney Le Boeuf gathered to celebrate his career.
March 08, 2011
Gilead grant supports collaborative drug discovery program with UCSC
Biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences is supporting a collaborative drug discovery program using UCSC's unique collection of marine natural products.
March 07, 2011
Seymour Center presents lecture on scientific diving in Antarctica
Master divers Steve Clabuesch and Cecilia Shin will discuss diving beneath the ice in Antarctica in a public lecture on Sunday, March 20.
March 02, 2011
Lick Observatory reduces Visitor Center hours
The Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton is reducing its Visitor Center hours due to budgetary constraints.
February 28, 2011
UCSC announces Baskins’ $1 million engineering gift at Scholarship Benefit Dinner
Chancellor George Blumenthal announced a special $1 million gift from Jack and Peggy Downes Baskin for engineering graduate fellowships at UCSC's eighth annual Scholarship Benefit Dinner.
February 24, 2011
Sandra Faber and Lynda Rogers among Silicon Valley's 'Women of Influence'
Astronomer Sandra Faber and Lynda Rogers, dean of UCSC Extension, are among the 2011 "Women of Influence" in Silicon Valley.
February 23, 2011
Alums Dana Priest, Richard Harris win prestigious journalism awards
Two UC Santa Cruz alums, Richard Harris (Crown, 1980) and Dana Priest, (Merrill, 1981) have won prestigious journalism awards for their reporting last year on the Gulf oil spill and the national security complex.
February 14, 2011
Seymour Center presents lecture on Pacific coast sea otters
Sea otter biologist Benjamin Weitzman will provide an in-depth look at sea otters along the Pacific coast in a public lecture at the Seymour Center on Sunday, February 20.
February 04, 2011
Scholarship Benefit Dinner to provide vital financial support for students
UC Santa Cruz will host its eighth annual Scholarship Benefit Dinner on Saturday, February 26, at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose.
February 03, 2011
UCSC faculty featured in "Masters of Innovation" episode on Plum TV
Two cutting-edge laboratories at UCSC are featured in a recent episode of the "Masters of Innovation" program on the Plum TV network.
February 02, 2011
Six small planets orbiting a Sun-like star amaze astronomers
A remarkable planetary system discovered by NASA's Kepler mission has six planets around a Sun-like star, including five small planets in tightly packed orbits.
February 01, 2011
UCSC faculty mentor Intel science contest finalists
Two high-school students mentored by UC Santa Cruz professors are finalists in the nationwide Intel Science Talent Search competition.
January 27, 2011
Arboretum propagates cuttings from the last wild S.F. manzanita
Arboretum staff propagated cuttings from the last known San Francisco manzanita in the wild.
January 26, 2011
UCSC astronomers find most distant galaxy candidate yet seen
Astronomers have found what may be the most distant galaxy ever seen, about 13.2 billion light-years away.
January 21, 2011
Physicist Bill Atwood shares Rossi Prize for work on gamma-ray telescope
The 2011 Bruno Rossi Prize has been awarded to UCSC physicist Bill Atwood, Stanford physicist Peter Michelson, and the Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope's Large Area Telescope (LAT) team.
January 20, 2011
Earthquake expert Emily Brodsky featured in NSF lecture series
Seismologist Emily Brodsky is featured in the National Science Foundation's "Voices From the Future" lecture series.
January 18, 2011
Sandra Faber honored by American Astronomical Society
The American Astronomical Society has awarded the 2011 Henry Norris Russell Lectureship to astronomer Sandra Faber.
January 12, 2011
Seymour Center presents lecture on jumbo squid in Monterey Bay
Squid expert Danna Staaf will discuss the invasion of Monterey Bay by jumbo squid in a public lecture at the Seymour Center on January 16.
January 11, 2011
Astronomers release the largest color image of the sky ever made
The Sloan Digital Sky Survey III has released the largest digital color image of the sky ever made.
January 07, 2011
Top science stories of 2010 include UCSC research
Two stories involving UCSC researchers turned up on a wide array of lists of the top science stories of 2010.
January 04, 2011
Fulbright Scholar Program funds prof's environmental work in Chile
Environmental toxicologist Russell Flegal is busy with teaching and research projects during a six-month visit to Chile as a Fulbright Scholar.