Using marine reserves can allow fishermen to catch more of the profitable fish they want while protecting weaker fish that can be caught inadvertently by fishing gear. This approach could also help sustainably manage global fisheries and rebuild depleted species.
Researchers found that desert tortoises often overheat and die when encountering fencing meant to keep them safe from roads. The study suggests that designing and installing barrier fencing to minimize pacing and heat stress is crucial to prevent tortoise deaths.
A new study synthesizes advances in animal coloration research, including digital imaging and large-scale comparative analyses, revealing the complex biological trait's function and patterns of evolution. Key findings include understanding how animals perceive and produce color, as well as its integration with other sensory information.
Researchers found that rats partially recovered hind limb movement using cycling, semi-load bearing treadmill training, and serotonin treatment without healing the spinal cord break. The body re-routes nerve cell outputs to control muscles and stiffens back muscles to support weight and independent steps.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that mountain gorillas harbor a strain of lymphocryptovirus 1, similar to the Epstein-Barr virus in humans. The virus is widespread among infant gorillas, infecting 52% of those studied, with no symptoms reported in live gorillas.
Scientists at the University of California - Davis have discovered a way to steer neural stem cells transplanted into the rat brain towards specific locations using electric fields. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for effectively guiding stem cells to repair brain damage and treat diseases such as stroke and injuries.
A new study reveals how metamemory improves from childhood through adolescence, with accompanying brain structure changes. The ability to reflect on memories continuously improves into adolescence, predicting increases in IQ.
Researchers found evidence of permanent high-elevation occupation through isotope chemistry and archaeological data. The Soro Mik' aya Patjxa population successfully adapted to the challenging environment without modern gear or food.
African swine fever is a devastating disease with a mortality rate of over 90% that affects pig populations worldwide. Researchers studied live-pig trade in Georgia to identify patterns and high-risk villages where education and outreach activities can be targeted.
Studies in mice with a mutated CHD8 gene reveal cognitive impairment, increased brain volume, and excessive DNA packaging, shedding light on the genetic basis of autism. The findings suggest that CHD8 plays a role in brain development throughout life.
Researchers computationally recreated ancient chromosomes of the first eutherian mammal, revealing chromosomal changes that occurred over 105 million years. The study provides a detailed picture of evolutionary breakpoints and their role in forming new species and contributing to human diseases like cancer.
Scientists have found that magma reservoirs are less liquid and more crystalline than previously thought, with most crystals retaining their structure for tens of thousands of years before being exposed to molten magma. This discovery could help predict when volcanoes pose the greatest risk by identifying those with mobile magma.
A Southern California mountain lion population is plagued by inbreeding due to urbanization and highway barriers. Conservation efforts proposed a network spanning the Santa Ana Mountains and Eastern Peninsular Mountains to promote genetic diversity and connectivity.
Researchers watched individual DNA strands replicate and found that polymerases on the leading and lagging strands are completely autonomous, with no coordination. The study reveals a new stochastic view of DNA replication, challenging conventional wisdom and providing insights into this essential biological process.
Researchers at UC Davis have successfully grown lab-grown tissue similar to natural cartilage, demonstrating its potential to treat joint disease. The new material exhibits similar composition and mechanical properties as native cartilage, showing great promise for implantation into damaged joints.
A new study reveals that Central Valley farm fields can create environmental benefits for California's salmon populations. Researchers transplanted small hatchery-reared salmon to a 5-acre field, where the fish grew at an exceptionally high rate due to the availability of abundant zooplankton and nutrients.
New fossil finds from the Jebel Irhoud site in Morocco provide evidence that human ancestors ate a diet rich in game, including gazelle and wildebeest. The discovery pushes back the origins of Homo sapiens by 100,000 years to around 300,000 years ago.
Capuchin monkeys adopt most efficient technique for opening fruit quickly through social learning and individual experience. Older monkeys rely on their own experience, while younger ones pay more attention to watching others.
New studies offer hope for developing a biomarker for research and diagnostics, and a drug for treating progressive neurodegenerative diseases linked to mitochondrial defects. The findings suggest that dimethyl fumarate may increase mitochondria production and lessen the symptoms of muscle diseases caused by mitochondrial abnormalities.
Foraminifera, single-celled organisms that form the base of marine food webs, struggle to build their shells and make spines in high CO2 environments. This study suggests that stressed foraminifera could indicate a larger scale disruption of carbon cycling in the ocean.
A genetic study led by UC Davis has identified a mutation in horses that may contribute to squamous cell carcinoma, the most common cancer found in equine eyes. This discovery offers hope for early detection and treatment of ocular SCC, potentially improving horse health and informing breeding decisions.
Researchers Simon Lock and Sarah Stewart propose a new type of planetary object called a synestia, which forms through giant impacts. Synestias could be responsible for moon formation, particularly in our solar system where Earth's moon is similar to its parent planet.
A University of California, Davis, study found that adolescents with large hippocampal volume were more susceptible to depression depending on their home and community environments. The research suggests a greater ability to overcome fear and anxiety in larger hippocampi may indicate better resilience against depressive symptoms.
A UC Davis study reveals that baboons position themselves strategically within their troop to optimize access to food and safety. Younger males tend to occupy central positions, while adult males take a more exposed role at the front of the group.
Foraminifera, single-celled plankton, build microscopic calcite shells that reflect environmental conditions. Recent experiments reveal magnesium levels vary in shells due to daily light/dark cycles, increasing confidence in plankton as climate records.
A multi-university study aims to create a computer model of how the brain forms, stores and retrieves complex memories. The goal is to have human-like abilities to remember, understand and learn from events.
Researchers found that bryozoans quickly dissolved in warmer waters exposed to acidity, changing their chemical composition to build higher levels of magnesium in their skeletons. This predisposes these animals to dissolve in ocean acidification, which is becoming more common due to climate change.
A new study by researchers at the University of California, Davis and the University of New Hampshire found hundreds of differences in gene activity between male and female rock doves. The findings aim to promote sex and gender inclusion in experimental science and shed light on physiological differences between sexes.
Scientists discovered that genetic material known as introns can play a dramatic role in plant gene activity. Introns act as volume control for some essential genes, making them silent when removed. This finding suggests that many genes may not have a traditional on/off switch.
Researchers have unlocked genetic information about lettuce and related plants, releasing the first comprehensive genome assembly for lettuce and the Compositae family. The study found that triplicate genes may explain the success of this huge plant family.
A new study suggests that the social eating habits of fish play a critical role in protecting coral reefs. By analyzing the feeding behavior of reef fish, researchers found that overfishing can lead to a decrease in algae-eating and increase in vulnerability to predators.
Astronomers have discovered a distant galaxy, MACS1423-z7p64, which is about 13.1 billion years old and falls within the 'Epoch of Reionization.' The team used a giant lens in the sky to magnify its brightness and analyze its spectrum.
Liza Grandia, a UC Davis associate professor of Native American studies, has received a $270,000 Mellon Foundation Fellowship to research toxicology and environmental epidemiology. Her project, 'Toxic Trespass,' aims to build cross-disciplinary bridges between indigenous communities and environmental health sciences.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis have discovered a possible new route to regenerating beta cells, giving insight into healthy metabolism and diabetes. This discovery could lead to better treatment or cures for diabetes by understanding how these cells mature into functioning beta cells.
Researchers at UC Davis and W&WSens Devices, Inc. developed a new type of photodetector that uses tapered holes to divert photons sideways, preserving the speed of thin-layer silicon and efficiency of thicker layers. The device can convert data from optical to electronics at 20 gigabytes per second, outperforming existing technology.
A new UC Davis study found that video game users who received reminders played more often and experienced increased time spent playing, with some games increasing feelings of control over depression. The study, using six three-minute games, showed promise in reducing symptoms of mild depression.
A recent study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that people's romantic choices share similarities, but for different reasons. Physical attractiveness tends to attract similar types, while educated or religious individuals tend to meet others with similar backgrounds.
Researchers at the University of California - Davis have developed a new solution to the 'moving sofa problem', a challenge that has stumped mathematicians for over 50 years. The team used 3-D printing and mathematical techniques to find the largest area that can fit around a corner, with potential applications in complex mathematics.
Researchers identified short DNA segments influencing tilapia's internal body chemistry in response to salinity stress, paving the way for targeted studies on gene regulatory networks. This discovery may help enhance stress tolerance in fish, critical for management practices preventing species extinction.
Researchers at UC Davis have discovered new types of cage-like compounds called clathrates that can convert waste heat into electricity. The compounds, which trap an atom inside a larger cage, show promise for improving thermoelectric devices.
A study in Greenland found that warming winters are causing plants to emerge earlier, while others are delaying their growth. This rapid change has significant implications for the Arctic ecosystem, including affecting caribou populations.
Genome editing enables precise genetic changes in livestock, boosting productivity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Researchers aim to apply this technology to improve animal welfare and potentially produce single-gender offspring.
A new study from researchers at UC Davis and UC Berkeley reveals the population structure of honey bees in California, shedding light on their origins. The research combines large databases to provide a comprehensive sampling of honey bees across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
The Hubble Constant measurement by the H0LiCOW collaboration hints at 'new physics' beyond the standard model of cosmology. The team used gravitational lenses to measure the universe's expansion rate, which is crucial for confirming or refuting the current picture of dark energy and dark matter.
Researchers at UC Davis have made significant discoveries about the complex process of meiosis, where chromosomes undergo a intricate dance to produce sperm and eggs. The team found that SUMO and ubiquitin proteins play a crucial role in selecting crossover sites, allowing for accurate chromosome distribution.
A study by University of California - Davis scientists found that trees growing in already dry areas are most susceptible to drought. Dense forests in the driest regions are at risk of mass mortality during extreme droughts, which can take years to surface.
The EXPLORER consortium has successfully assembled a team of industry partners to build the world's first total-body PET scanner. The scanner promises improved image quality and reduced radiation exposure compared to existing technology, with the potential to transform clinical diagnostics and treatment.
The release of the Arabica coffee genome sequence by UC Davis holds promise for developing disease-resistant varieties and understanding flavor profiles. The sequencing was conducted through a collaboration between researchers and farmer Jay Ruskey, who is growing commercial coffee plants in California's Central Coast region.
A study from the University of California, Davis found that reef fish are willing to overcome their fear of sharks and eat algae in danger zones. This behavior can help counteract excess algae growth in coral reefs threatened by nutrient pollution.
A study in California found that high-severity wildfires hinder natural conifer regeneration, with only 60% of plots showing seedling growth five to seven years after fire. A new tool developed by researchers can help foresters prioritize which lands to replant and when.