°µÍø½ûÇø

Inspired by the sleek and efficient propulsion of squid, jellyfish and other cephalopods, a University of Colorado at Boulder researcher has designed a new generation of compact vortex generators that could make it easier for scientists to maneuver and dock underwater vehicles at low speeds and with greater precision. In addition, the technology - seemingly inspired by the plots of two classic sci-fi films - may soon allow doctors to guide tiny capsules with jet thrusters through the human digestive tract, enabling them to diagnose disease and dispense medications.

Even a small-scale regional nuclear war could produce as many fatalities as all of World War II, disrupt the global climate for a decade or more and impact nearly every person on Earth, according to two new studies by University of Colorado at Boulder, Rutgers University and University of California, Los Angeles researchers.

Editors: Pfeffer will give a presentation at 5:45 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 11, at the AGU meeting titled "Disappearing Glacial Ice: A Global Synthesis." Despite growing public alarm over the shrinking Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, it is small glaciers and ice caps that have been contributing the most to rising sea levels in recent years, according to a new University of Colorado at Boulder study.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY Starting at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, hundreds of Colorado youngsters will compete in the annual FIRST Lego League science and technology state tournament at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Competition will take place at the Balch Fieldhouse and will last through 3:30 p.m. An awards ceremony will occur at 4 p.m.

Nobel laureate Tom Cech will kick off a new lecture series at the University of Colorado at Boulder Dec. 13 spotlighting RNA science that features two distinguished Yale University experts in the fields of molecular biology and biochemistry.

University of Colorado at Boulder Chancellor G.P. “Bud” Peterson today announced that the first meeting of the Steering Committee on Strategic Planning: Flagship 2030 will be held Saturday, Dec. 9, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Eaton Humanities Building on the CU-Boulder campus.

Patrick Mason, a University of Colorado at Boulder associate professor of music, has been nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Classical Vocal Performance category for his album "Songs of Amy Beach." Grammy officials today named Mason, accompanied on the collection by pianist Joanne Polk, one of five artists nominated in the category.

Editors: Media are invited to attend final classroom presentations on Dec. 13. The class is scheduled to meet from 5 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. in Eaton Humanities Building room 1B80. University of Colorado at Boulder students are managing the design and building of several small products by an engineering company in India as part of a new, hands-on course focused on the trend of outsourcing. Called "Global Engineering," the course was offered for the first time this fall by the department of mechanical engineering. Fifty students are enrolled.

The "clogged and costly" U.S. patent system is in need of reform that will spur increased technological and scientific innovation and allow the United States to compete in an increasingly global marketplace.

The University of Colorado at Boulder today announced that the newly expanded and renovated building for CU-Boulder's school of business will bear the name of the Koelbel family, leaders in Colorado real estate development, construction and sales, in recognition of their long-time support of CU and the business school. The building will be known as Koelbel Hall and will honor Walter and Gene Koelbel for their many years of service, as well as their family, including their son, Walter A. "Buz" Koelbel, Jr., and his wife, Sherri.