Press Releases

Why diving marine mammals resist brain damage from low oxygen

Certain animals--including dolphins, whales, and sea otters--appear to be protected from low oxygen by elevated levels of oxygen-carrying proteins in their brains, according to a new study by UCSC researchers.

Losses of long-established genes contributed to human evolution, scientists find

The evolution of new genes is not the only way for a species to change. UCSC scientists have now carried out the first systematic computational analysis to identify long-established genes that were lost during human evolution.

California Coastal Commission approves UC Santa Cruz's Coastal LRDP

At a hearing today in San Francisco, the California Coastal Commission approved UC Santa Cruz's Coastal Long Range Development Plan (CLRDP), a land-use blueprint for possible future development at the site of UCSC's Long Marine Laboratory.

UCSC faculty receive $4.5 million in new grants for stem cell research

Two UCSC faculty members have received major grants totalling $4.5 million for stem cell research from the California Insitute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).

UCSC selected to join new Science Education Alliance

UCSC has been selected as one of 12 inaugural members of the Science Education Alliance (SEA), a new program developed and funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) that aims to enhance the teaching of science and inspire new generations of res

UCSC geologist probes undersea seismic zone as part of new deep-drilling experiment

The first effort to drill into an undersea zone where massive earthquakes and tsunamis are generated has yielded new data on the stresses that build up there, according to UCSC geologist Casey Moore.

Study finds oral traditions effectively warn people about tsunamis and reduce mortality

Oral traditions are a very efficient means of tsunami education, according to a new study that researchers say shows the power of education to reduce mortality from tsunamis.

UCSC appoints Joseph Miller as Vice Provost for Silicon Valley Initiatives

Joseph Miller, a longtime professor of astronomy with extensive experience in leadership and administrative positions, has been selected to guide and expand UC Santa Cruz's research and educational programs in Silicon Valley.

High-tech conservationist: Grad student helps fight local battle against logging

UCSC graduate student Adelia Barber took time away from her dissertation to conduct a timberland analysis for a grassroots group opposed to logging in an area of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation commits $200 million support for Thirty-Meter Telescope

The University of California and the California Institute of Technology have received a $200 million commitment over nine years from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation toward the further development and construction of the Thirty-Meter Telescope (TMT).

UCSC offers city renewed financial support for neighborhood party patrols

UCSC appoints new associate vice chancellor for public affairs and communications

Barry Shiller, a public affairs professional with private-sector and higher-education experience, has been appointed the new associate vice chancellor for public affairs and communications at UC Santa Cruz.

Discovery of gene for black coat color in dogs has broad implications

The discovery of a gene responsible for black coat color in dogs may help researchers understand fundamental processes in humans, including the regulation of body weight and stress hormones.

Study of kelp harvesting finds bull kelp more vulnerable than giant kelp

As demand grows for kelp extracts, harvesters may begin to target bull kelp. If so, there may be cause for concern, according to UCSC biologists.

UCSC receives gift of rare audio interviews and photos of late '60s jazz and rock icons

UCSC hydrogeologist provides expert advice on Pajaro Valley's water supply

When a community forum was held in Watsonville on November 1 to discuss the future of the Pajaro Valley's water supply, organizers turned to Andrew Fisher, professor of Earth and planetary sciences, to describe the state of the region's ground water.

Nations embracing jury system as part of 'wave of judicial reform,' says UC Santa Cruz expert

Countries around the world are embracing the jury system in a wave of judicial reform that is democratizing jurisprudence in nations as diverse as South Korea, Mexico, and Japan, according to jury expert Hiroshi Fukurai.

Theoretical physicist says polymers in a vacuum may yield valuable data

A theoretical analysis of polymer behavior suggests that large molecules should behave very differently when they are in a vacuum than when in solution, suggesting new opportunities for analytical techniques such as mass spectrometry.

How to make the brightest supernova ever: explode, collapse, repeat

UCSC astrophysicist Stan Woosley provided an explanation for a supernova so bright--about 100 times as luminous as a typical supernova--that it challenged the theoretical understanding of what causes supernovae.

Environmental protection can't be bought, says author of new book Shopping Our Way to Safety

Like a marketer's dream come true, Americans have responded to environmental hazards by shopping, as if buying bottled water and organic vegetables will protect them and their loved ones. But sociologist Andrew Szasz says "buying green" offers little real

Ancient retroviruses spurred evolution of gene regulatory networks in primates

Ancient retroviruses helped a gene called p53 become an important "master gene regulator" in primates, according to a new study.

Arboretum will hold Dried Flower and Succulent Wreath Sale November 17 and 18

Hand-made wreaths and holiday decorations will be available from the UCSC Arboretum at the annual Dried Flower and Succulent Wreath Sale on Saturday and Sunday, November 17 and 18.

UCSC media expert contributes feature to 35th anniversary issue of Ms. magazine

Scientists discover record-breaking fifth planet orbiting a star beyond our solar system

A team of American astronomers announced the discovery of a fifth planet around a star called 55 Cancri.

Chemistry Professor Anthony Fink wins Outstanding Faculty Award

UCSC's Division of Physical and Biological Sciences has awarded its highest honor, the Outstanding Faculty Award, to Anthony Fink, professor of chemistry and biochemistry.

Undergraduates tailor UCSC Genome Browser to aid malaria research

UCSC undergraduates have created a genome browser for studying the malaria parasite, enabling a team of UCSC researchers to discover previously unknown genes that could help in the search for antimalarial drugs.

UCSC astronomer Sandra Faber and chemist Jin Zhang elected 2007 AAAS Fellows

Two UCSC scientists--Sandra Faber, University Professor and chair of astronomy and astrophysics, and Jin Zhang, professor of chemistry and biochemistry--have been honored as 2007 fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Regional History Project publishes oral histories of two visionary UCSC professors

Gift from botanist Jean Langenheim establishes Endowed Chair in Plant Ecology and Evolution

UCSC has appointed Ingrid Parker, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, to the newly established Jean H. Langenheim Endowed Chair in Plant Ecology and Evolution.

Researchers cite limitations of genetic ancestry tests, urge consumers to use caution

Even as consumers embrace commercial genetic ancestry tests to trace ancestral roots or fill in gaps in the family tree, a team of researchers today (Oct. 19) is urging buyers to use caution when interpreting test results.

UC Santa Cruz economists discuss global capital markets during free public workshop Nov. 9 at NASA Research Park

Four economists will discuss the implications of turmoil in global capital markets, during a free public workshop Nov. 9 at UCSC's Silicon Valley Center.

UCSC professor explores Northern California's 'kitsch monuments'

Small-scale fishing in Mexico rivals industrial fisheries in accidental turtle deaths

New research shows that a small-scale Mexican fishery--operated by hand from small open boats--can kill as many critically endangered loggerhead sea turtles as all of the industrial fishing fleets in the North Pacific Ocean put together.

Avant-garde video-game blog earns art exhibition at UC Irvine's Beall Center

UCSC computer scientist Michael Mateas presents four works of artificial intelligence and empathy at a new art exhibit.

Film professor provides expert commentary in new box set of rare films

HP's Stanley Williams to discuss nanoscale computing at UCSC's Silicon Valley Center on October 25

R. Stanley Williams, a senior fellow at Hewlett-Packard Laboratories and founding director of HP's Quantum Science Research group, will discuss nanoscale computing in a free public lecture on Thursday, October 25.

Four social scientists honored for teaching and research at UC Santa Cruz

Four social scientists at UC Santa Cruz were honored for teaching and research today (Thursday, October 11) during the annual fall convocation hosted by the dean of the Division of Social Sciences.

Global affairs expert to deliver UCSC's 2007 Maitra Lecture at Montalvo on Nov. 2

Discovery of retinal cell type ends four-decade search

Researchers have discovered a type of retinal cell that may help monkeys, apes, and humans see motion.

UCSC awarded $5 million grant for genome research

The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) announced a $5 million grant to UCSC as part of a four-year project to build a "parts list" of biologically functional elements in the human genome.

UC Santa Cruz anthropologist Nathaniel Dominy wins prestigious $625,000 Packard Fellowship

Nathaniel J. Dominy, a gifted young anthropologist at UC Santa Cruz, has received a prestigious Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, it was announced today (Tuesday, October 9).

Francis Nimmo receives Urey Prize in Planetary Science

The Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society will award the 2007 Harold C. Urey Prize in Planetary Science this week to Francis Nimmo, associate professor of Earth and planetary sciences.

Shakespeare Santa Cruz names new artistic director

UCSC professor's documentary to premiere at Mill Valley Film Festival

Scientists study tiny galaxy halfway across the universe

A tiny galaxy nearly halfway across the universe, the smallest in size and mass known to exist at that distance, has been identified and studied by an international team of over a dozen scientists, including four at UCSC.

Baskin School of Engineering will showcase faculty research projects on Friday, October 12

Research Review Day at UCSC's Baskin School of Engineering will showcase groundbreaking research by the engineering school's faculty and graduate students.

Multiwavelength images of distant universe now available on Google Sky

A massive project to map a distant region of the Universe in multiple wavelengths--from x-rays through ultraviolet, visible, infrared, and radio waves--is releasing its data this week to both fellow scientists and the general public.

Three-way mating game of North American lizard found in distant European relative

New findings suggest "rock-paper-scissors" dynamic may be a fundamental evolutionary pattern among social animals.

UCSC partners with Zipcar to bring car sharing to Santa Cruz

UCSC and Zipcar, North America's largest on-campus car sharing service, have formed a joint partnership to provide Zipcars to campus faculty, staff, and students, as well as community residents.

Alison Galloway appointed as administrative head of University Extension

UCSC Arboretum holds the most eucalyptus species anywhere outside of Australia

A new survey has determined that the UCSC Arboretum's collection of eucalyptus trees and shrubs is the most diverse anywhere outside of Australia.

UCSC's New Teacher Center launches online mentoring program for math teachers

The New Teacher Center has launched a new initiative to boost student performance in mathematics by providing an online network for beginning math teachers.

Private donors step forward; fundraising up by 19 percent

Private donors increased fundraising at UC Santa Cruz to $25.7 million for the 2006-07 academic year, a 19-percent increase over the previous year.

UCSC Arts & Lectures season opens Oct. 7 with acclaimed one-man show

Statements concerning court recommendation regarding mediation and ruling regarding Biomedical Sciences Facility

George Blumenthal named chancellor of UC Santa Cruz

George R. Blumenthal, a distinguished UC Santa Cruz professor of astronomy and astrophysics and former chair of the UC systemwide Academic Senate, was appointed chancellor of the University of California's Santa Cruz campus today (Sept. 19).

UCSC receives $367,000 gift to establish endowed chair in Sikh and Punjabi Studies

Educators gather Sept. 21 at UCSC for summit on the future of education in the Monterey Bay region

Educators and policy makers from Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito counties will gather on Friday, September 21, for a one-day summit on the future of education in the Monterey Bay region.

Extra gene copies were enough to make early humans' mouths water

To think that world domination could have begun in the cheeks. That's one interpretation of a discovery, published online September 9 in <i>Nature Genetics,</i> which indicates that humans carry extra copies of the salivary amylase gene.

UC Santa Cruz names new director of Arts & Lectures

UCSC receives $120,000 HP Technology for Teaching leadership grant

Hewlett-Packard has selected UCSC as one of 10 recipients of its 2007 Technology for Teaching Leadership grants.

Major gift supports crucial piece of Automated Planet Finder

The Gloria and Kenneth Levy Foundation has donated $600,000 to fund an innovative spectrometer for the Automated Planet Finder at UC's Lick Observatory.

Statements concerning court ruling regarding UCSC Long-Range Development Plan EIR

Thirty-Meter Telescope Project Receives $15 Million from Moore Foundation

UC and Caltech have each received $7.5 million in additional funding from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation for the development of the Thirty-Meter Telescope.

New light-sensing ability discovered in disease-causing bacteria

The bacteria that cause brucellosis can sense light and use the information to regulate their virulence, according to a study by UCSC researchers.

UCSC launches reclaimed water study

UCSC is initiating a study to assess the feasibility of developing an on-campus system for reclaiming and recycling water.

UCSC students present research at World History Association conference

Under the direction of professor Edmund Burke III, director of the UC Santa Cruz Center for World History, seven UCSC current and past graduate students in history presented papers at the 16th annual

UCSC professor emeritus William Doyle publishes new reference for California botanists

William T. Doyle, professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology, has published a comprehensive reference on the liverworts and hornworts of California.

Arts & Lectures announces 2007-08 season of internationally acclaimed artists

Legendary sitarist Ravi Shankar, renowned Brazilian guitarist and songwriter Caetano Veloso, South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela, Senegalese superstar Youssou N'Dour, and National Public Radio's Peabody Award-winning correspondent Scott Simon are just s

UCSC neuroscientist Yi Zuo wins two new research awards

Yi Zuo's innovative research on the nervous system has attracted funding from three major foundations since her arrival at UCSC in January.

New program color-codes text in Wikipedia entries to indicate trustworthiness

The online reference site Wikipedia enjoys immense popularity despite nagging doubts about the reliability of entries written by its all-volunteer team. A new program developed at UCSC aims to help with the problem by color-coding an entry's individual ph

Wobbly polarity is key to preventing magnetic avalanches on disk drives

New research brings models of magnetic avalanches much closer to reality, helping physicists understand both why they happen and why they don't run out of control, wiping disk drives clean.

Influential fisheries ecologist Steven Berkeley dies at age 60

Steven A. Berkeley, an influential fisheries ecologist whose research helped propel the expansion of marine reserves, died at home in Scotts Valley on June 27 after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 60.

Silicon chip beams light through a liquid-core waveguide to detect one particle at a time

By guiding light through liquid-filled channels smaller than a human hair, researchers at UCSC and Brigham Young University have succeeded in building a silicon chip that can detect tiny particles one at a time.

UC Santa Cruz biologist Hinrich Boeger named Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences

The Pew Charitable Trusts has named Hinrich Boeger, assistant professor of molecular, cell, and developmental biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, a Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences.

Brian Walton, leader of falcon recovery effort, dies at age 55

Brian Walton, whose leadership of the Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group was highlighted by the pivotal role the group played in the restoration of the peregrin falcon on the West Coast, died on June 15 at a Santa Cruz hospital. Walton, who served a

UCSC graduate awarded $10,000 for best American thesis on modern India

More freshmen than expected say they plan to attend UCSC

About 4,200 freshmen--several hundred more than had been expected--have indicated they plan to enroll at UC Santa Cruz in the fall.

Study shows lizard moms dress their children for success

UCSC researchers have found that female side-blotched lizards are able to induce different color patterns in their offspring in response to social cues, "dressing" their progeny in patterns they will wear for the rest of their lives.

State funds stem cell research facility at UC Santa Cruz

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has approved a $2.7 million grant to fund a stem cell research facility at UC Santa Cruz.

Sutter scholarship will support UCSC health sciences grad in med school

Allison Abresch-Meyer will get some welcome assistance paying her medical school bills thanks to a new scholarship established by the Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center and the Central Coast Alliance for Health to benefit graduates of the health sciences p

UCSC researchers achieve atomic spectroscopy on a chip

Researchers at UC Santa Cruz have performed atomic spectroscopy with integrated optics on a chip for the first time, guiding a beam of light through a rubidium vapor cell integrated into a semiconductor chip.

UC Santa Cruz celebrates 40 years of leadership in sustainable agriculture and organic farming

Decades before Wal-Mart began selling organic food, a charismatic Englishman and a group of students transformed a brush-covered hillside at the University of California, Santa Cruz, into a lush garden where vegetables and flowers were grown without chemi

40 years at the forefront of sustainable agriculture

Research being conducted today at UCSC's Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems is rooted in programs and facilities that have been developed since 1967.

Graduates of UCSC's Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture

Around the world, graduates of the UCSC Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture are improving the health of the environment through organic food production, education, advocacy, and social service programs. Here's a sampling of what a few graduates have

New book Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me) explains how self-deception dooms marriages, starts wars, and promotes a culture of unaccountability

In the new book <i>Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me)</i>, Elliot Aronson spells out how the psychological mechanism of self-justification puts us on a slippery slope of self-deception that frequently gets us into enormous trouble when we are unable to ac

Climate change and green technology the focus of June 8 forum at UC Santa Cruz

Climate change expert Lisa Sloan and green technology proponent Steve Westly will be the keynote speakers during the sixth annual Foundation Forum at the University of California, Santa Cruz, on Friday, June 8, at 4 p.m. in the Music Center Recital Hall.

UC Santa Cruz awards $20,000 scholarships to 11 community college transfer students

The University of California, Santa Cruz, is pleased to award scholarships to 11 dedicated community college transfer students who will enroll at UCSC this fall as recipients of Karl S. Pister Leadership Opportunity Awards.

Scientists reconstruct prehistoric behavior and ecology of northern fur seals

A team of researchers has documented major changes in the behavior, ecology, and geographic range of the northern fur seal over the past 1,500 years using a combination of techniques from archaeology, biochemistry, and ecology.

UC Santa Cruz New Teacher Center expands partnership with East Palo Alto school district

A once-troubled school district in East Palo Alto is on the upswing, thanks to a partnership with the UCSC New Teacher Center and the support of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

Adaptive optics pinpoints two supermassive black holes in colliding galaxies

Astronomers have used powerful adaptive optics technology at the W. M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii to reveal the precise locations and environments of a pair of supermassive black holes at the center of an ongoing collision between two galaxies 300 million

UC Santa Cruz site approved for listing on Register of Historic Places

Preservation efforts at UC Santa Cruz have received a major boost from the State Historical Resources Commission: approval for listing UCSC's Cowell Lime Works Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.

Large blooms of toxic algae in Monterey Bay are affecting marine animals

Researchers have detected large blooms of toxin-producing algae in Monterey Bay that appear to be poisoning marine mammals and seabirds.

Frictional heating explains plumes on Saturn's moon Enceladus

Rubbing your hands together on a cold day generates a bit of heat, and the same process of frictional heating may be what powers the geysers jetting out from the surface of Saturn's moon Enceladus.

UCSC biologist Robert Edgar elected to National Academy of Sciences

Robert Edgar, professor emeritus of molecular, cell, and developmental biology at UC Santa Cruz has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of his distinguished achievements in original research.

UC Santa Cruz professor honored in 11th annual Webby Awards

Phillip Berman appointed to Baskin Endowed Chair in Biomolecular Engineering

UC Santa Cruz has appointed Phillip Berman, professor and chair of biomolecular engineering, to the Jack Baskin Endowed Chair in Biomolecular Engineering.

UCSC astronomer Douglas Lin appointed director of Kavli Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics in China

Douglas Lin, professor of astronomy and astrophysics at UCSC, has been named founding director of the Kavli Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics (KIAA) at Peking University in Beijing, China.

UCSC receives $157,000 to support open archive of congressional proceedings

UCSC Arboretum Music Series begins May 17

Psychology professor Aida Hurtado receives gender equity award

Aida Hurtado, professor of psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, has received the 2007 Distinguished Contributions to Gender Equity in Education Research Award from the American Educational Research Association (AERA).

Infectious disease expert to discuss deadly epidemics in public lecture at UCSC on Tuesday, May 22

Dr. Donald P. Francis, executive director and chief medical officer of Global Solutions for Infectious Diseases, will discuss "Confronting Deadly Epidemics Around the World" in a free public lecture at UC Santa Cruz on Tuesday, May 22.

UC Santa Cruz research team sheds light on diet of early human ancestors

The diet of early human ancestors probably included bulbs and rhizomes, according to researchers at UC Santa Cruz who have shed new light on a conundrum that has puzzled anthropologists for eight years.

Music and stargazing entice summer visitors to Mt. Hamilton's Lick Observatory

UC's Lick Observatory offers its 27th season of evening programs for music lovers and astronomy buffs this summer, featuring concerts, lectures, and opportunities to view the night sky through the observatory's history-making telescopes atop Mt. Hamilton.

The 'twilight zone' holds key to ocean's role in climate change

Researchers have identified a critical link in the processes that determine the ocean's ability to absorb and store the carbon dioxide that is accumulating in our atmosphere.

G. William Domhoff, expert on dreams and power relations, receives UC-wide faculty emeriti award

G. William Domhoff says the best thing that ever happened to him professionally was being hired as a founding faculty member at UC Santa Cruz in 1965. The second-best thing was retiring early, which gave him the freedom to focus on his research.

Michael Isaacson appointed acting dean of UCSC's Baskin School of Engineering

The UC Regents have approved the appointment of Michael Isaacson as acting dean of the Baskin School of Engineering at UC Santa Cruz.

May 10 bell hooks event postponed

Varieties galore at this year's UC Santa Cruz Farm Spring Plant Sale May 5-6

Just as gourmets appreciate fine wine, gardeners in Santa Cruz seek out unusual varieties of flowers, vegetables, and herbs. At this year's UC Santa Cruz Spring Plant Sale, gardeners will delight in the array of varieties available, including 12 varieties

UC Santa Cruz named a renewable energy 'champion'

UC Santa Cruz has been honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the Individual Conference Champion for purchasing more green power than any other school in the Association of Division III Independents Conference.

Climate change could usher in "boom and bust" population cycles and make species prone to extinction, says UC Santa Cruz conservation biologist

Climate change could trigger "boom and bust" population cycles that make animal species more vulnerable to extinction, according to Christopher C. Wilmers, an assistant professor of environmental studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Two UC Santa Cruz humanities professors awarded Guggenheim Fellowships

Pioneering sociologist William Friedland receives emeriti faculty award from UC Santa Cruz

Sociologist William H. Friedland may be best known for his critique of mechanized tomato harvesting, but he's been a thorn in the side of corporate agriculture for almost half a century.

UCSC engineer Claire Gu honored by International Society for Optical Engineering

Claire Gu, professor of electrical engineering at UCSC, has been elected a Fellow of the International Society for Optical Engineering (SPIE).

UCSC molecular biologist Harry Noller wins 2007 Gairdner Award

Harry Noller, the Sinsheimer Professor of Molecular Biology at UC Santa Cruz, is among the five winners of the 2007 Gairdner International Awards, one of the most prestigious awards in biomedical science.

Seismologists discover complex structure in Tonga mantle wedge

The subduction zones where oceanic plates sink beneath the continents produce volcanic arcs such as those that make up the "rim of fire" around the Pacific Ocean. A new study finds that the structure of the mantle wedge above the subducting plate may be f

Award-winning filmmaker, Time correspondent, to headline UCSC series of screenings/talks on war

Who serves in our nation's wars? Why did they serve? What is their experience? Those questions are the inspiration for "Personal Perspectives of the Iraq War and Past Wars," a series of film screenings and talks by award-winning filmmakers and authors tha

UCSC graduate student's research leads to environmental victory in Coronado Islands

Graduate student Shaye Wolf's findings have helped save endangered seabirds from the potentially devastating effects of a liquified natural gas facility planned for a site in Baja California.

UCSC Arboretum holds annual Spring Plant Sale on Saturday, April 21

The UCSC Arboretum will hold its annual Spring Plant Sale on Saturday, April 21, from 12 noon to 4 p.m.

Astrobiologist Carl Pilcher to speak at UCSC on Thursday, April 19

Carl Pilcher, director of the NASA Astrobiology Institute, will give the annual Sigma Xi Lecture at UC Santa Cruz on Thursday, April 19.

UC Santa Cruz to have faculty art exchange with Japan

'Green-collar' jobs can relieve poverty and transform cities, says activist Van Jones, who will speak April 25 at UCSC

The battle to save the planet could create an "eco-apartheid" unless low-income areas and communities of color get their share of new "green-collar" jobs, according to Van Jones, an Oakland-based progressive leader whose vision of environmentalism puts po

UCSC students monitor peregrine falcons after release at Long Marine Lab

Three peregrine falcons released by the UC Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group are testing their wings around Long Marine Laboratory under the watchful eyes of a group of UCSC students.

Banana Slug Spring Fair drawing alumni back to UC Santa Cruz

Wildlife photographer Kennan Ward branches out with feature-length documentary about grizzly cubs

Kennan Ward, who earned a B.A. in environmental studies and wildlife biology from UC Santa Cruz in 1980, has spent three decades crisscrossing the globe to photograph animals in the wild.

Physicist Bruce Rosenblum to speak at UCSC on Monday, April 9

Physicist Bruce Rosenblum will give an Emeriti Faculty Lecture on the topic of "The Quantum Enigma: Has Physics Encountered Consciousness?"

Lecture at UCSC to address engineering and national priorities on Thursday, April 12

Richard Buckius, assistant director for engineering at the National Science Foundation (NSF), will speak at UC Santa Cruz on Thursday, April 12, on the topic of "Engineering and National Priorities."

UCSC lecture series spotlights coastal policy challenges

A ten-week lecture series at UC Santa Cruz on "Coastal Policy Challenges of the 21st Century" will be held on Wednesdays at 2 p.m., starting April 4.

UC Santa Cruz to collaborate with three universities for live online concert

Learn how to select and care for roses at a free workshop March 31

UCSC rose expert Orin Martin will share his techniques for choosing and growing roses organically at a free workshop on Saturday, March 31, from 10 a.m. to noon at The Garden Company on Mission Street in Santa Cruz.

MEDIA ADVISORY: UCSC Arts & Lectures partners with South County businesses to present Romeo and Juliet for Watsonville students--Friday, March 23--at the Mello Center

UCSC lecturer Ryan Coonerty publishes Etched in Stone, a tribute to 50 memorials and monuments

Anyone who has ever gotten goose bumps visiting the Lincoln Memorial will be drawn to the new book <i>Etched in Stone: Enduring Words from Our Nation's Monuments</i>.

UC Santa Cruz to present New Directions in Contemporary Opera, a symposium of panels and performances-April 3-7

Microsoft gift boosts computer science program at UCSC

A gift from Microsoft to UC Santa Cruz will enable computer science students to spend more time on computer games--developing computer games, that is, not necessarily playing them.

RNA enzyme structure offers a glimpse into the origins of life

UCSC researchers have determined the three-dimensional structure of an RNA enzyme, or "ribozyme," that carries out a fundamental reaction required to make new RNA molecules. Their results provide insight into what may have been the first self-replicating

Internet pioneer Larry Smarr to speak at UCSC on Thursday, March 22

Larry Smarr, director of the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology (Calit2), will speak at UC Santa Cruz on Thursday, March 22.

New technology shows old faults are smoother than young ones

A new study by UCSC geologists finds old earthquake faults are smoother than young ones, worn smooth over time by friction like the brake pads of an old car.

First systematic test finds plant pathogens spread to distant relatives far more readily than thought

SANTA CRUZ, CA--The first systematic test of how widely pathogens can spread among distantly related plants reveals far greater range than conventional wisdom would suggest, raising questions about the adequacy of current regulatory approaches for plant q

UC Santa Cruz, City of Santa Cruz establish 'Santa Cruz Tickets'

In a unique collaboration, UC Santa Cruz and the City of Santa Cruz have created a joint ticketing system to sell tickets for events taking place on campus, at the Civic Auditorium and throughout the community.

HP joins UC Santa Cruz and NASA in groundbreaking collaborative venture

HP has joined UC Santa Cruz and NASA in a new venture focused on developing revolutionary science breakthroughs in the coming decades.

Third annual 'Writing Matters' conference for community educators to be offered by UC Santa Cruz Writing Project on March 24

Ground broken for new Ranch View Terrace housing project at UC Santa Cruz

Efforts by UC Santa Cruz to build more on-campus housing for faculty and staff got a significant boost when ground was broken March 5 on the first phase of the Ranch View Terrace project.

AEGIS survey reveals new principle governing galaxy formation and evolution

Faced with the bewildering array of galaxies in the universe, from orderly spirals to chaotic mergers, it is hard to imagine a unifying principle that describes them all with mathematical precision. But that is just what astronomers have now discovered.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Symposium on Electric Vehicles at UCSC on Saturday, March 10

A special event to showcase the emerging electric vehicles technologies, hosted by UCSC's Baskin School of Engineering and CITRIS, will take place on Saturday, March 10, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

City Folk reunion concert March 28 at The Attic will benefit the Friends of the UCSC Farm & Garden

The popular trio City Folk is coming together Wednesday, March 28, for a reunion concert at The Attic with special guest Alisa Fineman. The concert, a fundraiser for the Friends of the UCSC Farm & Garden, will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at The

UC Santa Cruz receives $1 million in grants for stem cell research

Sun Microsystems creates OpenSPARC Center of Excellence at UCSC

Sun Microsystems has established a Center of Excellence at UCSC that will focus on the OpenSPARC initiative, a true "open-source" approach to high-speed microprocessor technology.

UC Santa Cruz students see stars, thanks to local company

UCSC hosts conference to keep young girls interested in science

An event at UCSC on Saturday, March 3, will help middle and high school girls from the Monterey Bay region prepare for their future through a program called "Expanding Your Horizons" designed to inspire girls' enthusiasm for math and science.

Photographer Frans Lanting presents "The Making of Life: A Journey through Time" on March 17

Nature photographer Frans Lanting will share the story behind the making of his multimedia presentation <i>Life: A Journey through Time</i> at an event on Saturday, March 17.

Compton Superior Court Judge Kelvin D. Filer speaks March 12 at UC Santa Cruz

As a Superior Court Judge in the Southern California city of Compton, Kelvin D. Filer sees more than his share of cases involving murder, drugs, and gang violence. As a product of the same neighborhood, Filer is a powerful role model who has devoted himse

Sloan Research Fellowships awarded to three UC Santa Cruz faculty

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has selected three UCSC faculty members to receive 2007 Sloan Research Fellowships.

UCSC biologist Terrie Williams wins 2007 Women of Discovery Award

Terrie Williams, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, joins Jane Goodall and three other scientists as winners of the 2007 Women of Discovery Awards from Wings WorldQuest.

UCSC economics grad reconnects with campus to help others

Santa Cruz native Stephen Bruce recently reconnected with UCSC, where he is opening doors for students by funding a fellowship for aspiring high school math and science teachers, and creating a fellowship for graduate students in politics.

$1 million gift from Jack Baskin establishes endowed chairs in engineering and humanities at UCSC

Philanthropist Jack Baskin has continued his remarkable record of support for the University of California, Santa Cruz, with two $500,000 gifts establishing endowed chairs, one in the Humanities Division that honors his wife, Peggy Downes Baskin, and anot

Media Advisory: Baskin School of Engineering Kicks Off 10th Anniversary Celebrations

Media are invited to attend an Open House at the Baskin School of Engineering on Friday, February 23, featuring lab tours, research poster displays, refreshments, and other activities.

Sexualization of girls is linked to common mental health problems in girls and women, says APA task force chaired by UC Santa Cruz professor

A report of the American Psychological Association (APA) released today (Monday, February 19) found evidence that the proliferation of sexualized images of girls and young women in advertising, merchandising, and media is harmful to girls' self-image and

SF Bay Area's poor and minorities face disproportionate burden of exposure to environmental hazards

From African American residents of West Oakland's diesel-choked neighborhoods to Latinos in San Francisco's traffic-snarled Mission District, poor and minority residents of the San Francisco Bay Area get more than their share of exposure to air pollution

UCSC's New Teacher Center receives $175,000 from MetLife Foundation to fund next generation of mentoring tools

MetLife Foundation has awarded $175,000 to the New Teacher Center at the University of California, Santa Cruz, as part of the foundation's Teacher Development and Retention Initiative.

UCSC's Baskin School of Engineering celebrates 10 years of innovation

The Baskin School of Engineering at the University of California, Santa Cruz, is celebrating its 10th anniversary and its emergence as a vibrant and innovative center for research and education.

UCSC offers new major in bioengineering

UCSC has approved a new major in bioengineering, an interdisciplinary program focusing on the applications of engineering to medicine and the biological sciences.

New course teaches UCSC students about disability

UCSC is offering a new general education course on universal access and assistive technology, enabling students from all majors to learn more about disability and the issues that surround it.

UC Santa Cruz physicists tackle new challenges in neurobiology

UCSC physicists are using technology and expertise gleaned from the field of high-energy physics to address challenging problems in neurobiology.

UCSC ranked first in nation for research impact in physics

In a new analysis of research publications from top U.S. universities, the University of California, Santa Cruz, ranked first for the impact of its faculty in the field of physics and fifth in the field of space sciences.

UC Santa Cruz film grads shine again in major indie film awards

UCSC recognized for high percentage of engineering master's degrees awarded to women

A survey of master's degrees awarded by U.S. engineering schools shows that UC Santa Cruz ranks third in the percentage of degrees awarded to women.

Chance discovery sheds light on the fates of young salmon

Fisheries scientists are gaining unexpected insights from the serendipitous discovery on Año Nuevo Island of tiny tags that had been implanted in juvenile salmon and steelhead in coastal creeks.

EPA ranks UC Santa Cruz the sixth largest 'green power' purchaser among campuses

New book explores the effects of whales and whaling on ocean ecosystems

<i>Whales, Whaling, and Ocean Ecosystems,</i> a new book from the University of California Press (December 2006), explores an aspect of whale ecology that until now has received surprisingly little attention--the role of whales in ocean ecosystems.

Geoffrey Pullum to deliver 40th annual Faculty Research Lecture at UC Santa Cruz

UC Santa Cruz film scholar B. Ruby Rich chairs panel at Sundance Film Festival

SANTA CRUZ, CA--Film scholar B. Ruby Rich will chair a panel discussion at the Sundance Film Festival about how the counterculture has changed since the 1960s.

UC Santa Cruz assistant arts dean reports discovery of ancient ruin in Peru

UC Santa Cruz receives $350,000 to create global café and reading garden at University Library

Eminent marine biologist Jane Lubchenco will give annual Keeley Lecture at UCSC on Monday, January 29

Jane Lubchenco, an eminent marine biologist and leading scientific voice on issues of marine policy and environmental sustainability, will deliver the third annual Fred Keeley Lecture at UCSC on Monday, January 29.

Richard Musgrave, renowned pioneer of public finance, dies at 96

SANTA CRUZ, CA--Richard A. Musgrave, widely regarded as the founder of modern public finance and an adviser on fiscal policy and taxation to governments from Washington to Bogota to Tokyo, died Monday, Jan. 15.

DOE awards support UCSC research on dark matter and supernovae

The Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded valuable computing time on one of the world's most powerful supercomputers to two research projects led by scientists at UCSC.

UC Santa Cruz honored during Ecological Farming Conference Jan. 24-27

SANTA CRUZ, CA--The contributions of UC Santa Cruz to sustainable agriculture will be in the spotlight during this year's Ecological Farming Conference, with a focus on the 40th anniversary of the campus's pathbreaking Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticu

UCSC engineering dean Steve Kang awarded Chang-Lin Tien Education Leadership Award

The Asian Pacific Fund today announced the recipients of its first annual Chang-Lin Tien Education Leadership Awards, recognizing Sung-Mo "Steve" Kang, dean of the Baskin School of Engineering at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and Belle W. Y. W

Donald Osterbrock, eminent astronomer and former director of Lick Observatory, dies at age 82

Donald Osterbrock, an eminent astronomer, a leading authority on the history of astronomy, and former director of UC's Lick Observatory, died suddenly on Thursday, January 11. He was 82.

Leading Iraq expert Juan Cole to discuss crisis January 17 at UC Santa Cruz

SANTA CRUZ, CA--Juan Cole, professor of Middle Eastern history at the University of Michigan and the moderator of the highly acclaimed blog "Informed Comment," will discuss the Iraq war on Wednesday, January 17, at 7 p.m. in the Colleges Nine and Ten Mult

Astronomers find the most distant star clusters hidden behind a nearby cluster

Astronomers have discovered the most distant population of star clusters ever seen, hidden behind one of the nearest such clusters to Earth.

American Mathematical Society honors Harold Widom, professor emeritus of mathematics

Harold Widom, professor emeritus of mathematics at the University of California, Santa Cruz, will share the 2007 Norbert Wiener Prize in Applied Mathematics with UC Davis professor of mathematics Craig Tracy.

Astronomers discover an enormous halo of red giant stars around Andromeda

Astronomers have found an enormous halo of stars bound to the Andromeda galaxy and extending far beyond the swirling disk seen in images of the famous galaxy, our nearest large galactic neighbor.

UC Santa Cruz to present readings by renowned authors Jonathan Franzen and Nathaniel Mackey