Smog-forming soils
Research found that fertilized soils in the Central Valley contribute up to 40 percent of California's NOx emissions. The study suggests potential solutions through improved fertilizer management and soil conservation techniques.
University of California - Davis
It's not how you play the game, but how the dice were made
A recent study on dice reveals that their design changed significantly over time, reflecting shifting worldviews about luck and fairness. Dice were initially lopsided in Roman times and early medieval periods, but standardization emerged around 1450 with the adoption of Renaissance-era ideas about chance and probability.
Nearly half of California's vegetation at risk from climate stress
Nearly half of California's natural vegetation is at risk from climate stress, with a study finding that reducing greenhouse gas emissions could lower this number to 21-28 percent. The research also highlights areas that are more resilient to climate change, such as some coastal regions and parts of northwestern California.
Using virtual reality to identify brain areas involved in memory
A study published in Nature Communications used virtual reality to train subjects, then showed that different areas of the hippocampus are activated for different types of memories. The researchers found that the hippocampus is involved in linking similar experiences and encoding time and space information.
Earth BioGenome project to sequence all life
The Earth BioGenome Project will map the DNA of all known eukaryotic species, including plants, animals, and single-celled organisms. The ambitious 10-year project is expected to cost $4.7 billion.
Coping with climate stress in Antarctica
Researchers found that Antarctic fish can adapt to warmer waters but are unable to withstand both climate stressors simultaneously. The study suggests these fish must use their existing physiology, which is limited, to cope with the challenges.
Marijuana farms expose spotted owls to rat poison in northwest California
A study by UC Davis found seven of 10 Northern spotted owls tested positive for rat poison, while 40% of 84 barred owls also contaminated with the poison. The illegal marijuana farms are contaminating the food web and posing a significant threat to the survival of these owl species.
Knockout mice help find gene for bad breath
Researchers discovered a genetic link between sulfur compounds and chronic bad breath in humans and genetically modified mice. The study found that people with the condition had mutations in the SELENBP1 gene and high levels of odor-causing chemicals in their blood, mirroring findings in mice with the same mutation.
Siting solar, sparing prime agricultural lands
A new study suggests that unconventional spaces like rooftops, salt-affected land, and contaminated sites can generate renewable energy while sparing valuable agricultural land. The research found that these land-sparing sites in the Central Valley could exceed state energy demands up to 13 times for photovoltaics.
All politics -- and cannabis marketing -- are local
A study of medical cannabis dispensaries in Washington and Colorado reveals how communities vote affects marketing strategies, with traditional approaches dominating counties where recreational use was rejected. Dispensaries in favor of recreational sales adopted more risk-taking marketing tactics, emphasizing convenience and price.
Doing without dark energy
Three mathematicians argue that Einstein's General Relativity theory predicts cosmic acceleration due to an instability, contradicting the need for dark energy. The unstable Friedmann space-time exhibits accelerating local space-times with similar cosmic accelerations as dark energy theories.
It's good to be rare, for some species
Researchers from UC Davis predict certain traits, such as internal fertilization and long-distance mating signals, can help rare species persist during crises. These traits may provide advantages for chronically rare species when compared to more common species that are likely to face extinction during great extinction events.
Species may appear deceptively resilient to climate change
A study published in Ecology Letters found that natural habitats play a vital role in helping species resist heat stresses caused by climate change. For example, mussels and seaweed form habitat for coastal species, providing 'ecological air conditioning' that keeps them cool.
New X-ray spectroscopy explores hydrogen-generating catalyst
A newly developed technique has allowed researchers to study the reactions of hydrogenases, enzymes that catalyze hydrogen production from algae and bacteria. The study reveals that the iron atoms in these enzymes briefly form a hydride before releasing molecular hydrogen.
SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateNov 21, 2017
Gene discovery may halt worldwide wheat epidemic
Researchers at UC Davis identified a gene that enables resistance to Ug99, a devastating strain of stem rust threatening global food security. Breeders can use molecular markers to select for the genes and develop varieties with multiple resistance levels.
SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 16, 2017
Protein synthesis machinery from bacterial consortia in one shot
Researchers at UC Davis have created a method to produce all 34 proteins required for mRNA translation in the correct proportions within a single mixed culture. This breakthrough enables rapid and high-purity reconstitution of cellular reactions, making it useful for various applications such as disease diagnosis and drug development.
Genome of wheat ancestor sequenced
The genome of a wild ancestor of bread wheat, Aegilops tauschii, has been sequenced by an international team of scientists. The findings will enable researchers to discover new genes improving wheat quality and resistance to diseases. This breakthrough technology can be applied to other plant genomes.
UC Davis, Leibniz Institute for Photonic Technologies partner in biophotoni
The JEDIS Alliance aims to promote North American-German cooperation in biophotonics, a growing field using light-based technologies to address medical issues. The partnership will focus on cancer diagnostics and develop new tools for tumor margin detection and staging.
Seagrass biodiversity is both a goal and a means for restoration
A UC Davis study reveals that seagrass biodiversity is essential for effective restoration, outperforming single-species approaches. Planting mixtures of diverse species improves survival and growth rates, highlighting the importance of ecosystem complexity.
SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 8, 2017
Dozens of new wildlife corridors identified for African mammals
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have identified 52 potential wildlife corridors in Tanzania, linking protected areas across the country. The study found that nearly a sixth of previously identified corridors may be separated by land conversion.
Startup cognivive plans games as digital therapies
Cognivive's video games aim to enhance spatiotemporal cognitive abilities, building underlying capacity that different skills can draw on, improving real-world problem-solving abilities.
UC Davis genome researchers facilitating NIH data commons pilot
Researchers at UC Davis are part of a NIH initiative to make biomedical data accessible online. The goal is to accelerate discoveries by making research data FAIR, findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable.
UC Davis team measures stress in Mexican-origin families in California
A five-year study by UC Davis researchers assesses stress hormones and emotions in up to 250 Mexican-origin families in Sacramento. The study aims to understand how daily stresses affect parent-child interactions, physical and mental health, and school readiness.
Study refutes using anti-malaria drug to treat diabetes
A recent study from UC Davis researchers refutes the use of an anti-malaria drug to create new insulin-producing cells for Type 1 diabetes treatment. The findings highlight the crucial need for reproducibility in scientific research, contradicting a previous report that sparked excitement in the field.
New, simplified technique makes light metallic nanofoam
Researchers at UC Davis developed a simplified method to produce extremely low-density palladium nanofoams, which have potential applications in hydrogen fuel cells. The new technique achieves high loading capacity and excellent thermodynamic stability, making it an ideal candidate for industrial-scale use.
Can corals adapt to climate change?
A recent study published in Science Advances suggests that corals can adapt to warmer oceans if global emissions are controlled. The research found genetic variants in some corals that make them more heat tolerant, but may not be enough to keep up with the rapid warming predicted by climate models.
University of California, Davis, receives Mellon grant to explore academic brands
Researchers at UC Davis will analyze the role of academic brands in modern universities, exploring how they reflect and shape university identity. The study aims to understand the relationship between branding, metrics, and excellence, with potential implications for faculty recruitment and funding.
Scientists map monogamy, jealousy in the monkey mind
Researchers studied pair-bonded titi monkeys to understand jealousy and its consequences. The study found that male monkeys exhibited increased testosterone and cortisol levels when watching their partners with a stranger, and brain scans revealed heightened activity in areas associated with social exclusion and aggression.
Colliding neutron stars seen by gravity waves and optical telescopes
For the first time, astronomers have observed a celestial event through both conventional telescopes and gravitational waves. The collision of two super-dense neutron stars just 120 million light-years from Earth was captured by both gravity wave observatories and telescopes.
Live fast die young: Updating signal detection theory
Researchers developed state-dependent detection theory, which considers multiple connected decisions and energy reserves. The new model finds that as predation risk increases, animals become more tolerant of danger signals, prioritizing short-term survival over long-term reproductive success.
Unraveling the genetics of disc disease in dogs
A genetic mutation has been identified as a key factor in the development of intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) in short-legged dog breeds, including dachshunds and French bulldogs. The discovery provides a valuable tool for owners, breeders, and veterinarians to mitigate the risk of IVDD and related spinal cord disease.
SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 11, 2017
'Smart' immune cells: Emerging cancer therapy research boosted with NIH award
UC Davis researcher Sean Collins receives $1.5M NIH award to develop smart immune cells that can control their recruitment and response to tumors without amplifying attack signals, reducing potential side effects. The goal is to create targeted therapies with controlled responses.
A win-win for spotted owls and forest management
A study led by University of California, Davis found that spotted owls prefer forests with tall trees (over 105 feet) and high canopy cover, rather than dense understory. This discovery could resolve the management dilemma of balancing owl habitat with forest resilience to wildfires and droughts.
Computer model unravels knotty problems in DNA
Researchers used computer modeling to understand how E. coli bacteria can unlink tangled DNA by a local reconnection process. The study found that undoing one link at a time is the preferred route to separate the circles of DNA, with implications for other complex systems in nature.
New cardiac catheter combines light and ultrasound to measure plaques
A new cardiac catheter combines fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIm) with intravascular ultrasound to measure plaque composition, providing a more accurate prediction of heart attacks. The device has been tested in living swine hearts and human coronary artery samples, showing promising results.
Visual attention drawn to meaning, not what stands out
Researchers overturn widely-held idea that visual attention is guided by saliency, instead finding meaning plays a key role. A new map of meaning in images reveals areas with higher meaning attract more attention than those with high contrast or brightness.
Ozark grasslands experience major increase in trees and shrubs
Woody vegetation cover in Ozark grasslands increased from 8% to 59% over 75 years due to fire reintroduction. Despite prescribed fire efforts, reversal is unlikely once woody plants cover more than 40% of the landscape.
Oxytocin turns up the volume of your social environment
A new study from the University of California, Davis, suggests that blocking oxytocin in the brain may be a better option for relieving stress and enhancing social life. Researchers found that oxytocin amplifies both positive and negative social interactions, but its effects vary depending on the brain region it acts upon.
$1.6M from NSF to UC Davis to study water, land use in disadvantaged communities
The National Science Foundation has awarded a $1.6M grant to UC Davis to analyze the complex relationships between surface water and groundwater supply, agricultural land use and economic wellbeing of rural, disadvantaged communities. The project aims to provide new insights for other regions facing similar issues and help local commun...
Earth's oldest trees in climate-induced race up the tree line
Climate change is causing bristlecone pine trees to lose ground to limber pine as they race up the tree line in the Great Basin. The study found that limber pine is successfully 'leapfrogging' over bristlecone pines, taking valuable space for them to germinate.
Ethnic diversity in schools may be good for students' grades, a UC Davis study suggests
A recent UC Davis study found that early adolescents with cross-ethnic friendships had significantly higher GPAs and teacher expectations. Students who interacted with peers from other ethnicities experienced an average grade point increase of one-third of a point, corresponding to a B-plus to A-minus average.
Eat fat, live longer?
A recent mouse study at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine reveals that a high fat, ketogenic diet increases median life span by 13% and improves quality of health in later life. The study also shows improvements in memory and motor function, as well as prevention of age-related markers of inflammation.
$4.5 million grant funds new disease-resistant strawberries
The University of California, Davis has received a $4.5 million grant to develop improved disease-resistant strawberry varieties. The project aims to reduce the use of fumigants like methyl bromide and promote sustainable production in the US strawberry industry.
High-frequency chip brings researchers closer to next generation technology
Researchers at UC Davis developed a novel, high-frequency chip capable of transmitting tens of gigabits of data per second. The chip's success marks an important step toward scalable systems for emerging applications like spectroscopy, sensing, and medical imaging.
Tracking down the jumping genes of maize
Researchers at UC Davis and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have mapped the 'jumping genes' of maize, identifying transposable elements that regulate gene expression and impact plant traits. The new genome sequence enables a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between these elements and the diversity of the genome.
Farming, cheese, chewing changed human skull shape
Researchers found modest changes in skull morphology for groups consuming cereals, dairy, or both, but differences were small compared to other factors like gender and population variation.
SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 24, 2017
Common antiseptic ingredients de-energize cells and impair hormone response
A new study finds that quaternary ammonium compounds (quats) inhibit mitochondria, the powerhouses of cells, and estrogenic functions. This raises concern about their impact on human health and potential reproductive harm.
$5 million from state will transform K-12 history education
The University of California, Davis, will develop online teaching and learning resources for K-12 history-social science curriculum, fostering better understanding of California's history and improving student literacy. The program, Teaching California, aims to provide accessible and engaging resources for teachers and students.
Climate change and habitat conversion combine to homogenize nature
A study on Costa Rican tropical bird species reveals that climate change and habitat conversion are driving the loss of biodiversity by favoring similar species in both wetter and drier areas. Conservation efforts should focus on protecting wetter forests and incentivizing private landowners to create forest patches near their farms.
Study reveals the evolutionary history of imperiled salmon stocks
Researchers used DNA analysis to uncover the genetic basis of early migration in Pacific salmon species, finding a single gene variant responsible for this adaptation. This discovery challenges previous views on the evolution of early migrating populations and highlights the need for targeted conservation strategies.