Are Micro-Quakes
Earthquake Precursors?

Korneev

Berkeley Lab geophysicist Valeri Korneev has identified possible seismic precursors to two recent California earthquakes, including the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. After sifting through seismic data, Korneev found a spike in the number of micro-earthquakes followed by a period of relative calm in the crust surrounding the quakes' epicenters — months before the quakes occurred. Although more work is needed to determine whether other large quakes are foreshadowed by a similar rise and subsequent decline in small-magnitude tremors, Korneev's analysis suggests that these peaks may be indicative of the total set of geological stresses that affect the timing and location of large earthquakes. Full story.

Tips on Preventing
Ergonomic Injuries

Ergonomics is the study of human interaction with the tools, processes and environment used at work. The goal is to fit the job to the person. Four precautions will help prevent an ergonomic injury: Use proper ergonomic equipment, chairs and accessories; obtain a workplace ergonomic evaluation to see if assigned duties present an ergonomic injury risk; promptly report any discomfort related to work activities to a supervisor and seek assistance from Health Services for diagnosis before it progresses to an injury; alternate tasks, take short breaks, and perform periodic stretching and exercises, when possible, to help reduce repetition, improve circulation and tone muscles. Go here for more information, or contact Jeffrey Chung (x5818).

Ensure Safety of Those
Asked to Move Items

Employees are reminded to ensure equipment that they have requested to be moved does not pose a hazard to the personnel who will be transporting it. For example, check drawers or cabinet shelves to make sure no hazardous materials are present. Staff are responsible for contacting the appropriate resource groups when assistance or advice is needed to carry out operations safely. More information about employee safety responsibilities is available here. For questions, contact Bill Llewellyn (x7726).

Future Driving: Chemists
Fuel Hybrid Vehicles
By Cheryl Pon

Long

While hybrid vehicles are gaining popularity today with their attractive fuel efficiency, the future may bring a vehicle that utilizes only hydrogen and has no emissions whatsoever, thanks to the contributions of Berkeley Lab materials scientist Jeffrey Long. Through the eyes of Long, all you would need to fill your tank with in the future is hydrogen. You won't have to worry about your car needing refueling for a very long time, or harming the environment, and all that would be dripping from the exhaust pipe would be water. Full story.

Computation Expert Discusses Data Mining

Shoshani

Arie Shoshani, head of the Computational Research Division's Scientific Data Management Group, was a keynote speaker at the fifth Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' International Conference on Data Mining held last week in Houston. In his talk on "Efficient Indexing Technology for Data Mining of Scientific Data," Shoshani discussed how Berkeley Lab-developed tools like FastBit can help scientists quickly search millions of files to find those of significance. Such capabilities become increasingly important as new experimental facilities routinely create terabtyes of data.

Power Outage Planned
For This Weekend

The power will be turned off in Buildings 62, 62A, 62B, 66, 67 (Molecular Foundry) and 73 this weekend. The outage will begin on Saturday at 7 a.m. and be restored in Buildings 66 and 67 by approximately 7 p.m. on Saturday, and in Buildings 62, 62A, 62B and 73 by 7 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, contact Dan Galvez (x6213) or Joe Harkins (x7486).

Lab Merchandise
On Sale Next Week

All items in the Lab's gift shop will be on sale next Monday through Friday. Discounts of 20 to 30 percent will be given on shirts, cups, sweaters, t-shirts, visors and other merchandise bearing the Lab's distinctive logo. The shop is adjacent to the coffee counter in the cafeteria. Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.