A new study from UC Berkeley finds that hotter temperatures in the desert are causing birds to need more water to cool off, exacerbating a decline in species populations. Larger birds and those with insect or animal diets are most threatened by this heat stress.
African American women report feeling pressured to act as superwomen to cope with racial discrimination, but research reveals mixed results on the persona's impact on health. Some aspects of being a strong black woman seem to protect against chronic stress, while others exacerbate its negative effects.
Researchers map distribution of deadly chytrid fungus using skin swabs, revealing four known lineages and a new one originating in Asia. The study provides key insights into the disease's origins and geographic spread.
A study by University of California - Berkeley researchers finds that the New York Times' climate change coverage often fails to present basic facts about global warming, including its causes, effects, and permanence. This lack of fact-based reporting can lead to public confusion and skepticism.
A 150-million-year-old coral reef snapshot reveals a peak of diversity among marine animals, including fish, crabs, and snails. The study also finds evidence of parasites among these ancient creatures, shedding light on the complex ecosystems of the past.
The high flux neutron generator produces boutique neutrons ideal for dating fine-grained rocks and analyzing evidence. The device expands the capability of dating materials like clay minerals associated with ore deposits.
A team of researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, has developed a microwave-sized water harvester that can pull water directly from the air 24/7. The harvester uses a highly porous metal-organic framework to capture and condense water molecules from ambient air, even in low-humidity conditions.
A new study using advanced brain imaging reveals how prenatal exposure to organophosphates affects brain activity in teenagers. Teens with higher levels of exposure showed altered brain activity while performing tasks requiring executive control and linguistic working memory.
A study using cryoEM revealed the structural effect of a human mutation that made us immune to simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). The mutation disrupted the ability of an SIV protein to bind human proteins, giving humans a grace period of tens to hundreds of thousands of years without the disease. This finding could provide clues for...
Research reveals that storm clouds on Jupiter affect the planet's white zones and colorful belts, changing their flow and even altering their colors. The study tracked the effects of these storms using coordinated observations from six telescopes and NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.
Scientists removed nearly 200 invasive red-eared sliders from a UC Davis Arboretum waterway to observe the impact on native western pond turtles. The study found that without competition, native turtles gain significant weight and improve health.
Researchers developed wearable skin sensors that can detect sweat rate and electrolytes, providing real-time updates on health problems such as dehydration or fatigue. The sensors were found to be reliable and reproducible, enabling continuous data collection from different parts of the body.
Researchers found extensive burning at Witzna and its surroundings dating back to the classic period, indicating scorched-earth military campaigns even during periods of prosperity. This challenges the idea that warfare was a late development in Maya civilization's decline.
A new insect-sized robot created by UC Berkeley researchers can scurry across the floor at nearly the speed of a cockroach and withstand the weight of an average human. The robot's design allows it to 'leapfrog' forward using electric vibrations, enabling it to navigate through tight spaces.
A $47 million grant will incorporate advanced brain imaging into the Alzheimer's Association's U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (U.S. POINTER) clinical trial. The study aims to determine whether lifestyle changes can protect memory in people at risk of developing dementia.
Research by UC Berkeley scientists shows that raising prawns in aquaculture systems can minimize tradeoffs between profit and disease reduction. Prawns feed on snails that transmit the parasite, reducing its burden to nearly zero after 10 years.
The Journal of Development Economics introduces Pre-results Review, a peer review process that evaluates empirical research before results are known. This approach helps improve methodological quality and provides earlier recognition for authors. The practice is gaining traction among journals in various disciplines.
Researchers use ultra-fast lasers to study chemical bond dissociation, shedding light on molecular behavior. The technique allows for detailed understanding of photochemical reactions and potential manipulation of chemical bonds.
A new paper argues that wildfire management through prescribed burning and restoration thinning could help save spotted owls in the West, similar to how it helped red-cockaded woodpeckers in the South. The strategy aims to reduce wildfire hazards and create more owl-friendly habitat conditions.
A new study by UC Berkeley psychologists links disrupted sleep in 50s and 60s to increased protein tangles in the aging brain, raising the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The research highlights the importance of sleep for maintaining a healthy brain into old age.
A new study by UC Berkeley researchers found that nearly half of US-born Latinx youth worry about the impact of US immigration policies on their families. Those with more concerns experience higher anxiety and poorer sleep quality, impacting their well-being and long-term health.
Plant communities in Mediterranean climates with limited underground water storage can thrive in both low-water and rainy years. They do well because the soil stores little water relative to rainfall, replenishing the supply even during dry years.
Researchers created helical crystals made of stacked layers of germanium sulfide, which may yield unexpected properties. The twisted structure arises from a competition between stored energy and the energy cost of slipping two material layers relative to one another.
Astronomers have measured the temperature of Uranus' rings for the first time, finding a cool 77 Kelvin. The new images also reveal differences in ring composition compared to Saturn's rings, including lower albedo and narrower widths.
Researchers at UC Berkeley discovered synchronized brain activity in Egyptian fruit bats during social behaviors like grooming, fighting, or sniffing. The finding opens the door to future studies on how brains process social interactions and has potential implications for understanding diseases affecting social behavior.
A new roadmap by the Engineering Biology Research Consortium outlines potential breakthroughs in synthetic biology, including genetically modified crops, disease-fighting microbes, and novel biofuels. The report aims to secure federal support for this field to address societal challenges and fuel economic growth.
A new study led by University of California, Berkeley researchers found that elk primarily rely on environmental cues, such as a retreating snowline and greening grasses, to decide when to migrate. The study used GPS tracking data from over 400 animals and satellite imagery to create a comprehensive model of the migrations.
A new study analyzing 300 stars finds that Jupiter-like gas giants congregate between 3 and 10 astronomical units from their stars. This 'sweet spot' is where most large planets are found, peaking in occurrence rate around 3-10 AU.
A genetic mutation in the CCR5 gene associated with a lower survivability rate was created on twin babies born last year. The mutation increases mortality by 21%, particularly between ages 41 and 78, according to researchers at the University of California, Berkeley.
A study from the University of California, Berkeley found that uncertainty about what one knows leads to the most curiosity and learning. Tailoring classroom learning to students' misconceptions can be an effective way to stimulate curiosity and motivation to learn. The study's findings expand on Maria Montessori's child-centered appro...
Residents of historically redlined neighborhoods are more than twice as likely to visit emergency rooms for asthma, with significantly higher levels of diesel particulate matter in the air. Poverty and psychosocial stresses associated with living in divested neighborhoods also contribute to the disparity.
Salto's new skills allow it to bounce like a pogo stick and jump through obstacle courses like an agility dog. Researchers hope the robot will aid in search-and-rescue missions by navigating rubble to find trapped people.
Researchers developed an online multi-player game called SIGNAL to explore deterrence and decision-making in escalating conflicts. The game allows for large-N data analysis, collecting insights from thousands of games, which can inform policies, strategies, and tactics.
Archaeologists found a 1,000-year-old bundle in the Bolivian Andes with traces of ayahuasca fixings, including dimethyltryptamine and harmine. Researchers believe ancient South Americans combined different medicinal plants to produce powerful hallucinations.
A new analysis suggests that eliminating emissions from dirty household fuels like wood, dung, coal, and kerosene could bring India's outdoor air pollution levels below the country's standard. This could reduce air pollution-related deaths by approximately 13% and save around 270,000 lives annually.
Researchers create a 240-by-240 array of microscopic 'traffic cops' that can control light beams faster and more efficiently than ever before. The new photonic switch has the potential to transform how information travels through data centers and artificial intelligence networks, overcoming limitations of current electrical switches.
Scientists at UC Berkeley discovered that mountain formation in the tropics triggers global cooling, resulting in ice caps. The team found that volcanic arc-continent collisions in the tropics expose rocks with high CO2-absorbing capacity, cooling the planet.
A study by UC Berkeley scientists found that falling levels of air pollution are causing the decline in California's tule fog, which may help improve traffic safety in the region. The researchers analyzed data from 1930 to 2016 and found a strong correlation between air pollutant emissions and fog frequency.
A new study by economists at UC Berkeley found that soda sales dropped an average of 10-20% in the three months after the election, even before prices went up. The results suggest that education and social norms played a significant role in changing drinking habits.
Scientists have discovered a unique fossil site in North Dakota that preserves the remains of hundreds of fish and other organisms killed instantly by a massive asteroid impact 66 million years ago. The site, dubbed Tanis, provides conclusive evidence of the impact's devastating effects on Earth's ecosystems.
Scientists have developed a kinder gentler way to deliver big molecules like Cas9 enzyme into cells, improving efficiency and safety. The new technique, nanopore-electroporation, creates fewer than a dozen tiny holes in each cell, allowing for more effective gene editing and delivery of therapeutic proteins.
Researchers found that children and teens learn about 2 bits per minute to acquire linguistic knowledge, filling a 1.5 MB floppy disk. This challenges assumptions that human language acquisition happens effortlessly.
A new study reveals that fossilized barnacles can serve as a proxy for the migrations of whales in the distant past. Oxygen isotope ratios in barnacle shells change with ocean conditions, allowing scientists to chart the migration routes of whales.
A new CRISPR-based device, CRISPR-Chip, can detect specific genetic mutations in a matter of minutes. The device uses graphene transistors to scan DNA samples and report results electronically, bypassing the need for polymerase chain reaction amplification.
Scientists inserted a green-light receptor gene into the eyes of blind mice and, a month later, they regained sight. The researchers aim to develop this therapy for humans within three years, potentially restoring their ability to read or watch video.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a therapy that can improve and prolong sight in those suffering from vision loss by dampening noise generated by nerve cells in the eye. The treatment has shown promising results in mice with a genetic condition, retinitis pigmentosa.
Researchers demonstrated scrambling of information in a quantum computer, simulating the behavior of matter inside a black hole. They showed that entangled qubits could potentially be used to probe the mysterious interiors of black holes.
Researchers have found a smoking gun linking a young exoplanet's misaligned orbit to a close stellar flyby. The study, published in the Astronomical Journal, suggests that such encounters can reshape planetary systems and determine their ability to harbor stable orbits.
Scientists at UC Berkeley engineered yeast to produce pure cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, at a lower cost than extraction from marijuana plants. This breakthrough could enable easier medical research on the complex chemicals in cannabis.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a new technique that uses carbon nanotubes to deliver genes into plant cells, allowing for non-GMO modifications. The method is highly successful and can be used for gene editing with CRISPR-Cas9, enabling the creation of disease- or drought-resistant crops.