@Stanford - A monthly newsletter of campus news and research January 28, 2009: ------------------------------------- NEWS ------------------------------------- $100 million initiative to tackle energy issues Recognizing that energy is at the heart of many of the world's economic, environmental and political problems, Stanford is establishing a $100 million research institute to focus intently on energy issues, President John Hennessy announced January 12. Justice Anthony Kennedy to give Commencement address U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, '58, will deliver the 2009 Commencement address on June 14 in Stanford Stadium. Robert Sapolsky, a MacArthur Fellow and neuroscientist at Stanford, will give the Class Day lecture, and Ruth W. Messinger, president of the American Jewish World Service, will offer the Baccalaureate address. Stanford admits 689 early applicants Stanford was more selective than ever in its early admission program this year, accepting only 689 of 5,363 applicants to the Class of 2013, the Office of Undergraduate Admission announced January 7. ------------------------------------- RESEARCH ------------------------------------- Tropics face food crisis by 2100 Rapidly warming climate is likely to seriously alter crop yields by the end of this century and, without adaptation, leave half the world's population facing serious food shortages, according toStanford researchers, who co-authored a study published in the January 9 edition of the journalScience. Scientists discover new mechanism behind aging in mice A new study shows that age-related degeneration of tissues, organs and even facial skin is an active, deliberate process rather than a gradual failure of tired cells. Wind, water and sun beat other energy alternatives The best ways to improve energy security, mitigate global warming and reduce the number of deaths caused by air pollution are blowing in the wind and rippling in the water, not growing on prairies or glowing inside nuclear power plants, says Mark Z. Jacobson, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford. Blood scanner detects even faint indicators of cancer A team led by Stanford researchers has developed a prototype blood scanner that can find cancer markers in the bloodstream in early stages of the disease, potentially allowing for earlier treatment and dramatically improved chances of survival. ------------------------------------- FEATURES ------------------------------------- 'At the Hands of the Radicals' In an excerpt from his new memoir, Stanford in Turmoil, former provost and president Richard Lyman revisits the violence and protest that divided the campus in the late 1960s, and analyzes the events surrounding a student takeover of Encina Hall in 1969. The human whisperer In an age when lab tests and diagnostic protocols dominate, doctor/author Abraham Verghese has opened a new chapter on an old practice: bedside medicine. His students are listening, one patient at a time. Tough lessons in the Big Easy Even before Katrina, New Orleans education was in dire straits. Channa Cook, '02, MA '03, principal at one of six new charter schools in the city, is working to fix that by getting all 110 of her students into college. ------------------------------------- SPORTS ------------------------------------- Stanford basketball handles Oregon 77-55 Anthony Goods scored 20 points and eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for his career in helpingStanford beat Oregon 77-55 last Thursday. Hoops with Obama Volleyball standout Spencer McLachlin not only met America's new president, Barack Obama, but played basketball with him, an experience the Stanford sophomore will never forget. The latest Cardinal scores ------------------------------------- IN MEMORIAM ------------------------------------- Rixford Snyder, who spent his career bringing students to Stanford as the head of undergraduate admission and later helping them stay connected to the University by creating an alumni travel program, died January 8. He was 100. Alumnus and Associate Dean of Multicultural Education Thomas James Massey, a cherished member of Stanford's student affairs division known to many across campus simply as "Thom," died unexpectedly over the winter break. He was 61. More obituaries ------------------------------------- HEARD ON CAMPUS ------------------------------------- "He's too smart for that; that's why he's the President." - Oregon State basketball coach Chris Robinson, on why his brother-in-law, President Barack Obama, has never played one-on-one against him. Robinson was on campus practicing before last Saturday's game against Stanford. ------------------------------------- WEB WATCH ------------------------------------- Stanford University Stanford Alumni Association The latest news from Stanford Cardinal sports coverage Stanford on iTunes Events at Stanford Stanford on YouTube Make a gift to Stanford The Stanford Challenge Stanford Historical Society Medical School Other Schools: Business, Earth Sciences, Education, Engineering, H&S, Law |