http://newscenter.berkeley.edu/ Headlines from the University of California, Berkeley Steve McConnell - steve.mcconnell@berkeley.edu en-US http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2009/07/02_greencorridor.shtml Representatives of UC Berkeley and other members of a public-private East Bay consortium designed to solve environmental challenges while creating jobs gathered in Oakland June 26 for the partnership's second annual summit. Published: 02 July http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2009/06/22_pesticide.shtml UC Berkeley researchers recommend that the U.S. EPA re-evaluate current standards for pesticide exposure in light of a new study finding that children's increased vulnerability to pesticides lasts much longer than expected. Published: 22 June http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2009/05/26_exoticpests.shtml An exotic pest is ravaging the shade-providing canopy of eastern hemlock forests, and in turn setting the stage for the successful invasion of non-native plants, according to new UC Berkeley research. Published: 26 May http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2009/05/18_coolinghaze.shtml Global warming may include some periods of local cooling, according to a new UC Berkeley study. Results from satellite and ground-based sensor data show that sweltering summers can, paradoxically, lead to the temporary formation of a cooling haze in the southeastern United States. Published: 18 May http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2009/05/04_ddt.shtml The current practice of spraying DDT indoors to fight malaria is leading to unprecedented - and insufficiently monitored - levels of exposure to the pesticide, say experts concerned about the risk to human health. Published: 04 May http://www.berkeley.edu/news/berkeleyan/2009/05/01_bees.shtml A research garden near campus is devoted to discovering which common garden plants are attractive to local bee species - the better to ensure their survival. Published: 01 May http://www.berkeley.edu/news/berkeleyan/2009/05/01_botany.shtml Two guys walk into a bar. One says, "Let's do a musical based on that book about plants." Published: 01 May http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2009/04/13_heatstroke.shtml Preserving endangered species is going to get a whole lot harder with the advent of global warming, according to paleoecologist Anthony Barnosky, author of a new book called "Heatstroke: Nature in an Age of Global Warming." Climate change will force plants and animals to seek more hospitable habitats ouside preserves, or more likely, force humans to assist with their migration to preferred habitat. Published: 13 April http://www.berkeley.edu/news/berkeleyan/2009/04/09_climate.shtml A new report outlines the steps Berkeley has taken over the past two years to attain its goal of cutting back its greenhouse-gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2014. Published: 09 April http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2009/04/07_pyrogeography.shtml Climate change will bring about major shifts in worldwide fire patterns, and those changes are coming fast, according to a new analysis led by UC Berkeley fire researchers. Published: 07 April http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2009/03/11_streamer.shtml At last two dozen hummingbirds, not to mention hundreds of other birds, sport long tails to attract females. But don't these tails get in the way? A new UC Berkeley study shows that long-tailed male hummingbirds lose little in the way of energy to draw the attention of admiring females. Published: 11 March http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2009/03/11_ozone.shtml A study analyzing two decades of data for 450,000 people across the nation found that long-term exposure to ground-level ozone, a major component of smog, raises the risk of death from respiratory ailments. It is the first major study connecting chronic exposure to ozone to elevated mortality rates, and could be used in future evaluations of federal standards for acceptable ozone levels. Published: 11 March http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2009/03/11_legalearth.shtml The law schools at UC Berkeley and UCLA today announced the launch of a new blog, Legal Planet, which provides insight and analysis on climate change, energy, and environmental law and policy. This collaborative blog draws upon the individual research strengths and vast expertise of the law schools' think tanks and legal scholars. Published: 11 March http://www.berkeley.edu/news/berkeleyan/2009/03/04_biofuelsnow.shtml A new generation of biofuels, made from non-food plants, will eventually reduce the impact that today's corn-and soy-based fuels are having on the global environment. But for now, says a campus expert, ethanol and its kin will remain part of the nation's multi-source energy portfolio Published: 04 March http://www.berkeley.edu/news/berkeleyan/2009/03/04_climatespeak.shtml Starting March 17, a new speaker series will explore the state's landmark climate-control legislation and its critical connections to sustainable development and land-use planning. Published: 04 March