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University of California - Los Angeles


UCLA biologists reveal potential 'fatal flaw' in iconic sexual selection study

A classic study on male and female promiscuity has been called into question after UCLA biologists repeated the experiment using the same methods as the original. The team found that Bateman's conclusions about the relationship between mate number and offspring fitness were likely flawed due to a bias in his methodology.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 25, 2012

Teaching autistic teens to cope

A UCLA program has proven effective in teaching social skills to high-functioning autistic teens, leading to improved relationships and social functioning. The PEERS clinic's 14-week program helps teens develop critical skills needed to make and keep friends, resulting in fewer problem behaviors and greater understanding of social skills.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·DateJun 12, 2012

Researchers develop new genetic method to pinpoint individuals' geographic origin

A team of researchers has developed a new genetic method called spatial ancestry analysis (SPA) that can model genetic variation in two- or three-dimensional space. SPA allows for the modeling of the spatial distribution of each genetic variant, enabling individuals to be localized on a world map based on their genetic information alone.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalNature Genetics·DateMay 23, 2012

Does the brain 'remember' antidepressants?

A new study by UCLA researchers found that the brain responds differently to antidepressant medication based on prior treatment history. Subjects who had never taken an antidepressant showed large increases in prefrontal brain activity during placebo treatment, while those with prior experience exhibited slight decreases in activity.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalEuropean Neuropsychopharmacology·DateMar 26, 2012

Diet counts: Iron intake in teen years can impact brain in later life

Researchers found that low iron levels in adolescence can affect the brain's physical structure, leading to changes in brain regions vulnerable to neurodegeneration. High iron levels during adolescence may also impact brain wiring and myelin production, potentially increasing the risk of diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 11, 2012