Add BrightSurf on Google Email

University of California - Riverside


Vanillin flavoring in e-cigarettes disrupts human embryonic stem cell development

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...

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalHuman Reproduction·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 13, 2026

Offering Islamic bonds expanded corporate financing access

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of Financial Economics·TypeObservational study·DateAug 4, 2026

New technique enables LIGO to peer farther into the distant universe

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalClassical and Quantum Gravity·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 21, 2026

Spatial inequalities in breastfeeding initiation in the United States: A multiscale analysis of county-level determinants

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalACS Central Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 20, 2026

Emerging tick-borne virus raises concern

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalACS Infectious Diseases·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 14, 2026

Beyond the dust: Families describe daily health challenges near the Salton Sea

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalBMC Environmental Science·TypeSurvey·DateJul 1, 2026

Gene therapy reverses Fragile X deficits in mice

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalMolecular Therapy — Nucleic Acids·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 18, 2026

Promotora-led health program shows promise for rural Latina women

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...

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalPublic Health Nutrition·TypeSurvey·DateJun 9, 2026

Quantum research points to future energy and computing technologies

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 27, 2026

Birds clap in the dark to flirt

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of Avian Biology·DateMay 19, 2026

A tiny cell structure with a big role in brain development

Researchers at University of California - Riverside discovered that the primary cilium, a microscopic structure inside nearly every cell, plays a critical role in brain development. The study found that proteins associated with the cilium are directly linked to human developmental disorders and that protein production occurs directly w...

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 8, 2026

Online autism diagnoses found to be effective

A new telehealth tool developed by UCR professor Katherine Meltzoff expands access to autism diagnoses for older children with more verbal speech. The study showed promising results in matching the accuracy of traditional in-person evaluations, offering a potential solution to long-standing barriers.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·TypeObservational study·DateMay 4, 2026

Early human embryonic cells may be vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers discovered that early-stage ectoderm cells are especially susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, with heightened vulnerability driven by elevated TMPRSS2 activity and thinner glycocalyx. This raises concerns about potential developmental risks, particularly for infants born to mothers infected during early pregnancy.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalFrontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 1, 2026

One protein, two roles

Researchers found that Adgrl2 plays a crucial role in building both brain synapses and blood vessels, with different cell types producing distinct versions of the protein. Removing Adgrl2 from endothelial cells caused blood vessels to become leaky and lose their integrity.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 27, 2026

Immune surveillance structures found in skin hair follicles

The study reveals that hair follicles contain specialized sentinel cells that monitor environmental exposure and microbial presence, potentially linking immune detection to sensory signaling. The discovery may have implications for understanding skin infections, immune disorders, and topical therapeutics.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalFrontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 24, 2026

Reclaiming the context of creative works

A new AI-based approach developed by UC Riverside professor Demetrius Lewis helps correct the misclassification of creative works due to shifting genres. The tool provides a more accurate representation of how a work was originally intended and received, reducing the risk of undervaluation for boundary-pushing projects.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalAcademy of Management Discoveries·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 23, 2026

Dark matter could explain earliest supermassive black holes

A study led by University of California, Riverside graduate student Yash Aggarwal suggests that dark matter decays could have seeded the direct collapse of galaxies into giant black holes. The research found that a window of dark matter masses between 24 and 27 electronvolts could produce conditions for black hole formation.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 15, 2026

Watering smarter, not more

A new system can map soil moisture tree by tree, allowing growers to water specific trees if they're dry. Maintaining the right moisture level is crucial for plant health, as too little water can stress trees, while too much water can deprive roots of oxygen.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalComputers and Electronics in Agriculture·DateApr 2, 2026