Coming to a theater near you: real science, thanks to a new program launched by the National Academy of Sciences. The Science and Entertainment Exchange, which will open an office in L.A., is designed to pair the reality of cutting-edge science with the storytelling magic of Hollywood. Lab Director Steve Chu participated in the program’s first official meeting last Wednesday. More>
Research News: Manipulating Magnetism on the NanoscaleNanoscale magnetics is the reason the storage capacity of computers has increased three orders of magnitude in a decade, says Peter Fischer of the Center for X-Ray Optics. Fischer and his colleagues have optimized the XM-1 x-ray microscope at the Advanced Light Source's beamline 6.1.2 to study magnetic behavior on the nanoscale, in particular the new field of spintronics that uses electrical currents with a high degree of spin-polarized electrons to read and write data and otherwise control magnetic properties in the ultra-fast, ultra-small electronics of the future. More>
People: Smoot Recognized for Leadership in Physics EducationThe American Association of Physics Teachers recently announced the awarding of the Oersted Medal to Berkeley Lab physicist and Nobelist George Smoot. The award recognizes “his outstanding, widespread, and lasting impact on the teaching of physics.” The Oersted Medal is named for Hans Christian Oersted (1777-1851), a Danish physicist who, in the course of creating a demonstration for teaching his class, discovered that electric currents caused a magnetic field. The annual award was established in 1936.
World of Science: Getting Down to Their Dissertations[ABC News] It’s not every day that world-class scientists trade in their lab coats and test tubes for spandex and hula hoops. It was all part of a contest created by the American Association for the Advancement of Science that challenged scientists and graduate students around the world to choreograph dances that represent their theses and post them on YouTube. Among the four winners was a group from Australia that used ballet and frenetic party dance to interpret the role of vitamin D in beta-cell function. 
Parking: Be Sure to Follow Guidelines for Stack ParkingWith construction limiting the number of available parking spaces at the Lab, the use of stack parking has become even more critical. However, staff should be aware of the regulations for stack parking. Those who stack park must display a card on their dashboard that contains: name, permit number, normal office location, phone number, and when off-site, the phone number of the person in custody of your keys. Contact the Site Access Office (x4855) for a stack parking card, or stop by the Building 65A trailer.
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the coffee bar will close at 3 p.m. tomorrow, and the Lab’s shuttle bus services will alter final departure times:
Building 65: 6 p.m. for the Blue Route;
5:45 p.m. for Rockridge Route
Building 62/66: 5:52 p.m. for the Orange
Potter St: 5:25 p.m.
JBEI: 5:35 p.m.