Three UC Riverside entomologists, Timothy Paine, Bradley Mullens and Allison Hansen have won prestigious awards from the Entomological Society of America. Paine received the Distinguished Achievement Award in Horticultural Entomology for his work on improving integrated pest management of woody ornamental plants.
Researchers at UC Riverside found that second-hand cigarette smoke exposure can lead to fat accumulation in liver cells, causing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The study highlights the potential for targeting molecular regulators SREBP and AMPK to develop new treatments for NAFLD.
Researchers at UC Riverside will advance their work on sequencing the barley genome and breeding new barley varieties with a two-year $1 million grant. They aim to sequence all barley genes and make information available to the public, with potential benefits for farmers, markets, and consumers.
Researchers found molecular decay of the enamelin gene in toothless mammals, correlating with enamel loss in the fossil record and supporting evolutionary change. The study provides fresh evidence for Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, linking morphological degeneration to molecular decay.
Researchers at UC Riverside have identified a novel class of compounds that could pave the way for developing inexpensive and safe mosquito repellents. These odorants, including hexanol and 2,3-butanedione, prevent CO2-sensitive neurons in mosquitoes from functioning.
Amanda Cobbs-Russell, a junior majoring in conservation biology at UC Riverside, is part of an international group trekking across Baffin Island. She will investigate the geology and climatology of the region, with a focus on the impact of climate change on the Canadian Arctic.
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside are developing a five-year project to harness the communication capabilities of LED lights. The project aims to create low-cost wireless communication systems using LED lights, which could revolutionize navigation and directions in areas where radio frequencies are limited.
Researchers will conduct laboratory experiments and theoretical research to minimize the Casimir force between objects, enabling the design of efficient micro- and nano-machines. The project aims to reduce the Casimir force using different material coatings and specialized coatings to bring about a repulsive Casimir force.
The University of California, Riverside has released a new mandarin citrus variety called DaisySL, which is sweet to eat and bears very few seeds. Developed by Mikeal Roose and Timothy Williams, the fruit is finely textured and juicy with a rich flavor, making it a promising addition to commercial production.
A UC Riverside-led study found that ancient lake deposits in South China harbor the first animal fossils, dating back 600 million years. The discovery raises questions about where early animals lived and how they adapted to their environment.
Researchers at UCR manipulated ripples in graphene sheets using thermal manipulation, controlling their orientation, wavelength, and amplitude. This technique enables strain-based graphene electronics, which could have profound implications for electronic devices and magnetic fields.
A team of researchers led by UC Riverside astronomer Gillian Wilson has completed the largest ever survey of very distant galaxy clusters. The SpARCS survey detects galaxy clusters using deep optical observations and infrared data from the Spitzer Space Telescope, revealing about 200 new cluster candidates.
A new review of existing research reveals same-sex behavior is a nearly universal phenomenon in the animal kingdom. However, researchers have focused primarily on understanding the genetic and neural mechanisms behind this behavior rather than its potential evolutionary consequences.
Researchers have fabricated microscopic polymer beads that change color instantly in response to external magnetic fields. The beads exhibit excellent structural stability and are compatible with various dispersion media, allowing for tunable colors in different chemical environments.
A study on guppies led by UC Riverside's Swanne Gordon found that the fish adapted to a new environment in less than 30 generations, or eight years. The guppies developed larger and fewer offspring with each reproductive cycle in the low-predation environment, but not in the high-predation environment.
Yadong Yin, an assistant professor of chemistry at UC Riverside, has been awarded the Cottrell Scholar distinction for his outstanding teaching and research in materials science. He will use a portion of his $100,000 award to support his research and attend the annual Cottrell Scholar Conference.
Researchers at UC Riverside will explore the development of novel olfactory repellents to prevent mosquito-human contact and reduce malaria transmission. The project aims to identify odors that inhibit mosquitoes' ability to detect human hosts, potentially leading to effective and environmentally safe insect repellents.
UC Riverside entomologists discover that Argentine ants use a different mechanism to recognize dead nestmates, triggered by the dissipation of life chemicals. The researchers found that live ants produce both life and death chemicals, while dead ants only produce death chemicals, leading to their removal from the colony.
A new synthetic chemical, pyrabactin, has been identified as a potential solution for crops facing drought. The compound activates the ABA signaling pathway, helping plants survive in water-scarce conditions. Researchers at UC Riverside have developed a stable and easy-to-make chemical strategy to improve plant resilience.
Research by UC Riverside biologists reveals that female field crickets learn to recognize attractive male characteristics through song, influencing their mate selection. This finding underscores the importance of social effects in models of evolution, suggesting that insects possess complex cognitive capacities.
UC Riverside researcher Kerry Knudsen discovered a new species of lichen on Santa Rosa Island, California, and named it Caloplaca obamae in honor of President Obama. The discovery highlights the importance of preserving public lands and studying biodiversity on the island.
A three-year NSF grant will help improve protein production in crops through research on Arabidopsis gene conversion. The study aims to understand how plants control protein synthesis and identify key steps and factors involved.
A team of 28 scientists, led by Ann Heinson, has made the first observation of single-top-quark production in proton-antiproton collisions. This achievement provides crucial clues to solving long-standing mysteries about the universe, particularly in relation to the Higgs boson.
Researchers at UCR identified all the genes expressed in plant stem cells, providing a global view of which genes are expressed and where within the shoot apical meristem. This discovery can help scientists develop better varieties of crops and understand why stem cells give rise to specialized cells.
A team of scientists has found the oldest evidence for animal life in fossil record, with steroids from sponges dating back 635 million years. The discovery suggests that multicellular animal life may have evolved earlier than previously thought, around 100 million years before the Cambrian explosion.
Researchers at UC Riverside have designed a catalyst that allows for the production of partially hydrogenated oils while minimizing the formation of trans fats. By controlling the shape of platinum particles, they achieved higher selectivity and reduced the creation of harmful trans fats.
A UC Riverside study reveals that harm-reduction cigarette smoke retains toxicity and can adversely affect reproductive development in mice and may pose risks to human pregnancies. The research found that both mainstream and sidestream smoke from traditional and harm-reduction brands are toxic to pre-implantation embryos.
Julia Bailey-Serres and her collaborators have developed flood-tolerant rice varieties that can recover after prolonged submergence, improving crop yields in flood-prone areas. The new rice varieties, already passed field tests in Bangladesh and India, will be made available to smallholder farmers within two years.
Researchers analyzed 3006 species and found a narrow range of metabolic rates, averaging 0.3-9 Watts per kilogram, which may be linked to the organization of life on Earth. This optimal rate may have favored complex adaptations like breathing and leaf shape.
Darrel Jenerette, a UC Riverside landscape ecologist, investigates the moderating effects of vegetation on urban heat islands in Phoenix, Arizona. The research aims to guide policymakers and planners in bolstering protective measures against heat-related illnesses.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that apigenin, a naturally occurring compound in fruits and vegetables, improves cancer cells' response to chemotherapy. By localizing tumor suppressor p53 in the cell nucleus, apigenin facilitates cell death and stops tumor growth.
Research by Anthony Norman identifies vitamin D's potential contributions to good health in immune systems, insulin regulation, heart and blood pressure, muscle strength, brain activity, and reducing cancer risk. Adequate intake is essential for 36 organs, including bone marrow, prostate, and breast tissues.
UC Riverside-led researchers found that minocycline can mature dendritic spines in mice with Fragile X syndrome, leading to improved cognitive function and reduced anxiety. The study's findings have already impacted future therapies, including a new clinical trial in Toronto.
Researchers at UC Riverside have discovered a mechanism that allows plants to bypass the negative effects of aluminum toxicity, enabling them to grow normally in soils with high levels of toxic aluminum. By manipulating a DNA surveillance system called AtATR, scientists can enhance aluminum tolerance and increase crop productivity.
A study by UC Riverside predicts nearly all California elementary schools will fail to meet Adequate Yearly Progress requirements by 2014. The researchers emphasize the need for emphasis on ELA and support in mathematics, suggesting a more tailored approach to address each school's unique challenges.
A UC Riverside botanist is investigating how Southern California's plants affect the region's drought. The research aims to identify plant species most susceptible to drought and predict water evaporation from desert chaparral ecosystems.
Researchers have traced the origin of Tahitian vanilla to tropical forests of Guatemala, where it began as a pre-Columbian Maya cultivar. The team used genetic analysis to confirm that Tahitian vanilla is a hybrid offspring between two native species in Central America.
A UC Riverside researcher has developed a new method to culture human embryonic stem cells using no animal-derived materials, which could improve the safety and efficiency of stem cell therapies. The method uses a chemically synthesized ECM and results in stem cells with uncompromised pluripotency.
A UCR graduate student has discovered a new bacterial pathogen, Candidatus Liberibacter psyllaurous, closely related to citrus greening disease, that causes yellowing of tomato and potato leaves. The bacterium is vectored by the tomato/potato psyllid into host plants, resulting in yield losses up to 85% in commercial crops.
Researchers created inexpensive blends of pheromones to detect and estimate the population size of invasive pest cerambycid beetles. They identified over 30 species and found reliable characteristics to determine if a new invader uses attractant pheromones.
Researchers at UC Riverside have made a discovery that could enable the development of faster computers by controlling electron spin and current flow. By altering the thickness of a thin insulator, they were able to selectively pass electrons with specific spins through a structure.
Researchers have discovered an inexpensive, clean way to prepare amines, nitrogen-containing organic compounds used in various industries. The new method produces no waste and is faster than current costly two-step process.
A UCR-led research team found that an abrupt release of methane triggered global warming and ended the last 'snowball' ice age. The study suggests that methane clathrate destabilization acted as a runaway feedback to increased warming.
Researchers at UCR propose a novel pathway for how anti-aging compounds like EthylBloc and SmartFresh block ethylene's action on plants. This knowledge could guide the design of new ethylene-blocking chemicals, benefiting producers and consumers.
A UC Riverside-led study tracked biogeochemical signatures in ancient sedimentary rocks to establish the nature and timing of oxygenation in Earth's atmosphere. The research suggests that a molybdenum-depleted ocean may have retarded the development of complex life for nearly two billion years.
Researchers discover ancient organism with multiple reproductive strategies, including sexual reproduction, dating back to the Neoproterozoic era. The findings suggest that ecosystems were complex and interconnected hundreds of millions of years ago, providing insights into early life evolution and potential extraterrestrial life.
A research team led by Mark Hoddle has successfully used biological control to eradicate the glassy-winged sharpshooter, a major agricultural pest, from Tahiti and neighboring islands. The team introduced a microscopic parasitic wasp that attacks the insect's eggs, reducing its population to less than 5% of its original density.
A UC Riverside-led study has discovered a vast pool of nitrate in near-surface desert soils under 'desert pavement', which could contaminate surface and groundwaters. The researchers warn that disruptions to these areas could result in wind erosion, transporting high levels of nitrate to groundwater or surface waters.
Nikolai Pogorelov, a UC Riverside researcher, has been awarded 850,000 processor hours on the seventh fastest computer in the world to study the outer heliosphere and its interaction with interstellar medium. The research will help plan future space missions and analyze fluxes of galactic cosmic rays.
A UC Riverside study shows that killing prey has both direct and indirect effects on ecosystems, leading to evolutionary changes in prey populations. The research found that prey adapt to food availability as well as the presence of predators, resulting in more food available to survivors.