UO E-clips, Feb. 12

Nothing but net (Oregonian editorial): There's a bright shining moment right after a home team's basketball player lets fly a three-pointer when all in the arena inhale and wait. Did the nitwit just make a terrible miscalculation? One based on unrealistic expectations? One clearly at odds with the odds? Then the ball swishes -- nothing but net -- and all in the arena exhale and cheer. That up-in-the-air moment is where we are this week with the University of Oregon's proposal to build a spiffy new arena to replace sad sack Mac Court. The role now for the Oregon Legislature is clear. It must endorse the effort, then sit back and watch the ball make its way through the hoop.

Oregon researchers discover a mechanism leading to cleft palate (Huliq.com, several others): By creating a genetic mutation in zebrafish, University of Oregon scientists say they've discovered a previously unknown mechanism for cleft palate, a common birth defect in humans that has challenged medical professionals for centuries. Many molecular pathways in zebrafish are present in humans and other vertebrates. By studying the induced mutation in zebrafish, the 10-member research team isolated a disruption in early developmental signaling involving Pdgf, a platelet-derived growth-factor protein, and a microRNA known as Mirn140, the researchers write in a paper posted online in advance of regular publication the monthly journal Nature Genetics.

University of Oregon economist: Recession remains likely for state (Black Enterprise, New York): Oregon economic conditions remained soft in December, according to a recent report by the University of Oregon. The University of Oregon Index of Economic Indicators rose 0.2 percent in December, with the majority of index components improving during the month. Despite December gains, however, the index suggests there is still substantial risk of recession in the near future, according to the index's author Tim Duy.

Anatomy of U. of Oregon's $100-Million Gift Revealed (Chronicle of Higher Education, article in its entirety): The University of Oregon could lose a $100-million pledge from Philip H. Knight and his wife, Penny, if it doesn’t secure $200-million in bonds by June 1 to pay for the design and construction of a new basketball arena. Mr. Knight, the co-founder and chairman of Nike, made the pledge in September for a new Legacy Fund, an endowment to be used to support the athletic department, but not for construction or design of the arena. According to the donor agreement between the Knights and the university, the Oregonian reports, payment on the pledge is contingent on the institution’s ability to secure the bonds. “Athletic department officials say they plan to pay the debt service on the arena’s bonds with arena revenues,” according to the article. “If those don’t suffice, Oregon will use annual donations to the athletic department to help pay off the bonds, and replace that money in the operating budget with proceeds from the Legacy Fund.” University officials did not comment on what will happen to the donation if the bonds don’t come through.

Bond repayment put in UO court (Register-Guard): Oregon lawmakers on Monday called on the University of Oregon to set up a reserve fund that could help repay bonds for a new arena -- an additional precaution against the possibility that revenues from the basketball and concert venue fail to meet projections. The request -- which UO officials took same-day steps to accommodate -- comes in the wake of newly released documents that prompted some lawmakers to urge more caution as they proceed with plans to issue $200 million in state-backed bonds for the project.