January 2019 – July 2022
The idea for a national day focused on the environment came to Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, after witnessing the ravages of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara. He wanted to infuse the same energy the anti-war movement had into raised awareness of air and water pollution. https://www.earthday.org/about/the-history-of-earth-day/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9v6pjszc4QIVk6DsCh2HvwsLEAAYASAAEgLlivD_BwE
Biosciences Area researchers who measured mitochondrial metabolism in living brain tissues of a mouse model of Huntington disease found that regional differences in neuronal susceptibility to the disease can be attributed to reprogramming strategies adopted by astrocytes in response to low glucose. https://biosciences.lbl.gov/2019/04/17/astrocyte-insight-explains-brain-region-specific-vulnerability-in-huntington-disease/
A team of researchers led by Berkeley Lab has observed chirality for the first time in polar skyrmions in a material with reversible electrical properties — a combination that could lead to more powerful data storage devices that continue to hold information, even after they’ve been turned off. https://newscenter.lbl.gov/2019/04/18/electric-skyrmions-charge-ahead-for-next-generation-data-storage/
Oxygen is all around us, but EESA scientist Javier Ceja-Navarro really likes it because of how it interacts with microbes that live within the digestive systems of insects. Understanding how bugs break down plant polymers will help researchers advance the production of biofuels. https://youtu.be/lKYV02hkJM0
Employees who have previously verified their dependents’ benefits coverage eligibility with Secova may receive a duplicate verification request from UC’s new vendor, UnifyHR. Email benefits@lbl.gov for assistance if you receive a duplicate eligibility verification request.
On April 22 and 23, Lawrence and Lee Roads will have traffic controls. On April 24, the road behind Building 71 will close, and the nearby M2 parking will close from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Chamberlain Road will close between McMillan Road and Building 81 from 7 to 8:30 a.m. on April 25. https://pim.lbl.gov/resource/site-construction-map-updates/
As part of Autism Awareness Month, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office and the All Access ERG is hosting a neurodiversity panel discussion today from noon to 1 p.m. Participate in the Building 50 Auditorium or watch the live stream. Among the panelists is Lab Director Mike Witherell. https://stratcomm-elements.lbl.gov/2019/04/19/neurodiversity-panel-april-23-to-support-autism-awareness-month/
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is accepting applications for its IF/THEN Ambassadors program. The initiative brings together 100 women from a variety of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers to serve as role models for middle school girls. https://www.aaas.org/page/ifthen-ambassadors
After nearly 10 years, Kathy Yelick is leaving her role as Associate Lab Director for Computing Sciences, effective at the end of the year. She will continue to serve as a strategic advisor on Lab-wide initiatives while focusing on her research at the Lab and duties as a professor at UC Berkeley. https://cs.lbl.gov/news-media/news/2019/yelick
Water-purifying technology developed at Berkeley Lab was named among only five in the world that meet current international standards in a recent study from United Nations University examining systems for small communities. https://energyanalysis.lbl.gov/news/article/lab-water-technology-among-best-world