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RESEARCH NEWS |
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UCSF NEWS
Pacific Rim Research Program Awardees
Congratulations Pacific Rim Research Program Awardees:
- Professor Wen-Chi Hsueh - Medicine
- Professor Shana Harris - Anthropology
UCSF Reports Theft of Research Data
A server containing research data on at least 3,000 cancer patients was stolen March 30, 2007, from the University of California-San Francisco (UCSF), UCSF disclosed on April 18. UCSF said the data were stored on a computer server that was stolen from a locked room. Data came not just from individuals associated with UCSF, but from other research institutions with which it collaborates. "Because of the large number of files on the server and their complex variety of formats, layouts, and data content, the process is extremely complicated, and UCSF officials cannot predict the total number of names at this time," UCSF said in reference to how many people may be affected. It did not comment on how many research projects may have been harmed. UCSF has notified 3,000 individuals who may be affected and is setting up a telephone hotline and Web sit to provide "advice and information." USCF is required under the federal privacy and security rules to safeguard the protected health information of its patients and research subjects. [more...]
UCSF-Mousers is a confidential in-house list-serve for UCSF scientists whose research requires mice (and rats). It has been in up and running for about nine months, and has over 200 faculty, staff and student subscribers.
We recently did a quick survey. 43 recent posters were contacted, and 21 replies received. Requests for live mice were most numerous --- 17, of which 14 people found what they were looking for. Others posted looking for equipment to share, for advice, or to offer unneeded animals to others who might have a use. It’s always worth checking locally for resources before trying to bring them in from other campuses or other countries, and the more members we have, the greater the chances of finding a match.
To join the UCSF-Mousers, send your UCSF email address to larry.carbone@ucsf.edu.
Campus and Medical Center recently hosted a workshop to examine the impact of an emergency event at ATT Park on UCSF’s China Basin site and Mission Bay campus. The workshop scenario was based on an improvised explosive device detonation. This scenario was the basis for a recent City-sponsored exercise at ATT Park that tested a large-scale evacuation of the ballpark.
The UCSF workshop revealed that an explosion at ATT Park could significantly impact UCSF operations at China Basin site and Mission Bay campus. Not only would there be the potential for injury and building damage, but also the crime scene perimeter, which would be 1.5 times the distance of furthermost piece of evidence, would prohibit access to the area. Specific follow-up to this workshop is focused on communications, program continuity planning, and planning for the role of the Mission Bay campus and its resources in emergency situations.
An upcoming June workshop will focus on San Francisco’s plan to provide disaster transportation to emergency responders within the City in the event bridges are impassible and the ferry system has been activated to support Bay transport. The role of UCSF’s transportation resources to support movement of UCSF staff, patients, and resources will be discussed.
Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Interim Final Rule: Chemical Facility Anti- Terrorism Standards (Federal Register 17688).
The proposed rule published on 9 April 2007 includes numerous Chemicals of Interest found at colleges and universities in amounts that exceed the “any amount” Screening Threshold Quantity. As a result, nearly all colleges and universities, as well as most hospitals, would be required to complete and submit a Top-Screen, pursuant to §27.210(a)(1)(i). The University of California Environmental Health and Safety Directors are planning to support the following comments prepared by the Campus Safety and Health Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA) requesting modifications to create a less burdensome final rule for colleges, universities and hospitals.
If you have any questions regarding this proposed regulation, please contact Bert Luistro at the Office of Environmental Health and Safety at 476-1300.
National News
NSF Report Shows Growth in Research Funding
A recent report from the National Science Foundation (NSF) projects that expenditures for research and development in the United States increased 6% in 2006 to $342.9 billion. The report also indicates the federal government contributed 28% of that funding while industry kicked in 65%. As would be expected, in the category of basic research the reverse is true: the federal government provided 60% and industry 16% of the $63.6 billion spent in this way. [more...]
FDA Issues Two Guidance Documents — One Final,
One Draft
Today's Federal Register contains two new guidance documents from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The first is a final guidance document, titled "Computerized Systems Used in Clinical Investigations" (72 Fed. Reg. 26638, May 10, 2007). According to the FDA, "this guidance is intended to assist in ensuring confidence in the reliability, quality, and integrity of electronic source data and source documentation, i.e., electronic records. [more...]
The second is a draft guidance document, titled "Protecting the Rights,
Safety, and Welfare of Study Subjects — Supervisory Responsibilities of
Investigators" (72
Fed. Reg. 26639, May 10, 2007). According to FDA, "This draft guidance
is intended to assist investigators in meeting their responsibilities
with respect to protecting human subjects and ensuring the integrity of
data in
the conduct of clinical investigations. The draft guidance also clarifies
FDA's expectations concerning the investigator's responsibility for supervising
a clinical study in which some study tasks are delegated to employees
of the investigator or to outside parties." Comments will be accepted
until July 9, 2007. [
more...]
Congressional Budget Blueprint Would Authorize
Some Spending Increases, Cuts in Lender Subsidies
Congressional negotiators unveiled on Wednesday a budget blueprint for 2008 and beyond that would allow increases in spending above inflation for education and the physical sciences. The plan also calls for cutting at least $750-million from federal subsidies to student-loan companies over the next six years, money that Democratic leaders would like to divert to student aid. [more...]
Federally Financed Programs to Improve Science
and Math Education Are Not Being Evaluated Adequately, Panel Finds
A federal committee has found that there is almost no evidence to judge whether the more than $3-billion the federal government spends annually to improve science and mathematics education is effective. The committee's report, scheduled to be released today, calls for greater assessment and coordination of such programs. [more ...]
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