Science Updates: Bresnik reaches space station, Sally Ride heads out to sea – The San Diego Union-Tribune

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FLYING HIGH

NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik a Marine pilot who was stationed at Miramar for many years has arrived at the International Space Station. Hes scheduled to spend six months at the orbiting outpost. Bresnik will help with several scientific experiments, including one involving potential therapies for Parkinsons disease.

This is Bresniks second trip into space. He earlier served on a space shuttle mission, and performed two spacewalks .

RIDE, SALLY, RIDE

The research vessel Sally Ride is leaving San Diegos Scripps Institution of Oceanography this week to study the ecosystem of the California Current. The ship will be operating offshore, roughly between San Diego and Point Conception.

This is a return-to-service for the R/V Ride, which spent about three months undergoing repairs and upgrades.

The ship is named after former UC San Diego researcher Sally Ride, the first American woman to travel in space.

MONEY FLOWS TO SDSU

San Diego State University says that it raised more than $134 million in research funding during the fiscal year that ended on June 30. Thats one of the highest figures in campus history, but far from the $250 million it wishes to raise annually to evolve into one of Californias elite science centers.

The new money is being used for everything from heart studies to gauging the impact of smoking and air pollution in low income housing.

Twitter: @grobbins

gary.robbins@sduniontribune.com

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Science Updates: Bresnik reaches space station, Sally Ride heads out to sea - The San Diego Union-Tribune