The new California Spatial Reference Center, which uses Global Positioning System technology to monitor California’s environment, was dedicated Monday at its headquarters at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
There are more than 40 organizations that will use the center, including the Cecil H. and Ida M. Green Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics at Scripps, Caltrans, the California Land Surveyor’s Association, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the U.S. Geological Survey, and Orange County’s Public Facilities and Resources Department.
UCSD Professor Looks Into High Altitude Effects
Frank Powell, UCSD professor of physiology and director of the University of California’s White Mountain Research Station, has organized a program to study the effects of high altitude on humans and the environment. Mountain research has significant implications for heart and lung diseases. Powell and his colleagues presented their findings at the annual meeting of the Association for the Advancement of Science Feb. 18.
Powell and his fellow researchers study hypoxia, a factor that limits humans’ oxygen intake at high altitudes, and their findings may lead to treatment for people who suffer from hypoxia at sea level as a result of heart or lung disease.
UCSD School of Medicine to Offer Classes for Seniors
The Scripps Institution of Oceanography held its annual Surf Bowl Feb. 10. Each year, local high schools compete in the competition to demonstrate their mastery of the fields of biology, chemistry, geology, technology, the social sciences and geography, by answering questions.
La Jolla High School’s first team placed first in the event and will continue on to the National Ocean Sciences Bowl. Dana Hills High School came in second, and La Jolla High School’s second team came in third. Poway High School received the Best Sportsmanship Award, which was decided by all the participating high schools.
The National competition will be held in Miami Beach, Fla., in April. In that competition, La Jolla will compete against 18 other teams that won their own regional competitions.
Scripps Institution of Oceanography Holds Surf Bowl
The UCSD School of Medicine is offering a course on healthy aging for seniors in the San Diego community. The course will cover a wide variety of topics pertaining to aging and will focus on disease prevention and personal health enhancement.
The individual classes will address the biological processes that affect aging as well as various diseases and disorders common among the elderly.
The course will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a $25 enrollment fee to help offset the cost of instructional materials. Sessions will be held for eight consecutive Saturdays on the UCSD campus beginning April 28. For more information call (858) 822-2437.
