A UCR-led study identifies RNA silencing as a key innate immunity mechanism protecting fruit flies from viral infections. The research reveals the molecular basis of this antiviral response and suggests potential implications for understanding human antiviral defenses.
UCR researchers successfully grew bone cells on a scaffold of carbon nanotubes, which can be used to treat bone defects and improve dental implants. The non-treated and electrically-neutral nanotubes emerged as the best scaffolds for bone growth.
The GeneChip Citrus Genome Array is a new tool that helps researchers identify genes associated with desirable traits in citrus, such as easy peeling and flavor components. The array will also aid in the development of new diagnostic tools for citrus agriculture and post-harvest fruit handling.
DePaoli asparagus offers a higher yield of spears than other varieties, reducing labor costs and making the vegetable more profitable. The new variety boasts an excellent spear quality, with a high percentage of marketable spears.
Researchers found evidence of increased clay mineral deposition in the oceans during a 200 million year period, which preceded the first animal fossils about 600 million years ago. The study suggests that an increase in oxygen concentration in the atmosphere was necessary for animal life to arise.
A recent study by UC Riverside graduate student Matthew Walsh found that harvesting large individuals from a fish population introduces genetic changes that harm the overall fish population. The remaining fish become progressively smaller, have fewer and smaller eggs with lower survival rates, and lower foraging and feeding capabilities.
Researchers found that guppies from high-predation environments reproduce earlier and live longer due to a selective increase in reproductive lifespan. The study supports the hypothesis that natural selection influences only specific segments of an organism's lifespan.
Researchers found that alum and polyacrylamide were highly effective in removing dissolved phosphorus and suspended sediment in river waters entering the lake. This treatment could help meet California's growing population needs, support commercial growth, and develop the region as a water-sports recreational area.
Researchers at UCR create stable positronium molecules by combining positrons with electrons, paving the way for studying antimatter properties. This breakthrough uses a magnetic bottle to prolong positron life and accumulate millions of atoms, enabling collisions that produce gamma radiation.
Researchers discovered that bacteria and elephants consume energy at a similar rate per unit mass, regardless of their body size. This finding suggests that living organisms can overcome physical limitations by adapting to their own biochemical characteristics.
A newly designed molecule, 9,10-dithioanthracene (DTA), has been engineered to walk in a straight line on a surface using its two linkers as feet. This achievement proves that molecules can be deliberately designed to perform specific dynamic tasks on surfaces.
Daniel Gallie's research doubles protein content of corn grain, increasing its value for producers and providing a nutritious source for millions suffering from protein-energy malnutrition. The high-protein corn can be easily applied to sweet corn, offering a solution for those relying on plant-based sources.
Researchers have designed new cyclic alkyl amino carbenes (CAACs) that enhance stability and efficiency of metal catalysts. These carbene-based catalysts facilitate faster chemical transformations at lower temperatures, reducing costs in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Researchers have discovered a strain of the C. elegans nematode worm that can replicate animal viruses, allowing for a better understanding of how hosts control viral infections. The findings also reveal an antiviral response known as RNA silencing or RNA interference, which breaks down virus RNA.
UCR research shows that increasing plant vitamin C levels can minimize ozone's damaging effects, reducing brown spots, stunted size, and lowered crop yields. The study found that higher vitamin C levels in plants also improve photosynthesis, offering a clear direction for developing plants that can thrive in high-ozone environments.
A team of researchers, including a UCR chemist, has discovered a novel site of histone acetylation that regulates gene expression in yeast. The study used mass spectrometry to show that this new site is associated with gene activation by attracting the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex.
A team of researchers has identified 219 chemicals that affect plant growth due to gravity, leading to a better understanding of protein transportation and genetic signaling in plant cellular membranes. The discovery uses chemical genomics to study the link between endomembrane system components and gravitropic response.
Wendy Saltzman's study finds that subordinate female monkeys are infertile until they become dominant, potentially benefiting them by reducing resource investment in infant survival. Her research on marmoset social behavior has implications for understanding human fertility and reproductive functioning.
A team of researchers at the University of California, Riverside, has discovered a molecular mechanism that allows plant cells in thin structures like leaves to develop in a jigsaw-like pattern. This unique pattern provides the leaf with an extraordinary degree of strength, enabling it to grow and thrive.
A team of researchers, led by UCR scientist Michael Allen, investigated the response of a mycorrhizal fungal community to CO2 concentrations over six years. The findings suggest that previous work has overestimated the magnitude of community and ecosystem responses to carbon dioxide changes.
The project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of data-mining tools in identifying threat levels and national security interests. The UC Riverside team, including graduate students and staff, will work closely with experts from Bell Laboratories and Lucent Technologies.
Physicist Gary Zank and his team at UCR will study the heliosphere and interstellar space with the $134-million IBEX mission. The team aims to confirm or refute predictions about the hydrogen wall, a boundary comprised of hydrogen atoms and protons.
A research team has published a paper in Science that uses molecular biology to fill gaps in the evolutionary history of bats. The study reveals that megabats originated from four major lineages of microbats, which emerged around 52-50 million years ago.
A research team has published a paper in Science magazine that uses molecular biology to illuminate the evolutionary history of bats. The study reveals that large fruit-eating bats (megabats) emerged from four major lineages of smaller, night-flying bats (microbats), with the latter originating around 52-50 million years ago.
Roger Atkinson, a leading atmospheric chemist, has been elected Fellow of the American Geophysical Union. His pioneering research on atmospheric reactions and photochemical smog has received recognition from various quarters. He has contributed to the development of analytical and experimental methods for researchers.
Researchers used quantum dots to visualize protein localization in plant cells for the first time, providing valuable understanding of pollen tube interaction. The study paves the way for using quantum dots in live imaging and improving plant breeding techniques.
Researchers found that chiral compounds, including organophosphates and synthetic pyrethroids, pose previously uncalculated toxic risks due to their biologically different behaviors. Using just the active isomer can achieve similar pest control with reduced chemical use and environmental benefits.
Researchers have discovered a link between DNA movement and the formation of antibody genes in specialized blood cells. The study found that a specific type of transposable element is involved in both DNA recombination mechanisms, shedding light on their relationship and potential role in cancer development.
UCR researchers Ludwig Bartels and team advance nanoscale electronics development by controlling chemical reactions one molecule at a time. They use an STM to guide individual molecules through step-by-step reactions, enabling fine-tuning of reactivity and optimizing atomic-scale construction of complex molecules.
Price promotions benefit consumers overall, but not manufacturers or retailers in the long run. Introducing store brands is beneficial to premium brand manufacturers and offers increased profit margins for retailers.
The UC Riverside Extension will provide support to trained teachers and day care providers in San Bernardino County with funding from First 5 California and First 5 San Bernardino. The organization will offer tuition assistance, training, and educational resources to help improve early childhood education.
UC Riverside researchers found that cigarette smoke delays the formation of healing tissue and sets the stage for increased scarring. The study, led by Professor Manuela Martins-Green, used doses equivalent to 'first-hand' and 'second-hand' exposure in humans and mice, revealing the negative effects on fibroblasts' structure and function.
A UCR-led team is using data and analysis to identify effective strategies for reducing poverty in rural areas of Brazil. The two-year project aims to provide insights that can inform public policies nationwide.
A team of UCR researchers led by Daniel R. Gallie found that reducing ethylene production through ACC synthase increases drought tolerance in corn plants. The study suggests a promising approach to help farmers adapt to changing environmental conditions.
A $2 million NSF grant enables researchers to develop real-time soil monitoring technologies, reducing the impact of fertilizers and greenhouse gases on the environment. The project aims to determine best management practices for California agriculture while minimizing harm to the environment.
Carborane acids, discovered by researchers at the University of California - Riverside, show great promise in various applications. They are extremely strong, yet gentle, allowing chemists to study important molecules without destroying them. This property enables the carborane acids to add hydrogen ions to weakly basic molecules, maki...
A study by UC Riverside researchers has found that fish living in high-predator environments challenge classical evolutionary theories on aging. They have been shown to live longer, exhibit lower mortality rates, and maintain higher levels of fertility compared to those from low-predator environments.
A team of researchers has identified three genetic suppressors of RNA silencing in plants, which are crucial for combating citrus tristeza virus (CTV) infections. These viral suppressors can be targeted by genetically engineering virus-resistant citrus trees, offering a promising approach to disease control and reducing economic losses.
Researchers have discovered a key plant protein, VPEg, that plays a crucial role in defending plants against various pathogens by activating programmed cell death pathways. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of how plants control cell death and may lead to new strategies for improving crop resistance.
The five-year Copernicus Project aims to increase the number, quality, and diversity of California's science teachers. The project will integrate existing programs, new elements, and national standards to address the critical need for science teachers in the state.
A five-year study will monitor weed growth and make recommendations for maintaining fragile biodiversity, which is already impacted by development. The research aims to determine the threshold at which nitrogen affects different vegetation types and model future vegetation based on N emissions and urban development scenarios.
Researchers discovered over 2,200 new human-specific Alu DNA repeats not found in chimpanzees, suggesting an explosive expansion of genetic code. This finding contradicts the idea of natural selection and highlights a chemical process driving human evolution.
The project aims to examine both natural and human factors that spread transgenes into non-engineered crops and natural populations. Biological scientists will collaborate with social scientists to develop a global model of gene flow, accounting for human and natural processes.
A recent UCR study of middle school students in Riverside and San Bernardino counties found that the weight of backpacks is a significant predictor of pain. The researchers calculated that students carrying packs weighing up to 20% of their body weight were more likely to experience back pain.
Research team led by Mark Springer has traced solenodon origins to the Mesozoic era, 76 million years ago. The findings suggest that these shrew-like creatures branched off from insect-eating relatives and have remained biologically unchanged over millions of years.
Researchers found that African-American and Hispanic outpatients with back pain were less likely to receive painkillers than white patients. The study attributes this disparity to racial stereotypes among physicians, suggesting a potential issue with racism in the US healthcare system.
Researchers at UC Riverside have successfully developed a low-carb corn variety with increased protein and oil content, thanks to the introduction of a cytokinin gene that promotes plant growth. This breakthrough could help address global food security challenges by improving the nutritional value of cereal grains.
By decreasing the enzyme dehydroascorbate reductase, UC Riverside researchers have improved drought tolerance in plants, enabling them to conserve water resources and survive droughts. This discovery is highly valuable for U.S. and world agriculture, particularly in areas with erratic rainfall.
A UCR study found that exposure to second-hand smoke compromises the ability of fibroblasts to move towards damaged tissue, leading to abnormal healing and excessive scarring. The research team discovered that components of second-hand smoke alter the cells' cytoskeleton, increasing adhesive properties and reducing mobility.
Researchers discover transgenic mosquitoes are severely impaired in development and reproduction, laying fewer eggs and having lower egg-adult survivorship. This finding has major implications for the competitiveness of transgenic mosquitoes against non-engineered wild-types.