The new institute explores basic science of energy conversion on nanoscale, with potential to discover new ways of generating energy. Scientists will explore biological systems and build hybrid/artificial systems to revolutionize energy science.
A 15-year study in the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest found that trees in a calcium-treated watershed produced 21% more wood and 11% more leaves than their counterparts. The addition of calcium helped reverse decades-long decline caused by acid rain, with sugar maple trees responding most strongly.
New research reveals that Toxoplasma infection can permanently alter brain function in mice, making them fearless of cats. The parasite's effect persists for months even after recovery from flu-like symptoms.
Four new species of 'legless lizards' have been discovered in California, including the silver-bellied A. alexanderae and purple-bellied A. grinnelli, with the first species added to the state's list from one to five. The discoveries highlight the importance of preserving biodiversity and the need for further surveys.
Scientists have detected previously unknown channels of slow-moving seismic waves in Earth's upper mantle, helping explain the formation of hotspot volcanoes like Hawaii and Tahiti. The discovery provides an important piece of the puzzle in understanding these volcanoes' complex interactions with plumes and the shallow upper mantle.
Researchers at UC Berkeley discovered that inhibiting an enzyme can dramatically reduce tumor growth and aggressiveness in cancer cells. The study sheds light on the importance of lipids in cancer development and suggests a promising new target for cancer therapy.
Researchers found that cocaine exposure leads to rapid growth of new dendritic spines in the frontal cortex, enabling mice to strongly prefer drug cues over other stimuli. This study sheds light on the brain's role in drug-seeking behavior and may inform strategies for tackling addiction.
Researchers at UC Berkeley propose that 'zombie vortices' play a crucial role in the birth of new stars. The team's computer models show how variations in gas density lead to instability, resulting in whirlpool-like vortices that help the star form.
A new UC Berkeley study reveals that sleep-deprived brains prefer unhealthy snacks and junk foods over whole grains and leafy greens. The researchers found impaired activity in the frontal lobe but increased activity in deeper brain centers that respond to rewards.
A new study by UC Berkeley and Princeton researchers found that climate strongly affects human conflict and violence globally. Climate-related factors such as temperature and drought are consistently linked to increased personal and intergroup violence.
Researchers used dysprosium to measure electron velocity and found the maximum speed of an electron is consistent with the speed of light. The experiment pushes the limits of Einstein's theory, potentially revealing new insights into particle physics.
Engineers at UC Berkeley created the first user-interactive sensor network on flexible plastic, responding to touch with instant light emission. The new e-skin technology has potential applications in robots, wallpapers, dashboard displays, and health monitors.
UC Berkeley psychologists found that people are more likely to lash out at their romantic partners over relationship tensions after a bad night's sleep. Couples who fight more are less happy and less healthy.
Researchers found that spider webs are more effective at capturing charged insects, with positively charged insects attracting the negatively charged web. This discovery suggests that electrostatic charges may have driven the evolution of specialized webs.
Researchers found that sleep deprivation triggers excessive anticipatory anxiety by activating the amygdala and insular cortex. Innate worriers are more vulnerable to this impact, suggesting that sleep therapy could be a potential treatment for anxiety disorders.
UC Berkeley researchers found that a decrease in new species origins is crucial to extinction, alongside increased extinction rates. This study applies to slow changes over millions of years and provides insights into the pressures on modern flora and fauna.
Researchers date cyanobacterial invasion into one-celled plants to 900 million years ago, revealing new insights into the origins of photosynthesis. By analyzing fossil and genetic evidence, they estimated the age of this ancient event, providing a more precise timeline for the evolution of plant and animal cells.
Researchers develop an engineered virus that can deliver genes to difficult-to-reach cells in the retina, restoring vision to patients with inherited defects and degenerative illnesses. The new therapy is surgically non-invasive and takes only 15 minutes to administer.
A new EBI study concludes that biofuels from plant biomass and purpose-grown crops can substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions in California. The report highlights the importance of judicious use of feedstocks and implementation of low-carbon technologies to meet the state's ambitious energy goals.
Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, have found inspiration in ancient Roman concrete to create more durable and sustainable modern concrete. The discovery could help reduce carbon emissions from cement production and improve the lifespan of structures in ocean environments.
Researchers at UC Berkeley use a state-of-the-art atomic force microscope to take the first atom-by-atom pictures of chemical bonds, revealing how a molecule's structure changes during a reaction. This breakthrough technique will help chemists fine-tune reactions and study heterogeneous catalysis.
The Calbug project is a citizen science initiative that allows volunteers to transcribe handwritten field notes from over a million insect specimens. This collaboration between the University of California, Berkeley's Essig Museum of Entomology and Zooniverse aims to process the voluminous records stored in natural history museums worl...
A study from the University of California, Berkeley suggests that humans share a common emotional palette when it comes to music and color. Participants consistently paired bright colors with upbeat music and dark colors with subdued music across different cultures.
A new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, highlights racial disparities in heat vulnerability. The findings show that areas with no tree canopy and high heat-absorbing surfaces disproportionately affect African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics.
Researchers at UC Berkeley developed a device using wireless signals to diagnose brain swelling or bleeding in real-time. The technology was tested in a pilot study and showed promising results, potentially becoming a cost-effective tool for medical diagnostics.
University of California, Berkeley researchers James A. Sethian and Robert I. Saye describe the mathematical evolution and disappearance of foamy bubbles, a feat that could help model industrial processes and solid foam formation. They developed scale-separated equations to treat different aspects of foams with distinct sets of equations.
Researchers have identified the V5 region of the brain as the site of motion prediction, enabling humans to perceive objects at predicted locations despite visual processing delays. This discovery has implications for understanding and diagnosing disorders affecting motion perception.
Researchers detected lead, cadmium, chromium, aluminum, and five other metals in commonly used lip products, with some exceeding safe daily intake limits. The study highlights the need for greater oversight by health regulators to ensure cosmetic products meet safety standards.
Researchers from UC Berkeley report first direct measurement of gravity's effect on antimatter, specifically antihydrogen in free fall. The study suggests that antimatter does not exhibit anti-gravity and falls at the same rate as normal matter.
A new UC Berkeley study suggests that morality plays a significant role in shaping our perception of money, with those who perceive money as 'tainted' viewing it as having less purchasing power. The research findings also shed light on why people avoid ill-gotten gains and the psychology behind socially responsible investing.
A UC Berkeley study shows how the brain dynamically reallocates resources based on behavioral demands, optimizing performance. When searching for a person or object, various brain regions are activated, including those normally dedicated to abstract thought.
The University of California, Berkeley will design, build, and operate the Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) satellite to study the impact of Earth's weather on space weather. The satellite aims to improve forecasts of extreme space weather events that can disrupt GPS signals and radio communications.
New research by Daniela Kaufer and Elizabeth Kirby found that acute stress doubles the proliferation of new brain cells in the hippocampus, leading to improved mental performance two weeks later. The study suggests that moderate stress can help individuals perform better when alert, but excessive stress can be harmful.
Sanofi launches large-scale production of partially synthetic artemisinin, a breakthrough in synthetic biology. The drug, developed by Professor Jay Keasling's team, aims to provide stable supply and low cost for developing countries.
Simulations suggest a shift northward, which could increase or decrease seasonal rainfall in areas such as the Amazon, sub-Saharan Africa or East Asia. A warmer northern hemisphere causes atmospheric overturning to weaken in the north and strengthen in the south, shifting rain bands northward.
Many Ph.D. students are seeking jobs outside academia due to a tight job market and scarce tenure-track positions. The "Beyond Academia" conference aims to provide a platform for exploration and career development.
A new US survey reveals that one in five Americans (20%) have no religious preference, a significant increase from 1990. The General Social Survey found that only 8% of respondents were raised without religion, but 3% identified as atheists.
New experiments show that complex molecules can form in icy grains in space, potentially bringing the building blocks of life to Earth. The discovery opens the door to comets or meteorites as a source for life's origins.
Scientists have developed an automated system that can rapidly reconstruct hundreds of ancestral languages, including Proto-Indo-European and Proto-Afroasiatic. The computer program uses probabilistic reasoning and machine learning to replicate linguistic changes over time, with an accuracy rate of 85%.
Scientists have determined the most precise dates yet for the dinosaur extinction and a comet or asteroid impact, which occurred around the same time. The revised dates clear up lingering confusion over whether the impact occurred before or after the extinction.
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have discovered a sirtuin protein that can reverse age-related degeneration in mice by rejuvenating aged blood stem cells. The study provides new hope for targeted treatments for age-related diseases and opens up possibilities for a 'molecular fountain of youth'.
Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have found a link between poor sleep, memory loss and brain deterioration in older adults. Boosting 'slow wave' sleep may help restore memory, suggesting a potentially new treatment avenue for age-related memory loss.
A UC Berkeley study found that poor sleep can leave couples feeling unappreciated, making it harder to show gratitude and value their partners. The study suggests that sleep deprivation can increase selfishness and decrease emotional attunement.
A new UC Berkeley study suggests that women's domestic power reduces their desire for career advancement. Women who control household decisions reported lower life goals than those who shared decision-making with their spouses. This effect is specific to women and not observed in men.
Researchers at UC Berkeley discovered that those in authority positions are quicker to recover from mild rejection and seek out social bonding opportunities. The study found that subordinates report lower self-esteem when rejected by their bosses compared to supervisors.
Holger Müller's Compton clock measures time using the oscillations of a cesium atom's matter wave, which has a frequency 10 billion times higher than visible light. The clock is accurate to within 7 parts per billion and could potentially rival atomic clocks with further improvements.
A team of astronomers analyzed Kepler mission data and found that 17% of sun-like stars have planets one to two times the diameter of Earth, orbiting close to their host stars. These planets may be rocky and habitable within the Goldilocks zone.
A new method for cutting DNA using a bacterial enzyme and RNA binding has been demonstrated to work in human cells, overcoming a major bottleneck in genome engineering. The technique, known as CRISPR-Cas9, is precise, inexpensive, and easy to program, holding promise for treating genetic diseases and curing AIDS.
Scientists have discovered six likely comets around distant stars, which could be a sign that comets are as common in other stellar systems as planets. The discovery was made using the high-resolution spectrograph of the McDonald Observatory telescope and suggests that comets may play a crucial role in planetary formation.
Researchers analyzed cellphone and GPS data to identify areas contributing most to traffic bottlenecks. Canceling trips from these neighborhoods can reduce travel time for other drivers by up to 18%. This strategy shows promise for alleviating traffic tie-ups in urban areas, particularly in cities with complex commute patterns.