Researchers discovered that mutations in noncoding regions of cancer-driving genes can alter mRNA abundance, leading to increased or decreased protein production. This discovery may lead to the development of prognostic testing tools and a better understanding of gene regulation mechanisms in cancer progression.
A new study published in Nature Communications found that people tend to prefer shorter-term options when presented with the delay first, but choose longer-term options when presented with the reward first. By focusing on the benefits of waiting, individuals can improve their self-control and make better long-term choices.
A new study finds that nearly half of America's carceral facilities are in watersheds contaminated with PFAS, putting millions at risk. The research highlights the need for better water quality monitoring and mitigation in prisons, jails, and detention centers.
A new UCLA study discovered a brain circuit that makes mice pursue fatty foods even when not hungry. People may possess the same cells, which could offer new insights into eating disorders. The research suggests that food-seeking neurons drive cravings for high-calorie foods, rather than hunger.
A team of UCLA engineers has developed a soft, thin, stretchy device that can detect movement in larynx muscles and translate signals into audible speech with nearly 95% accuracy. The device is made up of two components and uses machine-learning technology to assist patients with voice disorders.
A 15-year longitudinal study by UCLA researchers identifies an association between prenatal stress and early signs of adrenal puberty in first-born daughters. This finding adds to the understanding of fetal programming and its impact on child development.
Researchers have deciphered the key pathways of the sulfur reduction reaction in lithium-sulfur batteries, identifying dominant molecular pathways and critical roles of electrocatalysis. This breakthrough could lead to improved battery performance, reduced costs, and increased energy storage capacity.
A team of astrophysicists used simulations to track galaxy formation near the Big Bang, including interactions between gas and dark matter. The results show that tiny, bright galaxies were formed more quickly than expected, challenging current theories about dark matter.
Researchers confirm ancient lake sediments at Jezero crater on Mars using radar imaging, revealing eons of environmental changes and potential signs of past life. The discovery supports the search for evidence of life in Perseverance rover's soil and rock samples.
Researchers have discovered a Jupiter-sized planet, WASP-69b, with a comet-like tail that trails the planet for at least 350,000 miles. The tail is shaped and pushed in the direction of Earth by radiation and an outflow of gas from its host star, providing a rare opportunity to study planetary mass-loss in real time.
In parts of Africa, humans communicate with greater honeyguides to locate bee colonies, sharing knowledge about the location of nests. The bird benefits by eating leftover honeycomb, while people gain access to honey and beeswax. Researchers found that honeyguides learn distinct vocal signals used by different honey-hunting communities.
Researchers develop method to produce valuable chemicals at lower cost, using ozone and copper catalyst. This breakthrough could make cancer treatment more affordable, with prices potentially reduced from thousands to just a few dollars.
A study published in Nature Communications found that music-evoked emotions create boundaries between episodes, making them easier to remember. Fluctuating emotions help form separate and durable memories, even from neutral experiences. The research has great therapeutic promise for helping people with PTSD and depression.
A team of UCLA researchers has developed a stable and fully solid-state thermal transistor that uses an electric field to control heat movement in semiconductor devices. The device boasts record-high performance with switching speeds over 1 megahertz and tunability of up to 1,300%.
A study of wild chimpanzees in Uganda's Kibale National Park found that females can experience menopause and postreproductive survival. The research challenged the long-held assumption that this trait is unique to humans, suggesting it may be a species-typical trait in chimpanzees.
The UCLA Mobility Center of Excellence will conduct research on the impacts of new mobility technologies and highly automated vehicles on transportation systems. The center aims to improve efficiency, mobility, and sustainability by studying the long-term effects of emerging mobility technologies.
A new genomic study reveals that whaling in the 20th century destroyed 99% of the Eastern North Pacific fin whale breeding population, but genetic diversity remains high enough to support conservation efforts. The study's findings highlight the importance of enforcing the international whaling ban to aid fin whale recovery.
Research suggests that the gut microbiome plays a crucial role in forming a healthy placenta during pregnancy. Mice with depleted gut microbiomes had smaller placentas and less-developed blood vessels, which can deprive fetuses of nutrients. However, supplementing these mice with short-chain fatty acids restored placental growth.
A new study by UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain finds that climate change is limiting the use of prescribed fires to prevent wildfires. The research projects a 17% reduction in favorable days across the Western US, with most reductions coming in spring and summer.
A UCLA study found that exposure to critical Black history can contribute to white people's recognition of health disparities faced by Black Americans and lead to support for policies aimed at equity. The study also found that perspective-taking, regardless of instruction, leads to greater recognition of racism in healthcare.
The UCLA-led team has developed a solution to improve cryo-electron microscopy's imaging capabilities for smaller protein molecules, enabling higher-resolution images. This advance is expected to help researchers identify specific locations on proteins that can be targeted for therapeutic purposes.
A new study uses leaf and wood traits to estimate each species' preferred temperature and rainfall, enabling scientists to better identify suitable habitats and develop conservation strategies. The approach also helps prioritize threatened species in need of protection.
A new UCLA study reveals that subjects consistently perceive players in jerseys numbered from 10 to 19 as thinner than those in jerseys numbered from 80 to 89, even when body sizes are the same. This finding suggests that learned associations between numbers and sizes influence perception of body size.
A UCLA study found that ants' nest structures are influenced by their foraging strategies and environmental conditions, rather than evolutionary history. The researchers suggest that designing roads with dedicated lanes for trucks traveling to logistics hubs could improve traffic congestion.
Researchers found that birds allowed people to get much closer than expected, with an average distance of just 39 inches, suggesting a significant decrease in fear response. The study's findings challenge existing theories on bird behavior and may offer hope for North American bird populations threatened by human disturbances.
A new study by UCLA chemists reveals that many HHC products contain less of the biologically active isomer, which can lead to inconsistent effects. The researchers have developed a method for synthesizing the more active isomer, reducing variability in products.
Researchers created a self-supervised AI model called GedankenNet that learns physics laws and thought experiments to reconstruct microscopic images. The model successfully reconstructed human tissue samples and Pap smears from holograms without relying on real-world experiments or data.
Researchers at UCLA found that GPT-3 performs well on analogy problems, similar to human undergraduates, but struggles with understanding physical space. The AI model's ability to mimic human reasoning is unclear, raising questions about its underlying cognitive processes.
A study by UCLA psychologists found that consumers tend to remember marketing claims about products being 'clinically studied' as 'clinically proven'. This can lead to people wasting money on ineffective or useless products. The study highlights the importance of carefully reading product labels and consulting medical professionals.
Research found that mothers' childhood experiences and pregnancy anxiety are reflected in their 2-year-old children's gut microbiomes, with smaller populations of microorganisms and reduced genetic diversity. These changes may influence children's socioemotional development and brain-gut microbiome connection.
A new study found that birds produce fewer young if they start breeding too early or late in the season, with climate change resulting in earlier springlike weather. The researchers report that birds have been unable to keep pace with the changes, leading to a mismatch between the start of spring and birds' readiness to reproduce.
Researchers use artificial intelligence to predict where and why landslides occur, pinpointing key variables contributing to the earth's slip. Their new method improves accuracy and interpretability, making it more valuable for protecting lives and property.
A new analysis reveals megalodon's ability to regulate its body temperature, with temperatures up to 13°F warmer than surrounding water. This suggests the shark was warm-blooded and had an evolutionary advantage that may have contributed to its extinction.
A new approach to enhance artificial intelligence-powered computer vision technologies has been developed by UCLA researchers, adding physics-based awareness to data-driven techniques. This hybrid methodology aims to improve how AI-based machinery sense, interact, and respond to their environment in real time.
The study found that COVID-19 lockdowns led to significant declines in face-to-face and virtual interactions among couples, particularly among lower-income and Latino/Black couples. These declines persisted even after vaccines became available and restrictions were lifted. The researchers highlight the need for public health measures t...
Researchers using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope confirm the existence of JD1, a tiny galaxy typical of those that burned through hydrogen left over from the Big Bang, enabling ultraviolet light to travel through space. The discovery sheds new light on the early universe's formation and reionization process.
A study found that LGBTQ+ and feminist activists support adding a gender-neutral 'X' marker to state IDs, as well as removing sex and gender markers altogether. The study also revealed that conservative gender activists are unlikely to support these changes, citing medical and safety concerns.
A recent study found that a person's epistemic thinking style can be shaped by their social, political and economic environment during the first 25 years of life. The research suggests that those who experienced a transition to democracy in middle age tend to exhibit absolutist thinking, while younger generations with higher education ...
A study by UCLA astronomers reveals that none of the 16 young supermassive stars orbiting the Milky Way's black hole are found in pairs, contradicting previous assumptions about stellar formation. The researchers suggest that the extreme environment around the black hole may be driving nearby binary stars to merge or be disrupted.
Researchers found that scarring of the collagen framework prevents stem cells from healing damaged tissue in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The study, published in npj Regenerative Medicine, used mice models to show how fibrosis disrupts cell behavior and hinders muscle regeneration.
Research reveals that urban bird species are generally smaller, less territorial, and have greater ability to fly long distances. They also have broader dietary and habitat niches, lay more eggs at a time, live longer, and inhabit wider elevations compared to other species.
A new study by UCLA sociologist Giovanni Rossi finds that people rely on each other for help constantly, with requests occurring every couple of minutes. Across cultures, people comply with these small requests far more often than they decline them, suggesting a universal preference for cooperation.
Research reveals that immune cells employ tactile sensing and mechanical force to advance their evolution, enhancing antigen recognition and memory diversity. This active process allows the immune system to adapt to new challenges while being plastic and adaptive against future threats.
A new UCLA-led study found that individuals with traditional cultural values tend to take stricter COVID-19 precautions globally, with 21 of 27 countries showing a strong link between the two. In contrast, factors like distrust of science and concerns about the economy in the US suppressed cautionary behavior among social conservatives.
A UCLA study found that individuals who support the Black Lives Matter movement tend to be less hesitant about receiving COVID-19 vaccines. The researchers suggest that altruistic feelings about interactions between different social groups may account for this phenomenon.
Researchers found that rats, like humans, tend to overestimate the likelihood of two events occurring together. This study suggests a shared cognitive mechanism between humans and animals, which could have implications for understanding psychopathological conditions.
A UCLA-led team developed foldable robots using conductive materials, overcoming chip weight and rigidity issues. The OrigaMechs can sense, analyze and act with precision in extreme environments, making them suitable for disaster response and space exploration.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a new type of solar roof that can harness energy from sunlight without blocking light for plants. The innovative design uses semi-transparent organic solar cells with a layer of L-glutathione, which extends the cells' lifetime and improves efficiency.
UCLA researchers say an emerging field of study could help tackle intractable human diseases by studying evolution of disease-resistant traits. Insights from ecology and evolution can inform biomedical research, public health measures and clinical care to develop new treatments and improve public health policy.
Astronomers propose that X7 is a cloud of dust and gas ejected during the collision of two stars. The object's shape and velocity have changed dramatically as it approaches the black hole, showing significant changes over a relatively short time scale.