Researchers from UC Davis found that microstamping technology worked well for some guns, but poorly for others. The study tested six brands of semi-automatic handguns, two semi-automatic rifles, and a shotgun, and found varying levels of success depending on the weapon and type of code.
The 1600 Huaynaputina eruption in Peru led to a cold year worldwide, causing crop failures and famine in Europe, China and Japan. The study also reveals exceptional cold winters in Russia, late peach blooms in China, and a record-breaking early freezing date in Japan.
LUX detector, funded by NSF and DOE, searches for WIMPs in 4,800ft underground South Dakota mine, aiming to detect rare dark matter particles, the largest discovery since antimatter in the 1930s.
Researchers find working memory retains only a few high-resolution images for a short period, similar to a high-resolution camera. This limited capacity is linked to intelligence and fluid thinking abilities.
Researchers found that antibiotic treatment doesn't eradicate all Lyme disease-causing bacteria, which may contribute to lingering symptoms. The discovery sets the stage for controlled laboratory research investigating potential therapies for persistent Lyme disease infections.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that an ocean odor, DMSP, attracts reef fish that feed on plankton, providing insight into marine ecology. The release of DMSP also promotes cloud formation, cooling the Earth through reduced sunlight reflection.
The combined scanner uses a new technology to eliminate interference between MRI and PET systems, enabling simultaneous acquisition of structural and functional information. This innovation allows researchers to correlate tumor structure with functional information, providing deeper insights into cancer research.
Research reveals that wandering albatrosses follow the direction of scent plumes to locate food sources, often flying crosswind and zigzagging into the wind towards meals. This unique hunting strategy allows them to cover a wide strip of ocean while conserving energy.
Researchers have identified a new compound that blocks an early step in programmed cell death, known as apoptosis. This process is triggered by mitochondrial division and can lead to cell death during heart attacks and strokes.
UC Davis researchers analyzed sediment cores from the Antarctic Ross Sea, revealing evidence of magnetic field vortices beneath the South Pole. This discovery contrasts with earlier studies at lower latitudes and may improve our understanding of core processes.
Researchers used computational modeling to demonstrate how manganese oxide changes from an insulator to a conductor under high pressure. The study sheds light on the behavior of similar minerals deep in the Earth's crust and mantle.
A recent genetic study has confirmed that the domestic cat's family tree is rooted in the Fertile Crescent, a region in the Middle East. The study found that over 11,000 cats from around the world were genetically clustered into four groups corresponding to European, Mediterranean, east African, and Asian regions.
Mathematicians at UC Davis and University of Wisconsin-Madison develop program to model snowflake growth, revealing complex structures and rare patterns. The model generates a wide range of natural snowflake shapes, including novel forms like the 'butterflake', which could appear in nature but would be fragile.
Pig-tailed langurs on Mentawai islands show no alarm at tiger and leopard sounds but flee quickly from human voices. The study suggests animal behavior changes under relaxed selection pressures.
A new study by UC Davis researchers found that the Loma Prieta fault exhibits more stresses and slip directions in its aftershocks than previously thought. The findings suggest a more complex deformation pattern, contradicting previous assessments of the fault's weakness.
Researchers at UC Davis found that California ground squirrels and rock squirrels apply snake scent to themselves by picking up shed skin and licking their fur. This behavior helps mask the squirrel's own scent and deters snakes from attacking.
Researchers at UC Davis have determined the earliest stage of planet formation occurred approximately 4,568 million years ago. This finding provides new insights into the timing and physics of this critical process, shedding light on how mountain-sized chunks of rock coalesced from interstellar dust.
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded a grant to Adam Moule, assistant professor at UC Davis, to study ways to assemble thin layers of organic polymers into flexible panels for more efficient solar cells. The goal is to reduce costs and increase power output, with potential prototype development by 2015.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that triclocarban, a common antibacterial chemical, alters hormonal activity in rats and human cells. In male rats, testosterone-dependent organs grew abnormally large after exposure to the chemical.
The current surveillance strategy for avian influenza viruses is piecemeal, risking the detection of important virus sources or subtypes. A UC Davis expert emphasizes the need to strengthen global surveillance to prevent future pandemics.
Researchers found that Mars' surface remained molten for 100 million years, implying a thick atmosphere to insulate the planet and slow cooling. This persistence is surprisingly long, with implications for the planet's early history.
Researchers are exploring land-based 'black smoker' sites to gain insights into harnessing geothermal energy. The project, led by UC Davis, uses a deep drilling approach to study the interaction between hot rocks and fluids.
Researchers from UC Davis and international partners aim to unlock geothermal energy potential in Iceland and the US. By studying high-pressure conditions and heat transfer processes, they hope to develop more efficient methods for extracting heat from rocks.
New fly genomics research provides a comprehensive view of adaptive protein evolution, revealing the role of adaptation in evolution and human genome uniqueness. The study found that stretches of DNA with high variability in Drosophila simulans did not match up with areas of divergence between species.
The complete genomes of 12 Drosophila species were published in Nature, revealing genetic differences similar to those between humans and chickens. This research provides a less-biased view of evolutionary processes, enabling a better understanding of the human genome.
Researchers found that erosion acts as a sink for atmospheric carbon, capturing about 1.5% of annual fossil-fuel emissions worldwide. This challenges previous estimates suggesting soil erosion could be a significant source or sink of carbon.
A study by UC Davis found that nearly one-third of California's top public companies have no women at the top, despite a few firms having high female representation. The research highlights the need for more gender diversity in corporate leadership positions.
Mother of thousands plant reproduces by dropping off complete miniature plants that grow independently, unlike most plants which rely on seeds. The plant's ability to make plantlets has been linked to the expression of specific genes STM and LEC.
A new UC Davis study explores how competition among genetically varied plants relates to species diversity, finding that diversity within a species is necessary for maintaining diversity among species. The research also highlights the importance of preserving biodiversity in plant communities.
Researchers found that hybrid young salamanders survived more in the wild than pure native or introduced species, challenging prevailing scientific thought. The study raises questions about managing endangered populations and considers hybrids as threats to native salamanders.
The CREATE program aims to build a group of leaders with expertise in plant sciences, biotechnology and engineering, focusing on biofuels, pharmaceuticals and industrial products. Graduate students will receive cross-disciplinary training through internships and a Master's to Ph.D. bridge.
Researchers at UC Davis developed ConceptDoppler, a tool that clusters words by meaning and identifies keywords likely to be blacklisted in China's censorship system. The study found that keyword filtering encourages self-censorship due to the perception of surveillance, allowing users to avoid blocked topics.
Researchers discovered moray eels use a second set of jaws to grab food, then bring it back to the esophagus for swallowing. This unusual feeding behavior is unlike most fish, which rely on suction.
The new center will investigate mental health issues among Asian Americans, including higher rates of mental illness and inadequate treatment. It aims to address these disparities through research, community engagement, and knowledge sharing.
Researchers found that marital violence among Asian-Americans is linked to factors beyond marital distress, including family closeness and anxiety disorders. The study's findings highlight the need for therapy that addresses these underlying issues.
Researchers at UC Davis found that 3- and 4-year-olds can think about their own thinking, using pictures to communicate uncertainty. This suggests that young children are more introspective than previously thought, with implications for human development and traits.
A new study from UC Davis found that patients who keep gratitude journals score better on measures of mental health, general health, and vitality compared to those who only kept routine notes. Increased feelings of gratitude can cause people's well-being and quality of life to improve.
Researcher Dean Simonton has identified key traits of cinematic creative triumph and box-office success, including being R-rated dramas, based on true stories, or having exceptional scores.
The discovery explains how plants time their growth to take advantage of resources such as light and water. The researchers found that the circadian clock regulates nearly every step in the auxin signaling pathway, with activity peaking late at night when water is most available.
Researchers found that when a specific helicase is defective, yeast chromosomes become more prone to exchanging strands during DNA repair, increasing the risk of chromosomal rearrangements. This fundamental insight into DNA-break repair may provide new avenues for understanding early-onset cancer syndromes like Bloom's syndrome.
A new standard aims to reduce carbon emissions from fuels by 10% by 2020, stimulating improvements in transportation-fuel technologies. The standard covers all gasoline and diesel fuel providers, requiring them to track life-cycle global warming intensity and reduce it over time.
Researchers studied chimpanzees trained on treadmills and found that bipedalism used about 75% less energy and burned 75% fewer calories than quadrupedal walking. The team also discovered that some chimps walked on two legs with similar energy expenditure to knucklewalking.
The W.M. Keck Foundation has pledged $1.5 million to support the final phase of research and development for the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope's (LSST) three-billion pixel digital camera. The LSST will survey the entire visible sky deeply in multiple colors every few nights, probing dark matter and dark energy.
Researchers discovered that plant growth is controlled by both internal clock and environmental light, with genes PIF 4 and PIF 5 playing a key role. The study found that plants grow more during the late afternoon when grown in constant light, but shift to dawn just before natural light/dark cycle.
A new study by University of California, Davis professor Gregory Herek found that nearly four in 10 gay men and about one in eight lesbians and bisexuals have been targeted due to their sexual orientation. The survey also revealed significant disparities in victimization rates among gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals.
The Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) will focus on biofuels derived from plant matter, with UC Davis' expertise in deciphering plant cell walls and microbes. The $125 million center aims to achieve measurable success within five years by tackling scientific problems hindering cost-effective conversion.
Researchers found that specialist fruit fly Drosophila sechellia is losing genes for smell and taste receptors at a faster rate than its generalist relative Drosophila simulans. This adaptation may help the flies adjust to eating specific plants.
Researchers discovered that power-law distributions are common in various systems, including the internet, due to the 'rich get richer' effect. This phenomenon can be influenced by tradeoffs between network distance and connection numbers.
UC Davis has been named a partner in a new $18.5 million national research center to study influenza viruses with pandemic potential. The Center for Rapid Influenza Surveillance and Research will expand the federal government's early-detection program for influenza and help reduce the chances of deadly outbreaks.
A new study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that patients who received regular preventive health exams were more likely to get recommended cancer screenings. The study showed that colon cancer screenings and prostate-specific antigen tests increased by three times in the checkup group compared to those without a checkup.