Researchers at University of California San Diego have demonstrated that one of biology's most essential enzymes can accurately read and transcribe an expanded, eight-letter genetic alphabet. This breakthrough advances synthetic biology and could allow scientists to create new biological systems and diagnostic tools.
Researchers developed a method to distinguish authentic ancient clay artifacts from fakes by analyzing the magnetic properties of the clay. By measuring the temperature needed to erase magnetism acquired over time, the method can determine the age and authenticity of the artifact.
A new study from the University of California San Diego reveals that the brain tracks subtle variations in breathing to decode neural activity patterns. Researchers found a precise connection between breathing patterns and brain activity, offering new avenues for understanding disorders like SUDEP and SIDS.
Researchers at UC San Diego will develop optimized red blood cells to temporarily boost human performance and health through enhanced oxygen delivery. The project has the potential to improve athletic performance and treat conditions involving oxygen delivery to tissues.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego used computational models and virtual reality to study the social interaction rules of schooling fish. They found that individual fish 'copy' the movement direction of a randomly-chosen nearby neighbor, leading to highly dynamic behavior in groups.
A UC San Diego study links certain agricultural and natural landscapes to Valley fever rates, suggesting land management decisions can impact public health. Research analyzed 65,657 confirmed cases and found higher disease rates in areas with dry, sparsely vegetated landscapes and certain types of farmland.
Scientists in the University of California San Diego laboratory used AI to decipher the 'initiator' DNA sequence, which is responsible for gene activation. The researchers found that about 60% of human genes contain the initiator, enabling the prediction of DNA mutations that can lead to various disorders.
Scientists discovered a previously missed DNA mutation pattern in colorectal cancer, found in 3 independent datasets of 2616 tumors, suggesting a new mechanism of DNA damage accumulation. The pattern appears relatively late in tumor development and is associated with small insertions and deletions in DNA.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have developed an inexpensive solution to the path-obstruction problem in millimeter wave wireless communications. Their passive reflective tiles, called FlowForm, can nearly double average data rates indoors and double wireless coverage area in challenging environments, matching ...
The five-year Brain-FRAMe program aims to improve clinical care and brain health for people with HIV and active methamphetamine use disorder through innovative, multidisciplinary treatment approaches. The program investigates the combined efficacy of long-acting injectable ART and medication for addiction treatment.
A team of computer scientists at the University of California San Diego developed a device that can take over communications between two key flight computers on a Boeing 737 by plugging into an unused maintenance port. This attack can be carried out in under 60 seconds, posing a significant risk to aviation security.
The West Health Accelerator will expand UC San Diego Health's ability to ensure every patient gets the right care at the right time in the right setting. The six-year initiative aims to raise the standard for health systems across the country, leveraging advanced technologies and data analytics.
High-frequency brain waves called ripples facilitate long-range neural communication during working memory tasks, suggesting a mechanism for integrating information. The study's findings may also help differentiate healthy cognitive signals from abnormal activity associated with neurological diseases like Alzheimer's or ADHD.
The University of California San Diego and San Diego County have developed a tool to track the New World screwworm, a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on living tissue. The dashboard combines reports of confirmed detections, environmental suitability, and media coverage to estimate risk nationwide.
Researchers at UC San Diego identified a key cellular pathway that drives brain degeneration in both Sanfilippo syndrome type A and Alzheimer's disease. The study reveals how the brain's immune cells respond to waste buildup, providing a novel target for drug development.
The Stein Institute at UC San Diego will serve as the Central Laboratory and Biorepository for the XPRIZE Healthspan Competition. The 10 finalist teams will conduct coordinated clinical trials worldwide to test their treatment approaches, aiming for a decade-long extension of human healthspan.
Engineers have created a bacterium that can consume all three major sugars present in corn stalks, opening up possibilities for more efficient biomanufacturing processes. The new strain of Pseudomonas putida was developed using an automated culturing platform and can potentially be used to produce valuable molecules like indigoidine.
A new study suggests that doctors' reassuring language can have the opposite effect on patients, making them less likely to seek treatment. The researchers found that normalizing symptoms can be misinterpreted as acceptable or not worth treating.
A new study reveals that Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) is highly effective in reducing opioid misuse and costs. The therapy, which combines mindfulness skills to regulate craving and pain, has been shown to provide $12 in cost savings for every dollar spent, with potential economic benefits of over $324,000 per patient.
A vegan diet for one month shifts epigenetic patterns associated with reduced inflammation, immune function, and biological aging. The study found changes in DNA methylation linked to lower proportions of inflammatory immune cells and increased proportions of CD4 T cells.
UC San Diego Health has been ranked as the top care facility in California and among the top 20 in the nation for eight medical specialties. The institution achieved this distinction through its patient-dedicated, collaborative spirit and commitment to delivering outstanding care.
A soft, wearable fingertip patch continuously monitors levodopa levels in patients' sweat, comparable to standard laboratory blood tests. This technology enables precise customization of daily medication schedules for patients at home, potentially improving treatment outcomes.
Physicists at the University of California San Diego discovered that substrates are not inert when subjected to electrical stimulus, instead coupling with thin film. This finding has implications for building brain-inspired computer chips needed for energy-efficient computing.
UC San Diego engineers created a smart ring that continuously monitors up to four different chemical biomarkers from finger sweat. The ring provides real-time health insights into individuals with diabetes management and nutrition tracking, closely matching commercial glucose and ketone readings.
Researchers created the most detailed map of gene regulation in human heart failure, revealing how genes are controlled in specific cell types. The study identified key shifts in cell composition, gene expression, and regulatory networks, pointing to new precision medicine therapies.
A recent national study analyzing over 11,800 adolescents found that substance use increases steadily with age, with 38% reporting use by age 16. The study highlights notable differences between boys and girls, particularly in polysubstance use patterns.
Researchers have determined the cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of E. coli TGT, overturning a prevailing model for bacterial TGT function. The study reveals the enzyme binds to two tRNAs, providing a more complete picture of protein modification and potential antivirulence targets.
A study by UC San Diego researchers found that at least 2.2 million cars in the US and worldwide are vulnerable to theft due to a Bluetooth-based anti-theft system installed by dealers since 2017. The device, which can be controlled remotely via a smartphone app, has been fixed by the manufacturer with a firmware update.
Researchers developed a personalized gene therapy that dramatically reduced seizures and sparked developmental gains in two children with SCN2A-related DEE, allowing one to walk independently. The therapy targets the root genetic cause of the condition, producing measurable improvement.
The partnership aims to develop genomic tools addressing large-scale problems in health and the environment, combining research strengths across UC San Diego's departments. The collaboration will accelerate discovery and drive real-world impact, leveraging CRISPR technology and microbiome-editing tools.
A new study found that faculty women in academia earn 23% less than men, narrowing to 4.3% when accounting for field and academic rank. The research suggests that transparency alone is not enough to eliminate pay gaps, and representation does not guarantee equal pay.
Researchers at UC San Diego have found a dramatic increase in e-bike injuries across California, particularly among children. The study highlights the urgent need for safety education, infrastructure improvements, and policy changes to prevent preventable injuries and deaths.
A clinical trial showed semaglutide improved liver scarring in patients with advanced fatty liver disease and early-stage cirrhosis. Non-invasive blood tests reflected treatment-related improvements more clearly than liver biopsies, which could reduce reliance on invasive procedures.
Researchers have developed a new drug candidate, SB-0110, that boosts L-dopa's benefits while reducing dyskinetic side effects in animal models of Parkinson’s disease. The compound preserves the gene-activity patterns tied to L-dopa’s benefits while counteracting biological changes associated with dyskinesia.
A team of researchers at the University of California San Diego developed a genome-scale reference map detailing how individual genes control human stem cells' functions and identities. This open-access resource enables scientists to build virtual cell models for complex diseases and design patient-specific treatments.
A new report from Scripps Oceanography suggests that in-ground sensors can provide reliable warnings of impending cliff collapses. The study detected movement in cliffs several hours to days prior to collapse, with one event leading to a 0.015-inch-per-day crack widening due to rain events.
Researchers developed antifungal nanoparticles from human immune cells that target Candida albicans, reducing fungal growth and improving survival rates in mice. The nanodiscs physically damage fungal cells and boost the body's natural immune defenses.
A study suggests geoengineering methods like marine cloud brightening could reduce the impact of extreme weather events during a super El Niño. By targeting natural variability, geoengineering could provide shorter-term benefits with less sociotechnical risk.
Researchers at UC San Diego successfully performed two surgeries using teleoperated humanoid robots, called Surgie, which have real potential for amplifying access to critical surgeries. The compact robots can be deployed in remote areas and are easier to use than specialized robotic systems.
Researchers found bacteria can forcefully eject cells from communities as a survival mechanism, utilizing self-generated hydrogels. This ability allows biofilms to disperse and colonize new areas, potentially aiding in the elimination of harmful bacterial communities without antibiotics.
The new institute aims to accelerate data-driven health care with partnerships between six schools, UC San Diego Health, and specialized centers. By integrating digital technology and rigorous research, the institute seeks to achieve scalable, reliable health outcomes for all.
Researchers discovered Bacillus subtilis employs a slower growth strategy for better survival under antibiotic stress, decoupling ribosome production from amino acid supply. This trade-off makes B. subtilis more tolerant of stress and challenges the assumption that bacteria are wired to grow as fast as possible.
The new health system combines the strengths of a community-based and academic health system, offering advanced specialty care and increased access to UC San Diego Health specialists. The JPA oversees joint operations of hospitals and clinics, improving care for nearly one million people in North San Diego County.
Researchers identified disrupted neural circuits behind Huntington's disease and used optogenetics to selectively activate key neurons, restoring function and improving motor skills. The study provides hope for future therapies targeting specific brain circuit imbalances.
The study reveals how genetic mutations disrupt muscle signaling in CMS, a family of genetic disorders that weaken communication between nerves and muscles. Researchers identified promising new therapeutic opportunities, including a potential use for an existing antidepressant.
Researchers at University of California San Diego have developed a large-scale screening approach that identifies proteins controlling alternative polyadenylation (APA), a fundamental step in gene expression. The study reveals 63 high-confidence activators of poly(A) site usage, including seven new regulators previously unknown.
Researchers analyzed 11.6 million marketplace interactions and experiments involving job candidates and service providers to find that faster responders were viewed more positively than delayed responders. Employers preferred speed as a signal of future responsiveness, but authenticity also mattered.
Researchers found AI can accurately assess complex quality measures in seconds, providing near real-time feedback to physicians. This results in improved compliance with national sepsis quality measures and lower administrative costs.
Researchers at UC San Diego discovered a previously unknown mechanism that contributes to high blood cholesterol by depleting LDL receptors. A CTSA inhibitor has already shown safety in humans and may be effective in treating high cholesterol, offering a new treatment option for patients.
A new project aims to create realistic AI-powered digital twins of people who use drugs to improve public health responses to HIV, hepatitis C and overdose. The 'AMPLIFY' project will combine community perspectives with cutting-edge AI tools to help health departments allocate resources more effectively and save lives.