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  Wednesday, January 24, 2007 spacer image
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Today

9:30 a.m.
EHS 604
Hazardous Waste Generator
Bldg. 70A-3377

10:30 a.m.
Berkeley Lab Institute
Effective Meetings
Bldg. 62-203

11 a.m.
EHS 622
Radioactive and Mixed Waste Generator
Bldg. 70A-3377

Noon
EETD
Creating Friendly Indoor Environments for the Asthma Child: Submicron Capture and Energy Efficiency
Drew Wood, Indoor Air Quality Research Collaborative
Bldg. 90-3075

Noon
Dance Club
Waltz Practice
Bldg. 51 Bevatron Lobby

Noon
CITRIS
Matchmaking Global Energy Needs and Local Energy Technology
Arun Majumdar
290 Hearst Mining Bldg. (campus)

Noon
Yoga Club
Class with Naomi Hartwig
Bldg. 937-302

Noon
Benefits Office
Enrolling in the UC Retirement Savings Program
Alyssa Valladao, Fidelity Investments
Bldg. 26-109

12:15 p.m.
Yoga Club
Class with Chris Hoskins
Bldg. 70-191

1 p.m.
EHS 27
Performing an Effective Safety Walkaround
Bldg. 70A-3377


Tomorrow

7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
EH&S
Red Wing Shoemobile

Bldg. 51 Parking Lot

8:30 a.m.
EHS 400
Radiation Safety Fundamentals
Bldg. 70A-3377

2 p.m.
UC Berkeley
Nanogenerators and Nano-Piezotronics
Zhong Lin Wang, Georgia Institute of Technology
290 Hearst Mining Bldg. (campus)

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Morning Editions: Polish Sausage and Eggs with Toast and Hash Browns
Tomorrow's Breakfast
: Pancakes and Eggs
Market Carvery: Udon Noodle Soup Bar
The Fresh Grille: Patty Melt Sandwich with Fries
Menutainment: Chicken and Gorgonzola Pasta Made to Order

B'fast: 6:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
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IN THE NEWS

Metagenomic Projects
Growing in Number
By Emily Singer

Microbes

Scientists are sequencing the genomes of entire microbial communities in the hope of uncovering new genes and organisms that can create fuel, mine metals, or clean up superfund sites. Known as metagenomics, the field relies on studying bits of DNA from a variety of organisms that live in the same place. Thanks to ever-improving sequencing methods, the number of metagenome projects is growing, giving scientists myriad new genes to explore. Researchers at the Joint Genome Institute have just finished sequencing the microbial community living in the termite gut, while scientists at UC Berkeley, including Berkeley Lab earth scientist Jillian Banfield, identified three new organisms living in the highly acidic environment of abandoned mines. Full story.

Renewable Energy Gains
Far Off, Reports Show
By Janet Wilson and Elizabeth Douglass

Wiser

California's utilities are falling behind schedule in meeting a deadline stipulating that 20% of their electricity must come from renewable resources by 2010, newly issued reports from two energy agencies show. Ryan Wiser, a Berkeley Lab environmental energy technologist who has analyzed state renewables programs across the country, said California agencies were "doing their darndest" to comply with the law. But he said the lack of available transmission lines would make it "physically impossible" to meet the 2010 deadline, although 2013 was doable. Full story.


Metagenomics Data
System is Upgraded

On the one-year anniversary of the launch of the experimental metagenome data management and analysis system, IMG/M, the Joint Genome Institute (JGI) has released the latest upgrade. Targeting JGI’s expanding user base, IMG/M provides tools for analyzing the functional capability of microbial communities based on their metagenome sequence, in the context of reference isolate genomes, using a variety of public functional and pathway resources. The enhanced version of IMG/M now offers aggregate genome (metagenome) data generated from microbial community samples that have been the subject of recently published studies. Full story.

SAFETY LESSONS LEARNED


Close Call Underscores
Need for Chemical Safety

A recent incident underscores the need for proper training and observation of safety precautions when working with hazardous chemicals such as acids. A guest was working with nitric and hydrofluoric acids in a fume hood in Building 2. When he opened the sash, he smelled acid and felt warmth on his cheek. Aware of hydrofluoric acid toxicity, the result of Chemical Hygiene training, he sought the help of another student, applied calcium gluconate as a first-aid measure, and called the Fire Department at x7911. He was taken to Alta Bates Hospital for further evaluation, where it was determined that he suffered no injury. Awareness, training and quick action averted injury in this case. However, with more severe exposure, chemical burns can result in scarring, pigmentation changes, and loss of limb function. Inhalation of acids can be fatal. Go here for more information on chemical burns, the recent incident, and chemical-use safety precautions.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

New Science Series
Seeks Web Bloggers

QUEST, a multiplatform science series, is coming soon to KQED's TV and radio stations, as well as their website and educational network. KQED's most ambitious local production to date, QUEST concentrates on Bay Area science, focusing on astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, environment, geology, health, physics, and weather. Berkeley Lab is one of QUEST's advisory partners, and QUEST's Interactive Producer is seeking one or two bloggers from Berkeley Lab who can post weekly entries of 150 to 500 words about one or more of the focus topics. If you have expertise and can write about science for the public, go here to learn more and apply. More about QUEST is here.



DOE Seeks Employees
To Staff AAAS Booth

The American Association for the Advancement of Science will hold its annual meeting and national conference on "Science and Technology for Sustainable Well-Being" in San Francisco Feb. 15-19. Berkeley Lab is one of the event's sponsors, and Director Steve Chu will be giving a plenary lecture on Friday, Feb. 16. The Department of Energy will have an information booth in the exhibit hall at the San Francisco Hilton, and has asked if Lab employees can volunteer for an hour or more to staff the booth and "talk science" while Office of Science staff answer questions about the national labs. People with knowledge of the DOE grant process and education opportunities are especially encouraged. Those interested should contact Doris Martin in the Office of Science in Washington, D.C. Exhibit hall hours can be found here.

ANNOUNCEMENT




Scale Model of Lab Helps to Understand LRDP Vision

Employees who have visited the cafeteria in the last week may have noticed a large scale model of the existing Berkeley Lab on the hillside. This model, developed by the Facilities Department, will help planners and citizens visualize the Lab's physical plant over the next 20 years. The draft Long Range Development Plan is up for public review through March 23. Future facilities might include a Helios building (below the Molecular Foundry), a Computational Research and Theory Building (west of Building 50), and an ALS User Support Building (replacing Building 10).
 
spacer imageWEATHER
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Clear.
High: 59° (15° C)
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Extended Forecast
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spacer imageEMERGENCY INFO
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Emergency: Call x7911
Cell Phones: Call 911
Non-emergency Incident Reporting: Call x6999


SECON level 3

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