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.
A study led by University of California, Irvine ecologists found that wild blue mussel numbers have declined by over 60% along the Gulf of Maine coastline. The decline is attributed to warming oceans and increased human harvesting, which heighten physiological stress and mortality rates in the mussels.
Researchers at UCI have discovered a new treatment method for metastatic melanoma by blocking the 'don't eat me' signaling protein CD47 on melanoma cells, increasing their phagocytosis by macrophages. This approach, combined with targeting another cell surface protein CD271, resulted in near complete elimination of metastasis from mice.
Researchers found that older adults with memory deficits selectively recalled positive information, while high-performers retained neutral material. The test could potentially detect Alzheimer's susceptibility in early stages.
Researchers have identified the key cellular mechanism behind antipsychotic-induced parkinsonism, which includes involuntary movements and tremors. By targeting dopamine D2 receptor blockade in specialized neurons, a new approach to designing novel antipsychotics without side effects may be possible.
A UCI study reveals that climate change is altering the growth patterns of male and female Valeriana edulis over elevation in the Colorado Rockies. The shift in sex ratios allows female plants to successfully produce more seeds, while males become more common at higher elevations.
A recent survey of water polo players found that 36% reported concussions, with goalies facing the highest risk. The study highlights the need for increased player safety and head protection during practice.
Researchers discovered that methylation of RNA can strengthen memory formation by reducing the brain's ability to remove methyl groups. This process may have significant implications for treating memory-related disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder or phobia.
Researchers have devised a method to recycle millions of tons of plastic garbage into liquid fuel by breaking down polyethylene with alkanes. The process is more efficient and milder than current methods, using readily available substances from oil refining.
A study reveals that Botox toxin targets neurons through its affinity for glycans, and mutating a single amino acid can abolish toxicity. This mechanism also inspires the design of anti-toxin inhibitors.
Researchers found less soot than expected, but discovered two types: a younger pool that absorbs into the environment every 100 years and an ancient reserve stable for millennia. Black carbon is a strong agent of climate change, absorbing sunlight and trapping heat on Earth.
Researchers found that lung cancer can rewire the body's clock to control lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity in the liver. This alteration leads to decreased glucose tolerance and changes in lipid metabolism.
Researchers use ALMA's high-resolution data to map the rotation of cold molecular gas and dust orbiting a giant elliptical galaxy, determining the massive supermassive black hole at its center has a mass 660 million times greater than the Sun. The precise measurement is among the most accurate for a galaxy's central black hole.
Researchers at University of California, Irvine have invented a nanowire-based battery material that can be recharged hundreds of thousands of times without cracking. The breakthrough work uses a gold nanowire coated in a manganese dioxide shell and encased in an electrolyte made of a gel-like substance.
Researchers at University of California, Irvine, have found a way to reduce the aberrant accumulation of the mutant Huntingtin protein in Huntington's disease. By targeting and modulating levels of PIAS1, they showed improvement in symptoms and neuroinflammation in HD mice.
Researchers found that uncontrolled fluctuations in Retinoic acid levels can lead to disruptions in brain organization during development. Identifying the protein that interacts with RA to reduce noise may improve understanding of developmental disorders and guide future studies.
A study by UCI and UNC found that only four of 120 online vendors validated minors' ages, while 15 marketed directly to youth. The researchers concluded that comprehensive regulation and enforcement are needed to prevent online sales to minors.
Researchers found that microvesicle injections restored cognitive function and protected neurons in rats without adverse side effects. Microvesicles isolated from human neural stem cells were used instead of traditional stem cells to reduce risks such as immunorejection and tumor growth.
Research from the University of California, Irvine, reveals that controlling blood pressure, blood sugar, and LDL-cholesterol levels reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with diabetes. Only 7 percent of diabetic participants met recommended levels in a major heart study.
A new app developed by UCI researchers enables patients to create personalized scores for nursing homes, leading to differences in choice and ranking compared to the government's five-star system. The study suggests that patients may benefit from a more tailored approach to choosing a nursing home.
A team of UCI scientists led by Philip Felgner has received $8 million to develop a new vaccine for Q fever, a highly infectious agent considered a potential bioterrorism weapon. The vaccine aims to mitigate severe side effects of the current vaccine and is expected to be safer and more effective.
A University of California, Irvine study found that global warming affects the soil fungi that support plant life in tropical mountain cloud forests. The impact on these ecosystems could be significant, with changes to fungal community composition and increased carbon dioxide emissions.
UCI researchers demonstrate that machine sounds can carry information about precise movements of a printer's nozzle, enabling the reverse engineering of objects being printed. This new kind of cyberattack presents significant security risks for companies, particularly during prototyping phases.
Researchers found that flushing away inflammatory cells contributed to restored memory function in test mice with Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests targeting these cells with specific drugs may be a promising new approach.
A recent study published in Science confirms that the Aliso Canyon natural gas well blowout was the nation's largest methane release. The event released over 100,000 tons of methane into the air, doubling the rate of methane emissions from the entire Los Angeles Basin.
Researchers found a dramatic increase in brain plaques when key immune cells are lacking in genetically modified mice, leading to new techniques to identify and treat individuals at risk of developing Alzheimer's. The study suggests the immune system plays a crucial role in clearing beta-amyloid from the brain.
Researchers at UCI found a direct connection between chronic lack of sleep and increased reliance on social media browsing. Participants who experienced sleep debt exhibited worsening mood and heightened distractibility.
A study by University of California, Irvine researchers found that inconsistent maternal care can lead to increased risk of risky behaviors, drug seeking, and depression in adolescents and adults. The study suggests that predictable and consistent care is crucial for proper brain development.
A recent study by the University of California, Irvine found that three-fourths of ER stroke cases had some degree of preventability, highlighting the need for improved stroke prevention strategies. The study's results suggest that resources for acute stroke treatment may be misdirected towards patients whose strokes are more preventable.
A group of 40 climate experts warn that relying on carbon-capture technologies may not be enough to combat global warming. They emphasize the need for swift and aggressive cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to avoid Earth's temperature increasing by more than 2 degrees Celsius.
A study published in The Journal of Neuroscience found that playing 3D video games improved memory performance by 12% in non-gamer college students, while 2D gamers did not. This suggests that environmental enrichment through immersive gaming may be a viable route to stem cognitive aging.
A UCI study found that high doses of green tea polyphenols can cause developmental delays, reduced offspring output, and reproductive abnormalities in fruit fly larvae. The researchers recommend moderate consumption to avoid potential health risks.
Researchers have developed a class of compounds that inhibit acid ceramidase, an enzyme that accelerates tumor growth in melanoma. These compounds enhance the effect of anti-tumor drugs by making melanoma cells more prone to apoptosis.
Researchers at University of California have successfully created a strain of mosquitoes capable of rapidly introducing malaria-blocking genes into its population, potentially eliminating the disease. The breakthrough uses a gene editing technique that allows for efficient creation of large populations of mosquitoes with this trait.
Researchers have developed a novel HCV antigen test system, which significantly improves sensitivity and specificity over current tests. The new test can use urine specimens for one-step screening and diagnosing of HCV infections, making it more convenient and affordable globally.
A glacier in northeast Greenland is losing mass at a rate of 5 billion tons per year and breaking up into the North Atlantic Ocean. The glacier's rapid retreat is attributed to ocean warming and decades of increasing air temperatures, which are substantially raising global sea levels.
A UCI-led study developed a framework for predicting microbiome responses to changes, which could impact human health and ecosystem conservation. The research suggests that patterns of microbiome diversity can reveal insights into evolutionary history and help identify differences in diversity among samples.
A UCI study found that circadian rhythm-altering sleep disruptions similar to jet lag can promote memory problems and chemical alterations in the brain. The researchers suggest that good sleep habits may be crucial for maximizing good memory.
A University of California, Irvine study found that oxytocin increases production of anandamide, a neurotransmitter associated with happiness and motivation. Blocking anandamide's effects also blocks oxytocin's pro-social effects, suggesting a connection between the two hormones.
Low-impact development technologies, such as green roofs and rainwater tanks, can help reduce waste and protect natural stream ecosystems. Researchers propose a shift towards distributed infrastructure to capture and reuse stormwater runoff, offering a solution to California's drought and environmental challenges.
A University of California, Irvine study found that neural stem cells can improve both motor and cognitive impairments associated with dementia with Lewy bodies. The treatment involves the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which enhances dopamine- and glutamate-producing neurons.
Researchers link Chinese-made goods to higher CO2 emissions due to antiquated manufacturing processes and coal reliance. Developed countries can alleviate carbon pollution by improving manufacturing in China's most polluting regions.
A paraplegic man was able to take steps without manual control using an electroencephalogram-based system that bypasses the spinal cord. The study, led by Zoran Nenadic and An Do, used a custom-made system to process brain waves into signals that stimulate leg muscles.
Researchers at UCI have found a biomarker for diagnosing certain forms of autism, which involves a cellular calcium signaling process. The study also points to potential new drug discovery advances by targeting the inositol trisphosphate receptor, a key player in this process.
Researchers at University of California, Irvine discovered that valproic acid preserves the M-current during seizures, which contributes to neuronal hyperexcitability. This finding points to new drug discovery approaches with fewer side effects.
Researchers found nearly 10 times more faint, early galaxies than previously detected in deep Hubble surveys. They used a new statistical method to parse out signals from noise in the images.