STANFORD, Calif., Dec. 3  -- A U. S. geneticist says he has created an online database that can, without charge, provide scientists around the world with a tool for protein analyses.

Stanford University School of Medicine Associate Professor Arend Sidow recently launched his bioinformatics tool, which "enlists evolution as the guide to determining the role different proteins play in a wide array of organisms."

The database called "ProPhylER" enables a researcher studying a protein, or the gene coding for it, to more easily determine how it works and whether something might go wrong if the gene has a mutation.

SAN LUIS OBISPO , Calif., Dec. 3  -- A fraternity chapter at a California university has been suspended following the allegedly alcohol-related death of a freshman pledge.

Carson Starkey, 18, of Austin, Texas, a student at California Polytechnic State University, was found unconscious at an off-campus house early Tuesday, The San Luis Obispo Tribune reported. He died at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center.

Starkey was a pledge in Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Both the university and the fraternity's national organization have suspended the chapter pending an investigation into the young man's death.

On Sunday afternoon, U.S. space shuttle Endeavour landed safely in California following a 16-day trip. The space shuttle had to make a landing here since unfavorable weather conditions in Florida prevented the shuttle from landing in its home base in Cape Canaveral.

Around 1:20 p.m. local time (2120 GMT), two sonic booms were heard by the residents across Southern California when Endeavour broke the sound barrier under the sunny sky since it was gliding into local airspace en route to Edwards Air Force Base, more than 150 kilometers north of Los Angeles.

TRACY, Calif., Dec. 1 - A California teen who turned up Monday with signs of being tortured and clad only in underwear and a chain on an ankle said he had been held captive for months.

Police said the 17-year-old boy, who walked into the In-Shape City fitness center in Tracy about 4 p. m., claimed to have been imprisoned by a man and a woman, the San Jose Mercury News reported. The youth had burns on his body, a cut on his arm, was bleeding on his back, and was covered in soot or dirt, police and gym employees said.

The youth was taken to a hospital for treatment, police said.

Gym employee Chuck Ellis said the boy appeared to be scared and pleaded for him to "hide me, please hide me," KCRA-TV in Sacramento reported.

CHICAGO,  Nov. 30 -- A Chicago couple say they followed through on a vow to not even kiss each other until they were officially married.

ANAHEIM, Calif.,  Nov. 27 -- Jeff Teague scored 24 points Thursday to lead No. 24 Wake Forest in a 75-69 win over Cal State-Fullerton at the Anaheim (Calif.) Classic.

Wake held a 37-29 halftime advantage, and its inspired opponent stayed close by using tight defense, which forced 18 turnovers.

The battle of the boards ended with Wake holding a slim 37-36 edge.

Both Al-Farouq Aminu and Chas McFarland scored 14 points for the Demon Deacons (4-0), who had won their previous three games by an average of 36.3 points against teams with a combined 2-10 record.