Physicists Mull
Year's Top Events

Goldhaber

The American Institute of Physics has named the biggest scientific achievements of 2004. Many of the discoveries on the institute's list are highly technical and might seem arcane to the layperson. Yet some scientists perceive important — even theological — implications in them. Berkeley Lab physicist Gerson Goldhaber weighed in, speaking on future discoveries: "We have as yet no idea what 95 percent of the universe is made of or what its properties are. This means that all of the physics we know are only the properties of 5 percent of the universe. It is a sobering and exciting thought, how much we still have to learn." Full story.

Virginia Competes With
Maryland for Biotech

Rubin

Business and education leaders in Northern Virginia are working hard to lure biotechnology companies. They've landed a major medical research institute, Janelia, and they're expanding university programs in the field. But for a daunting reminder of how far they need to go, all they have to do is look at neighboring Maryland, which ranked fourth in accounting firm Ernst & Young's most recent survey of the nation's major biotech centers. "Us being there makes Northern Virginia more attractive to biotech companies," said Gerald Rubin, a Berkeley Lab life scientist who will run the new Janelia Farm research campus. Full story.

Lab Holiday Party
On Dec. 15

On Wednesday, Dec. 15, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., the Lab will hold its annual Holiday Reception. During the event, to be held in the cafeteria, food and beverages will be served while a harp player provides seasonal tunes. Director Chu will also offer brief remarks. The entire Lab community is invited to attend.

Service for Bill Holley
In Tilden on Dec. 12

A celebration of the life of the late Berkeley Lab researcher William Holley (see Today at Berkeley Lab story here) has been scheduled by his family for Sunday, Dec. 12, beginning at 12:30 p.m. in the Tilden Park Brazilian Room, on Wildcat Canyon Road off Shasta Road in Berkeley. All of his friends and colleagues are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gregersen-Cecchi Cancer Project Fund, c/o Alta Bates Summit Foundation, 2450 Ashby Ave., Berkeley, CA 94705.

Wireless Security Topic
Of Brown Bag Talk

Jeanie Larson, Livermore Lab's incident response manager, will speak at the Computer Protection Brown Bag talk at noon this Thursday in the Building 50D-3416 conference room. The topic will be "Wireless Security for the End User: Truths and Myths."