• 2008 William Saroyan International Prize for Writing

Three Books program explores youth, choice, self-identity

Three very different explorations of self-identity were mailed to incoming Stanford students several weeks ago as part of this year's "Three Books" program. The authors will appear together Sept. 17 on a panel during New Student Orientation.

Stanford's "autonomous" helicopters teach themselves to fly

Stanford computer scientists have developed an artificial intelligence system that enables robotic helicopters to teach themselves to fly difficult stunts by watching other helicopters perform the same maneuvers.

• Stanford's robotic helicopter performs stunts

UC-Davis communications chief to lead university communications at Stanford

Lisa Lapin, chief communications officer for the University of California-Davis, has been appointed assistant vice president for university communications, David Demarest, Stanford's vice president for public affairs, announced Thursday.

Beijing Olympics mark best-ever performance by Stanford athletes

Stanford athletes raked in 25 medals during this month’s Olympic Games, breaking a university record. The total haul by current and former members of the Cardinal roster included eight gold, 13 silver and four bronze medals.

Using everyday language to teach science may help students learn, study finds

According to a recent study, students who learned the basic concepts of photosynthesis in "everyday English" before learning the scientific terms for the phenomenon fared much better on tests than students taught the traditional way.

Adopt-a-Plant

Jim Jensen and Danielle DeGroot salvaged plants Aug. 9 from 655 and 651 Serra St. with the aim of reusing them at Sequoia YMCA in Redwood City. Fahmida Ahmed, right, manager of sustainability programs at Stanford, gave them a hand.

• Soon-to-be-orphaned plants find new homes

Nanotubes deliver high-potency punch to cancer tumors in mice

The problem with using a shotgun to kill a housefly is that even if you get the pest, you'll likely do a lot of damage to your home in the process. Hence the value of the more surgical flyswatter.

New permits required beginning Sept. 1 to park on campus

Parking permits for the 2007-08 academic year expire Aug. 31. Permits valid for the new school year must be displayed Monday, Sept. 1. There will be no formal grace period.