Researchers mapped the hippocampus in children aged 8-14 to understand its development and expansion with age. They found that three subregions grew with age, particularly the CA3/dentate gyrus, which was linked to better memory performance.
A new study reveals that reef fish diversified into two distinct groups of fish, with the first group arriving around 70-90 million years ago, during a time when coral reefs were built by mollusks called rudists. By 50 million years ago, modern coral reefs and their inhabitants had largely taken shape.
Researchers at UC Davis have identified the atomic structure of kinesin-5, a protein essential for mitosis in virtually all eukaryotic cells. The newly discovered structure reveals unique pockets that could be exploited as targets for new anti-cancer drugs.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that laboratory chamber walls can suppress the formation of secondary organic aerosol in the atmosphere. This effect has contributed to underpredictions of SOA concentrations in regional air quality models, which impacts air quality and climate.
A field study has demonstrated that elevated carbon dioxide inhibits the conversion of nitrate into protein in a field-grown crop, compromising the nutritional quality of food crops. This finding indicates that the nutritional quality of food will suffer as climate change intensifies.
UC Davis researchers have identified a genetic mutation responsible for cleft palate in Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, providing a new model for studying the craniofacial defect. This discovery may lead to a better understanding of cleft palate in humans and its associated complications.
Researchers found biting flies, including horseflies and tsetse flies, drive zebra's black and white stripes. The study ruled out other hypotheses such as camouflage and social function.
A University of California, Davis study found that popular adolescents are at high risk of being bullied and experience worse psychological and social consequences compared to less popular peers. The research revealed that victims of harassment often suffer anxiety, anger, and depression.
The draft genome of the loblolly pine, seven times bigger than the human genome, has been completed using a faster analytical process. The sequencing provides a better understanding of plant evolution and diversity, as well as gene locations involved in fighting off pathogens.
Phytoplankton release dimethyl sulfide, a chemical signal that attracts krill-eating birds, while also promoting cloud formation. This connection highlights the importance of marine top predators in regulating climate.
A recent study from the University of California, Davis, analyzes the ovipositor and behavior of Drosophila suzukii, a fruit fly known to deposit eggs inside ripening fruit. The research highlights the potential for this pest to spread rapidly across North America.
A recent study from the University of California, Davis, found that the hippocampus stores memories based on their temporal context, which includes what happened before and after an event. This means that the brain uses context to represent specific objects, rather than just their content.
Researchers at the University of California - Davis have engineered bacteria to produce esters, a key component in scents, flavors, and chemical processes. This breakthrough could lead to a $20 billion industry shift towards renewable sources.
Angelique Louie, a UC Davis professor, has been awarded a $1 million grant from the W.M. Keck Foundation to develop novel technology for detecting gene expression in deep tissues using bioluminescent gene reporters and MRI. The project aims to facilitate noninvasive imaging for various biomedical applications.
A recent study by UC Davis and Oregon State University found that magma mobility in Mount Hood is less than 10%, indicating a higher risk of eruptions. The research suggests using seismic imaging to detect mostly liquid magma, which could lead to more accurate eruption forecasts.
Researchers analyzed predator-prey interactions among carnivorous mammals and birds of prey to explain the evolution of antipredator traits. They found that noxious spraying is favored by nocturnal animals, while sociality is favored by diurnal species.
A new study reveals a previously undefined immune pathway in humans that provides vital information for designing vaccines and medicines to combat bacterial infections. The research found that T-cells can respond defensively to bacterial attacks without specific antigens, leading to a maximal response and improved survival.
Researchers at UC Davis have invented a technique to produce gasoline-like fuels from cellulosic materials like farm and forestry waste. This breakthrough could lead to a larger market for renewable fuels beyond existing diesel substitutes.
Researchers have discovered a new bacteriophage that infects the bacterium causing anthrax, offering potential solutions for detection and treatment. The phage, named Bacillus phage Tsamsa, is unusually large and can target not only anthrax but also closely related bacteria.
A study by researchers at the University of California, Davis found that growing up in space weakens a key immune system pathway in Drosophila flies. The Toll pathway was 'non-functional' in space-raised flies, but showed improvement under hypergravity conditions.
The study demonstrates how cyanide and carbon monoxide are safely bound to an iron atom to construct an enzyme that can generate hydrogen gas. This discovery sheds light on the unusual chemistry involved in binding small molecules to metal atoms, a crucial step towards producing hydrogen using abundant metals.
A study by researchers at UC Davis found 248 new genes that exist only in Drosophila melanogaster, emerging from ancestrally non-coding DNA. These genes showed evidence of being under selection and were more likely to be larger and more complex.
New research finds that invasive snails eat 20% more juvenile oysters under ocean conditions forecast for the end of this century. The combination of climate change and invasive predators may make restoration of oyster populations increasingly difficult.
Researchers found that blood clots actively soak up lipopolysaccharide, a toxic compound released by Gram-negative bacteria. This protective mechanism may help prevent disease and death from septic shock, which affects 300,000 people annually.
Scientists have sequenced the genome of the spotted wing drosophila, a major pest affecting blueberries, cherries, and other fruits. The publicly accessible SpottedWingFlyBase Web portal provides valuable data for researchers to develop more effective monitoring and control strategies.
A 10-year study on national wildlife refuges found frog abnormalities at less than 2% overall rate, but higher rates in specific 'hotspots'. The study suggests that these hotspots have local causes and can recover over time.
The Chelyabinsk meteorite was analyzed by an international team of researchers, revealing its composition and origin. The study found that the meteoroid entered Earth's atmosphere at 19 km/s and broke up 30 kilometers above ground, causing widespread damage.
A new research coordination network is working to study eukaryotic biodiversity using high-throughput DNA sequencing technology. Researchers will focus on microscopic organisms playing vital roles in ecosystems, such as breaking down organic matter and turning over soil nutrients.
The LUX experiment has excluded some possible candidates for a dark matter particle, providing evidence for its sensitivity and ruling out certain Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP) hypotheses. The detection is significant as it shows that the world's best results are being produced by the detector.
Researchers found that rhesus macaque monkeys have specialized nerve cells in their brains that respond to images of snakes. This suggests that primates may have evolved to detect and avoid snakes due to the presence of venomous snakes during their ancestors' time.
Researchers found that flooded Yolo Bypass rice fields create productive aquatic food webs for salmon, with high growth rates and minimal mortality. The findings suggest farm managers can use these agricultural fields to mimic natural processes, benefiting both fish and farmers.
Researchers at UC Davis and Stanford University have identified a key step in assembling hydrogen-generating catalysts, which are based on precisely organized clusters of iron and sulfur atoms. This study reveals how bacteria naturally build these catalysts and could pave the way for more efficient production of clean energy.
ChemWiki, launched in 2008, has received major funding from the National Science Foundation to expand its wiki network and compare its content with standard textbooks. The project aims to provide free online resources for students and faculty, promoting a more accessible and affordable learning experience.
UC Davis is part of a five-year collaboration to develop real-time cyberattack detection and response systems without human intervention, leveraging industry partners and joint research programs. The $48.2 million alliance aims to enhance cybersecurity in Army networks and address complex challenges in cyberspace.
A study using Arabidopsis model found that 80% of metabolites were directly affected by organellar genes, which regulate energy production and sugar synthesis in cells. The discovery may have implications for future treatments for inherited diseases in humans, including in vitro fertilization therapies.
A new study by UC Davis reveals a strong correlation between human life expectancy and the loss of endangered species, with countries experiencing high GDP growth showing higher percentages of invasive birds and mammals. The research highlights the need for better scientific understanding of human-environment interactions.
Scientists used state-of-the-art genome sequencing and bioinformatics to resolve the long-standing question of ants' evolutionary relationships. The study found that ants are more closely related to bees than to most wasps, with ants forming a sister group to the Apoidea family within Hymenoptera.
A new study has provided hope for halting the incurable citrus greening disease by understanding its impact on trees before infection. The researchers used DNA sequencing technologies to reveal metabolic imbalances and hormonal disruptions caused by the bacterial disease.
Researchers at UC Davis have found evidence that Neandertals, not modern humans, made the first specialized bone tools in Europe. The discoveries were made by undergraduate student Naomi Martisius and her adviser Teresa E. Steele, who identified the tools as part of a decade-long excavation project.
A study by UC Davis researchers has found that wild Asian elephants retreat from both leopard and tiger growls, which could help Indian farmers protect their crops from elephant raids. The work aims to prevent conflicts between human farmers and elephant herds, resulting in the loss of human and animal lives.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, are studying complex networked systems, from nanomachines to nation-states, to find ways to intervene in networks to better control them or prevent catastrophic cascading breakdowns.
A breakthrough discovery reveals that high levels of the eIF4E protein can promote cancer by unwinding complex mRNA knots, allowing ribosomes to translate genetic code into proteins that trigger tumor growth. This understanding may lead to highly specific cancer treatments targeting growth-promoting cells.
Researchers found that adult survival is sensitive to cold winter weather, while juvenile survival is affected by warmer, drier winters leading to reduced food availability
A new study reveals that at least five species of tropical fruit flies, including the infamous Medfly, are permanently established in California and spreading despite decades-long eradication efforts. The study's findings have significant implications for California agriculture and international trading partners.
Researchers identified a gene mutation in dogs that is associated with neural tube defects in humans. The study found six cases of the mutation in human patients with spina bifida, suggesting a potential link between the dog gene and human neural tube defects.
Researchers found a striking degree of convergence in Anole lizard species across four Caribbean islands, with each island's species resembling those on others. The study provides evidence for the predictability of evolution over millions of years.
A comprehensive family tree of the spiny-rayed fish group, including tuna and seahorses, has revealed surprising relationships and shed light on their evolution and diversity. The study found that some groups of fish have undergone rapid diversification followed by a slowdown in evolution.
Researchers at UC Davis show that individual protein molecules can restart at any speed achieved by the whole population of enzymes, demonstrating the ergodic theorem. This finding has implications for understanding protein folding, drug interactions, and enzyme engineering.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that ocean acidification can have a profound impact on marine ecosystems, causing a loss of functional diversity and resulting in a homogenized community dominated by turf algae. This can lead to cascading effects throughout the ecosystem, making calc...
A comprehensive study published in PLOS ONE found that recreation sites had the lowest levels of fecal indicator bacteria, and no significant differences were detected between grazing lands and areas without recreation or grazing. The research suggests that livestock production and environmental goals can be compatible, challenging com...