UO E-clips, Oct. 11-13

McCain, Obama seek to avoid fray on immigration (San Francisco Chronicle): Just a year ago, immigration was a volatile political issue that consumed Congress and ignited passions among Americans on both sides of the debate. These days the presidential candidates barely mention the topic on the campaign trail. The nation's fundamental immigration problems have not been fixed. And with the economy contracting, Americans are likely to feel more discomfort about welcoming immigrants. ... This country has historically welcomed immigrants in times of prosperity and turned them away when times were tough, said Daniel Tichenor, a professor of political science at the University of Oregon.

Couple pledges $10M for UO science building (Daily Journal of Commerce): The University of Oregon has received a $10 million gift from Robert and Beverly Lewis to fund the construction of a $65 million science building. The multi-story Lewis Integrative Science Building will be located along Franklin Boulevard, and will connect to research centers and science departments in neighboring buildings, including the recently opened Lorry I. Lokey Laboratories nanoscience facility. Plans for the building call for 100,000 square feet on five to six stories, expanded research facilities, analysis facilities and conference rooms, and meeting rooms and classrooms. The Lewis gift brings private contributions for the project to $32.5 million. The couple also donated $3.67 million to expand an endowment supporting the Lewis Center for Neuroimaging, which was established in 2001.

U.S. adults worry more about economy (United Press International, similar story in Smash Hits, India): Worry over the economy has caused most U.S. adults to worry a good deal less about terrorism, researchers have found. In the first three days of the country's economic meltdown that began Sept. 29, 81 percent of U.S. adults said they agreed or strongly agreed that the financial crisis "poses a greater threat to the quality of my life than does the threat of terrorism." The survey was conducted by a five-member team -- three with University of Oregon appointments -- by Decision Research, a think tank for risk assessment based in Eugene, Ore.

Don't worry, parents, imaginary friends actually good for kids (Chicago Daily Herald): He was talkative and fun to be around, so it was no surprise that the outgoing 3-year-old was surrounded by a bunch of friends. On the first day of class, he marched into his preschool room with a few of these companions and proceeded to introduce them to his new teacher. ... Researcher Marjorie Taylor, Ph.D., and her colleagues at the University of Oregon's Department of Psychology found that 28 percent of 3- to 4-year-olds -- girls more than boys -- experience imaginary friendships.

Why is the greenback on a tear? (Tehran Times): There's a silver lining in the financial panic of 2008: the surprising strength of the dollar. Investors have spent the year fleeing the scourge of leverage - the accumulation of assets via massive amounts of debt. A collapse of market confidence contributed to the failure of heavily indebted firms like Lehman Brothers and Washington Mutual, and forced the nationalization of AIG (AIG, Fortune 500) and others. ... "When this process plays itself out," says University of Oregon economics professor Tim Duy, the "fundamentals working against the dollar will come into focus again."

Closed search limits input (Oregon Daily Emerald): Twenty-five faculty, students and business professionals are searching for a new University president to replace Dave Frohnmayer, but it's possible that the public won't know anything about the candidates -- including their identities -- until after the group makes its selection this spring. But this search method, known as a "closed" search, is drawing the critical eye of some faculty and community members because it prevents the public from vetting the search committee's work. Oregon University System officials say the closed search makes high-caliber candidates feel more comfortable tossing their name in the hat.

Unions still big players in local politics (The Colombian): It's 8 a.m. sharp, and the pickup trucks are lined up in the fog outside the Hometown Buffet. ... Two dozen others -- most of them men, most over 60 -- scrape up the last of their scrambled eggs and French toast sticks. It could be any club. A club that, if you happen to be a Democrat looking for elected office in Clark County, can be very, very valuable to belong to. ... Marcus Widenor, a labor historian at the University of Oregon, said contracts like Local 48's are rare. They require, he said, a remarkably close relationship with management -- one that Barnes and others forged with union contractors in the '70s and '80s.

Panic prevails on Wall Street (Delaware Online): Greed and fear are the emotions that rule Wall Street. Fear is winning. Investors are in the grip of a panic that psychologists and historians say isn't necessarily rational and may intensify. They aren't buying stocks, and more importantly, suddenly afraid they won't be repaid, they aren't making loans by buying bonds. Banks have also tightened credit. ... Paul Slovic, a professor of psychology at the University of Oregon in Eugene and founder of Decision Research, which investigates decision-making and risk, said he worries because experts and authority figures seem uncertain, which will only feed the negativity.

After hand transplant, patient's brain adapts (National Public Radio): David Savage has lived most of his life with a hook in place of a right hand. He was 19 when the hand he relied on to write his name, throw a ball and do hundreds of daily tasks was mangled in a metal-stamping machine, and doctors had to amputate. That was 37 years ago. ... Neuroscientist Scott Frey of the University of Oregon is using magnetic resonance scanning to study Savage's brain. The first results are in the Oct. 14 issue of the journal Current Biology.

Taiwanese students flock to U.S. Education Fair (Taiwan News): Thousands of Taiwanese students and their parents wishing to learn more about the United States' education system rushed into the Howard Plaza Hotel in Taipei yesterday for the opening of the 2008 American Education Fair. ... One of the participating school representatives, Robert Hardin, director of International Recruitment from the University of Oregon, reminded Taiwanese students who come to the fair to make sure what he or she really wants before making the decision to choose a U.S. school.