By Sandy Smith

Do common misconceptions about the causes of cancer distract from efforts to improve public health through increasing scientific understanding about how to prevent the disease and by increasing public education of how lifestyle influences health? A new book, Misconceptions About the Causes of Cancer, by Life Science Division scientists Lois Gold, Neela Manley, and Bruce Ames answers this question. (2/20/03) Full Story.

One Surface Melds
Two Diffractive Elements
By Sunny Bains

A Fourier optical technique has been developed to improve the optical performance of diffractive optical elements at short wavelengths. The new method, developed by a team at Berkeley Lab has allowed researchers to produce two off-axis first-order foci for extreme-ultraviolet interferometry using a single optical element. Full Story.

Blackberry Canyon Stairway

Blackberry Steps
Get Modern Facelift

After months of being cordoned off due to their dilapidated state, the Blackberry Canyon steps opened to pedestrians last week. The new steps still offer a beautiful view, but now feature custom steel handrails with stainless steel cables, pressure treated wood stair treads, and safety lighting. They rise from Parking Lot F at Cyclotron Road to just below the Blackberry Canyon Gate. Richard Stanton of the Facilities Department was the project manager.

Job Referral Program
Gets DOE Approval

The Department of Energy has approved Berkeley Lab’s Employee Referral Incentive Program (ERIP), in which those who advance the names of eventually successful hires can earn a $1,000 bonus. The program’s pilot resulted in 65 hires from a pool of more than 800 referrals. To make an employee referral, complete an ERIP form, which can be found here, and send it with a resume to [email protected] or via lab mail to MS937-600.

Academy
of Sciences
Celebrates
150th Year

California Academy of Sciences will unveil a special exhibit next month celebrating the institution’s 150th anniversary in San Francisco. The exhibit will kick off a year of festivities at the science museum in Golden Gate Park. Renowned for its hands-on approach to teaching science, the academy is one of the most popular educational centers in the Bay Area. (2/18/03) Full Story.