UO E-clips, Sept. 10

In search of the Big Bang (Register-Guard): Among physicists eager to explore new territory, their ship sails today. Early this morning two beams of protons began racing in opposite directions around a 17-mile track at speeds just a fraction below that of light. Later, scientists will cross the beams and hurl the subatomic particles into each other, triggering swarms of micro collisions that for an infinitesimal moment will resemble the first instants of the Big Bang. ... How the collider works and what it could reveal about the universe will be the topic of a free public lecture Friday at the University of Oregon. The three speakers, all UO professors, are on the international team that developed and will operate the $8 billion machine, built by the European Organization for Nuclear Research, known as CERN, 300 feet below the Swiss-French border near Geneva.

Physicists worldwide excited to flip switch on Hadron Collider (KEZI 9 News, with video): Local physicists are buzzing about a major experiment on the other side of the world intended to recreate the origin of the universe. Professors at the University of Oregon are gearing up for when scientists will use a huge hadron collider to smash two proton beams together. Scientists think the process might help find out what the universe is made of.

Experts: Fannie, Freddie takeover helps in limited way (Atlanta Journal Constitution): The dramatic federal takeover of two mortgage giants has already made it cheaper to borrow money for buying a home. What it has not done is guarantee that you can persuade a banker to loan you any money. Lower rates are good for sales, but nowhere near enough to turn around real estate, said economist Roger Tutterow of Mercer University. "This is one piece of the puzzle. But by itself, it doesn't solve all the challenges." ... "On the margins, changes in mortgage rates are important, and bigger swings in mortgage rates are more important," said economist Tim Duy of the University of Oregon. "It's not going to change the overall picture."

Ducks wrestling suit goes before circuit court (Salem Statesman Journal): Marion County Circuit Court Judge Lynn Aschroft heard arguments Monday morning in a lawsuit challenging the University of Oregon's decision to drop its intercollegiate wrestling team. Attorneys for Equity in Athletics, Oregon (EIA-O), a state of Oregon-charted non-profit corporation that represents Duck varsity wrestlers and their backers, argued that the UO athletics department violated Oregon law and university procedures when it announced the elimination of varsity wrestling on July 13, 2007.

Court hears arguments in UO wrestling lawsuit (KVAL-13 News): A judge in Marion County is considering whether to hold a trial on the decision to drop men's wrestling from the University of Oregon athletics program. Marion County Circuit Judge Lynn Ashcroft heard arguments Monday in a lawsuit filed by supporters of the former wrestling program. He did not say when he would rule on the case. The university dropped wrestling last year and added men's baseball and women's competitive cheer. Athletic Director Pat Kilkenny said the move reflected the higher profile and revenue-generating potential of baseball and the declining popularity of wrestling.