A new study by University of California, Berkeley economist Timothy Brown estimates that each dollar spent on public health programs returns $67 to $88 in improved health outcomes. This far exceeds the return on investment for selected aspects of medical care, which ranged from $1.10 to $4.80 per dollar spent.
Researchers have found that copper helps regulate fat burning by blocking an enzyme that prevents fat breakdown when it's not needed. Without enough copper, fat builds up in cells, leading to obesity and diabetes. The study suggests a new role for copper in metabolism and opens the door to new therapeutic approaches.
Researchers tracked macaque monkeys' neural activity as they weighed options for juice rewards, predicting their choices based on brain patterns. The study sheds light on internal decision-making processes and could lead to implants to treat addiction, anxiety, and depression.
Astronomers have produced the most detailed radio map yet of Jupiter's atmosphere, revealing massive movement of ammonia gas that underlies colorful bands and whirling clouds. The study sheds light on global circulation and cloud formation driven by Jupiter's internal heat source.
Researchers at UC Berkeley developed a faster and more efficient CRISPR-Cas9 editing method for mice, using electroporation instead of microinjection. The new technique resulted in higher success rates and reduced embryo damage.
Research from UC Berkeley and Northwestern University suggests that outbursts of anger predict cardiovascular problems, while shutting down emotionally or 'stonewalling' raises the risk of musculoskeletal ailments. The study monitored couples' behaviors over 20 years, finding a stronger link for husbands but also correlations in wives.
The MyShake app, released in Japanese, collects ground-shaking information from smartphones to analyze quakes and relay data to the Berkeley Seismological Laboratory. The system has recorded earthquakes worldwide, including induced earthquakes, and plans to provide life-saving early warnings.
A team of researchers found that rapidly proliferating yeast cells can exert forces of up to 150 psi, equivalent to nearly five times atmospheric pressure. This jamming phenomenon may contribute to microbial pathogenesis and biofouling, with potential consequences for environmental systems.
Researchers tracked fox squirrels in foraging tasks with locked containers, observing tail flicks as frustration increased. The study suggests that frustration may be necessary and beneficial for problem solving, leading to persistence and new strategies.
A team of chemists and physicists used atomic force microscopy to capture snapshots of molecules reacting on a catalyst's surface, revealing intermediate structures lasting for up to 20 minutes. This breakthrough expands the toolbox for designing new catalytic reactions and has implications for fields like materials science and medicine.
Researchers at UC Berkeley discover that antibodies in mother's milk help promote a healthy balance between gut microbes and the mammalian host, preventing chronic inflammatory conditions. The study sheds light on how these antibodies interact with the newborn's immune system to establish lifelong immune responses.
Scientists at UC Berkeley have identified a key epigenetic switch that increases lifespan in mammals, offering hope for new treatments to improve human metabolic function. The discovery was made in the nematode worm C. elegans and found to be linked to increased lifespan in mice.
A new study maps the human brain's semantic atlas, revealing how different areas respond to words with similar meanings. This discovery holds promise for decoding inner dialogue in individuals who struggle to communicate, such as stroke or ALS patients.
A University of California, Berkeley study found that homeless youth in San Francisco have a 10.6 times higher mortality rate than their peers, mostly due to suicide and substance abuse. The study's main author notes that stigma kills and highlights the need for on-demand access to substance abuse treatment.
A study published in PLOS ONE challenges the notion that Inuit and other Arctic groups have a vast number of words for snow, instead revealing that languages from warmer regions tend to use one word for both snow and ice
Researchers have discovered over 1,000 new types of bacteria and Archaea, dramatically expanding the tree of life. The newly added organisms come from diverse environments and are characterized by their genome sequences, offering a new perspective on microbiology and its implications for our understanding of biology.
Researchers found that deep-canvass conversations reduced voters' prejudice against transgender people by approximately one in 10 voters' attitudes. The impact remained intact for at least three months and was comparable to the decline in prejudice against gay and lesbian people seen between 1998 and 2012.
Researchers found a supermassive black hole with an estimated mass of 17 billion solar masses in the galaxy NGC 1600, located 200 million light-years from Earth. This discovery suggests that these massive objects may be more common than previously thought and could be living in smaller galaxies.
Researchers uncover a protein receptor that responds to progesterone, triggering a power kick that allows sperm to penetrate an egg. A drug inactivating this receptor may lead to a unisex contraceptive effective for both men and women.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have shown that magnetic chips can operate with the lowest fundamental level of energy dissipation possible, leading to dramatic reductions in power consumption. This breakthrough is critical for mobile devices and cloud data centers, which demand powerful processors on small batteries.
Researchers captured images of problem-solving in mice using advanced microscopy techniques, revealing rapid rewiring in the frontal brains after learning by trial and error. The study supports critical thinking and active learning approaches in schools and workplaces.
A study of 100 Latina teenagers found a significant drop in levels of hormone-disrupting chemicals in the body after using personal care products labeled free of such chemicals. The study, led by researchers at UC Berkeley, highlights the importance of choosing products with fewer chemicals to reduce exposure.
Researchers at the University of California - Berkeley found that moderate stress can make male rats more social and cooperative, leading to increased oxytocin levels. This effect is comparable to the benefits seen in romantic relationships, suggesting that bromances may have healthful effects similar to those seen in human friendships.
Researchers used PET scans to study the progressive stages of Alzheimer's disease in cognitively normal adults, tracking tau protein accumulation in the brain. The findings suggest that tau imaging could become an important tool in developing therapeutic approaches targeting either amyloid or tau, depending on the disease stage.
The MyShake Android app uses smartphone accelerometers to detect earthquakes, analyzing data from millions of phones to create a dense seismic network. The goal is to provide early warning systems for areas without traditional networks.
A new robot, CRAM, has been developed using the inspiration of American cockroaches' ability to penetrate tight joints and seams. The robot can rapidly squeeze through cracks, even when flattened, and withstand forces up to 900 times its body weight without injury.
Researchers have developed a flexible sensor system that measures metabolites and electrolytes in sweat, allowing for continuous non-invasive health monitoring. The device syncs data with smartphones and can alert users to health problems such as fatigue, dehydration, and high body temperatures.
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have made a major improvement in CRISPR-Cas9 technology, achieving an unprecedented success rate of 60% when replacing short stretches of DNA with normal sequences. This technique is especially useful for repairing genetic mutations that cause hereditary diseases.
The antihydrogen atom has been found to have a zero charge, identical to that of the hydrogen atom, confirming the symmetry between matter and antimatter. This result is significant as it resolves the long-standing problem of the asymmetry between matter and antimatter in the universe.
Neuroscientists argue that computers will never truly understand human communication due to lack of contextual understanding. Brain scans reveal areas of the brain where 'meeting of minds' occurs, enabling nonverbal mutual understanding.
A new study reveals that soil deposits can provide a rich source of data for paleoclimatologists, providing a time resolution of thousand-year intervals and offering insights into past climate conditions. The analysis of carbonate deposits revealed a shift in precipitation patterns in North America between 70,000 to 55,000 years ago.
Engineers successfully marry electrons and photons within a single-chip microprocessor, achieving a bandwidth density of 300 gigabits per second per square millimeter. The photonic I/O on the chip is also energy-efficient, using only 1.3 picojoules per bit.
Researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 to knock out six Hox genes in a sandhopper, shedding light on the genetic mechanisms that determine leg anatomy and evolutionary patterns. By analyzing the resulting transformations, they identified which genes control specific appendages and gained insights into how evolution shapes animal body plans.
A new study has found a link between early pesticide exposure and decreased lung function in children, with increased organophosphate metabolites associated with reduced air capacity. The study's findings suggest that chronic exposure to pesticides could leave children at risk of developing respiratory problems like COPD.
A newly discovered exoplanet, HD 106906 b, may have been violently ejected from its birthplace close to its star due to a recent gravitational disturbance. The planet is surrounded by a large dust ring or shroud, which could be evidence of the violent episode.
A supercomputer simulation demonstrates that a collapsing massive star can generate enormous magnetic fields, focusing gas along the rotation axis to create jets producing oppositely directed blasts of highly energetic gamma rays. This breakthrough model sheds light on the process behind hypernovae and gamma-ray bursts.
A team of engineers at UC Berkeley has developed a method to fix defects in monolayer semiconductors, increasing photoluminescence quantum yield by 100-fold. The technique uses an organic superacid to create defect-free material for applications such as transparent LED displays and high-performance transistors.
Phobos will likely break apart and form a ring around Mars due to tidal forces. The debris from Phobos will continue to orbit Mars for millions of years before eventually colliding with the planet.
Research identifies 'connector hubs' as the brain's 'champions of coordination,' allowing distinct networks to interact effectively and process more information during complex tasks. The findings have implications for understanding neurological disorders like schizophrenia and Alzheimer's.
The acorn worm's genome has revealed the origin of the human pharynx, showing how gill slits evolved into the jaw and throat. The study found that humans and other terrestrial vertebrates retain vestigial gills in embryos, a trait shared with marine animals.
Two new studies from University of California, Berkeley provide detailed insights into CRISPR-Cas9's molecular basis for accurate DNA targeting. The Cas9 protein appears to have at least three ways to check for correct target DNA before making a cut, ensuring precise genome editing.
A team of scientists has mapped the mantle under the Juan de Fuca plate, a key step in understanding the forces behind large earthquakes and tsunamis. The map reveals segmentation of the subduction zone, which could help explain why Pacific Northwest megaquakes don't always break along the entire length.
The study analyzed past large-mammal extinctions in North and South America to understand their long-lasting ecosystem impacts. Researchers found that the disappearance of mammoths and mastodons led to changes in vegetation, decreased small mammal diversity, and altered landscape dynamics.
Researchers have created a new material that can store methane more efficiently, enabling the development of natural gas-powered cars with greater driving range and reduced hassle. The flexible MOF expands when methane is pumped in and contracts when it's extracted, making it suitable for use in home compressors.
UC Berkeley researchers discovered a neural switch in the medulla that activates rapid transition to REM sleep, characterized by muscle paralysis and cortical activation. Activating this group of neurons can send mice into dreamland, while inactivating them reduces or eliminates REM sleep.
A proposed technique from physics can help remove experimenter bias in social science research, improving confidence in published studies. Researchers suggest using blind analysis to prevent confirmation biases and ensure more accurate conclusions.
A new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, confirms that the city's soda tax is increasing the retail price of sugary drinks. The study found that about 70% of the tax was passed through to retailers, with prices increasing around half a cent per ounce.
A new study from the University of California, Berkeley found that teenagers who go to bed late on weeknights are more likely to gain weight than their peers who hit the hay earlier. For every hour of sleep lost, participants gained 2.1 points on the BMI index over a five-year period.
New evidence shows that asteroid impact on Earth 66 million years ago accelerated volcanic eruptions in India for hundreds of thousands of years. The eruptions, known as the Deccan Traps, likely suppressed recovery of life for 500,000 years after the KT boundary.
Researchers aim to create a 'smellscape' to understand how critters navigate by scent and convert odors into spatial information. They will use computational modeling to simulate odor navigation processes and test their models on diverse species.