Researchers at UC Riverside found that certain Dickinsonia fossils are incomplete due to ancient currents lifting them from the sea floor. The team measured the direction of missing parts and showed they aligned with features formed under wave action, indicating the fossils were not 'missing' but rather not preserved.
Bai-Lian Li, a professor of ecology at UC Riverside, has been awarded the 2015 Prigogine Gold Medal for his work on mathematical and statistical modeling applications in ecological studies. His research focuses on self-organization, emergence, and non-equilibrium biological systems.
Researchers at UC Riverside found that perceptual learning training improved contrast sensitivity and visual acuity for both younger and older adults. The study also produced an unexpected improvement in visual acuity for older adults after just five days of training.
Research on mice by UC Riverside scientists reveals that genetically modified soybean oil is just as unhealthy as conventional soybean oil, inducing obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver. However, GM soybean oil does not cause insulin resistance, unlike regular soybean oil.
Researchers found that employees do not disinvest in their company's stock even when the company is failing, resulting in average losses of nearly $30 million. Employees should diversify their retirement plans to avoid significant financial losses.
UC Riverside researchers develop unique model system to study environmental effects of copper nanoparticles. The studies show that properly functioning septic tanks can eliminate toxicity of nanoparticles, providing encouraging results for human health and ecosystem implications.
Researchers at University of California - Riverside developed a glass cage-like coating and graphene oxide to improve lithium-sulfur battery performance. The silica-caged sulfur particles provided substantially higher battery performance, and incorporating mildly reduced graphene oxide improved the design further.
A unique combination of ecological, environmental, and behavioral factors led to the abundant production and preservation of Early Triassic swim tracks. Delayed ecologic recovery, depositional environments, and tetrapod swimming behavior contributed to their formation.
A new pretreatment process called Co-solvent Enhanced Lignocellulosic Fractionation (CELF) reduces the need for enzymes in biofuel production by up to 90%, cutting costs by 30% or more. This technology also extracts up to 90% of lignin from biomass, paving the way for additional high-value chemicals and fuels.
Scientists have created ultra-small and highly sensitive gas sensors made of molybdenum disulfide, which can selectively detect ethanol, acetonitrile, toluene, chloroform and methanol vapors. The sensors are ideal for various applications due to their small size, high selectivity and sensitivity.
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside have developed a novel paper-like material composed of silicon nanofibers to boost lithium-ion battery performance. The material has the potential to increase specific energy by several times, making it suitable for electric vehicles and personal electronics.
A new species of hummingbird has been discovered in the Bahamas, characterized by its distinctive lyre-tailed plumage and unique courtship displays. Genetic analysis reveals that the two subspecies diverged around 400,000 to 1 million years ago.
A team of scientists led by Sean Cutler at UC Riverside successfully repurposed an agrochemical to enhance plant drought tolerance. The researchers engineered plant receptors to respond to mandipropamid, a widely used agricultural chemical, and found that the plants effectively survived drought conditions.
A team of scientists has discovered potent natural compounds in plants that can counteract the action of juvenile hormone in insects, making them effective against mosquitoes and other pests. The newly identified compounds could lead to the development of a new class of safe and effective pesticides.
A team of physicists at UC Riverside created magnetic graphene by bringing it close to a magnetic insulator, preserving its electronic properties. This breakthrough has the potential to increase graphene's use in computers with more robust and multi-functional electronic devices.
Researchers found that mosquitoes respond weakly to human skin odor alone and require a fluctuating concentration of carbon dioxide to land on human skin. This suggests that upwind flight towards human odor may be used to locate dwellings rather than feeding sites.
Researchers at UC Riverside have identified microRNA-8 as a crucial regulator of mosquito reproduction, which plays an essential role in the female mosquito's 'fat body'. Depletion of miR-8 results in severe defects in egg development and deposition, highlighting its potential as a novel control strategy for mosquito populations.
Researchers at UC Riverside devised a method to isolate hydrocarbon molecules used by insects for communication and differentiation. The study found that nearly all insects produce the R form of these chemicals, paving the way for understanding their functions and potential applications in controlling pest species.
Resistin, an immune protein found in human serum, instigates an inappropriate inflammatory response to worm infections, impairing clearance. Targeting this pathway with drugs or antibodies could lead to new therapeutic strategies for worm infections and associated pathology.
A UC Riverside study found that geckos without an adhesive system evolved faster in terms of morphology and locomotion. This suggests that losing adaptations can be beneficial for the species, allowing it to occupy a new niche.
A team of scientists led by UC Riverside expert Richard Vetter analyzed spider bite data to conclude that the evidence for spider-vectored infections is scarce. The study found that bacterial infections are often misattributed to spider bites, and spiders should not be blamed for human skin infections.
Researchers found that older adults' acquired financial knowledge and experience can compensate for declining fluid intelligence, leading to more efficient financial decision-making. The study used credit scores and cognitive tests to demonstrate the importance of crystallized intelligence in finance.
A research team has found that tooth loss in birds occurred convergently with turtles and multiple mammalian lineages about 116 million years ago. The study used degraded remnants of tooth genes to determine when birds lost their teeth, suggesting a single loss of mineralized teeth in the common ancestor of all modern birds.
Researchers from UC Riverside have discovered that dead geckos can adhere to surfaces with the same force as living geckos, eliminating the need for active control. This finding has significant implications for robotics and other fields where adhesion is crucial.
Researchers have created novel rewritable paper based on color switching property of commercial chemicals, allowing for up to 20 erasures without significant loss in contrast or resolution. The paper has potential applications in meeting increasing global needs for sustainability and environmental conservation.
A team of researchers has identified a chemical compound called indazole chloride that can decrease the effects of multiple sclerosis. Ind-Cl works by inhibiting selective inflammation and remyelinating axons, restoring neuronal function and potentially reducing MS progression.
Researchers propose that filaments in the cosmic web played a critical role in the evolution of galaxies in the distant universe. Galaxies residing in these filaments have a higher chance of actively forming stars, with a process known as 'pre-processing' accelerating their evolution.
Researchers have discovered that the yellow fever virus replicates primarily in the liver, causing significant damage to liver cells. A new clinical parameter has been identified, which could help manage cases of yellow fever, allowing for earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Research finds middle managers are less likely to share their ideas with superiors as organizational hierarchy increases, leading to a lack of control and evaluation apprehension. The study suggests that top management can adjust the idea funnel to promote or counterbalance employee behavior.
UC Riverside professors Eamonn Keogh and Sang-Hee Lee, along with Mindy Marks, are developing a cell phone-based game to encourage healthy behaviors. The team aims to use financial incentives to motivate participants in both the US and sub-Saharan Africa.
Susan R. Wessler, a world-renowned expert in transposable elements, has been awarded the McClintock Prize for her exceptional contributions to plant genome structure, function, and evolution. Her research on plant transposable elements has led to significant findings on the impact of these elements on plant genomes.
Researchers identified a suite of odorants that the Asian citrus psyllid detects, which can modify its behavior. The developed odor-based lure caught nearly 230 percent more ACP than conventional yellow traps.
UC Riverside researchers have identified a new molecular mechanism for resistance and susceptibility to Fusarium oxysporum, a common fungus causing wilt in tomato plants. The study reveals that microRNAs play a crucial role in regulating gene expression, with specific targets contributing to resistance.
UC Riverside researchers are investigating the mechanisms of auditory hypersensitivity in Fragile X syndrome (FXS), a genetic disorder that affects social impairments, repetitive behaviors, and cognitive deficits. The study aims to identify underlying neural mechanisms and develop new therapeutic targets for FXS and autism.
Biologists at UC Riverside found that geckos reverse hind foot position to use the adhesive system as a brake and stabilizer when moving downhill. The study, published in Biology Letters, sheds light on gecko locomotion on non-level terrain and has applications in robotics.
The UCR-led 'Alternative Earths' team will analyze ancient rocks to determine how oxygen developed on Earth billions of years ago. By studying the chemical fingerprints left by early life forms, they aim to understand what evidence would confirm that a planet is habitable and teeming with life.
A team of physicians recommends policy changes to steer defendants into treatment programs instead of correctional facilities. Incarceration reduces access to social resources like health care and increases the risk of unemployment and poverty.
A study published in the Journal of Family Issues found that less supportive and punitive Chinese parenting techniques can lead to negative outcomes in children, including low self-esteem and school adjustment difficulties. The research contradicts the idea that traditional 'Chinese' upbringing is superior and highlights the importance...
A four-year National Science Foundation-funded project aims to resolve the evolutionary relationships of zygomycetes through genome sequencing, fossil analysis, and bioimaging. The project will also develop educational resources highlighting the importance of this poorly known group of fungi.
A recent study published in School Psychology Quarterly found that cyberbullying increases with age, especially during transitions from elementary to middle school. The research highlights the importance of targeted interventions to address gender- and culturally sensitive bullying prevention strategies.
Research led by UC Riverside scientist James O. Sickman found declining levels of carbonaceous particles in Sierra Nevada lakes, indicating improved air quality and reduced acid rain. This decline has allowed sensitive aquatic species to thrive, preserving native clams, zooplankton, sponges, and invertebrates.
Thomson Reuters has included five UC Riverside researchers in its list of highly cited individuals, citing their impact on various scientific fields. The researchers, Roya Bahreini, Julia Bailey-Serres, Robert Haddon, Wei Ren and Yadong Yin, were identified through citation data analysis over 11 years.
A team of researchers, including a UC Riverside assistant professor, developed a method to attack apps on Android and other operating systems with high success rates. They tested the method on six popular apps, including Gmail, and found it was successful between 82-92% of the time.
A new statistical model predicts the performance of hybrid rice, revolutionizing hybrid breeding in agriculture. The UC Riverside-led research uses genomic prediction to identify high-performance hybrids, increasing grain production and achieving global food security.
The H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation is funding a mission-based scholarship program at UCR School of Medicine to help students alleviate medical school costs. The program aims to increase trained physicians in the Coachella Valley, addressing severe shortages.
A team of UC Riverside engineers will characterize, analyze, and synthesize van der Waals materials for novel electronic devices, optical detectors, and energy conversion systems. The research aims to produce new material synthesis techniques and enable practical applications in ultra-thin film materials.
Researchers at UC Riverside have developed a versatile platform technology called Co-solvent Enhanced Lignocellulosic Fractionation (CELF) to produce biofuels from biomass more efficiently. The method uses tetrahydrofuran as a co-solvent and achieves high yields, reducing the cost of producing fuels and chemicals.
A UC Riverside PhD student's study on how species interact with each other has been selected as this year's recipient of the Thomas M. Frost Award for Excellence in Graduate Research. The study found patterns that have never been seen before, including changes in the network structure of interacting plants and animals within ecosystems.
A 1996 research paper by Michael Pazzani and colleagues has been selected as the most influential from The Thirteenth National Conference on Artificial Intelligence. The paper introduced a system to personalize internet content based on user profiles, which has since become a common application of artificial intelligence.
Researchers have linked autistic behaviors in Fragile X syndrome to the MMP-9 enzyme, which can be targeted therapeutically. The study found that deleting MMP-9 favorably impacts behaviors associated with FXS, offering new hope for treating the disorder.