[New York Times] An international team of physicists with the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS), working in the bottom of an old iron mine in Minnesota, said they may have registered the first faint hints of dark matter particles. Recorded as two tiny pulses of heat, there is better than a 20-percent chance that the signals are from background radioactivity, so the results are tantalizing but not definitive. Berkeley Lab scientists have been major participants in the CDMS experiment, which evolved from work by longtime CDMS spokesperson Bernard Sadoulet of the Physics Division. In addition to the New York Times, the story has been widely covered in the media, including the particle physics blog symmetry breaking. For the CDMS results go here.
Berkeley Lab’s Ali Javey (right) and Delia Milliron are recipients of the 2010 Mohr Davidow Ventures (MDV) Innovators Award. Each will receive $50,000 in unrestricted funding for a one-year pilot project. Established in 2008 by MDV, an early-stage venture capital firm investing in business, technology, and medicine, the MDV Innovator’s Award recognizes early career scientists for their groundbreaking efforts and provides a launching pad for promising research that might not readily receive funding from conventional sources. More>
In anticipation of the holiday break, the Lab’s shuttle bus service will alter final departure times on Wednesday:
Building 65 — 6 p.m. for the Blue Route; 5:40 p.m. for Rockridge Route
Building 62/66 — 5:50 p.m. for the Orange Route
Potter St. — 5:25 p.m.
JBEI — 5:35 p.m.
There will be no routine radiological control technician or health physics support during the Lab’s holiday shutdown (Dec. 24-Jan. 3) and limited emergency response availability. As such, the handling of radioactive materials (e.g. unsealed radioactive material and sealed sources) is prohibited. Staff responsible for management or supervision of a radiological authorization (e.g. principal investigators) must ensure that the personnel thay have authorized are aware of this policy. For more information contact Radiological Control Manager David Kestell (x7157).
Staff trying to access Perseverance Hall during the cafeteria closure must do so through the back doors to Building 54. No foot traffic through the cafeteria is permitted, as there is active asbestos abatement work occurring there and other potential safety hazards.
Lab employees can purchase tickets for UC Berkeley’s men's basketball games on Jan. 9 and 21, and Feb. 11, 13, and 27. Cost is $15 for adult and $10 for youth tickets. More>
UC Update: Latest Edition of ‘Our University’ AvailableThe most recent issue of Our University, UC’s systemwide newsletter for faculty and staff, is now available online. It includes a holiday message from President Yudof as well as stories on solutions for access to a UC education, the UC Davis-run Oiled Wildlife Care Network (pictured), battling the Alzheimer’s crisis, and HR updates.
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