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Former USC prof came close to Nobel Prize

October 8, 2009 By

This year’s Nobel Prize in physics was awarded Thursday to the three Americans who helped develop fiber-optic cable and invented the “eye” in digital cameras, technology that gave rise to film-free photography and high-speed Internet service. Half the $1.4 million prize went to Charles Kao and the other went to Willard Boyle and George Smith.

But a very close contender for the prize this year was University of South Carolina Professor Emeritus Dr. Yakir Aharonov(a-ha-RONE-ovf). That’s according to the Thomas Reuters(Royters) Citation Laureates, a professional organization that indexes research papers. That organization has been right nine out of ten times in guessing Noble Prize winners and predicted that Aharonov would win.

Aharonov was a physicist with USC and Tel Aviv University for 40 years until he left a couple of years ago for a position with Chapman University in California.

Aharonov received the prestigious Wolf Prize in 1998 for his co-discovery of the Aharonov-Bohm Effect, one of the cornerstones of modern physics. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Education, News

Seasonal flu vaccines still plentiful, most people riding it out at home

October 8, 2009 By

The flu, including the common seasonal flu, is causing havoc in a few locations. Cardinal Newman High School in Columbia has postponed Friday night?s football game against Hammond, because 40 percent of the team is out with the flu.

Officials at the Department of Health and Environmental Control say there are plenty of seasonal flu vaccines waiting at Health Department clinics and many other locations statewide.

Adam Myrick with DHEC encourages members of the public not to be discouraged if the first place they go is out of the vaccine.  He says the amount of vaccine a clinic has is dependent on the distributor it uses. 

Go to www.SCDHEC.gov for information about vaccine locations. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Health & Medicine, News

The Citadel goes to the moon

October 8, 2009 By

Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite

On Friday, an unmanned spacecraft crashed into the moon. Citadel scientists monitored the multi-million dollar school bus sized spacecraft to determine if there was water on the moon. Citadel Assistant Physics Professor Luke Sollitt is part of NASA’s LCROSS (Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite) mission to the moon team and says it’s a great opportunity for him.

Citadel Assistant Physics Professor Luke Sollitt

 

“It means a great deal to me. This has been an absolutely a marvelous thing for me because I get to tell people that I smash things into the moon, how great is that? But, yeah, for me it is very gratifying and a wonderful thing that something that started out as an idea to which I can actually lay some claim is going to actually hit the moon,” says Sollitt.

The spacecraft slammed into the moon at approximately 7:30 a.m. Friday, and purposely crashed into the South Pole of the moon to kick up sand and dust, determining if there is water. And if there is? [Read more...]

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation, News

Senators encourage leaders to impose sanctions on Iran

October 8, 2009 By

Senator Lindsey Graham

Six U.S. Senators have written to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell asking for Senate action on several bipartisan bills that would strengthen the Obama Administration’s position on Iran.

The Senators writing the letter include Lindsey Graham – a Republican from South Carolina, Evan Bayh – a Democrat from Indiana, Saxby Chambliss – a Georgia Republican, Bob Casey – Democrat from Pennsylvania, Joe Lieberman – an Independent from Connecticut, and John McCain – an Arizona Republican.

“Nothing could be more destabilizing than a nuclear armed Iran.” Wrote the senators, “While we are hopeful that the recent talks between Iran and the United States and our allies will yield positive results, we believe that Congressional action can aid the President and send the right signals to the Iranian regime and our allies.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Legislature, News, Politics & Government

Cruise terminal to boost tourism, economic development

October 8, 2009 By

Proposed site of Union Pier Cruise TerminalState Ports Authority leaders, Charleston Mayor Joe Riley, and community members met at the Port of Charleston Thursday to announce the plans for the new cruise terminal coming next year. Jim Newsome is only a month into his reign as the President and CEO of the South Carolina State Ports Authority, and he is thrilled to be a part of the Union Pier Cruise Terminal project.

“Basically, I think it’s pretty clear that I didn’t have a lot to do with the planning, this was done long before me, but I’m excited about it. Both as a new CEO of the port and as a person that’s moving here,” says Newsome.

The planning team for the cruise terminal will direct the project in four phases, expected to take about four months. Newsome says there are five different goals the terminal hopes to achieve. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized
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