UC Berkeley NewsCenter http://newscenter.berkeley.edu/ Headlines from the University of California, Berkeley Steve McConnell - smcconnell@berkeley.edu en-US Listening to the Earth http://sciencematters.berkeley.edu/archives/volume6/issue48/story3.php Earthquakes can reveal much about the makeup of Earth's interior. Earth and planetary science professor Barbara Romanowicz uses the planet's own rumblings to yield spectacular insights into the ground beneath our feet. Cal holds on, knocks off #14 Stanford, 34-28 http://www.calbears.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/112109aaa.html Shane Vereen ran for a career-high 193 yards and three touchdowns on 42 carries and Mike Mohamed intercepted a pass from Andrew Luck at the 3 with less than 2 minutes left as California spoiled #14 Stanford's Rose Bowl hopes with a 34-28 victory in the Big Game on Saturday. Protesters arrested as Wheeler Hall occupation ends http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2009/11/20_wheeler2.shtml Demonstrators in a Wheeler Hall window read a list of demands to supporters below. (Steve McConnell/NewsCenter photo) UC Berkeley police arrested 40 demonstrators in Wheeler Hall Friday evening, bringing the daylong occupation of the classroom building to a peaceful conclusion. Those arrested, both students and non-students, were charged with trespassing and then released. Regents approve fee increases http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/article/22415 Faced with a state funding gap of $1.2 billion next year, UC Regents voted Thursday to increase student fees and adopt a financial plan that asks the state to fully fund the university's needs. UC Berkeley research garners nearly $65 million in federal stimulus money http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2009/11/19_ARRA.shtml Since the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, UC Berkeley has received nearly $65 million in research funds from the federal government, primarily from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Chemist Paul Alivisatos named director of Berkeley Lab http://www.lbl.gov/Publications/Director/index.html The UC Regents on Thursday approved the appointment of UC Berkeley chemist Paul Alivisatos as director of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He succeeds Steve Chu, now U.S. Secretary of Energy. Erol Kepkep: Keeping Bio 1A labs running smoothly http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2009/11/19_imj_kepkep.shtml MCB's Erol Kepkep's job is to maintain efficiency and order in two Bio 1A laboratories -- from managing enrollment to tracking errant crocodiles. Alternate plan for art museum project due early next year http://www.bampfa.berkeley.edu/newbuilding/ UC Berkeley's plans for a new Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAM/PFA) are being modified due to lingering economic uncertainty, museum and university officials announced Wednesday. Reality check on high-speed rail for California http://innovations.coe.berkeley.edu/vol3-issue9-nov09/highspeedrail With billions of dollars in financial support from California voters and the Obama administration, high-speed rail would seem to have a rosy future in the Golden State. But a symposium of experts convened by the Institute of Transportation Studies urged a cautious approach to the mega-project, citing concerns about ridership, cost and environmental benefits. Some of us may be born more empathetic, new study suggests http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2009/11/16_empathy_gene.shtml Could it be that the generous Mother Teresa and the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge from "A Christmas Carol" were influenced by their genes? Researchers at the UC Berkeley have found compelling evidence that people who are more empathetic possess a particular variation of the oxytocin receptor gene. UC president seeks $913 million increase in state funding http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/article/22382 Seeking to restore funding cuts that have led to furloughs and fee increases, the University of California will advocate for a $913 million increase in its allocation from the state as part of a budget plan for fiscal year 2010-11 to be presented to the Board of Regents this week. Institute of International Studies rolls out new grants http://globetrotter.berkeley.edu/funding/index.html UC Berkeley's Institute of International Studies is announcing a package of new grants designed to promote innovative approaches and interdisciplinary research related to a wide range of global challenges. Faculty and students are invited to apply for participation in programs set to begin in Spring 2010.