Researchers have created PicoShells, microscopic particles that can speed up the growth and analysis of microorganisms, including algae. This new tool enables faster identification of cell strains suitable for mass production, potentially shortening R&D timelines by months.
A new UCLA study shows that students can learn and retain information quite well when watching lectures at speeds of up to double the normal speed. However, once they exceed this limit, comprehension begins to suffer. The researchers found that spending time saved by speeding up videos on additional studying activities enhances learning.
A new UCLA-led study suggests that switching from cigarettes to smokeless tobacco can lower levels of inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers, which predict cardiovascular disease risk. This finding implies that exclusive smokeless tobacco users have similar biomarker levels to 'never' smokers.
Mona Jarrahi, a UCLA professor, has been awarded the IET A F Harvey Engineering Research Prize for her pioneering work in utilizing the electromagnetic spectrum. Her research aims to develop a hybrid methodology for designing systems with operation frequencies beyond traditional transistor technologies.
The discovery of hundreds of new exoplanets is a significant advance in understanding how planets form and orbits evolve. A notable finding includes a planetary system with two gas giant planets, each roughly the size of Saturn, located unusually close to their host star.
A UCLA-led study found that human-caused climate change is the main cause of increasing fire weather in the western United States. The study used artificial intelligence to analyze climate and fire data, estimating that 68% of the increase in vapor pressure deficit between 1979 and 2020 was likely due to human-induced global warming.
Scientists studied rats in a virtual reality maze to gain a deeper understanding of the hippocampus' circuit-level functions. They discovered that hippocampal neurons encoded multiple aspects of an animal's location, including distance traveled and body direction.
A UCLA-led research team directly observes how atoms are packed in samples of amorphous materials using 3D imaging. They found that the most commonly seen arrangement is groups of seven, with five in one central layer, leading to a network structure with shared edges.
Researchers create a novel magnetoelastic generator that can convert human body motions into electricity, outperforming existing technology. The device is flexible, waterproof, and generates significant electrical currents, opening up new avenues for wearable and implantable diagnostic sensors.
A new UCLA-led study confirms findings of online behavior during the pandemic, showing dramatic changes in American values and activities. The survey of 2,092 Americans indicates a shift towards growing food, conserving resources, and prioritizing family relationships.
An international team of scientists has resolved a half-century-old mystery by discovering that ancient burrow traces in Australian quartzite were made by crustaceans around 40 million years ago. The discovery was made possible by analyzing unusual radioactive minerals in the sand, which revealed that the burrows were more than a billi...
A UCLA-led team develops a breakthrough in microbial fuel cells by adding silver nanoparticles to bacteria, boosting electron transport efficiency and generating more electricity. The innovation could lead to practical applications of renewable energy from wastewater treatment.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a computational technique powered by artificial intelligence that transforms images of tissue previously stained with H&E into new ones with added special stains. The process takes less than one minute per tissue sample, significantly improving diagnoses in medical conditions such as organ transpl...
An international team of space scientists finds that humans can travel to and from Mars safely if the spacecraft has sufficient shielding. The round trip should be shorter than four years. Scientists also recommend timing the mission during solar maximum to shield astronauts and the spacecraft from radiation.
A new UCLA-led study reveals how gut microbes can worsen cognitive impairment in mice by targeting the hippocampus, a crucial brain region for memory and learning. The researchers found that Bilophila wadsworthia bacteria increased in mice fed a ketogenic diet under conditions of oxygen deprivation.
A new study by UCLA researchers found that women who slept less than seven hours a night during the first six months after giving birth had shorter telomeres and were three to seven years older biologically. The study suggests that sleep loss can have long-lasting effects on physical health, increasing the risk of age-related diseases.
The UCLA-led team has devised a solution to enhance wavelength-conversion efficiency by exploring semiconductor surface states. Incoming light is bent using a nanoantenna array, allowing for easy and efficient conversion of wavelengths.
Researchers found that distrust in science, liberal media sources, and negative economic impacts led to fewer precautionary measures among socially conservative Republicans and independents. In contrast, Democrats who trusted scientific authorities and moderate journalists took greater COVID-19 safety measures.
Researchers successfully integrate a new ultrahigh thermal-management material into computer chips, reducing heat and increasing energy efficiency. The development outperforms existing materials like diamond and silicon carbide, with temperatures rising to nearly 188 degrees Fahrenheit.
Researchers have discovered a key molecular mechanism underlying immune cell training, which determines whether cells respond aggressively to threats. By understanding this process, doctors may be able to 'hack' the immune system to strengthen it and prevent autoimmunity.
Researchers developed advanced imaging methods to study the life cycle of liquid foams, revealing that micelles play a crucial role in determining foam stability. The findings could aid in developing new products and improving industrial processes.
A recent UCLA clinical trial has shown encouraging results in helping daily smokers who are also heavy drinkers quit smoking and cut down their alcohol intake. The study found that nearly 36% of participants had quit smoking, with varenicline alone showing a highly encouraging quit rate.
A team of scientists from UCLA and other institutions has confirmed the interaction between electrons and Alfvén waves, shedding light on the origin of the aurora borealis. The experiment replicated conditions in Earth's auroral magnetosphere, revealing that electrons undergo resonant acceleration by the Alfvén wave's electric field.
Researchers at UCLA have identified six signaling codons that specific immune cells use to call up immune defense genes. These codon-words can lead to incorrect gene activation and cause autoimmune diseases like Sjögren's syndrome, which is found when the body mistakenly attacks itself.
A UCLA team discovered a molecule that allows cancer stem cells to bypass the immune system, leading to increased growth and spread of head and neck squamous cell cancers. Inhibiting this molecule has been shown to disrupt cancer progression and eliminate these stem cells.
Researchers have pinned down the precise length of a day on Venus, the tilt of its axis and the size of its core. The new measurements reveal an average day on Venus lasts 243.0226 Earth days, roughly two-thirds of an Earth year, with variations in rotation rate due to the planet's heavy atmosphere.
Researchers have developed a class of materials that manipulates thermal radiation, allowing for efficient energy conversion systems and improved sensing technologies. By directing heat in specific directions over broad spectra, the new material offers capabilities for imaging, sensing applications, solar heating, waste heat recovery, ...
Achuta Kadambi's article in Science explores how medical device physics can perpetuate bias across racial and gender lines. He suggests quantifying sample fairness and recalibrating performance metrics to address these issues.
Researchers used atomic electron tomography to map the structure of metallic glass, a class of matter that has long posed a challenge to scientists. The study revealed pockets where atoms coalesced into ordered superclusters, showing that even within an amorphous solid, the arrangement of atoms is not completely random.
Research on grass blade sizes reveals that smaller leaves with more veins provide better tolerance to dry and cold conditions. This discovery can aid scientists in conserving grass species under climate change and breeding crops for cold climates.
A recent study found that bilingual babies have a similar interest in infant-directed speech as monolingual babies, and are developmentally on track. The study showed that exposure to one language does not hinder the learning of another, and that parents can confidently babble to their babies in one or two languages.
Researchers at UCLA discovered that deactivating a specific gene in cancer cells can significantly slow tumor growth and enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy. The findings hold promise for developing more effective treatments for highly invasive head and neck squamous cell cancers.
A new UCLA-led study finds that Black men face high levels of discriminatory indignities on a nearly daily basis, regardless of income level. The study's results indicate that structural barriers limit the benefits of economic achievements for Black men, increasing the risk of adverse physical and mental health outcomes.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences refutes the concept that a person's position within a network is crucial for information spread. Even with minimal advertising, the influence of individuals across the network becomes more equalized.
Researchers create synthetic biomaterials mimicking tendon structure and strength through freeze-casting and salting-out processes. The new hydrogels show promise for temporary wound closure, long-term tissue replacement, and wearable medical device coatings.
During COVID-19, internet trends revealed a surge in community-oriented values, with words like 'help' and 'sacrifice' increasing on Twitter. The pandemic also inspired people to adopt basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter, as seen in Google searches for terms like 'grow vegetables' and 'sewing machine'.
Scientists identify critical enzyme KDM4B as key factor in skeletal aging and bone loss, leading to brittle bones and fractures. The study provides promising insights into the development of strategies to reverse bone-fat imbalance and prevent osteoporosis.
Researchers at UCLA have discovered a new molecular component in perovskites that can enhance their electronic performance. The study, published in Science, shows that properly designed organic molecules can contribute to the materials' electronic properties, leading to improved efficiency in solar cells and LEDs.
Researchers report two more patients in minimally conscious states show significant improvement after receiving low-intensity focused ultrasound treatment. One patient demonstrated ability to respond to commands and communicate with family members, while another showed recognition of objects and understanding of speech.
A global team of scientists warns that humans face a catastrophic future due to environmental degradation, population growth, and political inaction. The researchers highlight the urgent need for concrete changes to mitigate these threats, including ending fossil fuel use and empowering women.
A team of scientists found that the dire wolf evolved in isolation from gray wolves and coyotes, with no evidence of interbreeding or gene flow between the two species. This discovery sheds light on the dire wolf's origins and evolution, revealing a unique genetic history.
Two UCLA studies reveal that maternal stress prior to conception and during the third trimester can lead to shorter telomeres in children, which is associated with faster aging and increased risk of diseases. The study also found that high maternal stress before pregnancy was linked to shorter pregnancies.
A UCLA study published in Science found that desert tortoises with higher genetic variation had higher survival rates after relocation. The researchers analyzed blood samples from 79 surviving and 87 deceased tortoises and found that survivors averaged 23% greater heterozygosity than those that perished.
UCLA bioengineers and mathematicians invent stable, armored emulsions that stay intact following mixing. These 'tiny test tubes' enable repeatable chemical reactions, speeding up the discovery of new drugs and health diagnostics.
The COVID-19 pandemic is predicted to have a lasting impact on society, with declining birthrates, postponed marriages, and increased social conservatism. Women may take on more caregiving responsibilities, leading to changes in family dynamics and economic inequality.
Researchers found that catalase can regulate cytokine production, protect alveolar cells from damage, and repress SARS-CoV-2 virus replication in rhesus macaques. The study suggests a potential therapeutic solution for hyperinflammation caused by COVID-19.
A UCLA study reveals that a mother's gut microbiota plays a crucial role in fetal neurodevelopment. The research found that depleting the maternal gut microbiota during pregnancy disrupted fetal brain development, including reduced axon growth and impaired sensory behaviors.
A new report highlights the need for top hospitals to prioritize tobacco treatment, citing a disconnect between rankings and smoking cessation care. The study's authors argue that addressing tobacco dependence should be a priority, especially given its impact on various health conditions, resulting in significant healthcare costs.
A UCLA-led team of scientists found that sleep changes its purpose at around 2-and-a-half years old, shifting from brain-building during REM sleep to brain-maintenance and repair afterwards. This transition is crucial for clearing damaged genes and proteins from neurons, preventing serious illness.
A research team has developed nanoscale copper wires with specially shaped surfaces to catalyze the conversion of carbon dioxide into ethylene, producing a conversion rate of over 70%. The new system is more efficient than previous designs and can run for extended periods without losing efficiency.