Researchers from the University of California, Irvine have discovered that two components of the Mallotus leaf extract activate KCNQ2/3 potassium ion channels, essential for controlling electrical activity in the brain. The combination of these compounds is highly effective at preventing life-threatening seizures.
University of California, Irvine Neuroscientist Medha Pathak has been awarded a $1.5M grant to investigate how mechanical forces influence human brain development using human brain organoids. Her research aims to uncover the mechanisms underlying human neural development and demonstrate how disruption can lead to developmental failures.
Researchers at UCI will develop a new class of cancer-killing immunotherapeutics targeting abnormal glycans, which are nearly universal in cancer but limited in normal tissue. The goal is to broaden the types of cancers sensitive to immunotherapy and treat highly diverse types of cancer.
A UCI research team found that brain endothelial cells can engulf and deposit red blood cells outside of blood vessels without a blood vessel tear. This discovery could lead to new efforts to eliminate brain bleeding and its consequences.
Researchers at UCI and Japan's University of Tsukuba found that even light workouts can increase brain connectivity responsible for memory formation. A single 10-minute period of mild exertion yields considerable cognitive benefits.
Researchers from the University of California, Irvine, and other institutions have developed a new method using deep machine learning to simulate cloud physics. The approach achieved stable and accurate multiyear simulations that included realistic precipitation extremes and tropical waves.
Researchers from UCI have identified patterns of sugars on the surface of neural stem cells that determine their fate, affecting brain cell formation. This discovery may improve the use of stem cells in transplantation therapies to treat injury and disease.
Researchers identified a system of communication networks that regulate metabolism, providing a detailed atlas illustrating how the body creates and uses energy. The study shows disruptions in these networks may lead to disease.
Dry months are experiencing temperature increases faster than average climate warming, according to a new UCI study. The research team found regions undergoing droughts warmed more than four times faster than areas with average weather conditions.
Researchers will investigate long-term impacts of cannabis exposure on adolescent brains, seeking to understand changes in cognition and behavior that may last into adulthood. The study aims to inform evidence-based public policy decisions concerning medicinal and recreational uses of cannabis.
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have found significant mass loss in East Antarctica's Totten and Moscow University glaciers. If these glaciers fully collapse, they could add up to 16 feet to global sea levels.
A randomized controlled trial found that therapy dogs significantly improved attention and social skills in children with ADHD. The study also showed that the presence of therapy dogs enhanced traditional psychosocial intervention and is feasible and safe to implement.
The University of California, Irvine has received a $5 million National Science Foundation grant to support nearly 200 community college transfer students pursuing engineering degrees in advanced manufacturing. Under the program, each student will receive up to $10,000 annually over five years.
A UCI-led review emphasizes the need to redesign heavy-duty infrastructure to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions. Key solutions include the production of renewable materials, capturing and storing CO2, and integrating power and manufacturing facilities.
A UCI researcher has received a $4.8 million CIRM grant to develop a stem cell-based retina therapy for treating retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration. The therapy aims to transplant sheets of stem-cell derived retina into the back of the eye, potentially restoring vision.
UCI-led researchers developed a groundbreaking tissue implant to treat temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) defects, successfully testing it in a large animal model. The innovative approach involves isolating cartilage cells from rib tissue and using them to engineer new jaw disc cartilage.
A new teleconnection discovered by UCI scientists uses sea surface temperature anomalies near New Zealand to predict winter precipitation in California and the Southwest US. The New Zealand Index has a correlation of 0.7 with precipitation, outperforming El Niño-Southern Oscillation techniques.
Scientists tracking Antarctica's ice mass loss conclude that the continent is losing an unprecedented amount of ice, resulting in a significant contribution to global sea level rise. The study reveals a threefold increase in ice loss since 2012, with West Antarctica experiencing the largest change.
A team of scientists has obtained direct images of dissolved organic carbon molecules from the ocean using atomic force microscopy. The visualization provides clues about their persistence in the marine environment and sheds light on the cycling of carbon in oceans, helping better understand the overall health of marine environments.
The study reveals the discovery of three new distinct epithelial cell populations, including L1- and L2-type luminal cells, which can aid in understanding the origins of breast cancer. The researchers used single-cell mRNA sequencing to create a high-resolution molecular census of human breast epithelial cells.
A US clinical trial found that in-home telerehabilitation was as effective as traditional in-clinic therapy in improving arm motor status in stroke survivors. The study, conducted at 11 sites, showed significant improvements in patients who received the home-based program, with a total of 97.9% patient compliance.
Researchers at UCI School of Medicine have discovered a new pathway for developing therapies for disorders like epilepsy, anxiety, and chronic pain by understanding how GABA modulates specific ion channels. This finding opens up an entirely novel mechanism for GABA to fulfill its inhibitory role in the brain.
A new UCI study finds that successful songs exhibit distinct behavior, with happier, more partylike tunes by women dominating the charts. The researchers analyzed over half a million songs and found an 85% accuracy rate in predicting hits.
Researchers from UCI and Harvard have found that the C. diff toxin B targets colonic epithelia by binding to Frizzled receptors, blocking critical Wnt signaling and renewing colonic stem cells. A non-toxic fragment of TcdB may significantly inhibit cancer cell growth with dysregulation in Wnt signaling.
Researchers at UCI have developed a numerical method to simulate the molecular aging process in amorphous materials like concrete and glass. This technique could help researchers understand how materials weaken with age and develop materials that maintain their strength indefinitely.
Todd Holmes, UCI professor, receives NIH grant to study phototransduction in insects, aiming to design safer light-based insect control strategies. The research could lead to environmentally friendly alternatives to toxic pesticides, reducing health and environmental harm.
The All of Us Research Program aims to accelerate research and improve health by collecting genetic, biological, environmental, health, and lifestyle data from 1 million+ volunteer participants. Participants will have access to their own health information and contribute to a national research resource.
A UCI-led study finds that tropical forests respond to higher CO2 by reducing water vapor, leading to drought in the Amazon and increased rainfall in Indonesia. This process can have significant impacts on biodiversity, freshwater availability, and food supplies.
Research by UCI scientists finds that corals in locations with frequent temperature changes are more resilient to bleaching. This discovery provides a better understanding of coral reef health and can inform conservation efforts.
Researchers found specific small molecules in blood plasma accurately predict whether someone has sustained a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or not. The discovery could lead to reliable diagnostics for concussions.
Materials experts at UCI have created a revolutionary new material that can change its reflectivity in under a second, mimicking the properties of squid skin. The technology has potential applications in military camouflage, space insulation, and more.
A new study calculates a 'speed limit' for nitrate removal in streams, allowing for tailored restoration efforts to maximize its removal and protect ecosystems. The researchers found that the rate of nitrate transport by turbulence controls its removal in pristine streams, but processes within sediment prevail in polluted ones.
Researchers at UCI created new maps of glacier bed topography in southeast Greenland, gaining insight into rapid retreat and stability. The maps demonstrate the role of ocean temperature and water depth in glacial evolution.
A new study predicts that global fisheries will be 20% less productive in 2300, with the North Atlantic and western Pacific experiencing significant declines. Climate change is expected to alter wind patterns, boost ocean temperatures, and melt sea ice, leading to a reduction in phytoplankton growth and nutrient transfer.
A study by University of California, Irvine researchers found that high-resolution brain imaging can identify the underlying causes of differences in memory proficiency between older and younger adults. The study revealed that object memory is more vulnerable to age-related decline than spatial memory.
Scientists at UCI, Caltech, and Carnegie Institution for Science found that US can reliably meet 80% of electricity demand with solar and wind power generation. However, meeting 100% demand would require significant investment in energy storage and transmission capabilities to overcome seasonal and weather variabilities.
Researchers have discovered that removing a molecular brake pad called histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) restores flexibility and allows the brain to form long-term memories normally. This breakthrough could potentially lead to new treatments for improving memory formation in older individuals.
A recent UCI-led study found that between 1982 and 2015, 9-45 million people annually were affected by water quality issues. Low-income, rural regions were most vulnerable to recurring problems in Texas, Oklahoma, and Idaho.
An international team of astronomers has discovered a galactic arrangement where dwarf satellite galaxies orbit the main body in a narrow disk around Centaurus A. This finding contradicts commonly used cosmological models and simulations.
A recent study by UCI researchers found that the severity of hottest days has increased faster than global average temperature rise, with cities amplifying heat island effects. The accelerated growth in short-term extreme-heat events has severe human tolls, including lost lives and damage to infrastructure.
A UCI study found that marine plants and seaweeds decrease acidity through photosynthesis, suggesting conservation efforts could preserve shellfish habitats. The research, spanning 1,000 miles of coastline, highlights the importance of marine life in driving local pH conditions.
Barbara Dosher, UCI Distinguished Professor, receives the Atkinson Prize for her work on human memory, attention, and learning, while Etel Solingen is awarded the William & Katherine Estes Award for trailblazing research on nuclear proliferation.
Researchers at UCI applied new methods to analyze complex mutations in the fruit fly genome, revealing extensive genetic variation previously undetected. The study's findings suggest that human genomes may harbor even more medically and agriculturally important genetic variation.
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have developed a new satellite-based drought severity index that incorporates groundwater storage. This tool provides reliable information on drought conditions, enabling effective water management and impact assessment.
Research highlights the need for better nutritional management in chronic kidney disease, where high protein diets may have deleterious impacts on kidney health. A low protein, low salt diet may slow progression and help patients defer dialysis initiation.
A UC-led genomic study suggests that humans gathered wild grapes for centuries before cultivating them as a crop. The research found evidence of human consumption of grapes dating back approximately 22,000 years, prior to the traditional domestication period of around 7,000-10,000 years ago.
Researchers have created high-resolution maps of Greenland's bedrock and coastal seafloor, showing that two to four times more glacier fronts are at risk of accelerated melting than previously thought. The new data suggests that warmer ocean water is melting deeper-seated glaciers, potentially increasing sea level rise.
A new report by digital learning experts recommends following promising strategies to address equity in learning technologies. These include unifying around shared purpose, aligning home, school, and community, connecting to minority youth interests, and targeting specific subgroup needs.
Researchers are developing sophisticated methods to understand Alzheimer's disease mechanisms and predict its onset before symptoms appear. The five-year study aims to pinpoint factors leading to cognitive decline in relation to beta-amyloid proteins.
Researchers find that deltas exhibit a high diversity of delivery pathways to the sea, adapting to maintain their existence. The study's findings suggest an 'optimality principle' governing the behavior of rivers deltas across different environments.