Oscar-winning science

We're certainly going to be hearing about Natalie Portman's Intel-competing, Harvard-attending verve, talent, brains and determination for a long time. The "Black Swan" star deserves the notice.

Bredesen co-chairs Achieve

Gov. Phil Bredesen now stands alongside former Intel board chairman Craig Barrett as co-chairs of Achieve, the group that supports the Diploma Project in 35 states, including Tennessee. The Achieve release is here.

Summer Kudos! for TN students

The photo at left shows a cityscape meant to depict the "Dawn of Technology," as envisioned by Pellissippi State Community College student Lisa Norman-Hudson, for the Photographers of Tomorrow competition sponsored by Olympus. The News Sentinel reports. Also in the Eastate, Alcoa and Oak Ridge high-school students recently made their marks in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, the KNS reports. Locally, Biz students at Belmont are looking ahead to the Global Student Entrepreneurship Awards, in November at Kansas City-based Kauffman Foundation.

Tech Rally, Dell Slump

The Mercury News reports Wednesday's stock-market run-up was propelled by Tech, but the rally left some analysts skeptical, given continued restraint in corporate spending. In contrast to Intel's performance, the Dell Inc. slump continues to cast a cloud over the still-confident company, according to the Austin American-Statesman.