Researchers discovered that wandering salamanders, living in redwoods, have developed aerial behaviors to avoid predators, including parachuting and gliding. They are able to maintain control and make horizontal maneuvers, defying expectations of their sluggish nature.
A University of California, Berkeley scientist has created a model that predicts the most vulnerable glaciers in the Arctic and Antarctic are thick and fast-moving ones. The new model incorporates the effects of meltwater lubricating their downhill flow, suggesting these glaciers are more sensitive to climate change.
A new study by UC Berkeley scientists finds that solar photovoltaics can provide sufficient power for extended Mars missions, outperforming nuclear fusion reactors in over 50% of the planet's surface. This breakthrough provides a more practical solution for long-term human settlements on Mars.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a new way to 3D-print glass microstructures using computed axial lithography (CAL), which produces objects with higher optical quality and design flexibility. The CAL process enables smooth surfaces and complex geometries, making it ideal for manufacturing microscopic glass objects.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a new material that can significantly reduce the energy required to control advanced silicon transistors. The engineered crystal composed of hafnium oxide and zirconium oxide achieves negative capacitance, which boosts performance by reducing voltage requirements.
A new study supports the idea that humans inherited our love of alcohol from primate ancestors, who consumed fermented fruit with high alcohol content. Monkeys eat and digest alcohol-rich fruits, using it as a source of calories, shedding light on human affinity for booze.
Paleontologist Kevin Padian suggests that T. rex's short arms evolved to prevent accidental or intentional amputation during pack feeding, a behavior thought to be common among the species. This hypothesis proposes that the reduced forelimbs provided an adaptive advantage by reducing the risk of injury during intense feeding interactions.
A complete, gapless genome sequence has been completed for scientists and physicians, revealing new details about the region around the centromere. The newly sequenced genome provides insights into human genetic variation and may hold clues to the evolution of our ancestors in Africa.
A new study from UC Berkeley provides the first detailed description of the fungal biodiversity on Mo'orea, discovering over 200 species of macrofungi. The research team's findings suggest that most species were carried by easterly winds from Australia or other South Pacific islands.
A large-scale intervention has been found to combat inequities in school discipline by evoking empathy in teachers, reducing the racial gap in suspensions of middle school students. The research suggests that a nonjudgmental approach can sideline biases and promote more positive disciplinary outcomes.
Researchers warn of machine learning bias when data published for one task is used to train algorithms for a different one. This can lead to compromised integrity and 'overly optimistic' results in medical imaging applications.
Researchers at UC Berkeley discover that Antabuse helps improve sight in mice with retinal degeneration by reducing hyperactive retinal cells. The treatment may one day lead to better therapies for humans with inherited diseases like retinitis pigmentosa.
A new study reveals that cultural burning by Native American tribes in the Klamath Mountains helped maintain forest structure and biodiversity. Despite periods of climate change, forest biomass remained relatively low due to intentional burning practices.
A new type of high-resolution LiDAR chip has been developed by the University of California, Berkeley, which could lead to a new generation of powerful, low-cost 3D sensors. The chip uses a focal plane switch array (FPSA) and achieves a resolution of 16,384 pixels.
A recent analysis of the 2017 GW170817 merger suggests that a rapid spin delay may have prolonged the merger, producing excess X-ray emissions. The radiation is thought to be produced by shocked material in the circumbinary medium, hinting at a bounce from the delayed collapse.
Physicists have narrowed the axion mass range to 40-180 micro-eV using advanced simulations and supercomputer power. This new estimate suggests that the most common type of experiment to detect axions won't be able to detect them, regardless of tuning.
A new study published in Psychological Science challenges the idea that humans have an innate system of thinking about and organizing numbers. The research finds that language is integrally tied to numerical cognition, with Tsimane' participants being able to only match exact number of objects within their known number words.
A recent study found that many marine invertebrates, including sponges and jellyfish, retain the same chromosomal structure as their primitive ancestors over 600 million years ago. This discovery underscores the conservatism of evolution and provides a key link between humans and our distant ancestors.
Research by UC Berkeley biologists highlights the importance of conserving harlequin toad diversity due to the loss of potential pharmaceuticals. A review of 113 species found that only 16 have been studied for toxins, and many are in decline or extinct.
Researchers found that our brains consolidate visual input every 15 seconds into one impression, helping us handle everyday life. However, this delay can also lead to negative consequences, such as missing critical information in high-stakes situations.
A recent study by UC Berkeley and Missouri State University scientists found that East African sunbirds have retained their songs for over 500,000 years, with some changes occurring in pulses. This discovery suggests that environmental stability may constrain the evolution of social signals like song.
A new study from UC Berkeley suggests that copper in soil and seawater acts as a catalyst for producing two potent halocarbon compounds that destroy ozone. The compounds, methyl bromide and methyl chloride, are major contributors to stratospheric ozone depletion and have puzzled scientists for over 20 years.
A new analysis reveals that approximately 1.3 million Californians, or nearly 3.5% of the population, rely on domestic wells for their water supply, while 370,000 more may be served by contaminated community water systems. Communities of color are disproportionately affected by drinking water contamination.
Researchers found increased myelination in areas associated with emotions and memory in individuals with anxiety and PTSD, correlating with specific symptoms. This study provides a possible explanation for individual variation in stress response and may lead to targeted treatments.
Researchers at UC Berkeley propose creating a market for small diameter trees and woody biomass to reduce wildfire risk while limiting carbon emissions. By investing in innovative wood products, the state can achieve both net carbon benefits and wildfire mitigation benefits.
Researchers developed an emotional stop-signal task to assess negative urgency, a clinical form of impulsivity linked to depression and ADHD. The study found that individuals with poor impulse control reacted faster to disturbing images, indicating potential psychiatric problems.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a new CRISPR editing technology that enables simultaneous editing of genes in multiple cell types and species within a microbial community. This approach, called community editing, has the potential to track edited microbes and understand their functions within complex ecosystems.
Detailed supercomputer simulations show that the North American monsoon occurs when Mexico's Sierra Madre Occidental mountains divert the eastward-trending jet stream toward the equator, cooling moist tropical air until it condenses and falls as rain. This new understanding will impact forecasts in the region.
Engineered bacteria produce medium-chain olefins that can replace oil and gas in syntheses. The process uses glucose as a feedstock and reduces energy consumption compared to traditional methods.
Researchers found monarch-like genetic mutations in four organisms that eat monarchs, including the black-headed grosbeak and eastern deer mouse. These mutations help these predators tolerate the toxic milkweed toxins stored in the butterflies' bodies.
A genetic comparison of nearly two-thirds of the known species of rockfish pinpoints genes linked to their varying lifespans, which range from less than a decade to over 200 years. The study highlights trade-offs of long lifespan, including smaller populations and adaptations that increase survival
Researchers measured brain activity of freely interacting Egyptian fruit bats to understand how they process group communication. They found that 'friendlier' bats induced higher correlations across the brains of group members, suggesting a connection between social behavior and neural activity.
A new study has identified a transposon promoter that plays a crucial role in the development of mice and may also be essential for human viability. The discovery suggests that ancient viral DNA has been domesticated to regulate key biological processes, such as cell proliferation and embryo implantation.
Researchers at UC Berkeley engineered bacteria to produce an unnatural molecule through a combination of synthetic chemistry and biology. This breakthrough enables the creation of previously impossible chemicals, paving the way for sustainable materials and innovative products.
Researchers identify 116 types of cells in the primary motor cortex, a significant step towards creating a comprehensive brain atlas. The findings aim to understand how neural networks control movement and cognition, and could lead to new therapies for neurologic and neuropsychiatric diseases.
Researchers at UC Berkeley found that tumors release chemicals compromising the blood-brain barrier, leading to inflammation and tissue wasting. Blocking these chemicals could extend life span and improve health for cancer patients, reducing the need for toxic drugs.
A recent study of over 700 Peruvian adolescents during the COVID-19 lockdown found that teenagers who interacted positively online reported less loneliness and better well-being. The quality of their online interactions, such as chatting with friends and relatives, was a key factor in reducing loneliness.
Scientists have discovered that geckos use their tails to recover from head-first crashes into rainforest trees, with implications for the design of agile robots. This versatile behavior allows geckos to stabilize themselves after impact and maintain control during gliding maneuvers.
A study by UC Berkeley researchers and Salinas Valley teens found that switching to green cleaning products can reduce users' exposure to up to 17 different harmful chemicals. The study, led by co-author Jessica Cabrera, showed an 86% decrease in chloroform exposure after making the switch.
Researchers found that residents in San Francisco and Los Angeles reduced PM2.5 particulate matter by half indoors on smoky days, despite outdoor levels remaining three times higher. Newer homes with central air conditioning performed better at keeping wildfire smoke out.
Decades of fire suppression have eliminated valuable wildlife habitat, but allowing lightning fires to burn has restored a resilient ecosystem with increased plant and pollinator biodiversity. This approach also limits the severity of wildfires and increases water availability during droughts.
Researchers at UC Berkeley created a rapid COVID-19 diagnostic test utilizing tandem CRISPR nucleases, which accelerates RNA detection and reduces sample handling. This innovation simplifies the assay process, making it faster and more efficient for SARS-CoV-2 virus detection.
Researchers from UC Berkeley studied squirrels' ability to leap and land successfully to develop more agile robots. They found that squirrels assess their biomechanical abilities based on branch flexibility and gap distance, allowing them to adjust their strategies with minimal attempts.
A new machine learning system called MOSAIKS uses satellite images to analyze hundreds of variables at a global scale, replicating reports from the US Census Bureau with reasonable accuracy. The system has enormous potential in addressing development challenges in low-income countries and understanding big-picture environmental change.
A new study from the University of California, Berkeley suggests that parents may talk less to their kids when experiencing financial scarcity, contributing to the 'word gap' in vocabulary. Researchers found that parents who described recent experiences of resource insecurity spoke fewer words to their children during laboratory observ...
Researchers predicted gamma ray bursts from a nearby magnetar and confirmed their prediction, showing periodic windowed behavior. The pattern of bursts was found to be periodic, but not perfectly regular, adding to the mystery of how magnetars produce radio and gamma ray bursts.
A new study using Egyptian fruit bats finds that mammals share a neural 'GPS system' representing near-future locations. The brain activity of bats showed strong correlation with their flight paths in the near future, but not at present.
A comprehensive checklist for eliminating gender bias in academia is provided by researchers Anaïs Llorens and Athina Tzovara. The study highlights various forms of gender bias, including their impact on women's careers, work-life balance, and mental health. By implementing this checklist, individuals can remedy these biases and create...
Researchers at UC Berkeley created an insect-scale robot using electrostatic adhesion, allowing it to traverse complex terrain and make sharp turns with unprecedented speed and control. The robot can survive being stepped on by a human and operate for up to 19 minutes on battery power.
Engineers at UC Berkeley created an insect-scale robot using electrostatic adhesion to traverse complex terrain and avoid obstacles with incredible agility. The robot's design allows it to swerve, pivot, and make sharp turns with unprecedented speed and control.