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.

Q & A: Freeman Spogli Institute's Gail Lapidus discusses conflict in Georgia

In an interview with Stanford Report, Gail Lapidus, a senior fellow emerita at Stanford's Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, discussed the buildup to the crisis in Georgia, its toll on the region and the role of the United States.

Nathaniel Gage, 'giant among educational researchers,' dead at 91

Nathaniel "Nate" Lees Gage, a Stanford professor emeritus of education who has been called the "father of modern research on teaching," died Aug. 17 at Stanford Hospital. He was 91.

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.

Biologists say individual actions are key to ensuring biodiversity, healthy future

Preserving a substantial amount of biodiversity is critical to a healthy future, but how best to do that has been a subject of ongoing debate. A multi-pronged approach is the only way humanity can pull it off, according to Stanford biologists Paul Ehrlich and Robert Pringle.

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.