UO E-clips, April 8

Nanotechnology: How safe is it? (Informative Post): Nanotechnology impacts our lives in a positive way and will likely improve the medical care you receive, the aircraft you fly, the car you drive, clothes you wear, and even your home computer on which you are reading this. Currently, nanotechnology can be found in a wide variety of consumer products ranging from cosmetics to vitamin supplements. But how safe are nanoparticles, really? ... University of Oregon chemist, Jim Hutchison, believes that scientists should work now to resolve any potential future problems involving nanotechnology.

Slow spending on state prisons by revamping sentences (Des Moines Register): In Iowa's booming prison economy, there are winners and losers. Inmates face financial ruin and state taxpayers lose, too -- about $26,000 per year, per inmate. Prison entrepreneurs, for whom each inmate is a government-subsidized business opportunity, are the big winners. ... Cheap labor: While U.S. laws prohibit importing products made by prisoners in other countries, Gordon Lafer, a University of Oregon professor, reports that about 80,000 U.S. inmates work in 30 states where laws permit private firms to use convict labor.

Japanese Americans receive honorary degrees (Oregonian, appearing in the Vancouver Sun): Robert Yasui was a freshman pre-medical student at the University of Oregon when Executive Order 9066 was issued in the spring of 1942. Yasui and 19 other Japanese-American students were expelled from the university, swept up in the mass roundup during the Second World War that sent about 120,000 Japanese-Americans, most of them U.S. citizens, to internment camps. That put an abrupt end to Yasui's ties to the university, and for the past 66 years, while he built a successful life as a surgeon in Williamsport, Pa., nothingcconnected him and the school that he attended briefly as a young man.

Study highlights 100 year history of Oregon worker protections (Occupational Hazards): In a 100-page study, a University of Oregon professor examines how eight state Bureau of Labor Industries (BOL) leaders influenced workplace safety in Oregon throughout the last century, demonstrating that the state government can play a prominent role in ensuring the protection of workers' rights and interests. The study, "BOL: One Hundred Years of Service to Working Oregonians," examines the issues various commissioners have faced over the years, beginning with O.P. Hoff, who held office from 1903 to 1919.

Governor declares April 7th Bobby Doerr Day (KVAL 13 News, with similar story by the Associated Press, appearing in the Register-Guard and KGW.com): Governor Ted Kulongoski has declared April 7th Bobby Doerr Day. Kulongoski made the announcement Monday in a proclamation ceremony at the Stadium Club at Autzen Stadium. Doerr was a second baseman for the Boston Red Sox from 1937 to 1951 and played with baseball greats like Ted Williams. Doerr lives in Junction City. University of Oregon President David Frohnmayer was also on hand. Frohnmayer said he credit's Doerr's name for helping bring baseball back to the university. Doerr graciously accepted the honor that comes on the eve of his 90th birthday. "This is just wonderful," said Doerr. "It seems like the older I get, the more nice things are happening. I never dreamed anything like this would happen." Doerr first came to Oregon 72 years ago. He said he was in heaven the first time he stepped foot in the Beaver State and he's been in heaven ever since.