Human neural stem cells are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, including Omicron variants, according to new research from the University of California, Riverside. The findings raise concerns about the potential effects of maternal COVID-19 infection on early nervous system development.
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, are testing a novel protein-based therapy to correct abnormal brain activity in Fragile X syndrome. The therapy, developed by Bowen's FX Therapeutics, aims to restore normal brain function in individuals with the disorder.
A study of mental health stigma in Japan found that high levels of social distancing toward people with mental illness serve as a barrier to care. However, a sense of 'mattering' may encourage treatment. Prior treatment experience and beliefs about treatment efficacy were also associated with greater treatment-seeking willingness.
Research in Native American communities reveals the importance of culturally responsive prevention and a deeper understanding of substance use. The studies show that prevention education can be more effective when tailored to the community's values and perspectives. Additionally, the research explores the co-use of commercial tobacco a...
Physicist Yongtao Cui will develop advanced experimental techniques to probe collective modes in 2D materials, aiming to understand fundamental principles governing novel electronic phases. The grant will also support graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, training the next generation of quantum scientists.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that ancient ocean chemistry created a self-sustaining cycle that kept oxygen levels high after they first rose. This cycle, fueled by phosphorus recycling, allowed for biological productivity and maintained oxygen in the atmosphere.
A new study suggests that Enceladus's icy vents may concentrate organic molecules and molecular biosignatures into individual grains, making them easier to detect. Researchers propose that the process could aid in the search for life on the moon.
Researchers developed a machine learning-based method to identify chemical compounds that can safely repel honey bees from pesticide-treated crops. The model identified 130 compounds with strong potential as bee repellents, which were tested in lab and field experiments, confirming their efficacy.
A new study by UC Riverside scientists has identified MAPK14, a brain protein, as the driving force behind neuroHIV damage, which causes dementia, neuropathy, and memory problems. By targeting this protein, researchers hope to develop a treatment for neuroHIV, a condition affecting millions worldwide.
A US study found that affluent neighborhoods are at higher risk of fire, but tend to recover faster, with 78% of severely burned areas failing to return to pre-fire temperatures within five years. Higher-income areas also experienced smaller losses in vegetation and recovered temperatures more quickly.
A five-year project led by UC Riverside researcher Erica Heinrich seeks to improve respiratory care for patients with conditions like COPD and those on mechanical ventilation. The study aims to develop a machine-learning algorithm that can predict respiratory comfort more accurately than physicians' estimates.
A new study reveals that collisions between individual pieces of Arctic sea ice provide a simple explanation for its movement, which could help scientists predict its transport as the Arctic warms. The study's framework may also be applied to other systems involving many objects colliding in unpredictable environments.
Scientists have identified key chemical reactions that occur when ultraviolet light is used to destroy PFAS pollutants in water. The discovery provides a roadmap for developing more effective cleanup technologies. The study found that ultraviolet light and sulfite generate highly reactive electrons that attack PFAS molecules, breaking ...
Venus, Earth's twin planet, lacks a rocky satellite due to its slow spin and gravity, which causes a moon to collapse and crash into the planet. The discovery sheds light on the planet's evolution and potential habitability.
A new genus of insects named Swiftiephylus has been discovered, with four species inspired by Taylor Swift's music and life. The insects are herbivorous, plant-feeders that help with camouflage, and their discovery highlights the importance of taxonomy in conservation.
Scientists have developed a method to identify where Earth's biggest earthquakes are most likely to occur, focusing on subduction zones. The approach uses GPS measurements to detect locked regions along faults, which store energy until a major earthquake triggers. While the method cannot predict tsunami size or timing, it can narrow do...
A statewide evaluation will assess the implementation and impact of California's traditional health care practices benefit, covering culturally grounded healing approaches for substance use disorders. The project aims to identify best practices for strengthening access to traditional healing and improving care for Native communities.
A new study suggests that tax incentives, known as 'Megadeals,' can increase innovation among nearby businesses and create fertile ground for startups. The study found a 3.3-4.9% increase in patent filings in counties with Megadeals, resulting in two to three additional patents each year.
A $2.1 million NIH grant will support research into the primary cilium's functions in protein synthesis and energy production, with implications for neurological disease. The study will investigate the role of primary cilia in embryonic brain development and connect fundamental cell biology with neurological disorders.
Scientists have identified multiple targets for antibodies that could treat Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, a deadly virus spread by ticks. The research found that antibodies targeting the nucleocapsid protein offer protection against the virus, regardless of strain, and could lead to the development of new treatments.
Research shows a link between dollar store food quality and higher rates of obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. Traditional grocery store access is associated with better health metrics, according to a new study published in BMC Public Health.
Research from the University of California - Riverside shows that pesticides like thiamethoxam and boric acid change ant behavior, with some ants becoming more active outside the nest before dying. This altered behavior may be due to neurological effects caused by the chemicals.
A UC Riverside-led study suggests that vanillin flavoring in e-cigarettes may disrupt the normal development of embryos in pregnant women who vape. Researchers found that high concentrations of vanillin can cause human embryonic stem cells to lose pluripotency and differentiate into endoderm, potentially leading to serious developmenta...
A recent study with 100 pairs of mice found that elite athleticism does not shorten lifespan or limit reproductive success. The researchers observed that high runner mice bred for extraordinary distance running had no reduced reproductive success or lifespan compared to regular mice.
A comprehensive study found that Islamic bonds in Malaysia expanded the investor base, increasing businesses' access to financing and driving economic growth. The study challenged the assumption that introducing a new product divides an existing market, instead showing that it broadened the total amount of capital available.
Researchers at UC Riverside are developing new treatments for malaria and babesiosis using naturally occurring compounds, including leelamine-derived isonitriles and pyrroloiminoquinones. The goal is to create oral treatments that can interrupt transmission of the parasites.
Researchers at UC Riverside identified a genetic marker that controls avocado tree flowering patterns, allowing breeders to determine flower type long before it blooms. This discovery could revolutionize avocado breeding by making decisions faster and more efficient, with potential benefits for high-quality fruit production.
Scientists at UC Riverside developed a new method to help LIGO detect weaker gravitational-wave events by measuring heat-induced distortions in mirrors. The technique combines thermal imaging with existing wavefront measurements and computer models, enabling the observatory to improve its sensitivity and detect more distant events.
Researchers at UC Riverside develop a catalyst that effectively breaks down perchlorate at high concentrations, potentially reducing hazardous waste generated during drinking water treatment. The breakthrough technology could make it possible to destroy perchlorate after it has been captured on ion-exchange resin.
A nationwide analysis reveals breastfeeding initiation rates vary dramatically across US counties, influenced by race, education, urban vs rural communities. Local conditions play a crucial role in shaping breastfeeding initiation rates, with certain communities requiring targeted interventions for improvement.
Researchers uncover how a family of tick-borne viruses, known as orthonairoviruses, evade the immune system by manipulating cellular communication pathways. This study highlights a significant pandemic risk posed by these viruses and emphasizes the need for continued surveillance and preparedness.
A study led by Erica Heinrich highlights a critical gap in detecting and treating breathing discomfort or dyspnea in ventilated patients. Dyspnea is often hard to recognize, but carbon dioxide levels may be more significant drivers of breathlessness than oxygen levels.
A new study finds that a slowing Atlantic Ocean current will strengthen powerful storms in California while reducing snowfall over Greenland. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation's weakening is projected to increase atmospheric moisture and high-altitude winds, creating more destructive atmospheric rivers.
Research examines air quality and respiratory health among children in communities surrounding the Salton Sea, finding that outdoor dust events significantly affect indoor air quality. Families describe daily challenges of protecting children from dust and pollution, which can impact school attendance and overall quality of life.
Researchers developed a gene therapy that restored normal brain activity and improved behavior in mice with Fragile X syndrome by replacing the missing FMRP protein. The treatment administered during early development showed significant improvements in cognitive flexibility, social interactions, and probabilistic reversal learning.
A study of over 3,200 emergency department patients across the US found that nearly all participants were aware of influenza vaccination, but 58.4% had not received a flu vaccine within the past year. Among those who declined vaccination, fear of side effects and lack of information were common concerns.
Researchers found mycorrhizal fungi in desert moss, unlike those found in less harsh conditions, suggesting a deliberate relationship. The discovery could rewrite moss biology and offer clues about the origins of life on land.
Researchers at UC Riverside link immune signaling to disrupted brain function and cognition after concussion, finding a crucial link between TLR4 and MMP-9. Blocking these pathways may limit changes in brain circuits and improve long-term neurological outcomes.
A study led by UC Riverside highlights the importance of rigorous participant verification procedures in online health research to maintain data quality. Researchers found that combining automated screening, human review, and participant verification can substantially improve confidence in online research findings.
A pilot study by researchers at the University of California, Riverside found that a culturally adapted health program helped low-income Latina and Indigenous Mexican women make healthier changes in their daily lives. The program, led by trusted community health workers called promotoras, focused on nutrition education, healthy cooking...
Honeybee queens are created through an elaborate process involving young worker bees constructing customized wax chambers with unique physical and chemical properties. Researchers identified a previously unrecognized class of young worker bees dubbed 'queen cell builders' that appear uniquely adapted for the task.
Thawing permafrost is causing Arctic rivers to turn toxic with orange iron particles, suffocating insects and smothering fish. The process also involves acid rock drainage, where pyrite breaks down into sulfuric acid and sulfate, creating rust-like particles.
Researchers found that repeated vaping can create harmful byproducts in high-puff electronic cigarettes, including methylglyoxal and glyoxal, which are associated with significant cell damage. The study suggests that users of heavily used devices may inhale higher levels of these compounds than those using fresh devices.
QuVET researchers explore how quantum wave functions move through ultra-thin materials, which could improve solar energy technologies and enable new forms of quantum control. They also manipulate quantum states in materials only a few atoms thick, opening possibilities for energy conversion and future quantum technologies.
Researchers at UC Riverside have identified a key neural circuit, the locus coeruleus, which plays a central role in cognitive flexibility and adapting to new rules. Disrupting this circuit impairs the brain's ability to reorganize neural networks during complex decision-making.
Researchers have captured the behavior of scissor-tailed nightjars creating a unique sound by snapping their wrists together during courtship and copulation. The study sheds light on lesser-known bird communication methods and raises questions about the nuances of mechanical sounds.
Researchers found that smoking substantially stiffens human lung parenchyma, making breathing progressively difficult. The study provides detailed mechanical data for human lungs, which may improve ventilator design and surgical planning tools.
Researchers found AI agents tend to prioritize completing tasks over evaluating their safety and context, leading to 80% of undesirable actions and 41% of damage. The study identifies recurring failure patterns, including execution-first bias and request-primacy.
Researchers have identified potential mechanisms linked to reduced type 2 diabetes risk in chronic cannabis users. A team led by Nicholas V. DiPatrizio found that specific compounds within cannabis regulate metabolism, leading to significant weight loss and improved glucose regulation in obese mice.
A team of astronomers has produced the most detailed map of the cosmic web, tracing its network of galaxies back to one billion years old. The COSMOS-Web survey, conducted with the largest JWST survey, reveals a more informative large-scale structure than earlier maps.