A University of California - Davis study found that oxytocin produced in a specific area of the brain can increase stress-induced social anxiety behaviors in mice. The researchers also discovered that this effect is stronger in females, which could help explain why social anxiety disorders are more common and severe in women.
A new study found that pesticide exposure and limited forage reduced blue orchard bee reproduction by 57%, with females producing fewer offspring. The research highlights the importance of considering multiple stressors on bee populations in agricultural systems.
Researchers found that wild red abalone mothers provide their offspring with an energy boost from yolk lipids, making them more tolerant of ocean acidification. However, fast-growing farmed abalone are more susceptible to dying under the same conditions.
Engineers at UC Davis are developing interventions to stabilize blood flow and pressure within days of injury to improve functional recovery. They will use personalized 3D printed scaffolds and neural stem cells to regenerate lost connections in the spinal cord.
A new study by UC Davis researchers incorporates natural capital into climate change cost models, revealing large implications for climate policy. The authors found that the social cost of carbon is likely too low, and rapid mitigation of climate damage to natural systems is warranted.
Researchers tested various mask types against expired particles, finding surgical and N95 masks block up to 90% of particles. Cloth masks, however, released a large amount of fibers into the air, emphasizing the importance of regular washing.
The UC Davis Cultivated Meat Consortium aims to develop stable stem cell lines, plant-based media, and assess nutritional value of cultivated meat products. The project also seeks to address technical and economic hurdles for sustainable cultivation.
A study by the University of California, Davis found that high-severity wildfires in northern California have increased significantly since 1984, with area burned quadrupled during dry and hot years. The research highlights the importance of land-use planning and fuel management to reduce risk.
A new study from the University of California, Davis links combining fructose and glucose in high fructose corn syrup to increased risk factors for heart disease. The researchers found that the interaction between the two sugars had a more significant impact on health risks than previously thought.
A UC Davis study surveyed over 500 students on life goals related to creativity, career success, family, wealth, and religion. Researchers found that personality traits shape valued goals and that individuals often pursue these goals due to their inherent characteristics.
The University of California, Davis, has received $1 million in National Science Foundation grants to support Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). The grants focus on computing fields identified as national priorities by the U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy.
A new study of rare meteorites shows that material from close to the Sun reached the outer solar system even after Jupiter cleared a gap in the disk of dust and gas. This finding challenges the long-held consensus theory on planet formation and provides insights into how planets form around other stars.
The structure of the mRNA initiation complex provides new insights into cancer and disease processes. The discovery proposes a model for how mRNA is pulled through the ribosome for scanning, revealing that start codons need to be sufficiently far from the front end of the mRNA.
Two UC Davis historians will craft 80 biographies of women involved in western US national parks, connecting their lives to the struggle for voting rights. The project commemorates the 19th Amendment and supports inclusion of women's stories in park education and media programs.
A team of researchers has discovered a previously unknown relative of the ancient enzyme rubisco, which is central to photosynthesis and carbon fixation. The new form, called form I-prime rubisco, provides clues about how this enzyme evolved over billions of years.
The UC Davis-led AI Institute for Next Generation Food Systems aims to optimize crop yields, minimize resource consumption, and improve food safety through AI technologies. The institute will foster collaborations across academia, industry, and government to develop open-source solutions and promote education, outreach, and diversity.
Research by UC Davis suggests COVID-19 is severely impacting daily emotional lives and mental health, particularly among those with lower education levels and non-native English speakers. The study found that respondents experienced moderate to high levels of stress just 28 days into the pandemic.
A recent study using genomic analysis compared the ACE2 protein in over 410 species and found that many animals with all 25 amino acid residues matching the human protein are at high risk for contracting SARS-CoV-2 via ACE2. This includes critically endangered primate species, marine mammals, and certain domestic animals.
The discovery of a fossilized ichthyosaur with a smaller marine reptile in its stomach provides direct evidence of megapredation during the Triassic period. The prey was likely a thalattosaur, a group of marine reptiles that were more lizard-like in appearance than ichthyosaurs.
Research from the University of California, Davis and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai found that airborne dust can carry influenza virus capable of infecting animals, contrary to the long-held assumption that respiratory droplets are the primary means of transmission.
A new study from UC Davis found that mixed-breed dogs weighing over 44 pounds are at higher risk for joint disorders if neutered before 1 year of age. The study suggests that dog owners should consider their options carefully when deciding whether to spay or neuter their pet.
The Center for Matter at Atomic Pressures (CMAP) will investigate the properties of matter under high pressures, shedding light on the formation and evolution of planets. The research aims to uncover novel properties of materials and their potential applications.
Researchers at UC Davis aim to create humanized mice by replacing mouse ACE2 with human ACE2 using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, allowing for the study of COVID-19 disease progression and susceptibility variations.
A study by University of California, Davis found that wealthier US communities became the least mobile, while poorer areas increased mobility, exacerbating the pandemic's impact. The research highlights the need for targeted emergency relief packages to address lower-income regions' unique challenges.
Researchers at UC Davis successfully produced a bull calf named Cosmo with the SRY gene inserted via genome editing, resulting in expected 75% male offspring. This breakthrough aims to increase efficiency and reduce environmental impact by producing more fuel-efficient male cattle.
Researchers found that brain organizes knowledge learned from separate experiences into a structural form like a map, allowing for quick adaptation to new situations. The study suggests that the human brain uses the same codes to represent abstract information as it does physical space.
A new study from the University of California, Davis, shows that toddlers may experience and deal with uncertainty in decision making like older children and adults. Toddlers gather information before making decisions, taking extra time on difficult trials, and exhibiting behaviors that suggest they can respond to uncertain situations.
A study by UC Davis finds that ground-mounted solar energy development in the Mojave Desert harms native plants, including cacti and Mojave yucca, culturally significant to indigenous tribes. Management options like 'halos' can conserve these species, but developing solar energy on undeveloped lands is more sustainable.
A new protein-based technique analyzes amelogenin in tooth enamel to estimate human biological sex with superior accuracy than DNA analysis. This method allows for sex determination of children and is reliable even with weak DNA signals.
Scientists predict a 54% increase in rainfall variability in California by the end of this century due to climate change. The study found that extreme weather patterns will become more frequent and intense, with significant impacts on agriculture, flood control, and water management.
A comprehensive study of 35 dog breeds found that vulnerability to joint disorders varies greatly depending on the breed, with smaller breeds generally unaffected. The study also identified significant increases in certain cancers in smaller dogs when neutered, highlighting the need for personalized neutering decisions.
Emergency room visits for domestic violence incidents in California more than tripled during the Great Recession, signaling a need to prepare for similar effects during COVID-19. Black and Native American people were disproportionately affected, with hospitalization rates nearly doubling for Native Americans.
A study by UC Davis researchers suggests that people's ideal partner preferences do not reflect any unique personal insight. Participants who listed their top three attributes in an ideal partner showed increased romantic desire for others who possessed those same attributes, regardless of whether they were acquaintances or strangers.
A new study from UC Davis found that raw milk can harbor antimicrobial-resistant genes, potentially spreading resistance if consumed. The researchers analyzed over 2,000 retail milk samples and found that raw milk had the highest prevalence of antibiotic-resistant microbes when left at room temperature.
Researchers at UC Davis propose a novel model of sex evolution before and during grapevine domestication, revealing the genetic basis of hermaphroditism. The study finds that female individuals arise from a recessive deletion in a gene necessary for pollen germination.
Researchers at UC Davis have created a device to directly measure fetal blood oxygen saturation during labor, which could lead to better information on the health of the fetus before birth. This technology has the potential to reduce the rate of C-sections and improve outcomes in difficult deliveries.
Researchers found abnormal growth and increased neuroinflammation in the brains of animals exposed to air pollution, suggesting a potential risk for changes in developing brain relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders. The study used rodent models to mimic real-time exposure to traffic-related air pollution.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that at least 82% of commercial avocado oil samples were either stale or mixed with other oils. The lack of standards in the industry puts consumers at risk, but experts are working to establish regulations and ensure quality.
A study presents clear opportunities to conserve what remains of Earth's ice-free land without significant human influence. The research aims to inform the upcoming global Convention on Biological Diversity and emphasizes the importance of maintaining natural lands in separating animal and human activity.
A recent study found that cell phones and shoes harbor distinct communities of microbes, with shoes displaying greater diversity. The research also uncovered a substantial proportion of 'microbial dark matter' groups, previously unexplored in lab settings.
A study from UC Davis maps 15% of California's natural lands as 'climate refugia' where existing vegetation can buffer climate change impacts. These areas are priority targets for conservation and wildfire restoration efforts, offering a chance to conserve habitat and services for wildlife.
Deep earthquakes can provide vital clues to understanding plate tectonics and the Earth's interior. A new model simulates subduction zones, showing that deformation is a major factor in deep earthquakes.
Researchers at UC Davis developed a new double-contrast technique that uses magnetic resonance imaging to detect small tumors in normal tissue. The technique, called two-way magnetic resonance tuning (TMRET), increases the signal contrast between tumors and surrounding tissue, enabling more sensitive detection of early-stage tumors.
A study using CRISPR technology has developed a rapid detection platform to genetically distinguish threatened fish species from non-native species in near real-time. This tool shortens the process from hours to minutes, enabling researchers to identify species quickly and accurately.
Research by University of California, Davis professor Paul Griffin suggests a positive relation between Canadian firms' market value and their greenhouse gas emissions. This is due to early adoption of protocols and national policies offsetting climate impacts on the economy.
Data science researchers at UC Davis received over $1 million in grants to study innovative concepts with high impact. The grants will fund multidisciplinary research partnerships and projects addressing challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.
The National Institutes of Health has renewed funding for UC Davis's Mutant Mouse Resource and Research Center, providing $6.7 million over five years. The center will acquire new mouse strains and develop novel models to support biomedical researchers.
A new study from UC Davis shows that Neandertals selected bones from specific animals to create a lissoir, a tool used to work hides into leather. The analysis of collagen protein residues using ZooMS revealed a preference for bovine ribs over deer bones, suggesting deliberate tool choice.
A study by UC Davis found that cold air rises in the tropics due to water vapor's lightness, forming clouds and thunderstorms. This buoyancy effect helps regulate tropical climates and reduces climate warming.
Researchers from University of California, Davis, found that immune responses before pregnancy can predict behavioral deficits in offspring if the mother's immune system is activated during pregnancy. The study used a mouse model to identify baseline immunoreactivity as a predictor of resilience or susceptibility to immune activation.