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volume 131, number 6
wednesday, january 18, 2012
Redevelopment agencies to be dissolved by Feb. 1 Abolishment provoked by California’s budget deficit By CLAIRE TAN Aggie Staff Writer
The California Supreme Court recently ruled on two state assembly bills regarding the status of the state’s redevelopment agencies. The California Supreme Court decided on Dec. 29 to uphold Assembly Bill 26 (AB1X 26) and to strike down Assembly Bill 27 (AB1X 27). AB1X 26 eliminates redevelopment agencies while AB1X 27 would have allowed redevelopment agencies to continue operating, provided they make payments to schools and special districts every year, that is, $1.7 billion this fiscal year and $400 million onward. “If a political entity has been created by the legislature, it can be dissolved by the legislature, barring some specific constitutional obstacle,” said the Supreme Court in a statement. According to the California Redevelopment Association (CRA), under state law, redevelopment agencies have the specific goal of revitalizing deteriorated areas in cities and counties. The agencies replace and upgrade infrastructure such as streets, water lines and sewers, fund affordable housing, provide community facilities and clean-up contaminated properties.
In response to AB1X 26, the CRA has called out to its members to take immediate action to reestablish redevelopment. “Without immediate legislative action to fix this disaster, this ruling is a tremendous blow to local job creation and economic advancement,” said CRA Board President Julio Fuentes in a statement. The CRA said the ruling of AB1X 26 will result in hundreds of thousands of jobs lost. “We have ideas for ways to restore redevelopment while also providing the state budgetary relief,” said CRA’s Interim Executive Director Jim Kennedy in a statement. T h e Davis City Council h a s
promptly reacted to the dissolution of redevelopment agencies by deciding at its Jan. 10 meeting to become the successor to the Davis Redevelopment Agency. In other words, the city council will take over the role of the soon-to-be dissolved local redevelopment agency. “Becoming a successor agency makes the most sense,” said Davis Councilmember Dan Wolk in an e-mail. “Although there are some risks in doing so, this would give the city a greater level of control over how the redevelopment agen-
Irisa Tam / Aggie
CLAIRE TAN can be reached at city@theaggie.org.
UC Davis reaches new fundraising height
Campus store to bring new life to secondhand items Sustainability professor calls Aggie ReStore an “idea generator” By RICHARD CHANG Aggie News Writer
As a part of the university’s goal to go “zero waste by 2020,” a sustainability professor, along with two graduate students, collaborated to found a second-use store that is slated to open Jan. 25 at the Memorial Union. Known as the Aggie ReStore, the project was inspired by UC Davis Professor Ann Savageau’s course in sustainability. “For one project, students collect so-called campus ‘waste’ or post-consumer materials, and figure out how to make new, attractive, usable products. I knew we had something special that needed to be expanded to the larger campus community,” Savageau said. Aggie ReStore seeks to provide a second life for items that would otherwise have gone to waste in a landfill. “Our store is unique because donators determine our inventory, so the type of items we provide are always changing,” said Loni Coelho, unit director for Aggie ReStore. According to Coelho, prices will range
cy’s obligations and assets are handled as it dissolves.” The staff report states the council believes the legislature’s decision to dissolve redevelopment agencies and the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold this legislation does not serve the council’s goals of fiscal stability, community strength and effectiveness and economic development. “In Davis, redevelopment has done a lot of good, particularly with respect to affordable housing, limiting growth on our periphery and infrastructure,” Wolk said. “I hope that all the parties in Sacramento are able to work together to fashion a solution that preserves some of the benefits of redevelopment.” Most recently, new legislation has been proposed to postpone the Feb. 1 deadline to April 15, allowing for agencies to negotiate with Gov. Jerry Brown and the legislature to keep reconfigured redevelopment agencies. “I understand where the legislature and governor are coming from on redevelopment,” Wolk said. “In a time of budget crisis, redevelopment agencies are a prime target.”
from a nickel to $20. The store will carry school supplies, clothing, small electronics and kitchenware. Additionally, interested students may also showcase and sell what Savageau likes to call “handcrafted items made with recycled materials.” The business is being run as a nonprofit unit under ASUCD. The staff consists almost entirely of volunteers. Graduate student Carol Shu — one of the founders — said the profits will fund store’s operations and depending on the amount of sales, profits may also be used for outreach programs. Savageau is optimistic about the impact of Aggie ReStore. “It will be an important idea generator and will serve as an example of what can be done to extend the life of products, conserve our precious natural resources and reduce waste,” she said. The Aggie ReStore will be holding its grand opening on Jan. 25. There was also a soft opening Tuesday. RICHARD CHANG can be reached at campus@theaggie.org.
Donors commit more than $117.6 million last fiscal year By CHARLOTTE YOUNG Aggie News Writer
In the 2010-11 fiscal year UC Davis reached a new goal, attaining $117.6 million in fundraising, making this the fifth year in a row that donations exceeded $100 million. The total amount of contributions was reached by a combination of 40,000 donors including alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students, corporations, foundations and other organizations that have helped fund each of Davis’ four undergraduate colleges and six professional schools. “We are so grateful that this accomplishment has occurred during difficult economic times, and believe it is a testament to the faith donors have in UC Davis,” said Tom Hinds, development communications manager. Most of the funds will be going to specific purposes as designated by the donors, spanning across almost every aspect
of campus. “Private gifts are a crucial source of funding for UC Davis as we work to address the world’s most critical issues through our innovative teaching, research, patient care and public service,” Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi said in a press release. These donations have helped to continue The Campaign for UC Davis, a multiyear initiative to have 100,000 donors give $1 billion by 2014. With this year’s donations, Davis has reached 70 percent of its goal, or about $702 million, from 82,889 donors. The amount donated to each program varied. The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences earned the most support receiving $36.2 million, with the Health Center following behind earning $20.25 million. Out of the total amount of donations, gifts from alumni reached $7.4 million, increasing 30 percent from the year before. CHARLOTTE YOUNG can be reached at campus@theaggie.org.
To tweet or not to tweet? Steps for superior tweeting, hashtagging, networking By LANI CHAN
Aggie Features Writer
For those who have not yet hopped on the Twitter bandwagon, learning how to tweet may provide for a more useful and informative social networking experience. Since the site went live in 2006, Twitter has gained 300 million users, making it one of the most popular social networking services. Users can instantly ‘follow’ any other user they choose, giving them access to a stream of condensed information from multiple sources all in one place. Features such as the 140 character limit, the option to ‘retweet’ and ‘follow’ settings distinguish it from other social networking sites such as Facebook and help to facilitate a different type of interaction. Young professionals, in particular, may find the Twitter community to be one worth being part of. “Twitter allows you to follow people who are thought leaders in your field,” said Dr. Andy Jones, @ andyojones on Twitter, UC Davis University Writing Program and technocultural studies professor and an expert in social media. “All of us are hoping to improve our knowledge in the area that we work, all of us have someone who we wish we could have as a mentor. Seeing what they’re talk-
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ing about gives you an opportunity to engage in a sort of professional development all the time. It’s instructive. Facebook doesn’t do that.” The compact nature of Twitter posts has made the service more accessible to a broad spectrum of users, including political figures, celebrities, businesses and nonprofit organizations. Professionals can use Twitter to create a public platform for themselves, and career-minded individuals can use it to learn from them. Emma Schatz, sophomore neurology, physiology, and biology major, said that the professional networking opportunities that Twitter provides would be a compelling reason to start using an account. “You don’t hear much about the site working like that,” Schatz said. “My impression was that Twitter has allowed people to post sort of pointless updates on their life, so I’ve never really felt the need to get one. But I could see getting an account if I could use it for professional development, especially as a lot of older professionals aren’t really on Facebook.” Users can follow people they do not know personally, which makes the sharing of information more accessible and convenient. “We all have control over our Twitter streams,” Jones said. “We
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don’t a l l want to sign up for mailing lists. So if you’re a fan of, for example, “The Daily Show”, you could sign on to see what Jon Stewart is talking about. You might not want e-mails with pictures and videos and links but you will read 140 characters about what he has to say.” So what specific features should aspiring Tweeters be familiar with before getting started? Hashtags, which take the form of a ‘#’ sign followed by one or two key words, have become a vital part of the ever-evolving social networking vocabulary. “Hashtags allow you to give someone else a sense of the context for what you’re saying in just a few characters,” Jones said. “For example, you could make a joke or observation and write a corresponding hashtag for favorite television show, and
Forecast Enjoy what is left of the sunshine today because we may not see the sun again for some time. Although we will have warmer mornings, rain will be sticking with us for the next several days. Stay dry out there! Kenneth Doss, atmospheric science major Aggie Forecasting Team
others who watch that show could reply and be spared having to say ‘and of course what I’m referring to is this specific television show’ because that would take up your entire tweet.” Originally intended to be a simple device to increase efficiency of individual Tweets, hashtags have become so commonplace that they have become subject to misuse in a variety of ways. “I think they’re often abused, for people who use Twitter entirely too much, which I would probably be one,” said Arthur Gies, @aegies on Twitter, UC Davis alumnus, who now works as an editor at Joystiq.com and is an avid Twitter user with just under 12,000 followers. “They’re often the punch line to a joke. But they can be useful. For example, in the Occupy movement, they’re a rallying cry and means for mass communication.” Another feature of Twitter is the ability to tag others by using an ‘@’ sign followed by another user name, or Twitter handle. “The ‘@’ sign means that I’m talking about you and I’m letting you know that I’m talking about you,” Jones said. “It’s generally a positive reference. If there’s an author you like and respect, you can mention that you’re really enjoying their book. If you put the
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‘@’ sign in front of his name, your post will show up on his feed as well.” Each user’s Twitter feed will therefore be an aggregate display of condensed packets of information from people who you follow and people who have mentioned you. “Twitter can foster the spread of information in a viral way,” Jones said. “A tweet can take off like wildfire because people can be so excited to share something that is important.” This ease of sharing has helped Twitter to take off, becoming a setting for more public discourse, engagement and transparency. It is for these reasons that Jones said social media services such as Twitter are a positive force for the world. “There are ways that [these type of] communications make democratic thoughts and feelings possible,” Jones said. “Many of us worry about the extent to which freedom of speech is only possible for those who can afford air time. Twitter allows those of us who have insight to share information and not be dependent on moneybags to get the message out.” Follow The Aggie on Twitter @ californiaaggie. LANI CHAN can be reached at features@theaggie. org.
Today is Sara Kruzan Wednesday! Call the governor’s office at (916) 445-2841 - hit 1, wait, then hit 6 and ask for Sara Kruzan’s immediately release from prison. Visit http://stopslavery2012. com/sarakruzanwednesday.html for more info. Mimi Vo
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daily calendar dailycal@theaggie.org
TODAY The House Internship Info Session 9 to 10 a.m. Moss Room, Third Floor of Memorial Union Apply to intern at The House, a free and confidential peer counseling resource on campus. The House will be holding info sessions for applicants for two weeks from Jan. 17 to 23. You must attend an info session in order to receive an application. Visit http://caps.ucdavis.edu/thehouse or call The House at 530-752-2790 for additional info session times.
Orientation Leader Info Session Noon to 12:45 p.m. 1150 Hart Hall Interested in being an Orientation Leader for Summer 2012? Applications are due Jan. 30, but attend an info session to learn more about these hiring opportunities in Student Housing.
Davis Startups Meeting: VentureStart Program 5:30 to 7 p.m. Little Prague, 330 G St. Eric Ullrich, Program Manager for SARTA, will discuss the VentureStart program, a free mentorship program for high-tech startups. Following the discussion, there will be an informal Q&A from 6:30 to 7 p.m.
Circle K International Meeting 6 p.m. 6 Olson Join Circle K to make friends while doing community service.
Davis College Democrats Kick Off 6 p.m. 234 Wellman Congressional Candidate Dr. Ami Bera will talk to the club about his campaign and what it’s like to be in politics.
Wellness Carnival 6 to 8 p.m. ARC Lobby The fifth annual Wellness Carnival, sponsored by Health Education and
Promotion and Campus Recreation, will showcase various student organizations and departments, plus interactive activities, to help you balance your health and wellness. Bring a reusable mug for some free Starbucks coffee.
THURSDAY Davis College Democrats Pizza and Politics 6 p.m. 234 Wellman Eat pizza and discuss politics with the members of the Davis College Democrats.
French Club Meeting 6 to 8 p.m. 184 Young Meet the members of French Club.
Poetry Night Reading Series: Rae Gouirand 8 p.m. John Natsoulas Gallery, 521 First St. Rae Gouirand’s poems and essays have appeared nationwide in American Poetry Review, Boston Review, Columbia, The Kenyon Review: KROnline, Seneca Review, Bateau, and Memoir. Her work has appeared in two recent volumes of the Best New Poets series. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to sign up for a spot on the Open Mic list.
“Why Would Anyone Believe in God?” 8 p.m. 123 Sciences Lecture Hall Dr. Justin Barrett, senior researcher of the Institute for Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology at Oxford University, will explain the innate mental tools everyone possesses and why religion is cognitively natural, using evolutionary and naturalistic reasons. To receive placement in the AGGIE DAILY CALENDAR, e-mail dailycal@theaggie. org or stop by 25 Lower Freeborn by noon the day prior to your event. Due to space constraints, all event descriptions are subject to editing, and priority will be given to events that are free of charge and geared toward the campus community.
Aggie Digest EPA Game Day Challenge UC Davis was named the Diversion Rate Champion in the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2011 Game Day Challenge. The diversion rate category measures the percentage of waste material that was diverted from landfills to be recycled or composted at home football games during the 2011 season. UC Davis finished the season with a 93.1 percent diversion rate, best of any of the 75 competing universities. UC Davis also finished second in the category of waste minimization per-person, which measures the amount of waste created per attendee. Spectators at Aggie football games created an average of .124 pounds of waste per person, trailing only Central Connecticut State, whose fans created just .059 pounds per person. — Trevor Cramer
The california Aggie
the (fictionalized) gender disparity of the recession, wherein males are losing their jobs to female hires. Their solution is to dress in drag, speak an octave highRajiv er and apply to positions as Narayan females. “Work It” reached a level of notoriety among critics from the get-go, one of whom labeled it offensive to “People of Earth.” Just as I sat down to write this column, ABC pulled “Work It” off the air. Good riddance. The most recent of these etween the fields of premieres is Showtime’s psychology, linguisstar-powered “House of tics, sociology and Lies” with Don Cheadle and computer science, there are Kristen Bell. In many ways, at least 10 theories on the this show bears a lot of poevolution of humor. “Relief tential for the way it interTheory” is my favorite. It rogates race, power and posits that we laugh to resexuality. But then there are lease tension. In this way, the scandalized displays humor is a kind of homeoof sex — angry sex, lesbian static mechanism for regu- sex, deflowering a devout lating fear. Mormon and so on — that If this is don’t intertrue, we may rogate the Recession is merely a set piece experience get a stitch in our side, to a humor that regresses to the of different fall off our lifestyles chair and be- mean by recycling sitcom tropes so much gin crying — as create a all at once — from laughspectator sport out of them. ing at the recession. It goes Though we’re supposed to without saying our current find dark humor in the beeconomic decline is intimhind-the-scenes of corpoidation incarnate. Like a rate avarice, the show funcstethoscope to our anxiettionally paints sleazy busiies, Hollywood is keeping ness in cool, cavalier tones. with the beat by placing re- The Gordon Geckos of cession center stage with “House of Lies” are not bad, recent television premieres. but badass. With all the humor, In each of these cases, it’s worth asking wheththe recession is not actuer we’re laughing at, or ally the subject of humor. laughing with. Just beWe aren’t laughing at the cause these shows are pred- recession. The humor, as icated on recession, their it manifests on television, role in relieving economic laughs at women, transgenhardship shouldn’t be takder communities, scandalen for granted. Let’s enterized sex and sleazy busitain three shows that have ness. Recession is merely premiered in the last seven a set piece to a humor that months. regresses to the mean by On CBS, “2 Broke Girls” recycling sitcom tropes. If joined the comedy linethese shows seem old-fashup to bring together 1 ioned, that’s because they and 99 percents. There’s are. This is all to say that we Max, an embittered waitare not finding relief from ress literally playing dead the recession. It’s already a to avoid paying back debt destructive economic phefrom credit cards and stu- nomenon, now the recesdent loans, and Chelsea, a sion abets a divisive culture new waitress pushed into industry. the working class after While Relief Theory is my her father’s Madoff-esque favorite, it’s not the most scheme is unraveled. An appropriate theory for reunlikely duo, they plan to cession humor after all. open a cupcake shop toFor that, we may turn to gether one day. But this is Superiority Theory, an exa comedy, not a feel good planation that finds its story, so racial stereotypes roots in Ancient Greece. and more than a dozen Under this model, humor rape jokes in the first six becomes the self-defense episodes sustain the humechanism by which we mor. Yeah, rape jokes. laugh at the misfortune and Where “2 Broke Girls” is inferiority of others to eleset in working-class condi- vate our identity. If this is tions to reflect fiscal hardtrue, let’s hope that explainship, the ABC comedy ing this joke can kill it. “Work It” is explicitly about the “mancession.” This is If you think the byline is the punch line to the portmanteau the two this column, humor RAJIV NARAYAN at rrnarayan@ucdavis.edu. lead males use to describe
Recession & regression
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halibut, bass, roe, crabs and lobsters, all of which are very high in protein, too. While high-protein diets are a current fad, carbohydrates are often forgotten. Theresa You don’t need a starchy diet Richardson to make your noggin work, but I absolutely do not advise going cold turkey. Our brains run on sugar — deprive yourself of it and you will likely experience that exact sugar-craving come back with a vengeance, and don’t take it out on the DC. Not only is hunger distracting, hat if the magic but limiting the fuel to your pill to easier study- brain can slow thinking, too. ing was the food Luckily, there are many ways that you ate? In most cases, to get sugar and the best are diet will directly impact the from foods digested slowkey variables to successful ly for a constant flow of enlearning — namely, mood, ergy. These are typically carenergy and brain health. bohydrates that come with If these are on your list fiber such as whole grains, of resolutions, look to what squash, beans, legumes, you eat. When midterms be- fruits, vegetables and nuts. gin, you may find yourself Now, even if you know cutting evwhat to eat, ery corner how much ... you better believe you are what and when for study time, inyou eat because the type of fat you eat is cluding eatjust as valuing healthy. you consume is what goes into it able. Let’s Yet, while start with junk food seems more conyour morning routine. While venient, it can also make breakfast may not improve you retain less information. memory directly, it can enShould you be eating health- hance mood and energy. Our ier for your grades? Here is brains also prefer the aforewhy I say yes and what to do mentioned constant flow for optimum brainpower. of sugar without the highs As nature has it, everyand lows, which is why I recday living contributes to the ommend carrying snacks to damage and death of your campus. Eat too little and you brain cells. Luckily, antioxiwon’t think as clearly, but eat dants like vitamins E, C and too much and more blood other chemicals found in will go to your belly, producplants protect those cells you ing the same result. need to think. By and large, As long as you eat adding more fruits and vegthroughout the day, modetables to your diet will put est dieting can actually boost you at a lower risk for mental your memory because the diseases and impaired learn- mild stress makes your brain ing. Sources highest in antimore alert. So why not lose oxidants include cloves, baa little weight in the midst sil, cinnamon, blue/red ber- of studying? Of course, on a ries and fruits, artichokes, quarter system, this is likedark chocolate, pecans, oats, ly a never-ending voyage. I red wine and green tea. say, you should eat up unWhile a green and coltil you’re 80 percent full and/ orful diet is important, reor have a small snack every membering the fats at the three to four hours. top of the food pyramid is So to those of you who also vital. The brain is 60 choose to eat for a competpercent fat, and you better itive edge in school, I hope believe you are what you eat you are not in my class. Still, because the type of fat you I encourage eating for your consume is what goes into brain because not only is it it. Two healthy oils, DHA good for you, but also that and EPA, are the most imdiploma. After all, getting portant for brain developa college degree can make ment, function and mood. you absolutely sure of two These are shown to imthings: you have a college prove memory recall in the degree, and you have no midst of stress and aging, money. and may even improve atWe don’t have to sacritention span. Flexible oils fice our health for our wallike DHA make this possilets, though, so next week ble by allowing faster com- I will show you how to eat munication between brain healthy on a budget. cells. We also have to get these from our diet, so if THERESA RICHARDSON is bringing you you don’t like fish I suggest the latest research to keep your college capsules because DHA and waistline and health in check. For questions EPA are best found in salm- or comments contact her at terichardson@ ucdavis.edu. on, anchovies, mackerel,
Food for 4.0s
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True or False Trading Jack for jackets
By ALEX STANTON Aggie Science Writer
accuracy The California Aggie strives to ensure that all of its facts and details are accurate. Please bring any corrections to our attention by calling (530) 752-0208.
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I’ve often heard students swear by the warming effects of alcohol in the winter cold. Even though college always seems to be booze season, can it really help you stave off the flu and cold season? Those of you who abide by the preachings of ethanol, I have some bad news. Alcohol actually lowers core body temperature, even though it makes you feel warmer. That drink of hooch you sip to banish the cold acts as a vasodilator — meaning that it widens the blood vessels. This mechanism allows blood to flow closer to the skin where the nerves that perceive temperature reside. When this happens the body feels like it’s warm because it senses the warmth of the blood. However, by diverting heat to these nerves, less heat is being transferred to the body’s core. In addition, with the blood flowing closer to the skin it can more easily exchange heat with the cold environment, which can lower your overall body temperature even more. Alcohol is also suspected to be involved in disrupting other real mechanisms of temperature regulation. For instance, the Army
Dogs
Does alcohol really warm you up?
Research Institute of Environmental Medicine has found that alcohol decreases the body’s ability to shiver, a primary method of temperature control. Other research has shown that alcohol’s illusory effect on temperature may cause a sweating reaction — further cooling the body down. In more extreme circumstances, these effects have
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been known to cause or complicate hypothermia. So, next time you think a swig from the bottle will keep you comfortable, keep this article in mind. Leave alcohol to do its real work: social lubrication and creating embarrassing Facebook pictures. ALEX STANTON can be reached at science@theaggie.org.
Canadian Inuit dog breed back to at least 1300 to 1400 AD. Further studies are underway to understand the antiquity and migration of dogs across the Arctic.” Brown is enthusiastic about interdisciplinary work involving dogs and humans. “Blending veterinary genetics with anthropology and archaeology research is definitely increasing in popularity,” Brown said. “There are so many types of questions that can be answered in ways never thought possible by the simple combination of these disciplines.”
Cont. from page 4 to Inuits. Studying the DNA of ancient dogs found in archaeological sites is helpful as a substitute for studying ancient human DNA, since genetic testing of this type involves the destruction of parts of the remains. “I’m interested in how dogs were used by prehistoric and historic groups — for example, in sled pulling, pack carrying, hunting assistance [and as a] food source,” Darwent said. “Our recent research has pushed the BRIAN RILEY can be reached at science@theaggie.org.XXX
wednesday, january 18, 2012 3
The california aggie
City of Davis to support teen programs Up to $10,000 per year given in grants teens in our community,” she said. The program is based off of the Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets for Adolescents. In addition to providing teens with extracurricular opportunities, the City of Davis seeks to promote strong community ties and personal growth. Marquez said that the city also aims to educate kids on how to make responsible decisions that will keep them out of trouble. This initiative comes two years after the city council voted to replace the Teen Center, located Third and B Streets, with the Davis Bicycle Hall of Fame. At the time, a youth interest survey was taken which indicated that only 24 percent
By CHLOE BREZSNY Aggie News Writer
The City of Davis has announced the implementation of a new program that is designed to serve local youth. The Teen Services Grant Program will provide funding for existing organizations and community programs that offer mentorship and the development of leadership skills to children aged 12 to 18 years. Anne Marquez, community services supervisor for the City of Davis, said that the city hopes to make a good impact in its first year of the program. “Our goals are to promote, support and assist programs that cater to
of the teens questioned said that they had been to the Teen Center in the previous six months. Many cited lack of interest as a primary reason. During the debate on whether or not to close the Teen Center in 2009, Lamar Heystek, who was a councilmember at the time, said that teen programs were not successful because they did not receive any funding. Today, the city is confident that the Teen Services Grant Program will greatly assist organizations that have already proved to be effective in the community. Marquez explained that to qualify for a grant from the city, an organization must be based in Yolo
County. Other requirements include at least three years of operation, and the involvement of a membership base that is made up of a minimum of 75 percent residents aged 12 to 18 years. Upon review of the grant applications, the city is prepared to give out as much as $10,000 per year to a single organization. Contracts are for seven years, in which time an organization could receive as much as $70,000. The amount of money awarded will be based on financial need and the size of the organization. Programs and organizations that are interested in applying for the Teen Grant Service Program must turn
Melody Tan / Aggie
The Bike Hall of Fame on Third Street used to house the Teen Center before teen programming was cut. in their applications to the City of Davis by Jan. 25. Grants will be dispersed in March after being approved
by the city council. CHLOE BREZSNY can be reached at city@ theaggie.org.
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Room in House 4bd/2bath house in Woodland seeking 2 roommates. $550/mo plus utilities. Quiet neighborhood 5-10 minutes from campus. Large landscaped backyard with a covered patio. Contact Patti at (916) 396-1432 or hwwirz@yahoo.com Michelle Lam: A Boat
Employment
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Science&Technology
4 wednesday, january 18, 2012
Robots borrow tail design from jumping lizards
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By HUDSON LOFCHIE Aggie Science Writer
We can build it. We have the technology. Research into unmanned robotics has received ample attention lately. This is mostly due to the military’s increased use of drones to fight remotely without endangering human life. However, unmanned robots are also receiving attention from engineers who wish to use them not for waging war but for performing rescues in the aftermath of disasters. When the terrain is treacherous, the air is toxic or when hazardous chemicals pervade the environment, robots need to be able to navigate and do their job in the most effective way possible. Researchers at the UC Berkeley Center for Interdisciplinary Bioinspiration in Education and Research (CiBER) lab are working on a robotic design that uses a tail derived from lizards and dinosaurs to provide unsurpassed stability even when the robots lose their balance. “Inspiration from lizards will likely lead to far more agile search-andrescue robots,” said Robert Full, team leader and a professor of integrative biology at UC Berkeley. The research team, consisting of graduate and undergraduate students in biology and engineering, has discovered that lizards use their tails as a counterbalance to prevent them from falling head over heels when they jump. The team added a tail to a robotic car called Tailbot and found that landing safely after losing balance is strongly dependant on the angle of the tail relative to the body. The team used high-speed cameras to film lizards as they jumped. “To see whether the lizards used their tails to stabilize themselves, we had them run down a track and jump up to a wall,” said Thomas Libby, an
Jumping lizard
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integrative biology graduate student and co-author of the study. “We used a slippery patch to make them slip during the jump and if they couldn’t stabilize themselves, they would crash headfirst into the wall.” The researchers found that the lizards swung their tails up or down to keep their body perfectly oriented for an accurate landing. The swinging motion of the tail transfers angular momentum away from their body, which reduces rotation during jumps and fast movement. “It’s analogous to how a human might swing their arms when they slip on ice, but lizards are much more effective at it because their tails are so large,” Libby said. As Libby pointed out, directly copying a lizard’s tail for a mechanical design is a bad idea. The live lizard uses its tail for many functions that include maintaining balance, storing fat, communication and defense. The mechanical version will not have to satisfy all of these requirements. Their research shows that the tail from a velociraptor would have much more effective stabilizing properties, but there just is not enough data available to know if velociraptors had the same
amount of tail articulation (range of motion) that the lizards do. “The biological form is not the target. If other technologies were better we would [use them], for example, a small flywheel,” said Evan ChangSiu, a mechanical engineering graduate student on the Berkeley team. “We analyzed the trade-offs and have come to the conclusion that tails are uniquely suited to this task.” To undertake a project of this complexity and magnitude requires a remarkable level of interdisciplinary cooperation. Biologists had to work with engineers, who had to work with programmers and all of these groups had to work cohesively to make a working final product. “The interdisciplinary team was the key to the whole project,” Libby said . “Not only did the lizards inspire the robot, but the robot was then used as a physical model to shape our hypothesis for the animals.” The robots are not yet ready for large-scale use, but as researchers refine the design, the robots come closer and closer to real-life use in the field. HUDSON LOFCHIE can be reached at science@theaggie. org.
Marco Fido?
UC Davis researchers show European breeds trace back through silk trade By BRIAN RILEY Aggie Science Writer
Ben Sacks, the director of the Canid Diversity and Conservation Group in the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine has a dream: to take on the huge task of compiling an “atlas” of all the world’s dogs — whether wild, domestic, stray, or something inbetween — that includes information on what they eat, how they relate to humans in different cultural contexts, what they look like and other physical data. Newly published results from one project that involved Sacks, along with UC Davis post-doc researcher Sarah Brown and UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine professor Niels Pedersen, as well as other researchers from around the world, point toward surprising conclusions in the field. After careful genetic anal-
nant, the team gets to work collecting samples of pretty much everything a child is exposed to in its first few years: blood, urine, breast milk, stool, even things like Amy dust and cleaning products. Stewart “We do a walk through which details how many TVs are in the house, and we do a dust collection for the dust in the house,” said McKenzie Oliver, the project manager of MARBLES. f the myriad childhood illnesses and dis- “We have nutrition questionnaires, environmental orders that cause anxiety history questionnaires, exto pregnant women everyposure questionnaires, so where, few are as common we get actual samples to yet mysterious as autism. analyze any self-reported According to the Centers data.” for Disease Control and The work isn’t just on the Prevention (CDC), about researchers’ end, though. one in every 150 children are born with autism; how- The mother has to fill out ever, despite decades of re- a weekly symptom diary while she is pregnant, a search, scientists are left with scant clues on the pos- monthly diary for the first sible cause or causes of this year of the baby’s life and a quarterly diary for the two disorder. years after that. A UC Davis study called The work can be taxing. Markers of Autism Risk “We have some families in Babies: Learning Early that are reSigns ally excited (MARBLES) If the answer isn’t primarily in to be part is a unique attempt to the genes, the twin studies don’t of the research and find and have much more to say will do anytest many thing to possible help us and causes and don’t think of us as a burhow they may interact to den in their life,” Oliver cause autism. said. “With other [families], Despite its common, singular name, autism is more we struggle to get them to accurately described as be- complete the questionnaires and forms and coming part of a spectrum, plete a visit.” called Autism Spectrum When the families live Disorders (ASD) that vary far away, there are othin severity. The most seer challenges. Most of the vere is Autistic Disorder, study involves home viswhat most people think of its, but they do have to visas “classic” autism. People with Autistic Disorder have it a MIND Institute clinic, which can be problematic. problems communicating “Some families already in social situations, overhave two or three kids react to minor changes in that may be in school, and routine and may develop obsessive interests or other have to drive all the way to Sacramento,” Oliver said. unusual behaviors. “It can be their whole day The most common to drive from San Jose to way to study the possiSacramento, and going to ble causes of autism (and the MIND Institute and many other conditions) is having to go back. It’s a real through twin studies. The challenge that we’re facing idea here is that the twins now.” will have the same environment and same age; the Hertz-Picciotto, the principal investigator, thinks only thing that is different between identical and fra- looking at the big picture of environmental factors is ternal twins is that identithe way to find clues. cal twins share all of their DNA. If the identical twins “Environmental factors have to be taken broadare more likely to both ly, including nutrition, mahave autism than the fraternal twins, then it makes ternal medical and obstetric [women’s reproduction] it more likely the cause of conditions (which create autism is genetic. the environment for the fe However, twin studies tus) and some chemicals in have a major weakness. If the answer isn’t primarily in household products, particularly those that disthe genes, the twin studies rupt systems crucial for fedon’t have much more to tal development,” Hertzsay. Picciotto said. “Twin studies are con Funding for the projcerned with heritability, ect comes partialwhile MARBLES is looking ly from the UC Davis for the non-heritable facMedical Investigation tors, which is everything of Neurodevelopmental except DNA,” said Irva Disorders (MIND) Institute, Hertz-Picciotto, an epidebut they also received a miologist, environmental five-year, $10 million grant chemicals expert and the from the National Institutes MARBLES study principal of Environmental Health investigator. Sciences (NIEHS). The process of look “We’re at the first five ing for these non-heritayears of the grant, so things ble factors the MARBLES are just getting started,” way means first finding Oliver said. mothers of autistic children who plan to become AMY STEWART can be reached at science@ pregnant again. When the mother does become preg- theaggie.org.
Marbles
Tails used to stabilize and maintain balance during jumps
European dogs
ysis of 642 dogs, and also some wolves, in areas as varied as Canada, Israel, Iran, China, Australia and Bali, it appears that modern European dogs stem mostly from Southeast Asian dogs that were brought to Europe as a result of the Silk Trade. This is important because it was previously believed that European
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dogs descended mostly from Middle Eastern dogs, which in turn descended mostly from Southeast Asian dogs. Now there appears to be very little genealogical linkage between modern European dogs and modern Middle Eastern dogs. “This was kind of a surprise,” Sacks said. “It’s not what we did the study to
look for.” One of the main purposes of the study was to find out if modern Middle Eastern dogs and modern Southeast Asian dogs are indigenous, meaning they descend from long lineages of dogs in their respective areas. The study supports this conclusion. Another important ramification of the new study is that now, Europe is once again a candidate for the ultimate historical origins of the world’s domesticated dogs. According to Sacks and Pedersen, there could have been multiple domestication events in Eurasia. “Europe is back in the game,” Sacks said. Sacks and Brown are also working with UC Davis anthropology professor Christyann Darwent in a project involving the genetic study of Arctic dogs and their relationship
See DOGS, page 2
The california Aggie