A new study by UC Berkeley researchers found significant correlations between wind speed and direction and genetic diversity throughout forests globally. Tree populations connected by stronger winds tend to be more genetically similar, while those in the direction of prevailing winds have greater genetic diversity.
Researchers have developed a technique using uranium-thorium dating of ostrich eggshells to precisely date garbage dumps in South Africa, revealing the site Ysterfontein 1 is over 100,000 years old and providing insight into early human settlement and population levels.
Researchers found that Eastern and Western house mice developed identical genetic changes to cope with cold temperatures, building bigger nests and growing heftier. This study demonstrates the predictability of evolution in mammals, with implications for understanding human evolution.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a method to make biodegradable plastics break down easily in weeks, solving the problem of single-use plastics not being biodegradable. The process involves embedding polyester-eating enzymes in the plastic, which degrades into small molecules when exposed to heat and water.
The study uses Monte Carlo computer simulation to determine the population numbers of T. rexes, with a standing population size of 20,000 adults at any given time. The total number of individuals that existed over its lifetime could have been anywhere from 140 million to 42 billion.
A new desalination technique using polymer membranes with absorbent nanoparticles simplifies the removal of toxic metals during the process. The technology can remove nearly 100% of toxic metals, including mercury and arsenic, producing clean water along with a pure brine.
Researchers at UC Berkeley created a tiny wireless implant that can measure tissue oxygen levels in real-time, allowing doctors to monitor the health of transplanted organs and tissues. The device could also track other biochemical markers, such as pH or carbon dioxide, providing early warnings of potential issues.
A new University of California, Berkeley study finds that nonjudgmental empathy training for court-appointed supervision officers can lead to a 13% decrease in recidivism among their clients. The findings are significant given the US criminal justice system's high rates of recidivism.
A new analysis found that California's stringent diesel emissions standards have lowered the expected number of deaths linked to diesel exhaust by 50%. The study also suggests that adopting similar rules nationwide could produce similar benefits, particularly for communities that have suffered the worst impacts of air pollution.
A new study by UC Berkeley chemists found that vegetation, particularly trees and green plants, are a significant source of aerosol pollution in Los Angeles. The researchers estimated that 25% of the aerosols come from vegetation, with many tree species producing volatile organic compounds.
As US winters warm, tropical plants and animals are expanding their ranges northward, altering ecosystems and posing risks to human health. The study found that insects, fish, reptiles, and mammals are among the species adapting to warmer temperatures, while others may be less welcome, such as invasive Burmese pythons.
A new estimate of the local expansion rate, using a relatively new technique for measuring cosmic distances, finds that the universe is expanding at 73.3 km/sec/Mpc, in the middle of three other good estimates. This discrepancy between estimates raises concerns about understanding the physics and evolution of the universe.
Researchers at UC Berkeley developed a new way to harness light waves, enabling the simultaneous transmission of vast amounts of data. The technology uses twisted laser beams and exploits the property of orbital angular momentum, which offers exponentially greater data capacity.
Astronomers have created a massive atlas of widely separated binary stars within 3,000 light years of Earth, comprising 1.3 million pairs. This increase in sample size provides insights into the evolutionary phases of these binaries, including 17,000 white dwarfs.
A new study aims to predict the size and hazard potential of shallow landslides using airborne laser mapping and hillside physics. The model identifies factors affecting landslide size that can't be determined from aerial data, highlighting the need for ground-based assessments.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to staggering income losses and food insecurity across nine countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The research found that households reported financial losses, reduced meals, and closed schools may lead to delayed development and health consequences for children.
A new study finds that small mammals in the Mojave Desert are more resilient to climate change than birds, due to their ability to escape the sun in underground burrows. This difference is likely due to their lower cooling costs and tendency to be active at night.
Researchers tracked brain activity while participants performed mundane tasks to identify signals of unfocused thoughts. Increased alpha waves and weaker P3 signals were detected when minds wandered or weren't paying attention, promoting relaxation and exploration.
Researchers discovered that glass frogs wave their hands and feet to increase visibility in loud environments. This behavior is a unique form of visual communication among tropical frog species.
Astronomers have detected a signature of magnetar outbursts in nearby galaxies, allowing for more precise localization and study of these extreme stars. The discovery provides new insights into the behavior of magnetars, which are thought to be the source of some types of short gamma-ray bursts.
A new study found that fences in the Western US region pose a significant barrier to migratory wildlife, with mule deer and pronghorn antelope encountering over 200 fence encounters per year. The study highlights the need for more 'wildlife-friendly' fences and encourages prioritizing fence modifications or removals.
A new study by geoscientists finds that the reactivation of Steamboat Geyser does not foretell any upcoming volcanic eruptions in Yellowstone National Park. The researchers discovered a relationship between the column height of the geyser and the depth of its reservoir, with deeper reservoirs resulting in higher eruption jets.
A new UC Berkeley study suggests that individuals with clinical anxiety and/or depression have difficulty making sound judgments when faced with changing circumstances. Emotionally resilient people, on the other hand, are better equipped to adapt to these changes by focusing on their past successes.
A new device developed by UC Berkeley engineers can recognize 21 individual hand gestures, including a thumbs-up, for controlling prosthetics or interacting with electronic devices. The system uses advanced AI and wearable biosensors to maintain user privacy and improve human-computer interaction.
Researchers at UC Berkeley develop a new catalytic process converting polyethylene plastic into high-value adhesives, enhancing its stickiness without compromising other traits. This breakthrough could change the economics of turning waste into valuable products.
Researchers analyzed over 6 million video clips from 144 countries to discover universal human emotional expression across cultures. The study found that people share about 70% of facial expressions in response to different social and emotional situations.
The hexxed app, a mobile game, helps researchers compare human vs machine problem-solving strategies. Players must figure out rules on the fly, resembling AI's approach, allowing scientists to create a benchmark for human intelligence.
A new CRISPR-based technique allows researchers to profile a cell's entire genome and identify the DNA sequences regulating specific genes. This enables simultaneous testing of thousands of experiments, paving the way for faster discovery of genetic networks and potential therapeutic targets.
Astronomers have confirmed an exoplanet, HD 106906 b, with a highly eccentric orbit around its binary star, similar to the hypothetical Planet Nine. The planet's orbit is likely bound, and its presence suggests that distant planets can form within the first tens of millions of years of a star's life.
Researchers found that zebra finches can distinguish between 16-56 different birds based on their unique sounds, a feat previously thought possible only for humans. The birds' ability to recognize each other's vocalizations suggests sophisticated social communication and complex mapping skills.
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have created AI software that gives robots speed and skill to grasp objects, making it feasible for them to assist humans in warehouses. The technology reduces computation time from 29 seconds to under one-tenth of a second.
A recent study from the University of California, Berkeley, reveals a dramatic 25% drop in regional carbon dioxide emissions after the San Francisco Bay Area implemented its first shelter-in-place mandate. The network of carbon dioxide sensors monitored by UC Berkeley scientists effectively tracked progress toward reduced emissions.
A team of researchers has developed a new technique for magnetization switching in spintronic devices, nearly 100 times faster than current state-of-the-art methods. The breakthrough could lead to the development of ultrafast magnetic memory for computer chips that retain data even when power is off.
Fossils found in Antarctica reveal the largest individuals of an extinct group of seabirds, which lived for up to 60 million years, dwarfing today's largest bird. The discovery sheds light on bird evolution and highlights the diversity of Antarctic birds during a warmer climate 50 million years ago.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that liberals and conservatives exhibit distinct brain responses when exposed to the same political content, particularly when it involves words related to morality, emotions, and threat. The researchers discovered that neural polarization is driven by highe...
A study by Valeria Ramírez-Castañeda found that over 90% of articles published by Colombian researchers are in English, creating financial burdens. Many respondents reported being unable to attend scientific conferences or publish due to language barriers, disproportionately affecting those from poor backgrounds.
A study found that Black men are five times more likely to be killed by police as unarmed white men over 54. Additionally, unarmed Black men exhibiting signs of mental illness face even higher risks of being killed by police.
A team of researchers at UC Berkeley has created the last tool in the toolbox for building working carbon circuits, a metallic wire made entirely of carbon. This breakthrough enables the creation of more efficient carbon-based transistors and ultimately, computers that can switch many times faster and use less power.
A new study suggests that Southeast Asian island-building reduced carbon dioxide levels and cooled Earth over 15 million years, allowing large ice sheets to form in North America and Northern Europe. This process, triggered by volcanic rocks dissolving carbon dioxide, is believed to have played a crucial role in the formation of the Gr...
Scientists have found that part of the acoustic energy released from a solar flare emanated from about 1,000 kilometers beneath the solar surface, suggesting that flares can create seismic activity. This discovery may lead to the development of a new method to forecast the size and severity of solar flares.
A study has discovered that unglazed ceramic cookware can retain the residue of not just the last meal cooked, but potentially earlier dishes, allowing for the reconstruction of ancient recipes. The research team analyzed chemical compounds adhering to and absorbed by the earthenware in which they were prepared.
Research suggests that robust T-cell responses are key to durable protection against coronaviruses, rather than short-lived antibody responses. Long-lasting T-cells can provide years of immunity and may prevent adverse reactions such as antibody-dependent enhancement.
Researchers at UC Berkeley found a correlation between poor sleep quality and increased beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, indicating an earlier onset of Alzheimer's disease. Deep non-REM slow-wave sleep has been identified as a potential target for intervention against cognitive decline.
A study published in Science found that prior Zika virus infection significantly increases the risk of both symptomatic and more severe forms of dengue disease. This interaction, known as antibody-dependent enhancement, could make it harder to design a safe and effective vaccine.
Researchers estimate COVID-19 mortality rates will cut lifespans by about a year, with 1 million deaths projected to reduce life expectancy by three years, while 250,000 deaths would have a more modest impact.
A new study reveals that penguins originated along the coasts of Australia and New Zealand, 22 million years ago. The researchers also found that penguins are not adapting quickly enough to changing climate conditions, putting many populations at risk.
A study by University of California, Berkeley researchers found that past discriminatory housing practices may be impacting maternal and infant health today. Neighborhoods with worse HOLC ratings had significantly more adverse birth outcomes, including premature births and low birth weight babies.
New research from UC Berkeley and University of Chicago finds a significant gender gap in drug dosages, leading to women experiencing worse side effects nearly twice as often as men. The study recommends dosage reductions for women for various medications, calling for broader awareness of biological sex and gender differences.
Scientists at UC Berkeley and RUB develop technique to read complex metal arrangement in MOFs using atom probe tomography, enabling encoding of multiple chemical functions. This breakthrough could lead to programmable substances and revolutionize material synthesis.
UC Berkeley researchers have identified a unique electrical signature in brain noise that distinguishes REM sleep from wakefulness. This breakthrough could enable the development of new diagnostic tools for sleep disorders and monitor patients under anesthesia during surgery.