Science
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.