Researchers outline a future vision for VR research that prioritizes open science practices and technological accessibility. The Openverse protocol addresses interoperability, procedural standardization, and data sharing to improve VR study quality and address the reproducibility crisis.
A proposed fairness framework aims to address bias and inconsistency in faculty promotion and tenure decisions, ensuring meritorious candidates are recognized regardless of background. The framework, called SET, identifies targeted changes to existing processes to reduce bias and increase equity.
A study published in Nature Communications found that evaluating multiple candidates simultaneously reduces racial disparities in promotion and tenure decisions. This structural change increases Black and Hispanic faculty members' promotion chances by 16.2%, effectively eliminating racial disparities at the department level.
Researchers analyzed ancient maize cob fragments to reconstruct agricultural practices from nearly a millennium ago. The study reveals that the Chincha Kingdom used seabird guano as a high-powered fertilizer, transforming a desert landscape into one of the most productive riverine valleys in Peru.
A study by University of California - Merced sociologist Daisy Verduzco Reyes found that Latinx college graduates experience improved emotional well-being after the COVID-19 pandemic student loan repayment pause, with 37 participants carrying over $26,000 in debt.
Research finds infants with sensorineural hearing loss lack normal left-hemisphere language specialization. Early auditory stimulation and language exposure can help preserve brain development.
A new study from University of California Merced found that married fathers' optimism and confidence can lower maternal inflammation during pregnancy, leading to longer gestation periods. Higher paternal resilience also predicted healthier fetal development.
Immigration enforcement policies are producing widespread harm to physical and mental health, with family separation and fear affecting communities. Researchers call for an end to deportations and restrictive immigration policies, highlighting the need for community care and solidarity.
A UC Merced biologist found that activating neural signals can selectively remove cancer symptoms in planarian flatworms, which could change how doctors treat cancer and age-related diseases. The study may also shed light on degenerative conditions linked to aging.
A new study reveals that collaborations between conservationists and artists can generate new knowledge, attract funding, and catalyze behavioral change. By working together, artists and conservationists can co-create ideas, develop more effective solutions, and shape public attitudes towards nature.
A recent survey-based study found that even with forecasts of near-term job automation, Americans remain cautious but not panicked about losing their jobs to AI. Respondents showed modest increases in concern about technological unemployment, but policy preferences and economic outlooks remained unchanged.
Researchers identified measurable changes minutes before breakthroughs in expert mathematicians, offering a new window into the mechanics of human creativity. The study's method could help scientists predict creative insights and understand micro-dynamics.
Researchers have discovered a method to temporarily halt ultrafast melting of silicon by using precisely timed laser pulses. This breakthrough could improve the accuracy of experiments studying energy transfer between electrons and atoms in solids.
A study by UC Merced sociology Professor Daisy Verduzco Reyes found that providing for parents is a defining goal for many first-generation Mexican American college graduates. The 'Latinx mobility bargain' or 'immigrant bargain' emphasizes the importance of fulfilling financial and emotional labor roles in families of origin.
Researchers found that voting behavior did not significantly change despite suspension of rights like freedom of assembly and movement. The estimated drop in vote share was between 0.8 and 1.7 percentage points, statistically insignificant.
Researchers have created tiny artificial cells that accurately keep time, shedding light on biological clocks and their mechanisms. The study reveals that high concentrations of clock proteins are necessary to maintain proper function and synchronizing timing across a population plays a crucial role.
A new book by UC Merced Professor Christopher Ojeda examines the emotional toll of politics on citizens, highlighting the dangers of disenfranchisement and its impact on mental health. The author offers practical advice for creating space for healthy engagement in democracy.
Researchers found hurricanes dramatically change oxygen concentrations and bring nutrient-rich water to the surface, creating phytoplankton blooms that support a variety of marine life. This process has significant impacts on ocean ecosystems, particularly in areas with low-oxygen zones.
A new study finds that California's Central Valley is a major contributor to human-caused dust events, with 77% of fallowed land in the region associated with 88% of major dust events. The study highlights the need for mitigation efforts to reduce wind erosion and improve soil health.
Researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology have created a complete evolutionary tree of bird species by combining data on 9,239 species. The resulting database can be easily shared and updated as new studies are published.
Researchers at University of California, Merced are using wastewater-based epidemiology to track nicotine use in San Joaquin Valley communities. The project aims to determine trends and levels of nicotine use through chemicals in wastewater, providing valuable insights for public health agencies and tobacco-control researchers.
A multinational research project, led by UC Merced and BioSCape, used NASA aircraft to collect data on ultraviolet, visual, thermal and other images over South Africa's Greater Cape Floristic Region. The data provided a comprehensive look at the region's biodiversity and ecosystem function.
A UC Merced study revealed a significant gap in false-belief understanding among preschool children, with lower socioeconomic groups showing the most impact. Children from higher-income backgrounds showed little cognitive effect from lockdowns.
A cognitive science professor at UC Merced proposes a suite of video games to accelerate cancer research using artificial intelligence and gamified citizen science. The 'Cancer Wars' initiative aims to harness the collective problem-solving power of millions of gamers to tackle complex scientific problems.
Mechanical engineering professor Debora Lyn Porter is using a $990,000 grant to research growing fungi into patterns called biotemplating. The goal is to create materials with high strength-to-weight ratio and biodegradability, suitable for aerospace and clothing production.
A research program co-led by UC Merced aims to uncover biases in academic evaluations and develop strategies for change, finding that minority faculty receive harsher evaluation judgments, with women minority faculty facing the harshest treatment.
Researchers at UC Merced used fruit flies to uncover a cellular process that could impact the understanding of cancer and aging. They discovered a mechanism that cells use to tune how much protein they make through the process of translating RNA into protein, which can affect longevity and cancer cell production.
A new paper by UC faculty outlines strategies to reduce California agriculture's vulnerabilities to climate change, focusing on water demand, supply, and institutions. Researchers recommend efficient watering practices, improved soil health, and effective monitoring of extreme weather events.
A study by UC Merced Professor Alexander M. Petersen and Michelangelo Puliga found that the EU expansion facilitated the inter-European circulation of highly skilled workers in various fields, including medicine, technology, education, science, engineering, and business.
Research at UC Merced found a chemical record of global photosynthesis spanning hundreds of years, indicating a significant increase in plant growth since the industrial revolution. The findings suggest that rising atmospheric CO2 levels and climate change may be driving this trend.
A new study found that dust provides important inputs of the plant-growth limiting nutrient phosphorus to western Sierra Nevada ecosystems. This discovery has implications for predicting forest response to changes in climate and land use.
Researchers built upon a previous study to demonstrate how naturally occurring sugars and amino acids can form the building blocks of life. They found that adding simple amino acids allowed only the natural, stable form of RNA precursors to be generated.
A new study by UC Merced professor Anthony Westerling predicts a significant increase in large wildfires in Yellowstone by 2050, leading to changes in forest composition and wildlife habitats. The projected increase could result in fewer dense forests and more open vegetation, with some forests failing to regenerate after repeated fires.
A study published in Science found that biomass converted into electricity produces 81% more transportation miles and 108% more emissions offsets compared to ethanol. This means vehicles powered by electricity get further down the road, making it a more efficient solution for transportation and climate policy.