A UCLA-led team has developed a new method to analyze nanocrystals using electron microscopes, enabling quick identification of small molecule structures. This technique accelerates processes for drug development by allowing scientists to screen more samples faster.
A UCLA cell study has discovered the impact of head injuries on individual cells and genes, leading to serious brain disorders. The researchers found that hundreds of genes are adversely affected by mild traumatic brain injury, which can later lead to diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Researchers and students from UCLA monitor seafood purchases from Los Angeles restaurants, extracting DNA to distinguish between fish species. They find that sushi mislabeling is pervasive, but intentional fraud is less common, with some restaurants already implementing changes based on their findings.
Researchers at UCLA will use a new liquid biopsy tool to test individuals at risk of lung cancer, with the goal of detecting the disease earlier. The technology aims to differentiate between cancerous and benign lung lesions, reducing unnecessary procedures and improving patient outcomes.
Researchers discovered thousands of four- and five-drug combinations that are more effective at killing harmful bacteria than previously thought. The combinations work by targeting the bacteria in different ways, such as attacking cell walls or DNA.
A new UCLA psychology study found that young adults are more likely to choose their parents over their closest friends when faced with a decision. The study involved 174 participants aged 18-30 and showed that the bias toward parents occurred regardless of age or gender.
UCLA researchers have discovered a chemical reaction that uses non-classical carbocations to convert alkanes from petroleum waste into more chemically useful compounds. The finding introduces new ways to break apart strong bonds in alkanes and has practical potential for processing unwanted waste products.
A new study by UCLA communication researcher Greg Bryant found that people across cultures and continents can tell the difference between a fake laugh and a real one. The study, published in Psychological Science, used recordings of laughs from English-speaking friends and women who laughed on command to test participants' ability to i...
Noa Pinter-Wollman's research aims to create a new field of study combining biology, psychology, and architecture to improve human health, teamwork, and collective behavior. The new field has implications for designing healthy environments, such as buildings and communities, that promote well-being.
Researchers found that the PGC-1α gene controls the equilibrium of bone and fat in bone marrow and affects how stem cells differentiate into bone or fat cells. Increasing PGC-1α expression may slow down bone loss and decrease bone marrow fat, suggesting a protective role in maintaining the bone-to-fat balance.
Researchers found that people with heroin addiction have 54% more hypocretin-producing neurons than non-addicts. In mice, morphine restored missing hypocretin cells, reversing narcoleptic symptoms. Further study is needed to explore potential treatment for narcolepsy.
Researchers at UCLA have developed synthetic T cells with near-perfect facsimiles of human T cells, which could lead to more effective treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases. The artificial cells can boost the immune system and interact with immune cells, making them a promising tool in the fight against infections.
Researchers have gained a deeper understanding of telomerase, an enzyme that maintains DNA in telomeres. Telomerase is active in cancer cells, enabling them to grow and spread. The study provides clues about how to target the enzyme's activity to develop new drugs.
Researchers found that the ketogenic diet alters gut microbiota in mice, leading to reduced seizures. Specifically, two types of bacteria - Akkermansia muciniphila and Parabacteroides species - play a key role in providing protection against seizures.
Researchers at UCLA used a bioengineered gel to regenerate neurons and blood vessels in mice with stroke-damaged brains. After 16 weeks, the gel helped fill in the stroke cavity, resulting in improved motor behavior in the affected mice.
A study co-authored by UCLA scientists reveals evidence of water vapor plumes on Europa's surface, providing further support for the possibility of a vast ocean beneath its icy outer shell. The research suggests that there are energy sources in the moon's interior that would be required if life were to develop on Europa.
Researchers characterized mEAK-7, a human equivalent of EAK-7, which regulates cell growth and development. The study found that mEAK-7 activates an alternative pathway in cells, potentially controlling disease progression. Disrupting this process could lead to new therapies for cancer and other diseases.
Researchers at UCLA have successfully transferred a memory from one marine snail to another by injecting RNA, creating an artificial memory. The study could lead to new ways to lessen the trauma of painful memories and restore lost ones.
A UCLA-led team developed a nonsurgical, noninvasive spinal stimulation procedure that allows six people with severe spinal cord injuries to regain use of their hands and fingers for the first time in years. The participants showed substantial improvements after just eight researcher-led training sessions.
A UCLA-led team of biologists reports that a six-mile-wide asteroid crash 66 million years ago created an enormous evolutionary void for marine fish to diversify. Today's rich biodiversity among marine fish shows the fingerprints of this mass extinction, with six major acanthomorph groups producing almost all marine fish diversity.
UCLA biochemists have developed a new technique called cryo-electron microscopy that allows them to view large biomolecules like viruses in extraordinary detail. Using this method, they have successfully imaged the smallest protein ever seen by this technique, paving the way for better understanding of disease-causing proteins.
A study by UCLA researchers found that sedentary behavior is a significant predictor of thinning in the medial temporal lobe, a region critical for memory formation. Regular physical activity, even at high levels, is insufficient to offset the harmful effects of prolonged sitting.
Researchers have created a statistical analysis software called scImpute to handle RNA sequencing dropouts and improve the accuracy of measuring gene expression in individual cells. The tool uses information from similar cells to make educated guesses about gene abundance, providing more reliable results.
Primary schoolchildren raised in homes surrounded by more greenspace tend to present with larger volumes of white and grey matter in certain areas of the brain. This is associated with beneficial effects on cognitive function, according to a recent study published in Environmental Health Perspectives.
Researchers have developed a new method, DropSynth, to synthesize thousands of genes at once, reducing the cost from $50-$100 to $2 per gene. This breakthrough enables scientists to test hypotheses and analyze large numbers of cells with ease.
A UCLA-led study has found significant overlap in gene expression patterns among autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, with distinct differences also observed. Researchers have identified a molecular pathological signature for these disorders, providing a large step forward in understanding their underlying causes.
A new study by UCLA researchers found that daily consumption of curcumin improved memory and mood in people with mild, age-related memory loss. The study, which involved 40 adults aged 50-90, showed significant improvements in cognitive power and reduced amyloid and tau signals in the brain.
UCLA researchers have developed a map of gene regulation in human neurogenesis, identifying factors that govern brain growth and set the stage for brain disorders. The study reveals key genes involved in neurogenesis and their roles in human cognition.
Researchers at UCLA have successfully formed a crystalline solid with moving parts, dubbed 'amphidynamic', which could have wide-ranging applications in technology and science. The creation of BODCA-MOF, a metallo-organic framework containing spherical molecules, demonstrates the potential for rapid motion inside a solid crystal.
A new UCLA study suggests that mirror neuron activity in the brain can predict a person's willingness to cause harm or help others in moral dilemmas. The research found that those with stronger neural resonance were less likely to choose harming others, while decisions based on greater good were influenced by cognitive processes.
Researchers found that estrogen treatment exerts positive effects on immune cells in the brain and oligodendrocytes, providing complementary actions that protect against MS damage. Estrogen's protective effect is mediated by protein ERb, targeting both cell types for disease prevention.
Gene expression in specific cells and regions provides a more precise, neuroprotective approach than traditional treatments for neurological diseases. Increasing cholesterol synthesis gene expression in astrocytes of the spinal cord can repair nerves affected by walking in multiple sclerosis patients.
Researchers developed a mouse model where the FXN gene defect causing Friedreich’s ataxia can be turned on or off, revealing that many early symptoms are reversible. The study found that reducing frataxin levels led to symptoms similar to those seen in humans with the disease, which disappeared when frataxin levels returned to normal.
Scientists from UCLA and University of Wisconsin-Madison analyze ancient fossils, discovering primitive photosynthesizers, methane producers, and consumers. The findings suggest that life in the universe is widespread and not difficult to form.
Researchers used a combination of advanced imaging techniques to examine a second-century Egyptian painting, revealing details about the artist's materials and techniques. The study provided insights into fashions and artistic methods popular at the time.
A UCLA-led team used extreme fieldwork and climate modeling to unravel a meltwater mystery on Greenland's ice sheet. They discovered that sunlight penetrating into the ice causes subsurface melting and storage of meltwater, leading to discrepancies between models' estimates and real-time data.
Researchers develop new method to produce nanoribbons of graphene, essential for smaller electronic devices. The process uses ultraviolet light and 600-degree heat to create narrow strips of graphene with a bandgap.
Scientists discovered a rare form of nitrogen gas in Earth's atmosphere, which is more abundant than expected. The discovery provides clues about the composition of life-supporting planets and their atmospheres.
Researchers at UCLA developed a deep-learning-based technique to reconstruct holograms for microscopic images, producing better results than current methods. This approach could aid in diagnosing abnormalities in medical images and improve optical microscopy for medical diagnostics.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a 2-in-1 device that uses solar energy to create and store hydrogen fuel for eco-friendly cars. The technology produces hydrogen using abundant and less expensive elements, making it more affordable for consumers.
Researchers at UCLA discovered that moving bus stops away from busy intersections can significantly reduce the amount of pollution bus riders are exposed to. By relocating stops 120 feet away from intersections, pollutant concentrations decrease sharply with distance.
Researchers found that extreme methane rainstorms occur frequently on Titan, creating massive floods in deserts and shaping the moon's surface. The storms are correlated with the formation of alluvial fans, similar to those on Earth.
A team led by UCLA professor David Jewitt has identified a primitive comet, C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS), 1.5 billion miles from the sun. The discovery allows scientists to monitor the comet's activity over an extraordinary range of distances.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a new method called quantitative deformability cytometry (q-DC) to rapidly determine a single cell's stiffness and size. This technique allows for standardized measurements of single cells and could lead to improved cancer treatments by tracking patient progress and predicting drug effectiveness.
The RESPECT trial found that closing a small hole in the heart reduced stroke recurrence by 45% compared to standard therapy. The study suggests this device is a good option for certain patients facing years of ongoing stroke risk, but may not be suitable for everyone.
UCLA physicists pioneer method to create unique new molecule that violates the octet rule, which describes chemical reactions. The study uses ultra-cold temperatures and tools from physics to observe properties of atoms and molecules, paving way for controlling chemistry.
In a study on middle-aged fruit flies, researchers found that an intervention targeting mitochondria improved the animals' health while significantly slowing their aging. The technique, developed by UCLA biologists, has potential to delay age-related diseases in humans.
Researchers suggest primordial black holes formed shortly after the Big Bang might explain the origin of heavy elements like gold, platinum and uranium. They propose a theory where these black holes collide with neutron stars to produce heavier elements.
A UCLA study reveals that older, sociable capuchins invent more new social behaviors, while younger monkeys innovate in different categories. The research found 187 innovations, with most occurring in the investigative category.
Researchers conducted two experiments with UCLA students to test the impact of multitasking on memory. They found that divided attention impairs memory recall but does not affect focus on critical information.