Scientists uncover genetic variations in grapes, explaining differences in taste and color between wine varieties. The study's findings also have implications for plant breeding and understanding nutritional values of other fruits and vegetables.
The UCI Institute for Clinical & Translational Science will use the grant to initiate and extend efforts to translate biomedical research into new treatments, with a focus on diverse communities. The institute aims to partner with community partners to identify and resolve health needs in Orange County.
Researchers identified cone snails' hydraulically propelled feeding structure as the quickest movement among mollusks by an order of magnitude. The radular harpoon can propel into prey within 100 microseconds with extreme speeds similar to a fired bullet.
Researchers aim to understand how microorganisms respond to drought, potentially shedding light on adapting to climate change. Studying the microbiome of dead plant matter in Southern California fields, they found that certain bacteria and fungi shift composition in response to moisture deprivation.
A UCI-led team has created the first high-resolution map of ocean surface phosphate, showing that marine phytoplankton are more resilient to nutrient stress than previously believed. This finding holds important implications for climate change predictions, as plankton communities can thrive even in nutrient-deficient environments.
A recent study of over 400 teenagers found no significant link between smartphone usage and poor mental health outcomes. In fact, adolescents who sent more text messages reported feeling better, suggesting a potential positive impact of digital technology on their well-being.
Researchers discovered that removing brain immune cells called microglia prevents beta-amyloid plaque formation in rodent models of Alzheimer's. This finding suggests a crucial role for microglia in the disease's development and progression.
A UCI-led study found that online brain game exercises can improve cognitive multitasking skills in people aged 70 and above. The research showed that consistent training can retain cognitive youth into old age, making it an increasingly valuable skill in today's information-rich environment.
A landmark study on coral reefs has collected data on over 2.5 million individual corals across 44 countries, revealing alarming rates of bleaching due to climate change, with researchers urging immediate action to protect reefs in the Indo-Pacific region.
A UCI study found that hookah waterpipe use poses health risks due to toxic chemicals, ultrafine particles, and carbon monoxide. The researchers discovered that even nicotine-free herbal mixtures produce high levels of toxic gases in mainstream smoke.
Researchers at UCI have developed a mouse model that allows for the study of human brain immune cells in unprecedented detail. The 'chimeric' mouse contains human microglia, enabling the investigation of Alzheimer's mechanisms and potential treatments.
Researchers at UCI have sequenced the genome of the white-footed mouse, which carries the bacteria causing Lyme disease. The study provides a roadmap for fresh approaches to preventing disease transmission, including developing an environmentally-safe vaccine method.
Researchers uncovered the molecular action of cilantro as a potent KCNQ channel activator, reducing seizure activity and opening potassium channels in the brain. This discovery may lead to more effective use of cilantro as an anticonvulsant or development of safer and more effective anticonvulsant drugs.
A new wireless transceiver invented by UCI engineers boosts radio frequencies to 100-gigahertz territory, quadrupling the speed of the upcoming 5G standard. The chip's unique digital-analog architecture enables faster data processing and less energy consumption.
A team of UCI researchers developed a deep reinforcement learning algorithm called DeepCubeA, which can solve the Rubik's Cube in under 20 moves, outperforming human solvers. The algorithm works on other combinatorial games and demonstrates symbolic, mathematical, and abstract thinking capabilities.
A new study by researchers from the University of California, Irvine has shed light on the weaknesses of TcdB, a toxin primarily responsible for devastating Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). The study provides a blueprint for the development of next-generation vaccines and therapeutics with enhanced potency and broad-reactivity.
Dr. Tallie Z. Baram's team will investigate how unpredictable parental and environmental signals influence infant vulnerability to cognitive and emotional problems. They aim to identify novel factors contributing to mental illness, including post-traumatic stress disorder, and devise precise interventions.
Researchers have developed a new cancer treatment that targets and kills bone metastases using engineered stem cells, preserving the bone in the process. This approach could reduce the need for chemotherapy and improve quality of life for patients with bone metastases.
A study published in Nature Geoscience found that California's Sierra Nevada mountain range experienced a catastrophic forest die-off due to depleted deep-soil water. The researchers discovered that years of severe drought and abnormally warm temperatures exceeded the safety margin for trees, leading to widespread tree death.
A UCI-led study finds that 'committed' carbon dioxide emissions from existing infrastructure could reach up to 658 gigatons of CO2 if not phased out. This would jeopardize international climate goals set by the Paris accords unless drastic measures are taken.
A team of UCI researchers, led by Kai Kessenbrock and Devon Lawson, will compile a high-resolution atlas of human breast tissue cell types and states. The project aims to document the intricate complexity of normal tissue homeostasis and disease, leading to new insights into breast cancer origins.
A new study from the University of California, Irvine, reveals that many recurrent cancer mutations are not drivers of cancer progression but rather passenger hotspots. The research identified APOBEC3A as a key player in creating these hotspot mutations, which can be targeted for novel cancer therapies.
Researchers at UCI unveil a new process for producing oxide perovskite crystals in exquisitely flexible, free-standing layers. The discovery creates a new class of two-dimensional materials with remarkable electronic properties, including high-temperature superconductivity.
A new nanotechnology treatment using exosomes extracted from bone marrow stem cells has reversed MS symptoms in mice by rejuvenating lost motor skills and decreasing nerve damage. The treatment will be tested on humans in early 2020, initially on people with Type 1 diabetes.
Glaciologists from UCI and partner institutions have found Patagonia's ice sheets to be significantly more massive than expected, with some glaciers reaching depths of over 1,600 meters. This new understanding will help model the effects of global warming on freshwater resources and ecosystems in the region.
A UCI-led study analyzes global water usage trends from 1980 to 2016, identifying hot spots of stress and opportunities for conservation. The researchers propose strategies to build resilience in the face of climate change, including dry cooling technologies and improved management practices.
A new study by UCI researchers found that body parts like the liver and skin have internal clocks that respond to light changes, regardless of the brain's central clock. This discovery has significant implications for understanding circadian rhythms, aging processes, and overall well-being.
A new study finds crowdsourced traffic data from Waze is highly correlated with conventional reporting data, allowing for earlier notification of trauma surgeons and improved patient care. This could lead to a significant reduction in mortality rates from motor vehicle crashes.
A new study by University of California, Irvine researchers tracked several dozen male collegiate water polo players over three seasons to map out the frequency of head injuries in the sport. The study found that offensive players were more likely to get battered than defensive and transition positions.
Researchers created a next-generation space blanket that regulates body temperature using metal 'islands' similar to cephalopod skin, allowing infrared radiation to escape when stretched. The material is ultra-lightweight, durable, and has potential applications in clothing and building insulation.
The UCI Skin Biology Resource-based Center will provide critical research infrastructure and resources for investigating skin biology and diseases. The center aims to discover fundamental mechanisms that may ultimately improve the understanding and treatment of skin diseases.
Researchers found that exercising in the morning resulted in higher utilization of carbohydrates and ketone bodies, as well as the breakdown of fats and amino acids. The study suggests that timing of exercise is a critical factor for metabolic benefits, contradicting previous assumptions that focused on food intake timing.
A 3-year longitudinal study shows that repeated media coverage of collective traumas can fuel a cycle of distress, exacerbating fear about future adversities. The study found that individuals who have experienced violence or mental health issues are more susceptible to this pattern.
A new study from UCI scientists identifies an imbalance in the amygdala-hippocampal circuit that explains how people reactivate negative emotional memories. The finding may unlock new treatment approaches for PTSD and other mental disorders.
Researchers have captured the full-length structure of PDE6, an enzyme linked to vision problems and potential side effects from erectile dysfunction medications like sildenafil. The study reveals fish-hook-like regions that could be targeted for new inhibitors.
Researchers at University of California, Irvine, have produced the first images of a molecule's normal modes of vibration using light focused down to an atom's size. This breakthrough enables direct visualization of individual atoms vibrating within a molecule.
Researchers at UCI are working on biological TMJ discs in the laboratory that will be suitable for implantation in humans. The new approach eschews synthetic materials and aims to reduce negative effects on quality of life. Successful trials have been conducted in large-animal models, showing complete functionality of the TMJ disc.
A UCI researcher has been awarded $2.7 million to investigate the role of ion channel transporters in neurological disorders such as epilepsy. The research aims to develop new therapeutic agents targeting these complexes to treat human disease.
Researchers from UCI and UC Riverside have discovered a vulnerability in DNA synthesis machines that can be exploited for malicious purposes. The acoustic side-channel attack allows hackers to steal genetic blueprints, potentially leading to bioterrorism and unauthorized access to sensitive data.
Astronomers from UCI and other institutions have successfully used the Habitable Planet Finder to discover and confirm the existence of exoplanets. The new technique has been demonstrated on a recently discovered super-Earth orbiting Barnard's star, expanding the selection of stellar targets for exoplanet hunting.
Researchers created a wearable, disposable respiration monitor with high-fidelity readings using inexpensive sensors from Shrinky Dinks. The device helps track breath rate and volume, aiding asthma and cystic fibrosis patients.
A UCI-led study found that circulating blood cells play a crucial role in scar-free skin healing by assisting wounded skin repair. The research discovered diverse wound fibroblast sub-types, with some having molecular signatures of originating from blood cells.
University of California, Irvine researchers will receive $6 million in funding to support the development of a new treatment for Huntington's disease. The two-year study aims to achieve FDA approval and begin first-in-human clinical trials.
Researchers mapped inputs to ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons and found highly similar inputs across different cell populations. The study suggests a more random connectivity logic where inputs connect semi-randomly in regions to which the neurons project.
Researchers found a new network of brain regions involved in temporal memory, which stores information about when events happen. This discovery may further understanding of age-related dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
A UCI/JPL study found Antarctica losing six times more ice mass annually now than 40 years ago, resulting in a half-inch rise in global sea levels. The accelerated melting is attributed to climate change and warm ocean water, with East Antarctica contributing significantly to the total ice mass loss.
A UCI-led study reveals that fasting affects circadian clocks in the liver and skeletal muscle, rewiring metabolism for improved health. Fasting-driven cellular responses prime the genome for new gene expression patterns, suggesting optimal timed fasting could benefit health.
Researchers from UCI and Singapore find that widespread fires in Indonesia's peatlands, which are hundreds to thousands of years old, were the main source of severe air pollution in Southeast Asia. The team's analysis confirms human activities as the primary cause of these environmental catastrophes.
Researchers at UCI School of Medicine have discovered the molecular basis for therapeutic actions of an African folk medicine used to treat various illnesses, including diabetes and epilepsy. The study found two components of the Mallotus leaf extract bind to a previously unrecognized binding site on KCNQ1 potassium channels.
Researchers have developed a new technique that accelerates and simplifies the directed evolution bioengineering method, allowing for rapid mutation and evolution of genes in yeast cells. This breakthrough enables scientists to perform multiple evolutionary cycles continuously, leading to faster discovery of new proteins and enzymes.