What began as an untested idea in which scientists at Berkeley Lab defined scientific terms in lay language — with the help of a pocket-sized video camera — has become a runaway success on Berkeley Lab’s main webpage (lbl.gov). Since debuting in late April, the 38 clips included in the Lab’s video glossary have been downloaded nearly 110,000 times. The videos were shot by Public Affairs’ science writers. Leading the pack is a video on extremophiles, explained by Dylan Chivian, with the Physical Biosciences Division (11,384), followed by life scientist Susan Celniker’s explanation of genomics (11,030). More>
Chin-Fu Tsang (right) and Jonny Rutqvist of the Earth Sciences Division have been awarded the 2009 Applied Rock Mechanics Award by the American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA). The award was presented at the annual ARMA Conference at the beginning of this month in Ashville, North Carolina. They and their collaborator, Ki-Bok Min of the Seoul National University in Korea, were honored for their work in fractured rock hydrogeomechanics and its applications to a wide range of problems of international importance.
Your e-mail inbox isn't the only way to receive news from Berkeley Lab. The Communications Department (Public Affairs) also uses social media sites to share information on the latest innovations in science, public lectures, special events, and other activities. You can track Berkeley Lab news on Twitter and Facebook, watch videos on the Lab’s YouTube site, and view Lab images on Flickr. But if you really want that e-mail, we can still send you our press releases. Subscribe here.
As announced in Today at Berkeley Lab on Friday, Martin Jara, who worked in the IT Division as an audio/video specialist, passed away last week. Donations in his honor can be made to The Wellness Community, Commonweal Cancer Help Program, or Pathways Hospice. The TABL article listed the incorrect date of Jara’s death. He passed away on Monday, July 20.
World of Science: Chu, Congress Collide Over Hydrogen Car Funds [Wall St. Journal] Energy Secretary Steven Chu wants to kill research and development on cars that run on hydrogen fuel cells, but a spending bill approved by the House this month and another scheduled for a Senate vote this week would restore funding for the program. Overall, the House and Senate spending bills would fund the Energy Department at roughly the levels called for by President Barack Obama. But they greatly scale back funding for Chu's $280 million plan to create eight new research-and-development labs (energy innovation hubs), staffed by scientists from multiple disciplines. More>
Clone Warriors 12, Small Ball 10
Rated X 17, Clean Sweep 7
Animals 10, Scared Hitless 3
Silver and Black 11, SUDZ 10
Standings
1. Silver & Black 6-0
2. Rated X 5-1
3. Ballpark Estimates 4-2
4. Animals 4-3
5. Scared Hitless 3-3
6. SUDZ 3-4
7. Clone Warriors 2-4
8. Small Ball 1-5
9. Clean Sweep 0-6
Today at Berkeley Lab is produced by Public Affairs' Communications Department
