UO E-clips, Nov. 15-17

Brain shows plasticity when limb is transplanted (Michigan's Kalamazoo Gazette): Scans of David Savage's brain amazed neuroscientists at the University of Oregon. The 56-year-old Bay City man lost his right hand in a machine press accident at age 19 and used a prosthesis for more than 30 years before undergoing hand-transplantation surgery. Studies show that brain areas devoted to a lost limb gradually give themselves over to input from other body parts. Scientists weren't sure whether those changes became permanent. But MRI scans of Savage's brain showed that his transplanted hand quickly took back the brain territory. Within four months, the sensory region for the hand appeared to be organizing in a near-normal pattern.

UO to lead special education expansion program (Associated Press): The University of Oregon will lead an $8 million program improve education for students with disabilities. The 5-year program will help schools provide support for students with disabilities who have behavioral issues, especially those at risk for expulsion, suspension or alternative-school placement. The U.S. Office of Special Education Programs grant also allows Oregon to continue and expand an existing technical assistance center. The University of Oregon will work with the universities of Connecticut and Missouri and eight other schools, state governments and service organizations to extend the work of the center.

Should wildfires be fought so aggressively? (Live Science): Anyone watching from afar as fires rage in Southern California may wonder why people live in fire-prone areas. Another question that's starting to spread like wildfire: Should such fires be fought so aggressively, often at great financial expense and at the risk of firefighters' lives? Now there are even questions about environmental side-effects to firefighting. ... "We can't underestimate the importance of place, weather and beauty to people," says Paul Slovic, a psychology professor at the University of Oregon. "It's important that policymakers, government officials, and insurance companies take these risk elements into account."

Some products' 'green' claims false (Billings Gazette): Green products touting environmental features such as "recyclable" "biodegradable" and "eco-friendly" seem to be everywhere from grocery stores to card shops to car dealers. Every other advertisement seems to show a windmill, a field of grass, or other green scene seeking to give a product a green image. But along with the rise in "green" marketing claims has come an increase in "greenwashing" - false or misleading green claims, said Scot Case, president of Terra Choice Environmental Marketing Inc. in Philadelphia. ... Kim Sheehan, a University of Oregon associate professor of advertising, said energy and automotive companies are among the worst offenders, with advertising suggesting they are greener than they really are.