A recent study found that pregnant Hispanic women in California consume high levels of toxins such as methylmercury from tuna and PCBs from farmed salmon, which can cause birth defects and developmental delays. The researchers also highlighted the dangers of tap water and caffeine consumption during pregnancy.
Researchers from UC Riverside and international partners discover a new mineral, cubic boron nitride, named qingsongite, which has unique properties resembling those of diamond. Qingsongite was found in the southern Tibetan mountains under extreme conditions and has been officially approved by the International Mineralogical Association.
Jocelyn Millar, a professor of entomology at UC Riverside, has been elected a fellow of the Entomological Society of America (ESA) for his outstanding contributions to entomology. He is recognized internationally as an expert in chemical ecology and has developed practical applications for detecting and managing insect populations.
Researchers at University of California, Riverside, have received a $360,000 NSF grant to study graphene's thermal properties and develop new approaches for removing heat from electronic devices. The team will investigate the effect of rotation angle on twisted bilayer graphene's thermal conductivity.
A graduate student at UC Riverside has received a $90,000 NIH fellowship to investigate the cytotoxic effects of e-cigarette aerosols on human cell health. The research aims to better understand the potential risks of e-cigarettes and improve their effectiveness as smoking cessation devices.
Researchers at UC Riverside aim to develop more effective treatments for brain disorders like epilepsy by studying neuronal hyperexcitability and astrocytic swelling. They will investigate the relationship between astrocytic swelling and seizure thresholds using mouse models and modern imaging techniques.
Researchers at University of California, Riverside identified odor molecules that impair mosquitoes' carbon dioxide detection machinery. Olfactor Labs developed a wearable patch that delivers non-toxic compounds to repel mosquitoes, providing up to 48 hours of protection.
A study by UC Riverside sociologist Augustine Kposowa found that married men are significantly less likely to die of HIV/AIDS than divorced or single counterparts. In contrast, racial disparities persist, with African-American and Latina women facing higher mortality rates than white women.
Bioengineering professor Dimitrios Morikis and research scientist Monte Radeke are searching for chemical compounds targeting the complement system to treat age-related macular degeneration. They will use computational screening, experimental testing, and human retinal cell-based models to identify potential treatments.
A UC Riverside-led team has discovered a new chemical called quinabactin that mimics a naturally occurring stress hormone in plants to improve drought tolerance. This breakthrough could provide a powerful tool for farmers to protect their crops under extreme weather conditions.
A team led by UC Riverside's Karine Le Roch will study the 3-D structure of the malaria parasite's genome during its erythrocytic cycle, which could lead to insights into how parasite genes are regulated. This information is crucial for designing new drugs and novel lines of defense against malaria.
Yinsheng Wang, a UC Riverside professor of chemistry, has received the prestigious Biemann Medal for his significant contributions to mass spectrometry. The award recognizes his work on DNA damage and anti-tumor drugs, highlighting the importance of mass spectrometry in understanding genetic information.
A team of evolutionary biologists discovered that male guppies can continue to reproduce for at least 10 months after they die, with stored sperm surviving inside females. This phenomenon increases population size and genetic variation, allowing populations to survive and thrive in environments where males are scarce.
Researchers have identified a sleep mechanism that enables the brain to consolidate emotional memory and found that Ambien heightens recollection of and response to bad memories. This discovery has implications for individuals with anxiety disorders, such as PTSD, who are prescribed Ambien to help them sleep.
The John Templeton Foundation has awarded UC Riverside an additional $100,000 to support graduate students researching issues related to immortality. The funding will provide four graduate fellowships and a weeklong workshop for young scholars.
A team of researchers led by UC Riverside's Maxim Bazhenov is investigating the role of sleep in memory and learning with a $7.5 million grant from the Department of Defense. The study aims to explore the neural substrate for memory consolidation during sleep, which may improve human memory performance.
The UC Riverside FACES project uses facial recognition technology to analyze portraits of historical figures, including Dante, Lorenzo de' Medici, and Shakespeare. The researchers aim to develop an algorithm that can accurately identify subjects despite variations in facial expressions, aging, and artistic styles.
A former University of California, Riverside graduate student built a system that replicates a human colon, septic tank, and groundwater to understand the impact of bacteria on groundwater. His research found that pathogens could potentially linger longer in aquatic environments, posing a risk to water quality.
Researchers used blazar observations to estimate the extragalactic background light (EBL) by measuring the attenuation of high-energy gamma rays. By applying this methodology to blazars at different distances, they were able to study EBL evolution and characterize its build-up over cosmic time.
The Immortality Project at UC Riverside has awarded $2.3 million to 10 research teams studying near-death experiences, virtual reality immortality, and the genetics of a species of freshwater hydra that never ages. The projects aim to advance knowledge on human longevity, near-death experiences, and the nature of personhood.
Researchers have found a way to modify the optical transparency of single-walled carbon nanotube films in a controlled pattern by adding an ionic liquid, enabling applications such as Smart Windows and more efficient electronics.
John Heraty will study the eucharitid wasp genus Orasema, a specialized group of ant parasitoids. More than 200 species are expected to be described as part of the study, which aims to understand relationships and species boundaries.
Serguei Triapitsyn, an entomologist at UC Riverside, has discovered a new wasp species, Gonatocerus ucri, from the Russian Far East. The wasp is mostly brown in color and has long antennae and wings, with its host unknown but potentially beneficial insects.
Phyllis Guze, M.D., associate vice chancellor at UCR Medical School, has been awarded the Dema C. Daley Founder's award by APDIM for her career dedication to exemplary teaching and innovative educational program management. She also received the Mastership designation from ACP, recognizing her contributions to medicine and medical educ...
Renowned geneticist Susan Wessler has been elected a member of the American Philosophical Society (APS), a prestigious organization established in 1743. The election recognizes her extraordinary contributions to plant genetics and her commitment to scientific engagement and knowledge promotion.
Xuemei Chen, a professor of plant cell and molecular biology at UCR, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences for her excellence in original scientific research. She is recognized for her groundbreaking work on plant meristem development and micro RNA molecules.
Researchers found that voters who remained optimistic about the outcome of a ballot measure were more likely to cast ballots, but also experienced greater disappointment when the measure failed. This study sheds light on how voter expectations change in the weeks leading up to Election Day and the impact on voting behavior.
Natasha Raikhel, a distinguished professor at UC Riverside, has been named recipient of the Adolph E. Gude, Jr. Award for outstanding service to plant biology. Susan Wessler, also from UC Riverside, is a fellow of the ASPB for her pioneering work on plant transposable elements and genomes.
A study by UC Riverside researchers identifies the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as the site of action for miRNA-mediated gene silencing. The ER, a cellular organelle, plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression through translation inhibition.
Researchers propose a more complex biological oxygen cycle on early Earth, with sulfur isotope signals persisting in ocean sediments long after oxygen accumulation. This 'memory effect' could blur dating of the Great Oxidation Event and provide new insights into early life.
A UC Riverside engineer is exploring a nearly century-old manufacturing technique to strengthen tiny titanium-based medical devices, which could lead to significant improvements in their performance and reliability. The technique, known as gas nitriding, involves heating the device in a nitrogen atmosphere to increase its strength.
Researchers found that male moths lose the ability to measure pheromone blend ratios as they fly upwind, leading them to rely on their initial impression. This allows males to mate with females of different strains, resulting in hybrid moth populations.
The UCR School of Medicine has received a $3 million grant to augment its pipeline programs, which prepare students for health professions. The funding will support outreach programs in middle school, high school, and community college, aiming to bring greater diversity to the Inland Southern California physician workforce.
A study published in Social Psychiatry & Psychiatric Epidemiology found that states with high rates of gun ownership and political conservatism have higher suicide rates. However, a higher percentage of church-goers at the state level was associated with reduced individual suicide risk. The study analyzed mortality data from 2000 to 20...
Researchers reconstructed ancient ocean conditions, finding most deep ocean was anoxic, with limited oxygen and hydrogen sulfide. This discovery challenges our understanding of eukaryote rise and animal emergence.
A study led by UC Riverside psychologist Sara C. Mednick has discovered a mechanism that enables the brain to consolidate memory during sleep. The research found that Ambien enhances this process, increasing verbal memory consolidation in healthy adults. This breakthrough could lead to new sleep therapies for aging adults and those wit...
A researcher has received a grant to develop a method to organize enzymes on electrodes to create nanoscale devices that efficiently convert chemical energy into electricity. The goal is to enhance kinetics by spatial organization and apply the understanding to biofuel cells, pharmaceuticals, and commodity chemicals.
A team of researchers led by UC Riverside Professor Alexander A. Balandin has solved the long-standing issue of low-frequency electronic 1/f noise in materials and devices. By studying multi-layered graphene samples, they found that the origin of this signal is at the surface of electrical conductors, contrary to previous research.
A study by UC Riverside researchers shows that hummingbirds produce two trails of vortices, one under each wing per stroke, to hover and control flight. This bilateral vortex structure provides more maneuverability for the bird but increases energy consumption.
Naveen Reddy, an assistant professor at UC Riverside, has been awarded a Sloan Research Fellowship to study the physics of early universe and extragalactic astronomy. The fellowship will support his research on faint galaxies in the distant universe.
Researchers at UC Riverside have developed a compound called TIR-199 that targets the proteasome complex in kidney cancer cells, showing promising results in laboratory tests. The compound is nearly as potent as existing bortezomib but selectively inhibits growth of only renal cancer cell lines.
A team of researchers at the University of California, Riverside, has discovered a genetic mechanism that explains how Phytophthora pathogens compromised the potato plant's immune system during the Irish Famine. The study reveals that RNA silencing pathways are suppressed by effectors, leading to an increase in susceptibility to disease.
Assistant professor Hamed Mohsenian-Rad is designing plug-and-play energy consumption scheduling devices to control energy usage in electric cars and industrial machinery. His research aims to encourage consumer cooperation, support renewable energy integration, minimize generation cost, and maintain electrical power quality.
Researchers from UCR and other top universities will develop technologies for spin-based computing and memory systems. The Center for Spintronic Materials, Interfaces, and Novel Architectures aims to support the US semiconductor industry with more efficient electronics.
Researchers found that exercise-loving mice have significantly greater midbrain volume and larger non-cerebellar brain mass compared to regular mice. The study supports the mosaic theory of brain evolution, suggesting that changes in brain size may be region-specific rather than overall.
Assistant professor David Kisailus develops nanoscale materials using the chiton's radula, a conveyor belt-like structure with 70-80 parallel rows of teeth. The resulting materials can improve the efficiency of solar cells and lithium-ion batteries.
John Baez and John Huerta's paper, 'The algebra of grand unified theories,' received the prestigious prize for its groundbreaking work on group representation theory in particle physics research. The Levi L. Conant Prize recognizes outstanding expository research published in top mathematical journals.
A UC Riverside-led research team tested the hypothesis that low zinc levels delayed eukaryote diversification, finding instead high seawater zinc availability throughout Earth's history. The study suggests that ferruginous deep oceans and volcanic activity maintained stable zinc levels.
A UC Riverside study reveals that many California graduate students in environmental sciences lack training in technology and computation, as well as data management practices. Only 29.3% of completed graduates had made their research data available online.
Victor Gibeault, a cooperative extension specialist at UC Riverside, has received the 2013 USGA Green Section Award for his dedicated work on turfgrass research and education. He holds U.S. patents for zoysiagrass and buffalograss cultivars.