LECTURE: Presentation on neuroscientific advances indicates possible advances in treatment of diseases.

RECOGNITION: Online report recognizes UCI in top ten list of best online courses.

SPEAKER: OC Weekly columnist talks about history and Mexican heritage in the OC and promotes his new book.

CONFLICT: University enforcement of a 2004 state bill requiring training leaves tenured professor disheartened.

TREND: Online applications may have increased rate of application but number of slots remains static.

AFTERMATH: Student voters, groups and organizations reflect on election turnout and impact.

As its first album suggests, Thrice appears to have an "identity crisis," bringing out the baboon and gorilla masks for its Halloween performance supporting Rise Against, the first of three nights at the Hollywood Palladium.

Reviews: Snow Patrol's "A Hundred Million Suns"; Bloc Party's "Intimacy."

After countless beta teases and an aggravating world-wide delay, Media Molecule's "LittleBigPlanet" is finally accessible for all gamers who own a Playstation 3, and it has been well worth the wait. This game is beyond phenomenal; it has so greatly exceeded expectations since its release last week that a sequel is already in the works.

You wouldn't think a film with a title as blunt as "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" would be this season's mushiest movie, but there is an undeniable charm sprinkled throughout Kevin Smith's latest post-Jersey flick, somewhere between the anal sex and bubbles blown from below the belt.

On Halloween, the UC Irvine Drama Department showed how it celebrates the holiday. There was no candy or "monster mash" to be found, but blood was definitely present in the department's Oct. 31 production of "Titus Andronicus."

Representatives of Komen-on-the-Go spread breast cancer awareness as the last days of October come to an end. Here, a student spins a wheel, and if she answers a question about breast cancer correctly, she will receive a prize.

Irvine Planeteers: As midterms arrive, it's always a good idea to take a break from studying and go for a relaxing walk outdoors. However, when you're in the middle of studying, it can be hard to go somewhere that you have to drive to get to. So here are a few options within walking or biking distance for your enjoyment.

S-O-U-L.