Theorists Propose a New Way to Shine—and a New Kind of Star

Dying, for stars, has just gotten more complicated.

For some stellar objects, the final phase before or instead of collapsing into a black hole may be what a group of physicists is calling an electroweak star.

Glenn Starkman, professor of physics, together with former graduate students and post-docs De-Chang Dai and Dejan Stojkovic, now at the State University of New York in Buffalo, and Arthur Lue, at MIT's Lincoln Lab, offer a description of the structure of an electroweak star in a paper submitted to Physical Review Letters and posted online. Read more.

Case Western Reserve, OneCommunity
Bring Free Wireless to Hopkins Airport

Travelers flying in and out of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport recently began using free wireless technology (WiFi) for Internet service, courtesy of Case Western Reserve University and OneCommunity.

Coverage includes several concourses, the ticketing/boarding level and the baggage claim area. Airport visitors used to pay for WiFi access.

"'Connect in CLE' is a small but important step in securing the brand and image of Northeast Ohio as a forward looking and progressive hub," Lev Gonick, vice president of information technology services at Case Western Reserve, said about the new service.

Approximately 12 million travelers annually from all over the world who use wireless at CLE will be greeted with a splash page that welcomes them to free wireless services powered by OneCommunity in partnership with Case Western Reserve University. Read more.

Campus News

Go online to view the winter break schedule for Veale Center.

The cashier's, bursar's and student loan offices will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 22, between the hours of noon to 2 p.m. The offices will reopen after 2 p.m.

1-2-1 Fitness Center has several end-of-the-year specials and events. Join by Dec. 31 with $0 initiation fee or receive a three-week membership for only $35 (Dec. 18 through Jan. 10, 2010). Also, help others in the Cleveland community by donating gently used business attire and accessories at 1-2-1 Fitness Center in support of Dress for Success and Suited for Men. The eight-week Case Weight Loss Challenge begins Jan. 11, and will feature special prices, incentives and motivation. People can join as individuals, couples or team and compete for the grand prize of two free airline tickets. Go online or call 368-1121 for information.

Case Daily will not publish the week of Dec. 28. All year-end notices and reduced hours/winter break schedules should be submitted via e-mail to case-daily@case.edu by Monday, Dec. 21, in order to run by Wednesday, Dec. 23.

For Faculty and Staff

Thanks to a bequest from the members of the family of the late Evan Nord, the University Center for Innovation in Teaching and Education (UCITE ) is offering a new program of Nord Grants. The awards will support activities that further the teaching mission of UCITE and the university. Faculty members can apply for the one-year grants year round. Complete details are available online.

For Students

Current student parkers who did not not receive renewal notices by e-mail, and who wish to renew their permits, should contact Access Services immediately at 368-CARD or by e-mail at parking@case.edu. Monday, Jan. 11, at 4 p.m. is the last day to pay for permits. Permits not paid for by that time will be forfeited.

Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity is seeking diverse students to join the Be The Match Registry. Every year, thousands of people of all ages are diagnosed with leukemia and other life-threatening diseases. For many of them, the best hope is a marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant from a matching donor. SigEp also is raising funds to cover the HLA (human leukocyte antigen) tissue typing cost for every person who joins during this event. To maximize the number of people who can be added to the registry during their event, any type of financial contribution is appreciated. Contact current SigEps or go online for more details.

Events

Refer to the University Circle Inc. calendar for a list of events and activities taking place in the community.

The views and opinions of those invited to speak on campus do not necessarily reflect the views of the university administration or any other segment of the university community.

Et al.

"Tom and Jack: The Intertwined Lives of Thomas Hart Benton and Jackson Pollock" made the Kansas City Star's list of The Top 100 Books of 2009. The book was written by Henry Adams, professor of art history.

December 18, 2009

A daily newsletter published by the Office of Marketing & Communications, Case Western Reserve University. Submit items for inclusion to: case-daily@case.edu.

Case in the News

Bionics

National Geographic, Jan. 2010
A wide-reaching story on bionics includes the work of Hunter Peckham a biomedical engineer at Case Western Reserve University. The section features Eric Schremp, who broke his neck in 1992, leaving him a quadriplegic. Now the 40-year-old Ohio man can grip a knife or a fork with the help of an implanted device developed by Peckham.

'Electroweak' stars predicted

National Geographic, Jan. 2010
Physicists in the U.S. claim that there may be "electroweak" stars lurking in the universe. Such stars are, the researchers say, what certain heavy stars could become once they have consumed their nuclear fuel supply and before they collapse into a black hole. Glenn Starkman of Case Western Reserve University, together with De-Chang Dai and Dejan Stojkovic of the State University of New York in Buffalo and Arthur Lue of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, have now studied what might happen to such stars as their quark matter is compressed to ever greater densities and pressures.

DNA reference to be stricken from University of Akron hiring policy

WCPN.org, Dec. 16, 2009
Some privacy advocates will be listening in Wednesday as the University of Akron Board of Trustees revisits a policy that requires job applicants, if asked, to agree to submit a DNA sample for a background check. Sharona Hoffman, professor of law and bioethics at Case Western Reserve University, comments.

Synthetic platelets put the brakes on blood loss

Forbes.com, Dec. 16, 2009
Hoping to improve on nature, researchers have built and tested synthetic versions of the blood-clotting cells called platelets, to be used in trauma or other cases where blood just won't stop flowing. Erin B. Lavik, professor of biomedical engineering at Case Western Reserve University and lead author of a report published Dec. 16 in Science Translational Medicine, comments.

Case Western Reserve University acquires a Minimalist sculpture by Ronald Bladen

The Plain Dealer, Dec. 17, 2009
December isn't exactly the perfect time to go traipsing around looking at outdoor sculpture. But Case Western Reserve University has something new worth seeing: a large, Minimalist sculpture by the important 20th century American artist, Ronald Bladen. The accompanying photo was taken by Susan Griffith, senior news and information specialist.

Dan Whalen named All-American

WOIO.com, Dec. 15, 2009
Dan Whalen has been awarded the prize that has eluded him over his four-year football career at Case Western Reserve University. The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) recently recognized him as the best quarterback in NCAA Division III by naming him an All-American.

Higher Ed News

Economy doesn't slow demand for early entry to college

The New York Times, Dec. 17, 2009
James S. Miller, the dean of admissions at Brown University, figured this could be the year that the frantic demand for admission under binding early-decision programs might begin to subside. And yet, the Brown admissions office received nearly 500 more early applications this fall than it did last year, when the economic downturn was just beginning, an increase of 20 percent. Other institutions have experienced similar increases.