Wednesday, May 6

Despite federal concerns, UCLA will not close Confucius Institute

UCLA said it has no plans to shut down a Chinese language and culture center affiliated with the Chinese government, despite comments from federal authorities who believe the center expands China’s political influence. Read more...

Photo: The UCLA Confucius Institute will continue to operate, the university said, despite concerns from federal authorities that the institutes expand China’s political influence. (Liz Ketcham/Daily Bruin)


Biochemistry professor emeritus remembered for research, support

Students and faculty remember Roberts Smith for helping create UCLA’s department of biochemistry and developing drugs to treat viral infections. Smith, a biochemistry professor emeritus, died Jan. Read more...

Photo: Roberts Smith, a biochemistry professor emeritus, died Jan. 25 at the age of 89. He helped create the UCLA department of biochemistry and develop the drug ribavirin, which is used to treat viral infections like hepatitis C and influenza. (Photo courtesy of Steven Clarke)


UCLA researchers develop method to accelerate cell force detection

UCLA researchers have developed a method to simultaneously study the strength of thousands of cells, allowing scientists to accelerate the process of drug testing and discovery. Read more...

Photo: UCLA researchers recently developed a method to simultaneously study the strength of thousands of cells, allowing scientists to accelerate the process of drug testing and discovery. Cells are grown on top of X-shaped marks. (Photo courtesy of Ivan Pushkarsky)


State law strives to facilitate development of affordable housing

A new state law plans to streamline the development of affordable housing in California and could potentially lead to more housing development in Westwood. Senate Bill 35 requires cities, such as Los Angeles, that have not met state-set affordable housing targets to approve projects where 10 percent or more of the units are set aside for affordable housing. Read more...

Photo: (Ludi Zhu/Daily Bruin)


UCLA researchers discover heart disease-fighting properties in new genes

UCLA researchers have identified a gene that may help prevent heart diseases. A study published Monday found that a gene called MeXis regulates the expression of a protein that pumps cholesterol out of cells and into artery walls, ultimately lowering the chance of clogged arteries. Read more...

Photo: UCLA researchers have found a gene called MeXis that could help prevent heart diseases. Their study showed that mice without MeXis had almost twice as many blood vessel blockages than mice with normal MeXis levels. MeXis helps cells remove excess cholesterol. (Daily Bruin file photo)



USAC Recap – Feb. 13

Agenda: Amy Pojar, an administrative staffer from the Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars, gave a special presentation about the center’s crosscultural training program, which helps facilitate communication between international and domestic students. Read more...