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University of California - Riverside


Making higher-energy light to fight cancer

Scientists at University of California, Riverside and The University of Texas at Austin demonstrate photon up-conversion using silicon nanocrystals and organic molecules. This breakthrough brings them closer to developing photodynamic treatments for cancer and advancing new technologies for solar-energy conversion and quantum information.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Chemistry·DateDec 2, 2019

The thrust of the problem

A team of researchers from UC Riverside has determined a new geometric model for the Main Himalayan Thrust fault, allowing officials to better prepare for future earthquakes. The study found that the fault is still accumulating stress and may have increased the likelihood of another big earthquake nearby.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Geoscience·DateNov 12, 2019

Not so quiet, please

Researchers found that early exposure to sounds can restore molecular, cellular, and functional properties in the auditory cortex of mice with Fragile X Syndrome. This discovery suggests that facilitating exposure to sounds during early development could be a novel approach to treat hypersensitivity associated with FXS.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNeurobiology of Disease·DateNov 6, 2019

Small magnets reveal big secrets

A microscopic process of electron spin dynamics in nanoparticles has been identified, which could have wide-ranging impact on applications in medicine, quantum computation, and spintronics. The research provides insights into the principles of energy dissipation in nanomagnets, enabling engineers to build better devices.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 25, 2019

Grains in the rain

Researchers have discovered that certain plant species, including wild tomato and alfalfa, share common genes with rice that enable them to survive flooding. The study aims to improve crop resilience to flooding by activating these genes in other plants.

Supercomputing improves biomass fuel conversion

Researchers used supercomputing and nano-imaging to reveal how a 'lignin-first' approach can facilitate the efficient breakdown of plant biomass. The study found that pretreating plant biomass with specific co-solvents, such as tetrahydrofuran and water, can help break down lignin and increase enzyme access to cellulose.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 1, 2019

Attitudes toward race, immigration underscored vote switching in 2016 election

A new study from UC Riverside suggests that concerns about race and immigration were the primary determinants of vote switching in the 2016 presidential election. The researchers found that both working-class and non-working-class whites who held punitive immigration or racially conservative views were more likely to switch to Donald T...

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalPublic Opinion Quarterly·DateJul 25, 2019

'You all look alike to me' is hard-wired in us, UCR research finds

A new study led by UC Riverside psychologist Brent Hughes found that the tendency to recognize differences in own-race faces is greater than in other-race faces, a phenomenon known as the 'other-race effect.' This bias occurs even at early stages of sensory perception and can affect downstream beliefs and behaviors.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 8, 2019