News – Page 24

What’s gobbling energy in your home?

Written on March 21, 2011.

Pilot “smart home” program shows UCI homeowners how they use energy and aims to change their habits. Imagine being able to see to the penny how much it costs to use your jumbo high definition television or your tiny nightlight – in real time. That’s what a dozen University Hills residents did last summer as part of a “Smart Home” project aimed at reducing energy consumption. UC Irvine researchers David Kirkby and Daniel Stokols think consumers should be able to see the cost...

Keeping the coast clear

Written on February 28, 2011.

March 4 symposium highlights how citizens have partnered with scientists, politicians and bureaucrats to protect public access to the coast and ensure its continued health. If you’ve watched birds at the Bolsa Chica wetlands, built sand castles at Crystal Cove State Park or gotten barreled at Trestles lately, thank the broad coalition of citizens’ groups and nonprofit organizations that have spent decades protecting Orange County’s 42 miles of shoreline. Coastal preservationists will present...

Business embraces sustainability

Written on February 14, 2011.

The Paul Merage School of Business explores companies’ love affairs with sustainable practices. Anne Warde, Paul Merage School of Business In a business climate beset by rising energy prices, growing scarcity of natural resources and pressure from emerging economies, companies are turning to sustainable practices to stay competitive, profitable and innovative. But what does “sustainable” really mean, and how can companies go green while improving their bottom line? The Brundtland...

Plant restoration project taking root

Written on February 7, 2011.

UCI pilot program takes root on historic Irvine Ranch. Bryan Carlson, Biological Sciences External Relations The storms that showered Orange County in late 2010 have provided a healthy start to an innovative UC Irvine pilot project on how local and imported plants affect each other – and how to help restore the more delicate native plants. After December’s heavy rains, rolling hills and open-space areas are now a vibrant green. Blossoms of various hues will follow throughout spring. But...

Tracking precipitation planetwide

Written on January 10, 2011.

Team creates online maps used by foreign countries to predict – and prepare for – intense rainfall. Janet Wilson, University Communications UC Irvine engineering professor Soroosh Sorooshian spent the holiday break closely monitoring the heavy rains – not just at home but half a world away. Unlike local forecasters, he and his colleagues aim to help whole nations grapple with deluges. “Some climate modellers predicted drought for Southern California, and instead we exceeded a year’s...

Highlights of 2010 at UCI

Written on December 14, 2010.

Year brings scientific advances, national accolades, international outreach, student activism and – yes – anteaters University Communications, UCI Brief In the past year, UC Irvine students, staff and faculty have stepped up in the face of continuing budget challenges and fee increases with innovation, drive and talent. The result? Research breakthroughs, national honors, global outreach, sports firsts — even a Guinness world record. Here are some top UCI stories from 2010. As always, it...

Let the sun shine

Written on December 14, 2010.

U.S., Iranian solar energy scientists convene at UCI in collegial counterpoint to stormy political realm Janet Wilson, University Communications Weeks before an Iranian nuclear scientist was killed by a car bomb and WikiLeaks detailed neighboring nations’ fear of Iran’s warhead capabilities, a more peaceful event took place at UC Irvine. A dozen Iranian solar energy scientists met with their American counterparts for a two-day mid-November workshop at the Arnold & Mabel Beckman Center...

2010 a year of challenges, achievement at UCI

Written on December 13, 2010.

In the past year, UC Irvine students, staff and faculty have stepped up in the face of continuing budget challenges and fee increases with innovation, drive and talent. The result? Research breakthroughs, national honors, global outreach, sports firsts – even a Guinness world record. Here are some top 2010 stories. In the past year, UC Irvine students, staff and faculty have stepped up in the face of continuing budget challenges and fee increases with innovation, drive and talent. The result?...

U.S., Iranian solar energy scientists convene at UCI

Written on December 7, 2010.

Meeting provides a collegial counterpoint to stormy political environment. Janet Wilson, University Communications Weeks before an Iranian nuclear scientist was killed by a car bomb and WikiLeaks detailed neighboring nations’ fear of Iran’s warhead capabilities, a more peaceful event took place at UC Irvine. A dozen Iranian solar energy scientists met with their American counterparts for a two-day mid-November workshop at the Arnold & Mabel Beckman Center of the National Academies...

Weird weather: a sign of global warming?

Written on November 5, 2010.

Pat Brennan, The Orange County Register More lightning and thunder in a single day than we typically see in a year. Drenching rain in what was supposed to be a dry fall. An oddly cool summer, then record heat in November. Is Orange County’s wild weather somehow linked to planetary warming? Or is asking such a question falling prey to a very human tendency: magnifying local conditions to global proportions? Climate experts say it’s mostly a case of the latter. No single...