CA&ES Currents Newsletter

WHO
David McCarron Receives International Nutrition Prize

IN THE NEWS
Technology Battles Microbes in Hospital Bed Linens
Genomics Lab Study Influences Plan to Save State Fish
Asparagus Breaks Down Pesticide Malathion
Healthy Eating Would Benefit State Farms, Too
Caterpillars in Yolo County Emerge for a Brief Visit

WHAT
RFP: California Bay-Delta Authority Science Program
NRS Research Grant Program

WHAT
Landscape Architecture Program Lecture Series
Milk Genome Symposium, Nov. 11-12, 2004
Arboretum Events

David McCarron Receives International Nutrition Prize
David McCarron, adjunct professor in the Department of Nutrition is the recipient of the 2004 International Prize for Modern Nutrition from the Federation of the Swiss Milk Producers (SMP). The award is for significant contributions to international research in nutrition. McCarron is being honored for his work on mineral metabolism and high blood pressure. Prior to joining the faculty at UC Davis, McCarron was Head of the Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Clinical Pharmacology at the Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland.

PRN Newswire



Back to top ^

Technology Battles Microbes in Hospital Bed Linens
Gang Sun, professor in the Department of Textiles and Clothing, developed a new technology that binds chlorine-based sanitizers to nearly any textile and can help prevent the spread of infection via bed linens. "In light of the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the use of HaloShield [technology] can be a major development in the battle against microbes that spread infection," says Sun.

Aging & Elder Health Week


Back to top ^

Genomics Lab Study Influences Plan to Save State Fish
Recent DNA analysis at UC Davis' Genomic Variation Laboratory found that there has been such extensive interbreeding with the golden trout, California's state fish, that the fish now faces "a real possibility of extinction." Researchers in the Genomic Variation Laboratory in the Department of Animal Science use molecular techniques to study genomic variation in natural and aquacultural populations.

The Associated Press


Back to top ^

Asparagus Breaks Down Pesticide Malathion
Takayuki Shibamoto, professor in the Department of Environmental Toxicology, and colleague Yasuko Okamoto found that a water extract from fresh asparagus completely degraded the insecticide malathion in four hours. In a paper in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the researchers point out that it is impossible to eliminate all pesticide residues from foods, so finding compounds that can degrade them is important.

New York Times


Back to top ^

Healthy Eating Would Benefit State Farms, Too
California farmers would benefit by more than $316 million a year if the state's residents followed healthy eating guidelines, according to the results of a study announced this week by research economist Karen Jetter in the Agricultural Issues Center (AIC), and co-authors, Daniel Sumner, professor and director of the AIC, and James Chalfant, professor and chair of the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. The study assessed the increased spending that would result from consumers if they followed the USDA's recommendation that adults eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

Daily Democrat
Sacramento Bee


Back to top ^

Caterpillars in Yolo County Emerge for a Brief Visit
Art Shapiro, professor in the Department of Entomology and Steve Heydon, senior museum scientist at the Bohart Museum of Entomology, were featured in the Davis Enterprise discussing the life cycle of the salt marsh caterpillars, currently found crawling on Yolo County roads. Shapiro says the caterpillars' presence will only last a few days. "As soon as the caterpillars find a place to hibernate," he said, "they will disappear for the winter. The big surge will be over by mid-October."

Davis Enterprise


Back to top ^

RFP: California Bay-Delta Authority Science Program
The California Bay-Delta Authority Science Program is announcing its first call for research proposals in support of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program. Approximately $18 - $20 million will be available for research.

Science Program Deadline: Jan. 6, 2005

Ecosystem Restoration Program Deadline: Nov. 19, 2004

Information


Back to top ^

NRS Research Grant Program
The UC Natural Reserve System (NRS) announces that a maximum of $30,000, with $2,500 per award, is available for the Mildred E. Mathias Graduate Student Research Grants. Studies must be conducted on NRS reserves, and applicants must be enrolled at UC.

Applications Due: Oct. 20, 2004

Instructions and Application


Back to top ^

Landscape Architecture Program Lecture Series
The Landscape Architecture Program is hosting a lecture series during fall quarter. The series, coordinated by associate professor Patsy Eubanks-Owens, will be held each Friday in 119 Wellman Hall. The lecture series, In Our Own Backyards, will focus on current design projects in and around Davis. Next week’s (Oct. 15) lecture will be “The Knowledge of Man is as the Waters” presented by Diana Walker-Smith and Amanda Voltin, students in the Landscape Architecture Program. All are welcome to attend.

Presenter Schedule and Information:



Back to top ^

Milk Genome Symposium, Nov. 11-12, 2004
UC Davis researchers from fields including food science, nutrition, animal science and applied science are among the invited speakers at the International Symposium on the Milk Genome and Human Health. The symposium which will focus on the current state of genomics as it relates to milk research, the processes of lactation, the tools of genomics and an overview of the milk genome project, will be held at COPIA: The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts in Napa.

Information:



Back to top ^

Arboretum Events

All events are free and open to the public unless specified.

Oct. 13, Volunteer Training Course begins
Wednesdays, Oct. 13 - Dec. 1, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
(no class November 24)
Learn about California ecology, native plants, and Central Valley gardening. Become a gardener, nursery volunteer, events volunteer, or educational volunteer.
Materials fee: $55 / $45 for members

Oct. 17, 2 p.m., Guided Tour: Color in Your Garden
Meet at the Gazebo.

Oct. 24, 2 p.m., Guided Tour: Living Under the Redwoods
Meet at the Buehler Alumni & Visitor Center

Oct. 31, 2 p.m., Guided Tour: Highlights of the Arboretum
Meet at the Buehler Alumni & Visitor Center.

Nov. 7, 2 p.m., Guided Tour: Winter Birds in Your Garden
Meet at the Arboretum Headquarters

Nov. 14, 2 p.m., Guided Tour: Valley Gardening the Right Way
Meet at the Arboretum Terrace Garden

UC Davis Arboretum
(530) 752-4880
http://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/calendar.htm


Back to top ^