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University of California - Los Angeles


UCLA breakthrough extends fuel cell lifespan beyond 200,000 hours, paving the way for clean long-haul trucking

Researchers at UCLA developed a novel catalyst design that shields platinum from degradation, enabling fuel cells to power heavy-duty trucks reliably for up to 200,000 hours. This breakthrough could make hydrogen fuel cells a more viable clean energy source for long-haul trucking.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 28, 2025

Research shows how sellers and buyers can get better deals in eBay ‘best offer’ bargaining

Researchers found that eBay sellers who respond slowly to buyer offers may be signaling they are close to accepting the price. Buyers, on the other hand, are discouraged by slow responses and less likely to make counteroffers. By taking a slow response as a positive sign, buyers can potentially get better deals.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 18, 2025

New cooling pump drops temperatures by 16 degrees, more at source of heat

Researchers at UCLA have developed a compact cooling technology that can continuously pump away heat using layers of flexing thin films. The prototype lowered ambient temperatures by 16 degrees Fahrenheit and up to 25 degrees at the source of heat, offering a simpler design without greenhouse-gas-generating coolants or liquids.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 14, 2025

Astrophysicists capture astonishing images of gamma-ray flare from supermassive black hole M87

A team of scientists captured an astonishing image of a gamma-ray flare emanating from the supermassive black hole at the center of galaxy M87. The flare was tens of millions of times larger than the event horizon and lasted about three days, providing crucial insights into particle acceleration near black holes.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateDec 13, 2024

Synthetic genes engineered to mimic how cells build tissues and structures

Scientists have engineered synthetic genes that can assemble into complex biomaterials like nanoscale tubes, using a modular approach similar to building furniture. This breakthrough enables the creation of distinct materials that can spontaneously develop from a finite set of parts by rewiring the timing of molecular instructions.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 4, 2024

Study discovers that fruit flies’ visual navigation tactics differ by environment

Researchers discovered that urban and desert fruit flies use distinct visual navigation strategies to maintain balance and orient towards interesting objects. The study suggests that the visual environment plays a crucial role in shaping these navigation tactics, with implications for human vision and autonomous vehicle development.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 17, 2024

Iron meteorites hint that our infant solar system was more doughnut than dartboard

New research suggests that our infant solar system resembled a doughnut-shaped protoplanetary disk, where asteroids with metal grains rich in iridium and platinum migrated to the outer disk as it rapidly expanded. This explanation contradicts previous findings of concentric ring structures around other stars.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 20, 2024

Shape and depth of ocean floor profoundly influence how carbon is stored there

A new study reveals that the shape and depth of ocean floors significantly influence carbon sequestration, with bathymetry accounting for up to 50% of changes over 80 million years. This understanding can inform marine-based carbon dioxide removal technologies and aid in searching for habitable planets.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 3, 2024