Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a technology to remove contaminants from storm water using mineral-coated sand. The coated sand can break down organic pollutants into smaller pieces that are less toxic and more biodegradable, creating a safe and local reservoir of drinking water for communities.
A new study suggests that low-tech ways of improving soil quality on farms and rangelands worldwide could capture significant amounts of carbon from the atmosphere and store it in the soil. If instituted globally, these practices could reduce global temperatures by nearly half a degree Fahrenheit by 2100.
Researchers found that sleep-deprived individuals feel lonelier and less socially attractive, triggering a viral contagion of social isolation. Brain scans showed powerful social repulsion activity in neural networks activated when humans perceive personal space invasion.
Scientists at UC Berkeley have discovered a long-sought carbon structure called schwarzite, which has unique electronic, magnetic, and optical properties. The negatively curved schwarzites were formed inside zeolite pores and have potential applications in supercapacitors, battery electrodes, and gas storage.
A study by University of California, Berkeley economists found that air pollution emissions from US manufacturing fell by 60% between 1990 and 2008 due to stricter environmental regulations. The researchers analyzed data on over 1,400 products and found that changes in production technologies were the primary driver of these decreases.
A new analysis by University of California, Berkeley researchers concludes that injecting particles into the atmosphere to cool the planet would have no effect on reducing crop damage from rising temperatures. The study found that lower productivity due to reduced sunlight would negate any benefits of cooler temperatures.
Researchers have discovered that nanoribbons can trap individual localized electrons, potentially enabling new quantum materials with unique electronic and magnetic properties. The discovery was made by combining theoretical predictions with experimental synthesis, using topological insulators as a starting point.
The study found that 30% of bird species in the Mojave Desert have become less common and widespread over the past century. Birds adapted to desert environments fared better than those adapted to grasslands or forests, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect these populations.
A fungus called Entomophthora muscae has been found to control the behavior of fruit flies, infecting their nervous system and causing them to climb to high points. The fungus feeds on the fly's fat stores before altering its behavior, eventually leading to the fly's death.
Researchers discovered that the Fanconi anemia DNA repair pathway plays a crucial role in fixing CRISPR breaks and increasing the efficiency of homology-directed repair. This new understanding could help boost CRISPR-Cas9 editing's success rates, particularly for treating diseases like sickle cell anemia.
A new study reveals that fertilizing plants can destroy the beneficial microbiomes on their leaves, making them more susceptible to disease. Researchers found that low doses of beneficial microbes are often more effective in protecting plants from infection than higher doses.
A study of nearly 4,000 extremely old Italians found that mortality rates plateau after 105 years old, with people between 105-109 having a 50/50 chance of dying within the year and an expected further life span of 1.5 years. The findings challenge previous research on a final cut-off point for human lifespan.
Researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to reduce repetitive behavior in mice with fragile X syndrome, a common cause of autism spectrum disorder. The technique successfully edited the receptor responsible for excessive signaling between neurons, leading to reduced repetitive behaviors such as digging and leaping.
Researchers suggest studying individuals, not groups, to understand human health and behavior, as averaging out data from a large group can offer only a snapshot of individual differences. The findings have implications for customizing health therapies and analyzing mental and physical disorders.
Scientists at UC Berkeley developed a new DNA synthesis method that uses a natural human enzyme to print long DNA strands in water. The technique offers improved precision and potential for faster research and development of new medicines.
A new study finds that human disturbance is causing mammals to become more nocturnal, with animals increasing their nighttime activity by up to 68% in response. The shift is consistent across species and types of human disturbance, suggesting a widespread impact on wildlife behavior.
Researchers sequenced the genomes of every microbe in a teaspoon of soil and found hundreds of complex molecules with potential antibiotic or antifungal activity. The discovery is significant as disease-causing bacteria become increasingly resistant to current drugs.
A University of California, Berkeley team has developed a next-generation water harvester that can extract drinkable water every day/night cycle at very low humidity and at low cost. The harvester uses solar energy to collect water from the air, making it ideal for people living in arid, water-starved areas of the world.
New research finds a causal relationship between whites' attitudes towards welfare and their perceived threatened racial status. Whites who fear losing their socioeconomic standing oppose government anti-poverty programs they perceive as benefiting minorities, while not affecting views on programs benefiting themselves.
Researchers are reevaluating lactate's role in metabolism and its potential as a treatment for various diseases. Lactate supplementation has been shown to speed recovery after injury or illness and is being explored as a tool to control blood sugar, fuel the brain, and manage inflammation.
Studies found that retiring eight fossil fuel power plants in California resulted in a significant drop of 20-25% in preterm birth rates, particularly among non-Hispanic African-American and Asian women. The researchers also observed an increase in fertility rates in the surrounding areas.
Scientists analyzed 107 mammal genomes to find genes that allowed early ancestors to digest insects. They discovered nearly all mammals have remnants of these genes, suggesting a shared insectivorous diet with our distant ancestors.
Scientists use satellite radar imaging to pinpoint detonation site and yield of North Korea's latest nuclear test, which caused displacement and subsidence at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site. The research provides a detailed view of the site, including the explosion's impact on the mountain above.
MMS mission discovers a new process of magnetic reconnection that converts turbulent magnetic energy into high-speed jets of electrons. This finding helps scientists understand the role of magnetic reconnection in heating the solar corona and accelerating the solar wind.
Researchers at UC Berkeley are developing a technology to read and write neural activity, enabling them to stimulate specific sets of neurons to simulate sensory experiences. The goal is to replace lost sensations after peripheral nerve damage or control prosthetic limbs, with potential applications in treating neurological disorders.
Researchers at the University of California - Berkeley have discovered the molecular structure of human telomerase, a key enzyme in aging and cancer. The detailed picture reveals possible drug-target sites, allowing for more targeted treatments to be developed.
A genetic mutation that increased mammary duct branching may have provided more vitamin D to infants, helping them survive in the far north. Shovel-shaped incisors became more frequent among Native Americans due to the same genetic factor, highlighting the importance of the mother-infant bond.
The Bajau people's larger spleens enable them to dive longer and deeper by injecting more oxygenated red blood cells into the circulation. Genetic analysis reveals a link between increased thyroid hormone levels and enhanced diving ability in this Southeast Asian group.
Engineers at UC Berkeley developed a thin-film system that can convert low-quality waste heat into electricity, achieving unprecedented energy density and power density. The technology has potential applications in various industries, including electronics and manufacturing.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a new technology that uses manganese instead of cobalt to increase lithium-ion battery capacity. This breakthrough could reduce the world's reliance on cobalt, which is mined by hand and has raised concerns about child labor.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a method using deep reinforcement learning to create realistic computer animations. The system, dubbed DeepMimic, can simulate various skills, including acrobatic feats like break dancing and martial arts, and respond naturally to changes in the environment.
Researchers create StimDust, the smallest deep-tissue stimulator capable of stimulating major therapeutic targets in the peripheral nervous system. The device is powered wirelessly by ultrasound, with an efficiency of 82 percent, and can be implanted in minimally invasive procedures to monitor and treat diseases.
Astronomers have captured the most distant normal star ever observed, 9 billion light years away, using gravitational lensing. The blue supergiant was magnified over 2,000 times and is hundreds of thousands of times brighter than our Sun.
A new study found that students whose circadian rhythms were out of sync with their class schedules received lower grades due to social jet lag. The research analyzed online activity data from nearly 15,000 college students and suggested individualizing education to match students' natural rhythms for better academic success.
UC Berkeley engineers create a millimeter-wide, transparent light-emitting device using monolayer semiconductors. The device can emit bright light when turned on and become see-through when turned off, opening possibilities for invisible displays.
Scientists at UC Berkeley have developed a way to create hoppy beer without using hops by genetically engineering brewer's yeast. The engineered strains produce two prominent flavor notes found in hops, resulting in beers that are indistinguishable from those made with traditional hopping methods.
A new scenario proposes that Mars' oceans formed several hundred million years earlier than previously thought, linking their existence to the rise of the solar system's largest volcanic system, Tharsis. The model suggests that global warming and volcanic eruptions played a key role in allowing liquid water to exist on Mars.
Scientists have developed a way to stabilize proteins outside of their native environments, creating mats that can trap chemical pollution. The research demonstrates a unique path toward exploiting protein power in synthetic systems.
A new study reveals that stick spiders have evolved and differentiated into distinct ecological types on each Hawaiian island, with remarkable predictability in their physical traits. The research sheds light on the origins of biodiversity and highlights the need for conserving nature's forms.
A new study warns that subsidence, combined with rising sea levels, will increase the flood-risk area around San Francisco Bay by doubling it. The study found that areas at risk of inundation could be twice what had been estimated from sea level rise only.
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, found that brown fat cells can be activated to burn calories when stimulated, similar to how muscle cells work. The team identified a potential pathway to trigger this activation and hopes to develop drugs to stimulate brown fat function.
Researchers trained visual neurons to control a computer-generated tone and a robotic arm using neuroplasticity. The connections from the cortex to the striatum were key to this learning, representing a feedback loop that may be essential for learning and memory throughout the brain.
An amateur astronomer in Argentina captured the rare first optical light from a massive exploding star, providing valuable insights into the supernova explosion and the star's physical structure. The discovery was made using a new camera and allowed scientists to determine the type of star that exploded and the nature of the explosion.
Mathematical calculations show that certain types of black holes can break down determinism, leading to unpredictable futures. The discovery provides evidence for a violation of strong cosmic censorship in a theory of gravity and electromagnetism.
Researchers developed the DNA Endonuclease Targeted CRISPR Trans Reporter (DETECTR) system, allowing quick detection of diseases such as HPV using Cas12a. The system involves adding reagents in one reaction and uses isothermal amplification to boost target DNA cuts, resulting in a fluorescent readout.
Pine trees become temporarily sterile when exposed to intense UV radiation, similar to what scientists believe the Earth experienced 252 million years ago. The effect suggests caution in introducing chemicals that deplete the ozone layer.
Scientists use super-resolution microscopy to reveal the fine detail of red blood cells' cellular mesh underlying the cell membrane. They discover that the mesh is a triangular structure composed of proteins, allowing for flexibility and elasticity in squeezing through narrow capillaries.
Close female relatives are disproportionately viewed as difficult due to their emotional and practical support. Research found that 15% of relationships were categorized as difficult, with conflicts most often with close kin like parents, siblings, and spouses.
Scientists used electrocorticograhy (ECoG) to record electrical activity on the brain surface, finding that the prefrontal cortex coordinates activity to help us act in response to a perception. The brain requires several seconds to respond to complex tasks, with the prefrontal cortex recruiting other areas, including memory networks.
Recent observations of FRB 121102 provide new data about the source of fast radio bursts, which are nearly 100 percent linearly polarized and suggest a source embedded in strong magnetic fields. The team plans to observe at higher frequencies to narrow the range of possible sources.