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Davis, California

Friday, May 10, 2024

Science & Technology

Good news for visibility in Lake Tahoe

UC Davis scientists from the Tahoe Environmental Research Center reported last week that the rate of decline in visibility in Lake Tahoe has slowed since 2001.

Biobased products hold potential to replace plastics

In a world where fossil fuel resources are becoming scarce, bio-based products could be the solution for an oil-dependant society.

Science Scene

Memory does not necessarily decline with age, researchers say

A variety of recent studies have found that "senior moments" may not be a sign of declining brain power.

Upcoming science seminar

Today

"Chemical Ecology of Forest Insects in South China"

Steve Seybold

122 Briggs, 12:10 to 1 p.m.

Sponsored by entomology department

Beyond the small talk

Name: Jan Bautista

Major: Biological sciences

Year: Senior

Large Hadron Collider being constructed at CERN

Today, many high-energy physicists believe that they are continuing the same scientific thoughts that began over 2,000 years ago in ancient Greece. It was decided then that everything in the world must me made up of tiny indivisible things called atoms.

Only 100 years ago was the existence of atoms proven, but it wasn't until the 1930s when scientists were able to put down the basic equations of quantum mechanics, so that even the simplest atom - the Hydrogen atom - could be understood.

Gmail could replace Geckomail on MyUCDavis

For several years now, UC Davis' student portal, MyUCDavis, has been using Geckomail for its e-mail communication purposes.

Though the portal itself has gone through many changes and updates, Geckomail has not, and several issues have arisen that make saving and sorting e-mails challenging for students.

Science Scene

New asthma inhaler encounters rough changeover

Millions who suffer from asthma and lung disease will have to change inhalers by the end of the year, and it may be difficult for many people.

Upcoming seminars

Today

"UC Davis Global Funding Workshop in Science and Engineering"

Evan Notman

206 Olson, noon to 2 p.m.

Sponsored by University Outreach and International Programs

Chatting with the faculty

What is the philosophy of science?

Philosophy of science is the study of science. We try to understand what science is and how it works. Of course, since most of us are academics, we try to explain that to other people and we get into debates about that, so we have scholarly discussions about whether one person is right in their interpretation or not.

From the laboratory to the shelf:how inventions at UC Davis are developed

Have you ever wondered how inventions get from the minds of researchers to the shelves of stores or to being incorporated into different products? The process is longer and more complicated than one might think, but UC Davis is actually a stepping stone in the process. InnovationAccess,the technology transfer department of UC Davis, helps to connect campus inventors to the patent office and to companies for further development and eventual commercialization.

Upcoming Seminars

Today

"Fire Ants and Native Ants: A Cautionary Tale"

Walter Tschinkel

122 Briggs, 12:10 to 1 p.m.

Sponsored by the entomology department

UC Davis team discovers genes for frost tolerance in wheat

The worldwide food shortage and prices are expected to continue increasing until at least 2010, forcing the United Nations World Food Program to take precautionary measures, according to an article on allheadlinenews.com.

Data from the UN program suggest that the prices of some food items have drastically increased by 40 percent last year in some nations. The global food reserves have also decreased from 169 food-aid days in 2007 to 53 days this year, the lowest in 30 years.

Scholarship recognized at the 19th annual Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities Conference

The German writer, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, once observed "Knowing is not enough. We must apply."

This ideal could serve for what prompted 207 undergraduate students to go beyond the classroom and share their research discoveries Saturday at the 19th annual Undergraduate Research Conference.

The conference provided undergraduates with the unique opportunity to present research in a professional atmosphere either through an oral presentation or poster display. Students from all disciplines including communication, psychology and biochemistry participated.

Not only is the conference meant to help students apply what they have learned, but it also serves to give students a taste of what is to come if they wish to pursue graduate or professional degrees.

UC Davis reaches semi-finalist stage in nanotechnology grant

As the world marvels at non-smelling socks,more effective sunscreens and other products made possible with nanotechnology,researchers are questioning whether this tiny science of the future may have a huge impact on the environment and human health.

According to a2007report by Jennifer Sass,a senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council,nanoscale silver ions,like the ones used in non-smelling socks,kill the microbes that cause odor.However,such commercial use permits these ions to enter the waste system and eventually the environment,killing beneficial microbes in the soil.