A new study by UCI researchers found that heating soil in Wisconsin and North Carolina woodlands can increase carbon dioxide release into the atmosphere up to eight times. The study suggests that soils could accelerate global warming through a vicious cycle, where man-made warming releases carbon from soils to the atmosphere.
Optical tweezers help researchers uncover key mechanics in cellular communication by detecting and measuring mechanical forces produced by cells bound to Notch. The findings provide compelling evidence that pulling on Notch opens a network to deliver instructions for specific cellular responses.
A UC Irvine immunologist has received a $4.8 million grant to create new neural stem cells for treating multiple sclerosis. The cells aim to halt ongoing myelin loss and encourage the growth of new myelin to mend damaged nerves.
Researchers discovered that colorful butterflies share traits to enhance their survival, including a rich repertoire of genes for olfaction and chemosensation. This cross-breeding allows them to acquire superior wing colors more quickly than evolving from scratch.
A study by UCI anthropologist Leo Chavez details experiences of young undocumented immigrants, finding they often become involved in campaigns to change the law due to societal perception as disposable. The study found that these individuals face social constraints, limited economic opportunities and lower levels of education compared ...
A new study by UC Irvine finds significant racial and socioeconomic disparities in ovarian cancer care and survival rates. Poor women and those without insurance face significantly lower survival rates compared to their white and affluent counterparts.
A study by UC Irvine and U.S. Army researchers found that cutting off work email significantly reduces stress and improves concentration among employees. Without email, participants experienced more natural heart rates and were able to multitask less and stay focused.
Researchers at UC Irvine found that moderate to severe COPD patients with low heart disease risk had a significantly better prognosis. The study suggests addressing cardiac risk factors can improve outcomes in people with COPD, and highlights the importance of cardiovascular health for lung disease patients.
Researchers at UCI Center for Epigenetics & Metabolism discovered that circadian rhythms significantly impact liver metabolite production, with approximately 60% dependent on the body clock. This finding has implications for understanding obesity, high cholesterol, and metabolic diseases.
A UCI-led study reveals how Salmonella thrives in the digestive tract despite the immune system's best efforts to destroy it. The findings highlight a novel molecular mechanism allowing the bacteria to acquire zinc and promote its growth.
Researchers at UCI found that blocking an endocannabinoid compound called 2-AG boosts fat burning and leads to weight loss in mice. The study suggests that this natural chemical plays a critical role in energy metabolism, and blocking its production may lead to new treatments for obesity.
Researchers found that airborne gases get sucked into stubborn smog particles and cannot escape, leading to underestimation of organic aerosols in computer models. This finding has significant implications for understanding the effects of air pollution on public health and climate change.
A $232,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety will allow UCI to expand a DUI awareness program to four more campuses. The program encourages students to assign designated drivers through incentives and partnerships.
Researchers found that birds prioritize specific tree species over others when searching for caterpillars, with the healthiest trees harboring the most caterpillars. This preference puts caterpillars at a higher risk of predation.
Researchers decoded the behavior of lysozymes, a protein in teardrops that chomps through bacterial cell walls. The discovery could lead to early detection and treatment of cancers.
Researchers at UC Irvine and UT Arlington discovered how spinning microparticles can guide nerve fiber growth, enabling directed growth of neuronal networks on a chip. The study shows promise for treating spinal or brain injuries by directing regenerating axons to their destinations.
A study by UC Irvine researchers found that CKD causes depletion of adhesive proteins in the intestines, leading to systemic inflammation and cardiovascular complications. The findings could lead to novel treatments to curb this inflammation and its adverse consequences.
A UCI-led team has identified a new means of enhancing anandamide's effects, which could lead to the development of safe painkillers. Blocking FLAT protein increases anandamide's potency and may offer a promising alternative to existing pain medications.
A multidisciplinary team of researchers has developed the world's lightest material, boasting a density of 0.9 mg/cc and unparalleled mechanical behavior. The novel material's unique micro-lattice cellular architecture enables complete recovery from compression exceeding 50 percent strain and extraordinary high energy absorption.
A blood-based gene expression test was found to be more effective than myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in ruling out obstructive coronary artery disease in stable symptomatic patients. The test demonstrated high sensitivity and negative predictive value, enabling clinicians to rule out patients with high accuracy.
A new study predicts wildfire severity in South America by analyzing Atlantic and Pacific ocean temperatures, providing vital insights for conserving tropical forests. The method has been tested with striking accuracy, enabling officials to prepare for fire seasons three to five months in advance.
A new UCI study reveals that many children suffer from chronic postoperative pain, with 13% reporting lingering pain for months after surgery. The researchers emphasize the need for improved pediatric care and effective pain management strategies within 48 hours of surgery.
The UCI Institute for Money, Technology & Financial Inclusion has received a four-year $4.17 million grant to study the social uses of mobile phones in developing countries. The institute aims to understand how new mobile technology and digital payment services interact with traditional systems.
Dr. William E. Bunney, a renowned UCI psychiatrist, has been awarded the prestigious Institute of Medicine's 2011 Rhoda & Bernard Sarnat International Prize in Mental Health for his groundbreaking research on mood disorders. His work has significantly advanced our understanding of biological factors and treatment options for depression...
Francisco J. Ayala, a renowned evolutionary geneticist and UC Irvine professor, has donated $10 million to the School of Biological Sciences, the largest gift ever made by a UCI faculty member. The donation will fund four new research chairs in his name and support the department's efforts to recruit top talent.
A glucosamine-like dietary supplement, N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), suppresses multiple sclerosis attacks by inhibiting abnormal T-cell growth and function. The study, published in The Journal of Biological Chemistry, suggests a novel mechanism for affecting T-cell function and autoimmunity.
A recent UCI-led study found that diabetics with high levels of coronary calcium are at a strong risk of heart attacks and strokes. The researchers also discovered that individuals with diabetes or metabolic syndrome without evidence of coronary calcium had cardiac-event risks comparable to those without these conditions.
Rommie Amaro, UCI assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences and computer science, has been selected by President Obama for the Presidential Early Career Award. Her work employs large-scale computing resources to discover new drugs and explore complex biological mechanisms.
The California Energy Commission awards Calit2 at UCI a $1 million grant to research plug-load devices, which consume 20% of building electrical power. The project aims to create more energy-efficient appliances and provide data for future standards by 2030.
Researchers at UC Irvine discovered that the Milky Way's spiral arms are a result of an intergalactic collision course with a dwarf galaxy named Sagittarius. The force of the impact sent stars streaming from both galaxies into long loops, which were then swelled and tugged outward by the Milky Way's rotation.
UCI researchers found that hormonal contraceptives improve women's ability to remember the gist of an emotional event, but not the details. This discovery may help explain why women experience post-traumatic stress syndrome more frequently than men.
Two UC Irvine papers suggest that reduced use of petroleum and increased capture of natural gas contributed to the leveling off of methane levels in the atmosphere. In contrast, a second study found that changes in Asian farming practices, particularly the use of inorganic fertilizers, were a key factor in reducing methane emissions.
A UCI-led study found that prenatal exposure to stress accelerates cell aging, affecting chromosome regions controlling aging processes. Telomere shortening is a key marker of accelerated aging.
A UC Irvine study found a 28% rise in physical ailments among those who watched the 9/11 attacks live on TV, while reports of doctor-diagnosed illness climbed by 18% in adults. The study highlights the impact of collective trauma on health.
A team of international researchers led by UC Irvine's Robert Reed has identified a single gene called optix responsible for red wing color patterns in various passion vine butterfly species. This breakthrough discovery sheds light on how mimicry and convergent evolution occur at a genetic level.
Researchers found that transplanted stem cells restored learning and memory abilities in rats, with as few as 100,000 cells sufficient to improve cognition. The study provides hope for future stem cell therapies to alleviate side effects of radiotherapy for brain tumors.
Researchers at UCI have found a new approach to creating customized therapies for virulent flu strains that resist current antiviral drugs. They used computer simulations to predict how pocket structures on influenza proteins promoting viral replication can be identified, allowing for possible pharmaceutical exploitation.
Researchers discovered that when rats tasted fatty foods, cells in their upper gut produced endocannabinoids, triggering a surge in cell signaling that prompts overeating. The study suggests that obstructing endocannabinoid activity may curb this tendency, offering new potential treatments for obesity and related diseases.
Researchers have identified a central switch responsible for transforming healthy brain cells into epileptic ones. The discovery marks a dramatic change in understanding how temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) develops, revealing the role of epigenetic mechanisms and a master switch-like protein called NRSF.
Researchers at UCI have identified a unifying mechanism responsible for multiple sclerosis, suggesting personalized therapies based on genetic factors. Vitamin D3 and GlcNAc supplements can reverse the effects of four human MS genetic factors, restoring normal protein modification and potentially treating the disease.
Dr. Zeev Kain's P-TIPS program aims to create a calmer surgical environment for children by promoting positive behaviors among healthcare staff and parents. The program has shown promise in reducing anxiety and pain in pediatric patients, leading to improved postoperative outcomes.
The US Department of Justice has recognized UC Irvine's Elder Abuse Forensic Center for its efforts to prevent elder abuse, with Attorney General Eric Holder praising the center and its founder Dr. Laura Mosqueda for their outstanding work.
Two-year grants fund direct clinical services, technical assistance, medical evaluations, training, and public awareness campaigns to prevent elder abuse. The center aims to promote aging with dignity and make an impact on the local and national scale.
Dr. Susan Huang and researchers from the Translational Research Prevention Epicenter - Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Inc. will study prevention and treatment of hospital-borne microbial infections caused by MRSA and other pathogens. The goal is to identify effective strategies to reduce MRSA infection and hospitalization.
Dr. Hoang's research aims to understand and explain the underlying mechanisms of tumor progression in osteosarcoma, a type of aggressive bone cancer that often relapses with low survival rates. The award recognizes his work advancing knowledge on how to develop therapies for patients with untreatable sarcomas.
Researchers at UCI have found a second form of phototransduction light sensing derived from vitamin B2, which challenges the long-held understanding of this process. This discovery may reveal new information about cellular processes controlled by light and has implications for optogenetics.
A UC Irvine study reveals that activities like physical activity, nutrition, relationships, fun, and spirituality can significantly improve mental health. The study found that these therapeutic lifestyle changes can offer advantages over medications, including fewer side effects and complications.
Researchers at UC Irvine found that low-intensity red LEDs contained up to eight times the allowed amount of lead, while high-intensity bulbs had more contaminants. White bulbs had the least lead but high amounts of nickel, highlighting the need for safer alternatives and stricter testing regulations.
A group of academics recommend transforming university culture to prioritize teaching alongside research. They suggest training science faculty in best practices, promoting teaching excellence for tenure, and creating awards supporting teaching.
UCI researchers identified a novel mechanism in the brain that boosts memory by strengthening and prolonging memories of negative events to simple objects. Neuropeptide S activation prepares the brain for learning, leading to remarkable memory improvement with long-lasting effects.