Kei Igarashi, a UC Irvine School of Medicine associate professor, has been awarded the Inoue Prize for Science for his discovery of brain mechanisms governing object memory and their deterioration in dementia. His work offers new hope for treating Alzheimer's disease by identifying potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
UC Irvine scientists confirm climate change's impact on marine nutrient cycles, revealing a decline in phosphorus levels in southern hemisphere oceans. The research also shows that nitrate concentrations remain steady, but may still decline in the future as the climate continues to change.
Researchers from the University of California - Irvine have released two policy briefs to understand and address prison violence. The study aims to develop strategies for reducing and preventing it in correctional facilities across the US.
A UC Irvine-led study emphasizes the importance of fostering community ties, collaborating with emergency services, and implementing multilingual education campaigns to boost risk perception and preparedness among residents. The research found that short text messages and TV were preferred communication channels, while digital tools li...
UC Irvine and Columbia University researchers created a biocompatible sensor implant that monitors neurological functions through successive phases of a patient's development. The device uses organic polymer materials and can conform to organ structures as they grow.
A recent UC Irvine-led study found that nursing homes experiencing staffing instability see changes in their Five-Star Quality Rating System scores. Adding this metric would empower families and encourage facilities to prioritize consistent staffing.
Researchers at University of California, Irvine have designed a way to tag RNA with a glowing molecule for real-time tracking. This allows scientists to study how viruses propagate and understand the role of RNA in brain function and memory formation.
Researchers at University of California, Irvine have discovered a new type of skeletal tissue that offers great potential for advancing regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. The 'lipocartilage' tissue is uniquely packed with fat-filled cells called lipochondrocytes that provide super-stable internal support.
A UCI-led research team has discovered intricate molecular mechanisms driving RNA processing defects in Huntington's disease, linking it to other neurodegenerative disorders. The findings suggest targeting key processes like RNA splicing and modification could lead to new treatments for HD and other diseases.
Researchers found that cardiovascular conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes are not linked to brain damage in individuals over 90. Certain medications, such as diuretics and beta blockers, showed potential proactive effects in reducing brain damage and cerebral amyloid angiopathy.
UC Irvine researchers have identified a previously unknown mechanism that triggers an inflammatory immune response in cells with damaged DNA. This discovery may lead to more effective cancer treatments by allowing doctors to personalize therapies tailored to individual patients' needs.
Researchers call for a shift away from outdated bathtub modeling, which oversimplifies flood risks, and towards dynamical modeling that accounts for key factors like storm drains and levees. The study found that bathtub models are consistently inaccurate, with scores below 0.5 on the critical success index.
Researchers found that people consistently hold ecology stereotypes across diverse cultural backgrounds, suggesting a connection between environmental context and stereotypical beliefs. The study's findings challenge traditional biases related to race and family structures, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of how ...
A UCI-co-led study found that accumulated DNA damage in the retina contributes to AMD. Targeting specific retinal cell types could lead to treatments that slow or stop progression.
Researchers led by UC Irvine have identified two types of neural pathways in the brain's retrosplenial cortex, connected to different parts of the brain. Blocking these pathways affects memory and spatial orientation differently.
The development creates thin-film solar cells with high light absorption efficiency, transforming the interaction between light and matter. This breakthrough has potential applications in thermoelectric clothing, onboard vehicle charging, and photo-sensing technologies.
Researchers at UC Irvine have discovered a powerful link between olfactory loss and inflammation in various medical conditions, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Scent therapy may offer a novel approach to mitigate symptoms and prevent disease onset.
Researchers conducted live field experiments to better understand the physics of firebrands and their impact on wildfires. They found that ember creation is highly intermittent, occurring in large bursts that can hurl fire-starting debris far from the source.
Researchers at UC Irvine have made the first-ever atomic-scale observations of grain rotation in polycrystalline materials. They discovered that grain rotation occurs through disconnection propagation along grain boundaries.
A UC Irvine-led team has engineered an efficient new enzyme that can produce synthetic genetic material called threose nucleic acid. This advancement advances the discovery of potentially more powerful, precise therapeutic options for cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have identified ophthalmic acid as an alternative neurotransmitter that reverses movement deficits in Parkinson's patients. The study found that ophthalmic acid binds to calcium-sensing receptors, offering a promising new avenue for treating movement disorders.
Research from UC Irvine reveals that disrupted circadian clocks accelerate colorectal cancer by altering the diversity and abundance of gut bacteria, compromising intestinal barrier function. This discovery offers new avenues for prevention and treatment strategies.
The UC Irvine study found that frequent wildfires and smoke exposure take a significant toll on physical and mental health, local economies, and community resilience. Residents shared stories of breathing difficulties, sinus problems, eye irritation, psychological stress, anxiety, and fear due to persistent smoke and extreme heat.
Researchers from UC Irvine have discovered the neurons responsible for item memory, a crucial component of cognitive function. The study sheds light on how the brain stores and retrieves memories, particularly in relation to rewards or punishments.
Researchers at UC Irvine discovered a rosemary extract compound that can reduce cocaine sensitivity by modulating the brain's reward response. The study found that carnosic acid selectively binds to affected channels in the globus pallidus externus, providing a potential avenue for reducing response to cocaine.
A new formula developed by UC Irvine researchers can project neighborhood-scale flood hazards anywhere in the world, taking into account the urban form and building density of a neighborhood. This tool has the potential to greatly improve flood risk assessments globally, helping cities prepare for more severe weather events.
Researchers at UC Irvine developed a novel material that can detect minute temperature changes in electronic devices and biological cells. The material's color changes allow for precise temperature measurements at the nanoscale.
A study by UC Irvine researchers found that a high presence of sociocultural institutions in ethnic enclaves is associated with better health indicators, including higher vaccination rates and lower smoking rates. The research suggests that supporting these institutions may help lessen health inequities by race and ethnicity.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine has identified the challenges and opportunities involved in overcoming barriers to increased research participation by diverse populations. The report emphasizes the importance of enhancing diversity in clinical trials to improve health equity and elevate the quality of care ...
A UC Irvine-led team discovered how the TREM2 R47H genetic mutation causes abnormal protein clumps in brain areas associated with late-onset Alzheimer's disease. The study provides first-of-their-kind insights into the effects of the mutation on gene expression and cellular functions.
Researchers at UC Irvine warn that nationwide flood risk models are unreliable for smaller areas, missing crucial factors like topography and infrastructure. A more detailed model, PRIMo-Drain, improves flood inundation predictions by including fine-resolution data on levees, channels, and stormwater systems.
A study by UC Irvine found that the ePRO tool improved symptoms management for Hispanic and Asian patients undergoing chemotherapy, reducing pain, nausea, and vomiting. The tool, which uses real-time analytics and personalized treatment plans, also increased patient satisfaction.
A team led by UC Irvine researchers found that a commonly used climate model overestimates the reflectivity of ice, leading to inaccurate predictions of melting rates. With the new update, the Greenland Ice Sheet is melting at a rate of about six gigatons more than in older models.
A team of scientists, including a UC Irvine researcher, discovered that bumpy ocean floor features contribute to upwelling rates 10,000 times higher than the global average. This finding provides direct evidence for earlier theoretical predictions about ocean circulation and mass balance.
A team of UC Irvine experts urges policymakers to promote media literacy campaigns to educate the public about graphic images and their impact on mental health. Exposure to such images can lead to increased distress and desensitization, highlighting the need for balance between free information dissemination and ethical considerations.
A new strategy for improving melanoma treatment involves targeting the communication between immune cells within the tumor. By neutralizing specific molecules, researchers found that CD8+ T cell activity against tumors increased while T regulatory cells' ability to inhibit the immune response decreased.
Researchers found that optimizing individual time-of-day delivery can significantly enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockades in solid tumors. Proper regulation of circadian rhythms is necessary to suppress inflammation and support peak immune function.
UC Irvine researchers create ultra-thin bismuth sheets for flexible technologies, revealing hidden electronic behaviors and quantum oscillations. The new production method uses compression and molding techniques, potentially simplifying mass production of electronic devices.
A UC Irvine-led team has discovered the 'vigorous melting' of West Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier using high-resolution satellite radar data. The study found that seawater intrusion causes ice to rise and fall, potentially requiring revised global sea level rise projections. The findings raise concerns for coastal communities worldwide.
A recent UC Irvine-led study reveals a correlation between sleep apnea events during the rapid-eye-movement (REM) stage and verbal memory impairment in older adults at risk for Alzheimer's. The study found that higher ratios of apnea severity during REM compared to non-REM stages were associated with worse memory performance.
A recent UC Irvine study has found evidence of the molecular causes of heat stress's detrimental effects on the brain, gut, and liver in older adults. The research suggests that understanding the gut-liver-brain communication system is crucial for protecting human health from heat-related illnesses.
The study uses computer simulations to test two models of the universe, finding that features observed in real galaxies can be explained by both models. However, the team also found that such features only appear in their simulations when there is both dark matter and normal matter present.
Studies show increasing wildfires accelerate changes in northern forests, replacing slow-growing black spruce forests with faster-growing deciduous shrubs. Additionally, Arctic-boreal ecosystems are experiencing increased growth of bigger deciduous shrubs, decreased organic soil layers, and escalating isoprene emissions, which affect t...
UCI researchers have found that axons in the hippocampus play a role in generating slow waves and sleep spindles, crucial for deep sleep. The study suggests that these oscillations occur independently of neuronal spiking activity, offering new insights into memory processing during sleep.
A University of California, Irvine-led team has linked climate change to the years-long drought gripping southern Madagascar. The study uses remotely sensed observations and climate models to show that climate change is affecting the hydrological cycle, with a delayed onset of rainy seasons.
A research team at UC Irvine has developed a tool to study tandem repeat expansions, which cause over 50 lethal human diseases. The database provides insights into disease connections and health disparities, enabling improved clinical diagnostics.
A research team led by UC Irvine has identified APOBEC3A and APOBEC3B enzymes as key players in driving cancer mutations. The study reveals that the two enzymes do not recognize the same DNA sequences, offering potential new targets for intervention strategies.
Researchers at UC Irvine and NASA found that warm ocean water beneath the ice is causing accelerated melting of Petermann Glacier in northwest Greenland. The study predicts that potential sea level rise will be much worse than previously estimated, with melt rates highest near the mouth of the grounding zone cavity.
Researchers found up to 80% of aerosol particles emitted during light braking are electrically charged, which could be exploited to reduce air pollution from vehicles. The study's findings highlight a previously overlooked environmental justice issue in high-traffic areas.
The University of California, Irvine will lead a six-year, $15 million NSF-funded research project to study muscle control during rapid movements. The Integrative Movement Sciences Institute aims to bridge gaps between fields and advance understanding of agile movement through interdisciplinary collaboration.