Researchers find that spontaneous neuronal activity in the retina is crucial for the formation of separate left and right eye connections to the brain. Blocking all activity in the retina leads to abnormal development of these connections.
Researchers have applied the First Order Reversal Curve (FORC) method to study million-year-old rocks, thousand-year-old lake sediments, modern hard drives and novel nanomaterials. This technique provides insights into magnetic interactions between grains and could lead to improved storage devices.
A new UC Davis analysis reveals that adult sea otters in California are dying at an alarming rate due to diseases and parasites. The study found that nearly two-thirds of the otters died from disease, with parasitic infections being a major cause, including thorny-headed worms and protozoa.
A UC Davis study found that a soy extract supplement reduced PSA levels in men with untreated prostate cancer. The study involved 62 men who received genistein concentrated polysaccharide for six months, resulting in an average decrease of 17% in PSA levels.
Researchers discovered that specific p53 mutations facilitate androgen-independent growth in human prostate cells, while another gene, Id-1, promotes tumor aggressiveness. These findings could lead to new therapeutic strategies for hormone-independent prostate cancer.
Researchers studied a gene called Hybrid male rescue in fruit flies and found it altered at an unprecedented rate, speeding up the formation of new species. The work suggests that genetic changes can occur rapidly, driving species divergence.
Researchers found that improved roads convert natural habitats to roadside areas, allowing non-native weeds to spread into adjacent ecosystems. In contrast, native plants thrive closer to roads with typical grassland soils.
Researchers discovered that Rad54 and Rad51 proteins form a molecular machine that can repair DNA damage by moving nucleosomes along the strand and stitching new DNA into place. This process becomes more efficient with the addition of Rad51, which binds to single strands of DNA.
Researchers are developing nanotech decoys that can stick to the HIV virus and prevent it from entering human cells. The study focuses on the binding of gp120 protein to GalCer molecules in cell membranes.
Researchers at UC Davis found that organic and sustainably-grown fruits and vegetables contain higher levels of polyphenolics, a type of natural chemical with potential health benefits. The study suggests that the absence of pesticides and fertilizers in sustainable farming practices may lead to increased production of these chemicals.
The Nutrigenomics Center will investigate how different foods interact with genes to increase the risk of diseases like type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. The center aims to identify genes controlled by naturally occurring chemicals in food to improve health management for individuals based on their unique genetic makeup.
UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies will conduct the first public evaluation of American consumer reactions to fuel cells, studying awareness, knowledge, and attitudes towards hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. The program aims to identify early markets, educate communities, and design consumer-friendly refueling stations.
Researchers have developed a comprehensive understanding of crayfish locomotion, revealing an intricate eight-module system that integrates signals from each segment and the brain. This complex neural network is likely to be found in other animals, including insects and humans.
Researchers at UC Davis are developing optical CDMA devices that encode information across a spread of wavelengths for fast and secure telecommunications. This technology has the potential to improve network security and provide faster connections.
A UC Davis study found that fiber curbs appetite in women by triggering the release of cholecystokinin, a hormone associated with satiety. The researchers discovered that high-fiber meals resulted in greater feelings of fullness and higher levels of cholecystokinin compared to low-fiber meals.
Researchers used fMRI to study how the brain processes visual patterns. They found that a higher area of the brain recognizes patterns and sends a message back down to lower areas to stop responding, allowing for better detection of new or different items. This improved ability can enhance the brain's overall processing efficiency.
The Center for Biophotonics Science and Technology will bring together researchers to develop new technology that enables scientists and physicians to see living cells in real-time. Applications of biophotonics include selectively treating tumors, sequencing DNA, and identifying single biomolecules within cells.
Scientists are exploring how molecular genetics can improve classical biological control by finding natural enemies well adapted to target invasive pests. Genetically modified crops with toxins like Bt may also be compatible with natural enemies, offering a new approach to controlling unwanted insect pests.
The study reveals how aluminum floc forms in polluted streams, binding to toxic metals and transporting them downstream, harming fish and other aquatic animals. Understanding the molecular pathways of this process may lead to practical solutions to prevent the reactions.
A new study by UC Davis professor Thomas Cahill found that indoor spaces near Ground Zero can be effectively cleaned of very fine particles and toxins, providing reassurance for residents. However, the study also identified diesel pollution from vehicles in the area as a continuing health threat.
Researchers create DNA nanostructures up to 1,000 times smaller than commercial microarrays using the nanografting technique. This breakthrough enables the study of thousands of genes in a cell simultaneously.
Researchers developed a computer model of blood flow in the aorta, identifying areas prone to disturbed flows that could lead to atherosclerosis. The model uses CAT scan images and predicts where oscillating flows may cause damage, allowing doctors to assess heart disease risk.
UC researchers have confirmed that coast redwood and Douglas fir are susceptible to Phytophthora ramorum, the pathogen causing Sudden Oak Death. The disease has already killed tens of thousands of oaks and tanoaks along California's northern coast.
The Truthsayer system uses digital signatures to guarantee the accuracy and authenticity of online information. This approach makes it challenging for hackers to alter information without being detected, thus reducing the need for high-level security measures.
Scientists have found tiny bugs living inside mealybugs, which could aid in pest control efforts. The discovery also reveals a complex relationship between the insects and their bacteria, potentially leading to new methods of species identification.
Scientists have gained valuable insights into AIDS by studying the simian immunodeficiency virus in monkeys. Researchers are now exploring ways to vaccinate against HIV transmission and eliminate latent viruses.
Researchers studying Mediterranean fruit flies found that nearly all flies went upside-down before death, suggesting a biomarker for studying human morbidity. The 'supine behavior' phase may help understand the onset of progressive neurological illnesses and dementia in humans.
Researchers at UC Davis have developed a new type of nanofilter that can selectively separate proteins and DNA molecules based on their size. The filter uses electrostatic screening to 'open' or 'close' pores, allowing for controlled separation of similar-sized proteins.
The University of California, Davis, has received a $1.9 million grant to support math graduate students' career development. The VIGRE program will provide fellowships and stipends for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdoctoral researchers, to help them secure jobs in the software and computer industries.
UC Davis' entry, Yosemite, is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that doubles fuel economy and reduces tailpipe emissions below California's strictest SULEV standards. The FutureTruck project, a joint government-industry initiative, aims to raise the environmental performance of popular SUVs while keeping their amenities.
Researchers found that KNOX1 genes are expressed in all plants with complex leaves, such as tomatoes and ferns. The study revealed that some simple-leaved plants, like maize, have previously grown complex leaves but evolved to have simpler ones.
Scientists at UC Davis have found a gene in nematode worms Caenorhabditis elegans that matches a gene altered in one form of dystonia. The discovery may lead to new insights into the disease and potential treatments. Researchers plan to study how OOC-5 interacts with other proteins to better understand its role in human nerve cells.
A team of researchers from UC Davis has developed a simple model to predict the solubility of environmental contaminants in groundwater. The model uses hydrotalcites, layered compounds that can take up metals and other chemicals, to make predictions about contamination with chromium, carbon, iodine, and technetium isotopes.
Researchers found that chili peppers suppress sweetness, bitterness, and umami flavors, while leaving saltiness and sourness unaffected. Adding chili could be used to balance bitter flavors in foods.
Researchers at UC Davis and UC Santa Barbara have discovered a link between rapid changes in ocean carbon chemistry during the last ice age and shifts in ocean circulation. The study sheds light on how human-induced global warming may affect ocean currents, weather patterns, and climate worldwide.
Researchers have created a virtual cell model to study cell motion, driven by a single protein that changes shape in response to pH levels. This model has potential implications for understanding various diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and wound healing.
A team of researchers at UC Davis has developed a method to freeze-dry platelets, which can be stored for at least a year without refrigeration. The innovation uses trehalose, a natural protectant found in certain animals and plants, to preserve the structure of proteins and other large molecules.
A study has shown that chilling causes changes in the platelets' outer membrane, leading to the formation of lipid rafts. This process is a general first step in platelet activation, which can lead to blood clots and heart attacks.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, predict that lithium borocarbide can be a superconductor at temperatures as low as minus 280 F. They propose using 'field-effect doping' to modify the material, which could lead to better performance than existing superconductors like magnesium diboride.
The institute will revamp the system for collecting generation reports, prepare white papers on wind energy potential and problems, and establish a program to map out California's wind resources. Data on wind resources is over 20 years old, highlighting the need for better forecasting.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis have discovered how antifreeze glycoproteins interact with ice, preventing ice crystals from growing and preserving liquid water around the protein. This discovery may lead to safer storage for food or blood products and help scientists understand biomineralization.
Two new faculty members at UC Davis have been awarded Sloan Fellowships for their groundbreaking research. Marie Burns studies the G-protein cascade in light-sensitive cells, while Alexander Soshnikov explores the applications of random matrix theory in pure statistics and mathematical physics.
Researchers propose that the continents emerged suddenly over 200 million years ago, coinciding with the formation of supercontinent Rodinia. This theory suggests that changes in plate tectonics may have triggered evolutionary activity and influenced life's evolution.
Chemists observed significant improvement in catalyst performance when changing support material, leading to up to ten-fold increase in efficiency. The researchers created nearly uniform nanoclusters of iridium atoms and found that the catalytic clusters and support were chemically bonded.
Researchers found that elevated carbon dioxide levels hinder nitrate assimilation in plants, leading to reduced protein content and increased risk of malnutrition. The study suggests a shift from nitrate to ammonium fertilizers may be necessary to maintain crop yields under high CO2 conditions.
A new theory proposes that modern birds' evolution of flight was driven by their parenting skills, which led them to settle in trees for better protection. This contradicts two leading theories on avian flight and is supported by evidence from Archaeopteryx fossils.
Navrotsky's work has pioneered methods to measure the energy needed to form crystal structures, allowing scientists to study minerals deep within the earth. Her research has established the identity of materials at hundreds of kilometers depth, enabling new discoveries in nanogeoscience.
Researchers at UC Davis have identified a crucial role for sitosterol in starting the process of making cellulose. The study reveals how plant cells spin cotton fibers, providing valuable insights into the textile industry's most valuable crop.
A protein in an insect's antenna picks up chemical signals called pheromones and changes its shape to eject them onto sensitive nerve endings. This discovery could lead to the development of insecticides that prevent insects from detecting other chemical signals, essential for their survival.
Researchers have created a new way to calculate 'magic numbers' in sports leagues, taking into account all possible future games. The new method can be applied to multiple sports like hockey and European soccer, providing more accurate predictions of team outcomes.