A new study published in Developmental Psychology identifies patterns and predictors of adolescent social health, which may foretell loneliness and aggressive behavior. The research found that teens with positive relationships tend to have better mental health in adulthood.
A study published in the Journal of Apicultural Research found that combining a widely used mite-killing pesticide with an agent inhibiting its tolerance can effectively control varroa mites. The new treatment increases amitraz's killing power by 50% and shows promise for developing novel synergists to target these destructive mites.
Researchers have discovered that the Japanese scarab beetle uses mirror-image pheromones to distinguish between potential mates. The discovery could lead to improved monitoring and control methods for this invasive species.
Temperature impacts the quality and speed of male frogs' mating calls, which are more attractive to females in warmer conditions. This study suggests that female frogs use these calls to gauge environmental suitability for reproduction.
The high pathogenicity avian influenza virus H5N1 has caused the death of over 50 skuas in Antarctica, marking the first documented case of wildlife mortality due to the virus on the continent. The study found that the virus was primarily affecting the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula.
A $4.9 million Gates Foundation grant will support the development of self-cloning crops in India, improving agricultural productivity and accessibility for smallholder farmers. The project aims to expand synthetic apomixis technology into staple crops like pearl millet and Indian mustard.
Researchers found that Ralstonia's unique exo polysaccharide 1 (EPS-1) film allows the bacteria to spread rapidly through plant xylem vessels, causing rapid wilting. The team used precise measurements of the viscoelastic properties of EPS-1 to understand its role in making Ralstonia a devastating plant killer.
Researchers identified genes controlling cell wall changes in ripening pistachio hulls, which can lead to cracks and tears. The study also found that the physics of forces and humidity influence degradation, with applications for other non-berry fruit crops.
A recent study by researchers at the University of California, Davis, and Northwestern University found significant racial bias in media coverage of gun violence incidents. The study analyzed nearly 36,000 news stories and discovered that reports on incidents in predominantly white neighborhoods focused more on shooters' backgrounds an...
Researchers tracked tiny earthquakes to better understand the complex region where the San Andreas fault meets the Cascadia subduction zone. The study reveals five moving pieces, including two out of sight from the Earth's surface, which contribute to the seismic hazard.
Researchers have discovered that feline infectious peritonitis virus infects a broader range of immune cells, including B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes. The findings suggest that the virus can persist in these cells even after treatment, potentially leading to long-term immune problems.
Researchers at UC Davis have developed a new method to create psychoactive-like molecules that mimic the brain's serotonin receptors. The study found five compounds with efficacy ranging from 61% to 93%, but none induced hallucinogenic behavior, offering a potential new therapeutic scaffold for treating psychiatric disorders.
Researchers analyzed the Caldor Fire's impact on the Lake Tahoe Basin and found that pre-fire treatments significantly reduced fire severity. The most effective treatment types did not include controlled fires, highlighting the importance of other methods such as thinning and sweeping up unburned fuel piles.
A new study suggests that indoor lighting can strongly influence listeners' experiences while listening to music. The research found that warm white lights were most effective in evoking positive emotions, while blue lights had the least positive response. These findings have implications for improving well-being and mood regulation in...
A new study by UC Davis researcher Oscar Contreras-Velasco examines how cartel violence affects migrant risks near the northern border. The analysis found that cities along the Texas stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border have higher risk index scores than western border cities.
Researchers found that optimal conditions, such as cool weather and heavy traffic, minimize postharvest losses for California processing tomatoes. The study analyzed 1.4 million truckloads of tomatoes between 2011 and 2020, finding modest losses despite rising temperatures.
Researchers have discovered that tidal heating can cause ice shells to melt, leading to ocean boiling and unique geological features. The process can also drive compressional tectonics, shaping the surface of icy moons.
A 15-member research team has gained insight into the DNA of the Northern root-knot nematode, a parasitic nematode that causes significant economic damage to many crops. The study reveals an unusual DNA repeat at the ends of its chromosomes, which may provide a clue to its ability to infect a wide range of plants.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, found that rocks on fault lines can glue themselves back together within hours after a seismic event. This discovery challenges current models of fault behavior and suggests that cohesion may play a crucial role in major earthquakes.
Simple items like hay feeders and giant rubber activity balls can improve horse behavior and reduce health issues such as ulcers and fragile leg bones. Researchers found that stabled horses displayed increased movement and reduced frustration behaviors when provided with enrichment tools.
Researchers at UC Davis have discovered that Cabernet Sauvignon retains molecular marks from its ancestors after 400 years of clonal propagation. The study used advanced genome sequencing to assess the stability of epigenetic modifications, which can influence traits like fruit quality and stress tolerance.
A recent study at UC Davis has shown that feeding cows red seaweed can dramatically cut the amount of methane produced, with a 60% reduction in emissions. The research identified specific microbes in the cow's gut that help reduce methane production, opening the door to engineering these microbes for a long-term solution.
A two-year field experiment in California's Central Valley found that super-high-density olive orchards can produce high-quality oil and yields with significantly reduced nitrogen fertilizer. Compost application also improved tree nutrition and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers found that DNA mutations accumulate more frequently in stem cells producing plant skin compared to those producing eggs and sperm. This layered stem cell architecture allows plants to regulate mutation rates in different cells to optimize success and offspring stability.
A study by researchers at UCLA and UC Davis found that climate change leads to more reported clashes with wildlife during droughts. The study analyzed data from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Wildlife Incident Reporting database and found a 2-3% increase in conflicts for every inch of decreased annual rainfall.
Researchers at UC Davis invent a Stirling engine that can harness the natural warmth of the ground and cold depths of space to generate mechanical power. The device has been shown to produce up to 400 milliwatts of power per square meter, with potential applications in ventilating greenhouses and residential buildings.
A new University of California, Davis study finds that drought in California pushes the price of water from rivers, lakes, and reservoirs up by $487 per acre-foot, more than triple the cost during an average wet year. Managing groundwater and surface water together could keep water prices steady and support the state's economy.
Scientists at UC Davis have discovered a new species of trapdoor spider, Aptostichus ramirezae, in California's coastal sand dunes. The study reveals that what was thought to be one species is actually two, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect habitats shrinking due to climate change and human development.
A study by the University of California, Davis found that 85% of elementary schools in California lost trees between 2018 and 2022, exacerbating heat and drought conditions. The research highlights the urgent need to protect existing tree cover and improve tree canopy in low-shade schools.
The Bezos Earth Fund has awarded a $2 million grant to researchers at UC Davis and the American Heart Association to advance AI-designed food research. The funding will support scientists in developing an AI-powered recipe formulation tool called Swap it Smart, which aims to redesign foods for sustainability and nutritional value.
A team of scientists analyzed 300,000 years of genetic history of Franklin's bumble bee and found that population bottlenecks and environmental issues such as fire and drought led to its decline. The study suggests that the species' extinction vulnerability arose from historically low effective population size and genetic diversity.
Researchers at UC Davis discovered how desmosomes, which stick cells together, respond to mechanical stress. They found that the intermediate filaments transmit forces to a desmosome protein, causing it to open up and expose a site for signal transmission.
A team of astronomers has discovered a mysterious dark object in the distant universe with a mass about 1 million times that of our Sun. The discovery is significant as it could confirm or refute theories about the nature of dark matter.
Researchers found that songbird juveniles rely heavily on their siblings and other adults for learning life skills when parental care is limited. In contrast, only about 25% of young birds learned to solve feeding puzzles from their parents.
Researchers discovered a new pathway that could help people with diabetes avoid dangerous hypoglycemia by restoring the function of delta cells. These cells, previously unknown to play a role in blood sugar regulation, release somatostatin to pause insulin production when necessary.
UC Davis researchers use a game model to understand how pilgrimages get established, citing factors such as prior beliefs, economic uncertainty, and group size. Their study suggests that uncertain conditions make it more likely for new collective rituals to emerge.
The University of California, Davis received $961 million in external research awards for the fiscal year 2024-25. Research at the university provides insights and solutions that enhance lives through advancements in healthcare, food supply, energy solutions, education and more.
Research suggests that psilocybin may not be an effective treatment for postpartum depression due to its potential to amplify anxiety and depressive-like symptoms in mouse mothers. The study found that offspring raised by psilocybin-treated mothers exhibited anxiety and depression-like symptoms long into adulthood.
A landmark study reveals that a specific event guides the accurate distribution of chromosomes in egg and sperm cells, ensuring unique gene combinations. The research sheds light on fertility issues and potential treatments, with implications for human reproduction.
UC Davis researchers analyze electrical brain activity to understand how the brain prepares to focus attention on specific features, such as color or direction of movement. The study found that the brain's attention first broadens to a general category before narrowing down to the specific feature, taking an average of 240 milliseconds...
Two projects funded by federal grants use AI to design proteins for industrial applications, such as producing acrylates in paints. UC Davis will also expand its student training program in protein design to bring hands-on research opportunities to thousands of students nationwide.
Researchers at UC Davis develop new technologies for plant-based biomanufacturing, addressing resource constraints and sustainability. The project aims to create a powerful technology for producing biomolecules and materials, focusing on low-cost infrastructure, novel bioproduction platforms and efficient processing.
Researchers have developed a miniaturized microscope capable of real-time, high-resolution imaging of brain activity in mice. The device uses a novel neural network to reconstruct images in 3D and is nearly the size of a grape.
Researchers tracked the movement of fluorescent particles inside the cells of microscopic worms, providing unprecedented insights into cellular crowding. The study found that the cytoplasm inside the worms was significantly more crowded and compartmentalized than in single-celled yeast or mammalian tissue culture cells.
A new UC Davis research suggests that smaller, specialized firms can protect their market position against Big Tech giants by strategically opening their data vaults and granting access to their market data. This can turn a formidable rival into a
A multilayer film developed by University of California engineers reflects heat while letting through light needed for photosynthesis. This could make greenhouses more water- and energy-efficient, with minimal impact on crop yields. The film reduces near-infrared light passing through by almost 90%.
A new study from the University of California, Davis finds that combining labeling and spatial words with gestures holds babies' attention for longer periods. This combined approach may improve how babies understand object existence and movement in space.
Researchers are using total-body PET imaging to investigate the relationship between long COVID symptoms and activated immune T cells, as well as blood vessel damage. The goal is to gain a better understanding of how these processes are related and how they contribute to long COVID symptoms.
Research on killifish reveals that maternal exposure to toxic substances like crude oil and flame retardants can have lasting impacts on offspring and subsequent generations. Exposure to these chemicals during critical developmental windows can alter gene function, behavior, and health outcomes in humans and wildlife.
Scientists have developed wheat plants that produce their own fertilizer through a bacterial work-around, opening the path toward less air and water pollution worldwide. This breakthrough could be a boon for food security in developing countries, especially Africa where fertilizers are often unaffordable.