Late blight, a devastating disease affecting potato and tomato production worldwide, will be studied using an integrated approach of research, education, and extension. The project aims to develop diagnostic tools, resistant plants, and improved management guidelines to reduce on-farm costs and fungicide use.
A study by UC Riverside's Charles Wyman and colleagues found a correlation between the S/G ratio and increased sugar yields in poplar tree candidates. The research could lead to less expensive production of biofuels with no pretreatment required, reducing the price of liquid transportation fuels.
Researchers have discovered how plant pathogens attack soybeans by reducing isoflavone production. Plants respond with a surge in isoflavone production, sparking a counterattack from the pathogen. This complex interaction may hold key to developing effective disease treatments and preventing crop losses.
Researchers will investigate how transposable elements in rice plants adapt to environmental changes, with implications for understanding TE impact on gene expression and organismal responses. The team aims to document the global impact of a TE burst in any organism and develop resources for tracking TE movement.
Researchers at UC Riverside have created nanoscale iron oxide particles that form rods and display colors when exposed to a magnetic field. The technology has potential applications in color displays, bio-sensing, and biomedical labeling.
A groundbreaking study by University of California, Riverside researchers found that personality characteristics and social relations from childhood can predict one's risk of dying decades later. The Longevity Project followed over 1,500 bright children for 20 years, revealing that prudence and persistence are key to a long life.
Researchers found that flood-tolerant rice plants with the Sub1A gene not only survive flooding but also recover well from drought, growing new shoots. This breakthrough could greatly benefit rice growers and consumers globally.
A study by UC Riverside researchers found that Asian Americans are perceived as less ideal leaders than Caucasian Americans, despite their higher education and competence. The study suggests that racial biases play a significant role in leadership perceptions.
Researchers studying magma flows in Iceland's Krafla volcano have found a rare opportunity to examine supercritical water and its potential as an energy source. The team discovered rhyolite magma, formed by partial melting of basaltic rock, which can generate significant electricity if harnessed.
A team of UCR researchers will study mosquito genome sequences to identify 'transposable elements' that play a vital role in gene and genome evolution. The goal is to understand how mosquitoes adapt to their environment and potentially develop new genetic tools to control disease vectors.
Researchers discovered COSMOS-AzTEC3, a massive proto-cluster 12.6 billion light-years away, formed about one billion years after the Big Bang. The cluster is characterized by extreme bursts of star formation and a massive feeding black hole, indicating it will grow into a modern galaxy cluster.
A UC Riverside-led team discovered chemical evidence of oxygen-free ancient oceans containing abundant hydrogen sulfide. This finding suggests that ocean chemistry influenced the evolution of early life, potentially delaying its appearance and proliferation.
The University of California, Riverside has developed a seedless mandarin variety called Tango, which is virtually free from seeds and diseases. The fruit, created through an induced mutation process, boasts a deep orange color and tangy-sweet flavor.
Researchers found evidence of oxygen-poor ocean conditions lasting 2-4 million years after the first appearance of animals, suggesting fluctuating oxygen levels may have driven rapid evolutionary turnover during the Cambrian Period. This study provides new insights into how early life evolved and flourished on Earth.
A recent UC Riverside study evaluated five e-cigarette brands, revealing design flaws, inadequate labeling, and quality control concerns. The researchers urge regulators to remove e-cigarettes from the market until their safety is adequately evaluated.
A team of UC Riverside entomologists has identified a microRNA molecule that disrupts the Aedes aegypti mosquito's ability to transmit dengue and yellow fever viruses. The discovery could help control the spread of vector-borne diseases by reducing the mosquito population.
A recent report by the University of California, Riverside professor emphasizes the importance of financial support in increasing Latino science and math graduates. The study found that students with more financial backing from their parents or through self-support were more likely to attend highly selective institutions and graduate f...
A chemist at UC Riverside is using advanced spectroscopy methods to verify the presence of pomegranate compounds in juices sold as pomegranate juice. By analyzing unique biochemicals, she aims to detect adulterated products and potentially apply this technology to other food and beverage items.
A study from the University of California, Riverside and Boston University found that perceptual training can improve visual performance in elderly adults. The researchers used a texture discrimination test to demonstrate that repeated performance of visual tasks can lead to improved vision.
A new study by University of California, Riverside scientists found that a hybrid electric tugboat reduces emissions of soot by 73%, oxides of nitrogen by 51%, and carbon dioxide by 27%. The study's findings are significant due to the heavy impact port pollution has on regional air quality.
A UC Riverside-led team is working on a project to educate students about climate change using real-world NASA data. The initiative aims to improve communication skills among students and scientists, crucial in addressing climate change issues.
Professor Eamonn Keogh will use the grant to develop automatic insect sensors that can detect and classify mosquitoes at a low cost. The project aims to understand mosquito movement to combat malaria, which kills nearly one million people worldwide each year.
Dr. Karine Le Roch is investigating how malaria parasite multiplies in red blood cells using a $1.7 million NIH grant. The goal is to develop more effective strategies against this devastating disease, with potential new drug strategies also being explored.
Researchers found a significant spike in marine phosphorus concentrations from 750 to 635 million years ago, linked to Snowball Earth glacial events. This increase in nutrient levels is believed to have facilitated the emergence of complex life, including animals, by driving oxygen production and ocean-atmosphere system shifts.
A University of California, Riverside biologist found that adult Trinidadian guppies can mitigate the negative effects of a poor early start through flexible growth and reproductive strategies. This study suggests that adults can compensate for their early conditions through adaptive changes.
Researchers found that sidestream smoke from harm reduction cigarettes impairs human embryonic stem cell growth more than conventional brand smoke. Studies used human embryonic stem cells to measure and compare the toxicity of mainstream and sidestream smoke.
A team of geophysicists led by Harry Green at UC Riverside presents evidence contradicting the widely-held view that large amounts of water are carried to the deep mantle in subducting slabs. The study suggests that these slabs are essentially dry, with no pathway for significant amounts of water to enter the lower mantle.
Researchers at UC Riverside develop a graphene-based triple-mode amplifier that outperforms traditional semiconductors in terms of functionality and speed. This breakthrough has significant implications for applications such as Bluetooth headsets, RFID, and ZigBee devices.
Researchers successfully achieved 'tunneling spin injection' into graphene, increasing efficiency and enabling longer spin lifetimes. This breakthrough enables the development of a 'spin computer' with potential for faster and more energy-efficient computing.
Researchers at UC Riverside have sequenced the genome of Culex quinquefasciatus, a mosquito that spreads West Nile virus and other diseases. The study provides insights into the genetic makeup of the mosquito and could lead to novel strategies for preventing disease transmission.
Researchers have found genetic evidence that baleen whales lost their teeth 25 million years ago, a finding that matches the fossil record. The study used genetic analysis to show that a transposable genetic element was inserted into the enamel production gene in the common ancestor of baleen whales.
A University of California, Riverside researcher is leading a $6.25 million grant to develop fuel cells that could replace batteries with up to 80% less weight and increase device life by five times.
A research team created a quadrupedal molecular machine with four 'hooves' to study how multiple parts move. The team found that the molecule uses a pacing gait, but cannot use tunneling to zip through the surface corrugation.
Researchers at UC Riverside have identified a chemical compound, blebbistatin, that inhibits the molecular motor NMII and prevents cell death in human pluripotent stem cells. This breakthrough discovery brings stem cell research closer to finding therapies for various diseases.
Biologists at UC Riverside found that voluntary activity is a heritable trait that can be passed down genetically. Mice bred for high running ability produced high-running offspring, indicating the trait was inherited. The study suggests pharmaceutical drugs could be used to alter human activity levels.
Plant scientists have made a significant advance in developing drought-resistant crops by understanding how the synthetic chemical pyrabactin works. By identifying subtle differences between receptors in their binding pockets, researchers can now develop more effective chemicals for bringing drought-resistance to plants.
A $1 million grant from the University of California, Riverside Extension will provide $30,000 professional development grants for teachers in Riverside, Orange, San Diego, and Imperial counties. The grants aim to support sustained professional development, which is increasingly difficult due to budget cuts by California school districts.
A leading international expert in vitamin D, Anthony Norman, recommends increasing daily intake to 2,000-4,000 IU for most adults to maximize health benefits. This could effectively eradicate rickets in infants and reduce the frequency of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune type-1 diabetes.
Researchers at UC Riverside found that people who lipread a silent face articulate words sound like the person speaking, rather than their own words. This suggests that our brains are primed by speech articulation and can imitate speech patterns even when we're not actively listening.
A study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science reveals that childhood personality traits are a strong predictor of adult behavior. Researchers found consistent patterns across four decades, with verbally fluent children displaying interest in intellectual matters and adaptable children behaving cheerfully.
The University of California, Riverside has received six grants from the UC Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program to fund research on thirdhand smoke and cigarette smoke's effects on reproduction. The grants total over $850,000 and will support multiple labs working on tobacco-related research at UCR.
A team of UC Riverside researchers is working with the California Air Resources Board to improve a method for measuring diesel particulate emissions. The research could provide the groundwork for strengthening standards for diesel particulates, and has already led to the collection of over 24,000 analytical samples.
Researchers found that e-cigarettes need more suction to produce smoke compared to conventional brands, with aerosol density dropping after the first ten puffs. This decrease in density may lead to compensatory smoking and unpredictable nicotine delivery.
Undergrad engineers at UCR are researching water quality, wildfires, and materials for new medical devices. The Summer Bridge program aims to increase STEM diversity and support Hispanic and low-income students.
Sharon Walker, a US engineer, partnered with Ben-Gurion University in Israel to develop innovative approaches to water management. The collaboration aims to enhance global competency of graduate students and faculty through research and education.
Researchers at UC Riverside found that female guppies that grew rapidly as juveniles produced fewer offspring than expected. This suggests long-term costs of early rapid growth and weight gain in adulthood, potentially impacting human reproductive success.
A collaborative project is digitizing and consolidating nearly one million specimen records from ten bee collections across the US to create a centralized database. The project aims to understand native bees' roles in agricultural and natural systems and predict risks to bees due to climate change and habitat loss.
The University of California, Riverside's Southern California Research Initiative for Solar Energy (SC-RISE) has been recognized as a leading example of international collaboration for sustainable energy. The city of Riverside will receive an award from Sister Cities International for its role in launching SC-RISE.
Mark Hoddle, a UC Riverside entomologist, is searching for invasive pests that could threaten California's $320 million avocado industry. He has already collected over 300 pest-infected avocados from Peru and is working to identify natural enemies.
Researchers at UCR are developing genetically engineered bacteria to kill mosquito larvae, making it ten times more effective than current products. The new bacterial strain is environmentally safe and has built-in resistance management properties, potentially leading to a commercially available product in 3-5 years.