When fourth-year student John Vaszari tells people what his major is, questions about robots and artificial intelligence frequently follow. At interviews for medical school this fall, Vaszari has given the same well-rehearsed explanation to doctors and admissions boards when they ask the inevitable question about “cybernetics.” An undergraduate interdepartmental program at UCLA since 1972, cybernetics is the study of control and communication processes in biological systems ““ cell movement translated into the language of engineering, protein interactions described with math equations. Read more...

Endangered species battle continues in courts SACRAMENTO “”mdash; A conservative legal group has threatened to sue the federal government over its plans to protect four dozen endangered species in California ranging from peninsular bighorn sheep to the tiny robust spineflower. Read more...

Since news of the scandal concerning the UCLA willed body program broke last spring, the program has been temporarily suspended as officials, faculty, staff and students await a report that will determine its future. Read more...

UCLA students are preparing for a week of activities centered around educating the community about the dangers of premature births. They hope to teach others on campus about the risks and issues concerning babies born early. Read more...

Do it in the car. Do it on an office desk. Do it somewhere dangerous and forbidden. Do it with toys, with whipped cream. Do it fully clothed. Read more...

A distinguished panel of cancer researchers from across the nation presented their findings and progress in a symposium at Covel Commons on Tuesday, providing an inspiring glimpse into the future of molecular-targeted medicines ““ a new way to prevent certain types of cancer. Read more...

When graded on environmental issues, Southern California is barely pulling a 2.0. According to this year’s Environmental Report Card, published annually by the UCLA Institute of the Environment, the progress made in resolving four serious environmental problems is far from completion, not to mention cum laude. Read more...