A study by the University of California, Davis, found that North American mammals consistently depend on forests and avoid cities, farms, and other human-dominated areas in hotter climes. This suggests that preserving forest cover will be increasingly important for wildlife conservation as the climate warms.
A new study published in Science reveals that modern maize originated from a hybrid of two teosintes created around 5000 years ago in central Mexico. The hybridization event led to the spread of maize across the Americas and later worldwide, becoming one of the world's most important crops.
Research reveals that people with high conscientiousness and extraversion traits are less likely to receive a dementia diagnosis, unlike those with neuroticism and negative affect. The study analyzed data from over 44,000 individuals and found no link between personality traits and actual brain pathology.
Researchers from UC Davis analyzed 23 million Venmo transactions to find at least 83,068 unique users using drug-related emojis or slang. The study highlights the need for vigilance and adaptive regulatory measures to prevent digital footprints from being misused.
Researchers found that quercetin in red wine can cause headaches due to its interference with alcohol metabolism, leading to high levels of acetaldehyde. The study suggests a new hypothesis for why some people experience red wine headaches, particularly those with pre-existing migraine or primary headache conditions.
A new study by University of California, Davis researchers reveals that domestic cats use bacteria living in their anal glands to produce unique scents that convey important information. These volatile organic compounds are essential for cat behavior, social lives, and territorial marking.
Prescribed fire can improve forest health and reduce catastrophic wildfires, but barriers hinder its use. Four strategies can overcome these obstacles: fostering a supportive culture, providing dedicated funding, building capacity and cooperation, and implementing monitoring and adaptive management.
Researchers found that rewarding people to contribute to virtual public goods increased the accuracy of ratings and improved their overall quality. Those who contributed the least became more active and provided higher-quality ratings, balancing out lower-rated contributions.
A new study found that mountain lions avoid areas with artificial light, even during the day, which can impact their habitat selection and distribution. The research adds to concerns about the species' extinction within decades due to human activities.
Researchers discovered that sunflowers don't rely on phototropin for heliotropism; instead, they exhibit a unique gene expression pattern when growing outdoors, suggesting multiple pathways for light-sensing and growth.
A new study found that Zika virus infection during pregnancy slows fetal growth and affects how infants interact with their mothers in the first month of life. The study also suggests that reducing viral load may be beneficial for infant development.
A new study reveals that chloroplasts are essential for plant immunity, with stromules forming around the nucleus to transport pro-defense signals. Researchers have identified a key protein involved in stromule biogenesis during immunity, opening up new avenues for understanding and engineering resistance to pathogens.
Researchers found that increased homozygosity, indicating a shared ancestor, leads to negative effects on fertility in the Himba population. The study, which analyzed genetic data from 681 individuals, showed that higher levels of inbreeding resulted in lower reproductive success among post-reproductive women.
Scientists at UC Davis have developed a method for high-yield and high-purity production of allulose through precise fermentation. The new approach has a more than 99% theoretical yield with minimal processing, making it efficient and economically feasible for commercial production.
Researchers at UC Davis and Cornell University found that crushed rock can store carbon dioxide in soils for short time scales, equivalent to taking 350,000 cars off the road every year. The study tested this technology in a dry climate and showed promising results, suggesting a new way to verify carbon removal via enhanced weathering.
Researchers analyzed over 150,000 bird nests across the U.S. and found that extreme heat diminishes reproductive success in agricultural landscapes, but forests provide shade to increase nesting success. Curtailing emissions and promoting thermal refuges are crucial for conserving birds.
Researchers at UC Davis discovered a gene variant in Golden Retrievers that extends their lifespan by nearly two years. This finding has significant implications for human cancer studies, as the same gene is linked to cancer risk in humans.
Researchers found that testosterone plays a crucial role in shaping the brain's response to social stress, with mice lacking testosterone exhibiting exaggerated fear responses. The study's findings have implications for understanding human behavior and may help explain why women are more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety disorders.
The study identifies 34 pathways that reduce greenhouse gases or specific air pollutants, while 13 increase harmful emissions. Effective uses of biomass include combustion for renewable energy, biodiesel production, and biogas conversion. Conversely, bad pathways include wildfires, open composting, and burning forest material.
Researchers developed a proof-of-concept sensor that detects vibrations and changes in target position with high accuracy, using an innovative design to cancel out noise. The sensor's compact size, low cost, and long battery life make it suitable for various applications, including plant water status tracking and structural integrity d...
Researchers found that soil viruses exhibit dynamic and changing behavior after dry soils are watered, with a diverse range of virus types and minimal turnover. This suggests that viruses may play a more nuanced role in shaping bacterial communities and ecosystems than previously thought.
Researchers analyzed 78 documented incidents of porpoise harassment by Southern Resident killer whales from 1962 to 2020. The study suggests three plausible explanations: mismothering behavior, limited opportunities to care for young due to malnutrition, and a specialized salmon diet that makes eating porpoises highly unlikely.
A study by UC Davis researchers suggests that children who have a favorite Disney princess with an average body size tend to have higher body esteem and are more open to exploring different types of play. Having a favorite princess with an average body size creates a protective effect, strengthening how confident children feel about th...
A team of researchers from UC Davis has developed a tool that can predict which forests are likely to survive or die after a drought. By analyzing changes in precipitation, soil moisture, and temperature, the tool links these factors to tree growth and carbon reserves.
Satellite data reveals an increase in nitrogen dioxide levels in remote forest areas of California, attributed to wildfires and soil emissions. The findings suggest a growing concern for air pollution in rural areas, highlighting the need for policy interventions.
A study by University of California - Davis researchers found that blending certain ingredients in smoothies can influence nutritional absorption. Adding a banana to a blueberry smoothie decreased the level of flavanols in the body, with participants having 84% lower levels compared to those who consumed a flavanol capsule.
A study found that deforestation in tropical regions destroys nesting habitats for certain bird species, limiting their reproduction. Nest boxes can provide a successful conservation strategy for these birds, particularly in agricultural lands where they are more abundant.
A new study from UC Davis economists shows that immigration to the US did not displace U.S.-born workers in key job sectors. Instead, jobs often filled by migrants remained unfilled, highlighting the need for immigrants to bolster the labor market.
A UC Davis study surveyed 700 teens in multicultural public schools, finding that only 4% received consistent and high levels of multicultural messaging and affirmation. The researchers suggest promoting multicultural socialization across school, peer, and family settings to improve adolescents' academic functioning.
A new study published in Developmental Psychology found that encouraging Latinx adolescents of Mexican origin to embrace their ethnic pride and cultural values can significantly improve psychological well-being. The study, led by UC Davis researchers, suggests that cultural preservation can help youth cope with adversity and racism.
Researchers identified OBOX genes as master regulators of zygote genome activation, enabling the newly formed embryo to develop according to its own genetic program. The study found that these genes facilitate Pol II locating to the correct genes, allowing for the activation of transcription factors and subsequent development.
Researchers developed a deconvolution method for epidemiology using neural networks, inferring daily infection rates from mortality data. The approach can assess the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions like lockdowns and mask mandates in reducing infection transmission.
Scientists have found that mixtures of polymers can form phase-separated droplets, similar to lava lamps, which interact with cell membranes in unexpected ways. These interactions affect the exterior structure of cells, creating a mosaic of droplets and signaling to the outside.
Researchers observed a steady increase in skin disease among southern resident killer whales from 2004 to 2016. The study suggests that the most plausible explanation is an infectious agent, potentially reflecting a decrease in immune system ability to combat disease. This could pose a significant threat to the health of the population.
During the 2022 infant formula shortage, nearly half of parents used unsafe feeding practices, including watering down formula and sharing human milk. The study emphasizes the need for policy changes to provide families with access to safe alternatives and supports.
Researchers at UC Davis found a pattern of increased violence during climatic change in the south central Andes between A.D. 470 and 1500. Decreased precipitation predicts increased rates of cranial trauma, suggesting climate change exerted a significant effect on interpersonal violence.
A team of scientists used CRISPR-Cas genome editing to create a disease-resistant rice variety, which showed high yields and resistance to the fungus that causes rice blast. The new rice variety produced five times more yield than the control rice in small-scale field trials.
A UC Davis study found that 70% of foods and beverages at checkout are unhealthy, with candy, salty snacks being common items. Healthy options like water, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables are far less common.
Researchers analyzed pre-release reviews and opening weekend box office revenue, revealing a surprising 'harbinger of failure' effect in the movie industry. The study found that positive reviews, not negative ones, signal a film's likely flop, while strong negative reviews predict success.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis analyzed 36 private label avocado oil products and found that only 31% were pure, while 36% met advertised quality standards. The study identified key chemical markers to help buyers choose authentic products.
A new method for sexing chicken eggs by scent has been developed by researchers at UC Davis, allowing for early identification of male embryos. The technology relies on detecting volatile organic compounds emitted by the developing embryo, which can be analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.
A recent study by UC Davis researchers found that humans exhibit reproductive inequality similar to other mammals, challenging the notion of human exceptionalism. The study also revealed greater reproductive egalitarianism in societies allowing polygynous marriages, where women have equal access to resources and parenting help.
Researchers have uncovered a new model of human evolution suggesting that Homo sapiens originated from multiple closely related populations in Africa. This new model provides a better explanation for genetic variation among individual humans and human groups, offering significant advancements in anthropological science.
A team of researchers used a capsule to collect data on digestion and microorganisms in the upper intestine, revealing nearly 2,000 metabolites and associations between diet and metabolite levels. The study provides new insights into human gut metabolism and microbiome interactions.
Researchers estimate that plugging 14,000 inactive offshore wells could cost up to $30 billion, with over 90% in shallow areas. The majority of costs would come from deeper water wells, but these pose less environmental risk compared to those closer to shore.
A recent study by the University of California, Davis found that coal trains and terminal operations significantly increase fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution in urban areas, contributing to serious health problems. The study also highlighted the disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations.
Astronomers have developed a more accurate method to measure the composition of galaxies using data from telescopes on Earth and in space. By correcting for temperature fluctuations, researchers found that the result from collisionally excited infrared lines is still 50% less than that from recombination line method.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that added-sugar warning labels on restaurant menus reduced the likelihood of ordering high-added-sugar items by 2.2%. However, only 21% of consumers noticed the labels, highlighting the need for more visible design.
Using high-throughput experiments and machine learning-based algorithms, researchers forecast the behavior of hybrid perovskites with high accuracy. The study aims to find materials that combine high-efficiency performance with resilience to environmental conditions.
Researchers at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine discovered that tissue resident memory cells are crucial for inducing a powerful immune response against Salmonella. Molecules like interleukin-1 and 2 enhance the formation of these cells in the liver, providing a rapid-response force.