Potential Predictive
Test For Ovarian Cancer

Gray

Researchers have reported the discovery of a potential oncogene in ovarian cancer, which is the leading cause of gynecological cancer death in U.S. women. They say that levels of the protein produced by this suspected oncogene, known as atypical protein kinase C iota (PKCi), in combination with a second protein, Cyclin E, strongly predict outcome in non-serous ovarian cancer, which accounts for 40 percent of ovarian cancer cases. Among the co-authors of the study is Associate Laboratory Director for Life and Environmental Sciences and Division Director for Life Sciences Joe Gray. Full story.

Nanotube Carpet Mimics
Adhesion of Gecko Feet

A carpet of carbon nanotubes (above) were used to create an artificial gecko foot

The same phenomenon that allows geckos to walk up walls and hang from ceilings is being replicated by researchers with the University of Akron. They have created a densely packed carpet of carbon nanotubes that functions like a gecko's foot, but with 200 times the gripping power. Information technology, microelectronics, robotics, and space exploration are among the fields this technology could benefit. Full story.

In yesterday's edition of Today at Berkeley Lab, the wrong position titles were given for individuals in the Director's immediate office. Janice Magee was the Business Manager, and Tara White was the Senior Administrator. TABL regrets the error.

Supernova 2005df

Celestial Blast
In Bleak Reticulum

Wang

An amateur astronomer recently discovered a supernova — the explosion of a star — with a magnitude of 13.8, that is, only 20 times fainter than the entire host galaxy. The following night, astronomers classified the supernova as a somewhat unusual type Ia supernova. These are exactly the kind of supernovae in which Berkeley Lab physicist Lifan Wang and others are interested. They study polarization properties to learn more about their asphericity, which holds important clues to the detailed physics that governs this terminal catastrophe in the life of such stars. Full story.

Use Online Calendar
To Promote Events

With the fall season comes an increase in lectures, seminars and conferences taking place here at the Lab. One of the best ways to apprise employees of these activities is by posting them on the Lab's new online calendar. It is a comprehensive site to view, search for, and add events that are open to the general Lab community. Go here to learn more about how the calendar works and the various features it offers.