January 2019 – July 2022
New research from the Lab shows how an insect common to the Eastern U.S., the long-horned passalid beetle, has a hardy digestive tract with microbes to thank for turning its woody diet into energy, food for its young, and nutrients for forest growth. https://newscenter.lbl.gov/2019/03/11/natures-own-biorefinery/
Under DOE Order 221.1B, “Reporting Fraud, Waste, and Abuse to the Office of Inspector General,” Lab employees have a duty to report allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, misuse, corruption, criminal acts or mismanagement. Employees can report to their supervisor, any level of management, and the resources listed here. Employees may also report directly to the DOE Office of Inspector General. More>
A new group in Berkeley Lab’s Computational Research Division aims to tap into the Lab’s expertise in both computing and biosciences, crossing organizational lines to create an integrated team to develop new tools for addressing a range of scientific problems. https://crd.lbl.gov/news-and-publications/news/2019/new-computational-biosciences-group/
In first place is Michael Situ, with Laura Wong in second, Tim Kneafsey in third, and tied Janie Page and Doug Lockhart tied for fourth. Click post to view winning images and to learn more about the Lab’s Photo Club. https://sites.google.com/a/lbl.gov/lbnl-photography-club/winners
There are several ways the Lab can help with your commute including Wage Works which use pre-tax dollars to pay for public transit, and Guaranteed Ride Home which provides an emergency ride if you used public transit to get to work. Read more from Ellen Ford in this month’s email on transportation. https://commute.lbl.gov/2019/03/08/alternative-commute-options-a-message-from-leadership/
A recent study describes using quantum teleportation to simulate the scrambling of information inside a black hole, which could lead to a better understanding of mysterious interiors of black holes and provide useful insights for the future development of quantum computing or quantum simulation. https://news.berkeley.edu/2019/03/06/can-entangled-qubits-be-used-to-probe-black-holes/
To accommodate soil generated from grading at the IGB construction site, 15 to 18 spots in the D parking lot will be blocked for eight weeks starting on or about March 18. Please check back for updates as the schedule is subject to change. https://pim.lbl.gov/resource/site-construction-map-updates/
Women’s History Month honors those who have made positive inroads for women, particularly in fields traditionally dominated by men, such as science. One such woman is Lab physicist Mary Gaillard. She was the featured speaker at the Women Scientists & Engineers Council’s recent networking event. https://berkeleylab.exposure.co/generations?source=share-BerkeleyLab
A team of researchers led by Berkeley Lab has developed a method that could turn ordinary semiconducting materials into quantum devices. https://newscenter.lbl.gov/2019/03/07/semiconductors-go-quantum/
Berkeley Lab researchers have made it easier than ever to study microbial communities by creating an optimized DNA analysis technique. https://newscenter.lbl.gov/2019/03/07/tiny-organisms-unlock-big-environmental-mysteries/