Golden State Recaptures Record for Longest Roll
UC Berkeley — What does it take to earn a world record? For students at UC Berkeley, it took about 65 pounds of cucumber, 167 pounds of imitation crab and 582 sheets of seaweed.
Approximately 500 students, staff and locals came out on Sunday to build — and then eat — the 330-foot California Roll, the longest ever made. The massive California Roll fell far short of breaking the world record for longest sushi roll of any variety, however. That prestigious record was set seven years ago by the people of Japan, who constructed a roll measuring 1,825 meters, or 5,987 feet.
Sponsored by Cal’s Center for Japanese Studies and Cal Dining, the sushi rolling was one event in a day-long celebration of Japanese cuisine.
The day is especially significant for Californians, however, given that the previous record for longest California Roll was set in Maui, Hawaii eight years ago.
Alumni Accused of Spying After Hiking Through Iran
UC Berkeley — Three Berkeley graduates arrested by Iranian officials after crossing the border from Iraq to Iran were charged with espionage on Monday.
The three graduates — Shane Bauer, 27, Josh Fattal, 27 and Sarah Shourd, 31 — were detained on July 31 while on a hiking trip in the mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan. Authorities accused the group of illegally crossing into Iran, although relatives say they strayed across the border accidentally.
“We hope the Iranian authorities understand that if our children and friends did happen to enter Iran, there can only be one reason: because they made a regrettable mistake,” a Web site set up on the hikers’ behalf stated.
The three Cal alums are currently being held in Iran awaiting trial for spying.
Since the U.S. and Iran have no official diplomatic relations, the Swiss government has taken up negotiations on behalf of the U.S. However, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called for Tehran to release the prisoners.
“We believe strongly that there is no evidence to support any charge whatsoever,” Clinton told reporters in Berlin. “And we would renew our request on behalf of these three young people and their families that the Iranian government exercise compassion and release them so they can return home.”
Bad Driving Skills Linked to Genes
UC Irvine — The results of a recent study conducted at UC Irvine found that as many as 30 percent of people may be worse than average drivers because of a genetic anomaly.
UCI researchers have found that a person’s driving ability may be linked to a particular gene which enhances memory. Their study revealed that a gene variation — which affects the proteins known as the brain-derived neurotrophic factor — exists in a third of the general population, prohibiting carriers from producing enough protein to be able to adequately perform certain actions and skills.
A focus group of 29 people participated in a simulated driving test that featured difficult turns and slippery roads. According to the results, the seven people with the variant gene performed worse on average than the individuals with the normal gene, lacking the ability to adeptly drive along a straight line on a road. The same test was repeated four days later and the participants with the variant gene remembered less the second time around.
The research found that those carrying the gene variation performed worse on average than drivers lacking the variation because the BDNF protein that the variation prevents the body from naturally producing has been linked to boosted communication among brain cells.
When present in a person’s body, the researchers found, the gene variation compromised the individual’s learning and memory scores.
Although the driving test revealed that people with the gene variant had difficulty learning and retaining information, the study did not directly link the presence of the gene variant to poor motor behavior, but implied that there may be a significant statistical relationship.
In fact, a press release said, the gene variation may actually be beneficial to those suffering from Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and Multiple Sclerosis diseases.
Researchers Seek Ways to Boost Mojo
UC San Diego — Scientists are attempting to ease health conditions in elderly males by putting a little more zest in their peckers, thanks to testosterone therapy trials began at UCSD this month.
Earlier this month the School of Medicine at UCSD started searching for volunteers to enter the national study, which aims to test the effects of testosterone as a treatment for several health conditions common to older men. According to a press release, low serum testosterone levels may cause or worsen a number of problems affecting elderly men, such as diminished energy, strength and muscle mass, impaired cognition, heart disease, anemia and decreased sexual function. Therefore, the Testosterone Trial, the researchers say, will test whether these issues can be resolved with testosterone supplements.
If it works, Dr. Elizabeth Barrett-Connor, distinguished professor and Chief of the division of the Division of Epidemiology in the UCSD Dept. of Family and Preventive Medicine, said, the benefits could be life-changing.
“If this treatment proves effective, we may be able to help older men with low testosterone remain healthy and independent longer than would have been possible,” Barrett-Connor said.
According to the press release, the trial will be conducted at 12 sites nationally, and will involve 800 men, 70 of whom the UC San Diego School of Medicine is seeking to recruit from the area. Members of the treatment group will have testosterone gel applied to their torso, abdomen, or upper arms, while control groups will receive a placebo gel.
Men in the San Diego County area who are interested in participating in the trial should call UC San Diego’s study center at (877) 219-6610 or visit www.ttrial.org.