Perlmutter, far right, is interviewed for an episode of "Closer to Truth"

PBS Film Crew Seeks
‘Truth’ at the Lab

A PBS film crew came to the Lab last Thursday to interview Saul Perlmutter for a new TV series titled "Closer to Truth." Much of the day was spent at the Building 77 assembly shop where the SNAP full-scale model resides. This effort was made possible with the help of SNAP engineer Matt Hoff and assembly shop head Bill Gath, along with building manager Ed Tully and safety manager Weyland Wong. To establish a “big science” atmosphere, the crew later filmed at the Advanced Light Source, where ALS scientific advisor Janos Kirz gave generously of his time. Today at Berkeley Lab will announce when the program airs. Go here for more information.

Apple Products Now
Available on eBuy

Apple/MacIntosh products are now available via eBuy from US Falcon/CDW-G at prices equivalent to Apple direct. To see a list of recommended Apple products, login to the eBuy website, click on the Falcon/CDW-G link, then the "LBNL Recommended Products" link. For non-standard configurations, contact Jeff Freedman of CDW-G (877-380-3424), or go here to select the needed components. CDWG can create a special “build to order” part number and post it on the website for direct ordering through eBuy.

Researchers Race to Find
Mysterious Dark Matter

Sadoulet

In deep underground laboratories around the globe, a high-tech race is on to spot dark matter, the invisible cosmic glue that's believed to keep galaxies from spinning apart. The front-runner for the past several years, called CDMS for cryogenic dark matter search, uses ultracold silicon and germanium crystals each the size of a hockey puck to sift out telltale vibrations of a WIMP (weakly interacting massive particles) collision. CDMS spokesman and Berkeley Lab physicist Bernard Sadoulet said it helps to have more than one technology searching for dark matter to crosscheck results. Full story.

Nitrogen Rivals CO2
As Climate Threat

Torn

The unprecedented release of nitrogen-based fertilizer and its affect on the Earth’s climate are “larger in magnitude and more profound” than carbon, but its impact is being ignored, say scientists. That's a grave oversight, said Margaret Torn, the head of Climate Change and Carbon Management program in Berkeley Lab’s Earth Science Division. "Nitrogen should be on the radar," she said. "Unless we control that problem, we won't solve climate change." Full story.