Researchers at UC Davis have developed multipurpose nanocables that can detect the quantity of toxins in a sample, allowing for more accurate measurements. These nanocables also enable the creation of large surface area arrays, which could be used to efficiently capture sunlight and improve solar cell efficiency.
The UC Davis Center for Geotechnical Modeling has been upgraded with a 30-foot radius centrifuge, enabling researchers to simulate pressures deep in the ground and study soil liquefaction during earthquakes. The network allows for remote collaboration and data sharing among researchers across the country.
Researchers use meteorite composition to test theories on solar system formation, shedding light on the sun's oxygen makeup. The Genesis spacecraft collected particles blown out from the sun, providing new insights into local variations in oxygen isotopes.
Researchers from UC Davis uncover the mechanism of mitochondrial fusion, a normal process that can lead to programmed cell death if disrupted. The study sheds light on two neurodegenerative diseases affecting nerve cells in the eyes and limbs.
Researchers have discovered that nanowires composed of lithium, molybdenum and selenium atoms can detect significant changes in electrical resistance when exposed to vapors of organic solvents. This property enables the creation of simple chemical sensors that can measure the acidity of a solution.
A recent study found that wind pollination works more efficiently in solid meadow plants than when they are spread apart. This could explain why Spartina covers only 60 acres of Willapa Bay despite being present for a century. Inefficient wind pollination may also speed the extinction of rare plants.
UC Davis researchers have created a PET scanner that can image tiny cancer growths in mice, allowing them to monitor tumor development over time. The system enables early detection of cancer transformation and could lead to more sensitive screening tests for cancer-fighting drugs.
Comet composition can be studied for the first time using a new technique, providing insights into the early solar system. Carbon disulfide has been detected in comet 122P/De Vico, with implications for understanding the origins of life.
A team of scientists has identified an enzyme called CYP4AW1 that breaks down insect pheromones, allowing for the development of targeted treatments to prevent agricultural pests from breeding. By blocking this enzyme with a specific chemical, researchers may be able to disrupt the communication between insects and prevent infestations.
A new study by UC Davis researchers shows that photorespiration, long thought to be a wasteful process, is essential for healthy plant growth and nitrogen uptake. Elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide and low oxygen levels inhibit nitrate assimilation, leading to slowed plant growth.
A new method of recording sound uses multiple microphones spaced around a head-sized ball to capture cues for direction, distance and movement. The system reproduces what the listener would hear in reality, including ambient sounds and echoes in different spaces.
Maya Ahmed developed methods to construct Franklin's squares and others of the same type, with applications in computer programming. She discovered a way to reconstruct Franklin's three original squares and created new ones that obey the same rules.
Researchers at UC Davis are developing a new cancer treatment that uses ultrasound to steer tiny capsules carrying cancer-fighting drugs to tumors. This approach aims to reduce the toxic side effects of current cancer treatments by concentrating the drug directly in the tumor.
Researchers at UC Davis suggest using transposons to introduce genes that block malaria in mosquitoes, which could spread through the population via natural selection and eventually eliminate malaria transmission.
The project aims to sequence Drosophila genomes to capture natural variation and develop technology for studying human genomic variation. The data will be publicly released and software developed as part of the grant will be open sourced.
Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery about DNA crossover during meiosis, which is crucial for sexual reproduction. The new findings suggest that the decision to make a crossover or non-crossover recombination is made much earlier than previously thought, shedding light on the molecular basis of this process.
Researchers have discovered a shared gene regulation mechanism in all major plant groups, controlled by microRNAs, and this system has been conserved for 400 million years. This finding opens up new possibilities for understanding plant development and evolution.
Protein nanostructures have been created using a novel method that allows for precise control over their shape and size. The technique involves the use of nanoparticles to guide the assembly of protein molecules into specific structures.
Scientists have designed two-dimensional arrays of cadmium selenide nanoparticles, also known as quantum dots, to change their optical and light-emitting properties. These nanostructures can be used as waveguides or lasers.
Guohua Yang and Gang-yu Liu used scanning tunneling microscopy to study the behavior of thiols on gold surfaces, revealing up to 15 different structural phases. These findings shed light on the interaction between thiol molecules and the gold surface, potentially enabling the creation of patterns with other molecules.
Research at UC Davis explores the effects of ocean nanoparticles and vehicle emissions on atmospheric conditions. The study aims to develop models for measuring and predicting nanoparticle transients in the atmosphere.
Scientists at UC Davis create a novel fluorescent assay for detecting pesticides on a chip, utilizing lanthanide oxide nanoparticles as a reporter. The approach has the potential to improve pesticide detection in environmental testing and other fields.
Researchers found a direct correlation between honey consumption and elevated polyphenolic antioxidants in human plasma. The study's findings support existing evidence that honey may provide protective antioxidant compounds, contributing to overall health.
Nanoparticles are designed to detect specific molecules and transport them using an electric field, allowing for accurate sensing. The device uses microscopic needles to take up tissue fluid and mix it with nanoparticles, which then move the samples to a detection area.
Researchers at the University of California - Davis have cloned the VRN2 gene in wheat, which controls vernalization and plays a crucial role in the crop's adaptation to different environments. The study provides valuable insights into breeding strategies for improving wheat varieties through manipulation of flowering times.
A University of California study suggests that melting Greenland ice could lead to a significant drop in North Atlantic Ocean salinity, triggering colder climates in Northern Europe and Eastern Canada. The research found that elevated Caribbean salinity, transported by the Gulf Stream, amplifies heat transport systems.
The giant catfish, a migratory species in Southeast Asia, is facing extinction due to the destruction of its habitats. Conservation efforts are underway to protect this vital species and the ecosystem it supports.
The Keck Center for Active Visualization in Earth Sciences will enable geologists to build and test large-scale models of the Earth's interior. The facility will allow researchers to interact with their data in a more realistic way, using virtual reality tools developed by UC Davis researchers.
Researchers at UC Davis are developing a system called GeoStreams that can analyze satellite data as it arrives, providing users with accurate and timely information. The system will enable fast-tracking of storms and efficient management of irrigation projects in California.
Simulations show that compression waves change the atomic arrangement of glass, resulting in a denser and less brittle material. The study, published in Physical Review Letters, may have implications for optimizing glass properties.
Researchers aim to understand the functions of Nostoc punctiforme's 7,000 genes and its potential to domesticate crop plants for nitrogen fixation. They plan to study gene expression and environmental responses to improve the process.
A team of UC Davis students conducted experiments on formation of new materials by combustion in an electric field using NASA's 'Vomit Comet' aircraft. The low-gravity environment enhanced the effect of the electric field, creating unique properties in new materials.
A recent study by Margolis and Shim found that a small movement of the mechanical controls in backhoes can lead to rapid vibration, causing operators to lose control. The problem can be eliminated by stiffening the suspension of the cab or developing automatic control systems.
A study published in the American Journal of Physics found that the speed of a baseball bat when it hits the ball is the most important factor in hitting a home run. Curve balls are thrown with topspin, which automatically gives them backspin and lift upon impact, making them carry further than fastballs.
The EMIST project will test defenses against worms, denial-of-service attacks, and routing computer attacks. The experiments will run on the Cyber Defense Technology Experimental Research network (DETER), a new testbed built by UC Berkeley and USC.
Statistics expert Utts identifies seven common ways statistics are misinterpreted in news reports, including confusion about cause-and-effect relationships. She advises readers to consider possible alternate explanations when interpreting observational studies.
A new model suggests that the Big Bang could have been an explosion within a black hole, with the universe expanding into an infinite space. The theory, developed by UC Davis and University of Michigan mathematicians, satisfies Einstein's equations while allowing for expansion.
The new material has up to five times the fracture toughness of conventional alumina, making it more forgiving under dynamic loads. It also exhibits high electrical conductivity ten trillion times greater than pure alumina, with interesting thermal properties that make it suitable for thermal barrier coatings.
A new study from UC Davis finds that the debris pile at Ground Zero released toxic metals, acids, and organics for at least six weeks after the 9/11 attacks. The conditions were brutal for those working without respirators.
Researchers at UC Davis discovered that a DNA enzyme called RecBCD slows down its movement when it encounters a specific short DNA sequence called Chi. This finding provides new insights into how DNA is repaired and replicated, and could lead to the development of more efficient nanomachines.
Researchers discovered that soybean plants penalize rhizobia that don't fix nitrogen by decreasing oxygen supply, favoring cooperation and evolution of beneficial strains. This mechanism helps maintain ancient symbiotic relationships between legumes and soil bacteria.
Researchers at UC Davis have developed an advanced PET scanner, MicroPET II, that can resolve a volume of one cubic millimeter, significantly improving detection of small cancer cells in experimental animals. The non-invasive imaging technology allows researchers to gain more information and use fewer animals in studies.
Researchers isolated a honeybee gene called csd, revealing that female bees have two different versions of the gene that form an active protein triggering female development. This discovery explains how male and female bees develop from fertilized and unfertilized eggs, respectively.
Scientists discovered a single gene, PHAN, that regulates leaf shape in plants. The study found similar patterns of PHAN gene expression and leaf shape in over 500 plant species, suggesting a limited number of ways to change leaf shape.
Twelve invasive marine species have grown larger by up to 40%, including European green crabs and Chinese mitten crabs. The findings suggest that these animals are no longer held back by predators or parasites, leading to increased size.
The UC Davis entry, 'Yosemite', a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, achieved fuel economy of about 30 miles per gallon with similar performance to a standard Ford Explorer SUV. The team won the competition in 2001 and subsequent awards for Best Dynamic Handling and telematics.
Germanium nanoclusters can now be coated with polymers, making them stable enough to be processed as plastics. This innovation expands the possible uses of semiconductor nanoparticles, including potential applications in displays and tiny building blocks.
Researchers have developed a new method called kinetic visualization that uses colored dots and motion to present three-dimensional scientific or medical data. This technique allows computers to display data in a different way, providing shape information and attracting attention to important areas.
Researchers have discovered that the DNA unwinding protein RecBCD uses two motors to move along the DNA, one from 3' to 5' and another from 5' to 3'. This allows the complex to travel long distances before stopping or getting derailed.
Researchers in the Bahamas are creating one of the world's first marine reserve networks to preserve fish abundance and variety while maintaining fishing harvests. The study aims to design a sustainable fishing system through a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating economic, ecotourism, and political factors.