During a crisis, people are exposed to conflicting information and stress. Those relying on social media report greater rumor generation and distress. UCI-led research found that communications vacuums can lead to rumor transmission and increased community-level negative emotion.
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have been awarded a federal grant to develop a genetically engineered mouse model that more closely mirrors human Alzheimer's disease. The new mouse will enable superior testing of therapies designed to slow or prevent the disease, according to experts.
Researchers at UCI have identified an important aspect of the brain's navigational system, revealing how rodents process and reactivate spatial information. This new knowledge has high accuracy predictions for animal speed and direction.
Researchers aim to restore walking ability and sensation in individuals with spinal cord injuries using an implantable brain-computer interface. The technology has potential applications beyond spinal cord injuries, including stroke and traumatic brain injury recovery.
Researchers detect tell-tale differences in sea level rise around the world due to changes in continental water and ice sheet mass. The study uses time-variable gravity data from NASA's Gravity Recovery & Climate Experiment satellites.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery, finding that an amino acid called methionine may play a crucial role in the development of schizophrenia. Excess methionine during pregnancy has been shown to alter fetal brain development, leading to changes in gene expression and potentially life-long consequences.
In fiscal 2016-17, UCI researchers secured $378 million in grants and contracts, with a strong focus on health research and collaborations with companies. The funding reflects continued support for the university's world-class faculty, facilities, and community-based programs.
A UCI-led study found that a low-calorie diet helps maintain efficient energy processing in cells, which is linked to younger aging. The researchers also discovered that calorie restriction can rejuvenate the biological clock and prevent tissue aging in stem cells.
Researchers from University of California, Irvine estimate tens of millions of stellar-remnant black holes exist in the Milky Way galaxy. The number of black holes is expected to depend on the size of the galaxy.
Researchers at UCI have developed a stem cell-based method that selectively targets and kills cancerous tissue while preventing side effects. By identifying unique physical properties of cancer cells, the treatment enables targeted therapy, reducing harm to healthy tissue.
Researchers discovered that all hairs can communicate with each other and grow in coordination across the entire body, regulated by a single molecular mechanism. This finding could lead to new treatments for human baldness and unwanted hair growth.
Industrial farming has disrupted the burn-regrowth cycle in grasslands, leading to a 25% decline in globally burned areas. This shift affects iconic species like lions and rhinoceroses.
A study led by UCI found that a 0.5 degree Celsius rise in mean temperature doubles the probability of a heat wave killing over 100 people in India, with projections suggesting a 2.2-5.5 degree Celsius increase by the end century.
Researchers found that Heliconius erato butterflies possess unique visual photoreceptors based on species sex, with females containing two types of ultraviolet opsin genes and males lacking one. This study sheds light on the evolution of eye structure in response to environmental pressures.
The University of California, Irvine is leading a $2 million effort to cultivate new strains of mosquitoes to fight malaria in Africa. A team of experts will develop and test these insects in the field to disrupt malaria transmission.
The University of California, Irvine has received a $9.6 million grant to conduct malaria control research in sub-Saharan Africa. The project aims to assess the impact of environmental changes on malaria epidemiology and transmission.
Researchers create novel two-dimensional quantum materials with breakthrough electrical and magnetic attributes, enabling faster and more powerful computers. The materials, which push the speed of electronic signals to nearly the speed of light, have potential applications in next-generation quantum computers.
The University of California, Irvine will establish a rocketry program thanks to a $1 million gift from Base 11. Students will design, build and test rocket prototypes between 15-50 feet long, with the goal of launching a liquid-fuel rocket into space.
Researchers at UCI have developed a method to generate human microglia cells from skin stem cells, providing a powerful new approach to study and potentially treat neurological diseases like Alzheimer's. This discovery marks an important step in using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells for targeted approaches.
A study published in Nature found that air pollution mortality is disproportionately felt by people living near producing regions, often far from where goods are consumed. The researchers estimated that 22% of fine-particulate-matter air pollution deaths were related to goods produced elsewhere.
A study by University of California, Irvine researchers finds that global manufacturing and trade significantly increase health risks for people in regions far from producing factories, with 22% of air pollution-related deaths associated with goods produced elsewhere.
Researchers have created a polymer nanogel material that can halt the spread of venom from various species of snakes, including cobras, kraits, and pit vipers. The new treatment has broad-spectrum ability and is made with readily available components, making it more affordable and accessible.
Researchers at UCI have identified a specific mutation that allows melanoma tumor cells to evade the immune system. This finding may lead to more effective immunotherapies and targeted treatments for patients with melanoma.
A new study from UCI researchers finds that prolonged hot spells and poor air quality combine to worsen health impacts. The study analyzed 15 years of surface observations in the eastern US and Canada, finding a significant increase in adverse health effects when these factors overlap.
A new study finds that cumulative hazards from nuisance flooding in US cities will cost more than extreme events like Hurricane Katrina or Superstorm Sandy over time. The research predicts that by 2050, cities like Miami and Seattle may experience up to 700 hours of nuisance flooding per year.
A new UCI study shows that Canadian glaciers are losing ice at an alarming rate, with surface melt accounting for 90% of the loss since 2005. The researchers found that the Queen Elizabeth Islands' ice cap has been melting by 900 percent annually, contributing to sea level change.
Two research papers use OMG observations to document how meltwater and ocean currents interact along Greenland's west coast, improving seafloor maps used to predict future melting and sea level rise. The study also reveals the role of meltwater in cooling warmer subsurface water and tracking its impact on glacier melt rates.
Researchers identified a neural pathway in humans that explains how the brain processes feelings of fear and anxiety. By analyzing neuronal activity while watching horror movie scenes, they found that the amygdala and hippocampus directly exchange signals to process fearful stimuli.
Researchers created functional microtissue technology that mimics human drug responses, identifying effective anti-cancer drugs. The vascularized micro-tumor platform accurately targets both tumor cells and vessels, offering a breakthrough in cancer treatment
The University of California, Irvine has received a $2.2 million funding boost to support innovation and entrepreneurship. The Bridging Innovation Gaps Initiative will provide gap funding for biomedical engineering projects, grant applications, and proof-of-product grants.
A UCI-led study found that increasing factory and auto emissions in East China are causing harmful algal blooms, choking off vital fish populations. The study suggests that human-caused pollution is disrupting the region's ecology, with changes in nutrient levels leading to overgrowth of certain aquatic plants.
Researchers have mapped large oceanic valleys beneath massive glaciers flowing into the Amundsen Sea in West Antarctica. The discovery reveals channels that enable warm water to reach the undersides of glaciers, fueling their rapid retreat.
Researchers found a bacterium can convert CO2 to CO, opening up new avenues for recycling greenhouse gas into biofuels. The discovery establishes nitrogenase enzyme as template for energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly fuel production.
A national NIH initiative will use exercise to identify molecular changes that improve and preserve health in children. Researchers will analyze blood samples from over 360 children before, during, and after exercise.
Researchers found that cement manufacturing emits significant CO2, but also gradually reabsorbs it through a process called carbonation, reducing its overall impact on climate change. Over 76 billion tons of cement were produced between 1930 and 2013, with an estimated 38.2 gigatons of CO2 released.
The University of California, Irvine has received a $1.2 million grant to develop more effective ways for prostate cancer patients and their physicians to customize treatment. The two-year clinical study will use patient-reported disease burden and tumor biomarkers to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.
A University of California, Irvine study found that beneficial gut microbes produce proteins called microcins, which help block illness-causing bacteria like salmonella and invasive E. coli in inflamed intestines. The researchers hope to develop targeted antibiotics based on these findings.
Shane Ardo will use the funding to advance his solar-powered desalination innovation, which aims to provide sustainable and inexpensive access to freshwater. The technology has the potential to reduce costs and environmental impact of conventional desalination plants.
University of California, Irvine researchers employed a graphene sensor to monitor changes in mitochondria, indicating the start of programmed cell death. The study found two electrochemical gradients in energy production, altering scientific understanding of cellular function.
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine found that electroacupuncture can lower blood pressure for at least three days by increasing enkephalin gene expression. The therapy may be suitable for treating clinical hypertension with minimal side effects.
Two new studies by UCI and NASA researchers found the fastest rates of glacier retreat ever observed in West Antarctica, shedding light on the interaction between ocean conditions and bedrock beneath glaciers. The studies provide crucial data for predicting future Antarctica ice loss and global sea level rise.
Two studies by UCI and NASA found the fastest rates of glacier retreat in West Antarctica, offering insights into ice melting and its impact on global sea level rise. The researchers used satellite data to measure changes in glacier grounding lines, revealing significant ice loss at the bottom of glaciers.
A large-scale study found that foster care children are significantly more likely to experience depression, behavioral issues, and physical health problems like asthma and obesity. Children who have been in foster care were compared to those who hadn't spent time in care, as well as those living in different family arrangements.
A new study by UCI researchers found that prolonged spaceflight exposure to galactic cosmic rays can cause significant long-term brain damage in rodents, leading to cognitive impairments and dementia. The study raises concerns about the potential central nervous system complications astronauts may face during extended Mars missions.
Researchers found that genetic alterations causing congenital heart defects involve interactions between heart-forming tissues and the rest of the body. The study suggests that heart defects occur when the heart does not grow quickly enough to meet the demands of the developing body.
A new study reveals that water conservation by plants under high CO2 conditions compensates for much of the effect of warmer temperatures, retaining more water on land than predicted. This changes assumptions of climate change impacts on agriculture, water resources, wildfire risk, and plant growth.
A UCI-led study found novel molecular clues behind nocturnal behavior, suggesting the eyes play a more central role in controlling the sleep/awake cycle. The research challenges the long-presumed master role of the suprachiasmatic clock in determining sleep and wakefulness patterns.
A brief blast of heat can kill bedbugs on the exterior of soft-sided luggage, according to a study by University of California, Irvine entomologist Catherine Loudon. The six-minute treatment at temperatures between 158 and 167 degrees effectively killed all bedbugs on the exterior, including those under zipper flaps and decorative piping.
UCI researchers found evidence that supports a light particle as the key to understanding dark matter in the universe. The study suggests the existence of a protophobic X boson, a force-carrying particle with extremely limited range.
A survey of 77 atmospheric scientists found no evidence to support the 'chemtrails' conspiracy theory, which claims a secret government program is releasing toxic chemicals into the air. The researchers cited methods for collecting samples as a possible cause of faulty results.