Similarity Computing: The New Frontier
With most queries turning up millions of results, how does a site like Google deliver the most relevant and accurate data as top results? Most people do not give much thought to the intricate workings of the search engine that they use daily. Computer science professor Tao Yang, a former chief scientist of Ask.com has […]
Weekend Wrap-Up
The Isla Vista Foot Patrol responded to an indecent exposure, reckless driver and several alcohol-related crimes this weekend. Deputies responded to a report on Friday near the Wells Fargo Bank on Pardall Road. According to IVFP Sgt. Mike McCoy, officers advised a male subject to cover his body to avoid arrest. “He was contacted at […]
Survey Shows Decline in State University Funding
The latest Grapevine survey — an annual evaluation of the extent of each state’s tax support for higher education — revealed that California’s fiscal backing of its universities shrank 13.5 percent over the past year. This rate represents a $1.5 billion decrease, pushing the state far above the national average of 7.6 percent. This year’s […]
Police Confront Budget Constraints
The Isla Vista Foot Patrol station at 6504 Trigo Rd. has closed its doors temporarily and is seeking volunteers to work as desk clerks while the office’s usual attendant is unavailable. While IVFP deputies are still patrolling the streets of Isla Vista, Santa Barbara County Sherriff’s Department Public Information Officer Drew Sugars said the station’s […]
Congress Delays PIPA, SOPA Bills After Public Outcry
Congress announced earlier this month it would indefinitely postpone voting on two anti-piracy bills in response to the recent upsurge of public protest against the legislations. The Protect Intellectual Property Act, introduced in the Senate last May by Senator Patrick Leahy, aims primarily to protect against foreign websites posing “online threats to economic creativity and […]
No. 17 UCSB Goes 4-2 in Home Tournament Over Weekend
The No. 17 UCSB women’s water polo team began a six-game home stand last Friday, four of which were part of the 2012 UCSB Winter Invite. After dropping their first game of the weekend to No. 6 Arizona State, the Gauchos rattled off four straight victories against Concordia, Sonoma State, No. 19 Cal State Northridge […]
Gauchos Hit the Road to Take on Trojans
The UCSB women’s basketball team takes a break from conference play tonight to take on USC, the strongest team on the schedule for this year. The Gauchos enter the game at 8-11 overall and 3-5 in the Big West, while the Trojans are 10-9 and 5-4 in the Pac-12 conference. Both teams are looking for […]
UCSB Scientists Warn Against Invasive Species
A recent study led by scientists at UC Santa Barbara’s National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis demonstrated how globalization and the demand for drought-resistant plant species threaten to overcome native plants in the United States. Based on these findings, the scientists proposed that bio-imports be screened before entering the U.S. The paper, co-authored by […]
Police Department Institutes Free Emergency Alert System
The Santa Barbara Police Department has implemented an emergency notification service that provides local residents with free, real-time updates about local news via email and text message. The service began operating last week through the Community Information Service program Nixle, which is designed to efficiently circulate information to large audiences. Nixle publishes messages from four […]
Eco-Friendly Buildings Save UCs Plenty of Green
In its Annual Report on Sustainable Practices, the UC system announced that its escalated efforts to embrace green architecture saved the system $32 million in 2011, up $11 million from 2010. The UC credited its savings to the 38 campus buildings constructed in conjunction with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards in 2011, giving […]