Researchers at UC San Diego highlight nanotechnology's role in COVID-19 vaccine development, including peptide-based vaccines and molecular farming. The first candidates in clinical trials utilize novel nanotechnologies.
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a reliable method to culture human sperm stem cells, overcoming a key bottleneck in SSC therapy. The approach uses AKT inhibitors to maintain the growth of immature germ cells with SSC characteristics, paving the way for potential clinical applications.
The UC San Diego lab funded by the grant will focus on developing new materials with improved properties for medical diagnostic tests, therapeutics, and decontamination. The center will also provide opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students to work together and chart new avenues for innovation in materials science.
Researchers at UC San Diego develop new method to accurately compare dog age to human age, based on methyl group patterns in genomes. The formula provides a 'molecular clock' that can help evaluate anti-aging products and understand aging processes in dogs.
A new study uses stool microbiomes to predict cirrhosis risk in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Researchers found a unique signature that distinguishes cirrhosis from other causes of the disease, potentially leading to an accurate, non-invasive diagnostic tool.
A low-cost, easy-to-use emergency ventilator for COVID-19 patients has been developed at the University of California San Diego. The UCSD MADVent Mark V can be assembled in just 15 minutes and is designed to be safe and easy to use for healthcare workers with limited experience.
A single treatment inhibiting PTB converts astrocytes into dopamine-producing neurons, restoring dopamine levels and eliminating Parkinson's disease symptoms in mice. The study provides a proof of concept for a new therapeutic approach.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine discovered a new way to treat cancer by manipulating macrophages, immune cells found in tumor tissues. IRE1α, a molecule regulating the unfolded protein response, was shown to boost PD-L1 levels on macrophages, allowing tumors to evade the immune system.
Researchers at University of California San Diego develop a LEGO-based test to assess spatial visualization skills in elementary school students, with results showing a statistically significant correlation with Purdue Spatial Visualization Test: Rotations outcomes.
A Phase II trial found that the treatment inhibited key enzyme, resulting in lowered triglyceride production and slower progression to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. The study showed robust reduction in liver fat without corresponding increases in blood lipids.
The Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging will continue to follow and document risk factors for cognitive and brain aging in 1,600 male twins. The study aims to identify early signs of Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment.
Scientists create super-powered natural killer cells by deleting an inhibitory gene, resulting in improved anti-tumor activity and persistence. The modified cells also exhibit enhanced metabolic reprogramming and energy utilization, leading to more effective cancer treatment.
The COVID-19 pandemic's economic recovery will significantly impact global warming, with stimulus dollars spent on fossil fuels or clean energy having a lasting effect. Governments must prioritize a green recovery, investing in sectors like renewables and energy efficiency to create jobs and reduce emissions.
Researchers found that when hippocampal neurons are already firing at high rates before seeing a word, participants are more successful in encoding and remembering the word later. This suggests that the hippocampus may have a specific mode for facilitating memory formation.
Researchers at UC San Diego developed a new nanosensor, SNACS, to monitor SnRK2 protein kinase activity in live plant cells. This allows for the study of drought tolerance mechanisms in unprecedented detail, providing insights into how plants respond to environmental stress.
Researchers have successfully recreated the process of creating matter from light using high-power lasers. The new method produces electron-positron pairs, mimicking conditions during the first minutes of the universe and providing an improved model for studying antimatter.
Researchers created flexible feet using coffee grounds and structures inspired by nature, allowing robots to walk up to 40% faster and grip better on various terrains. The new design outperforms traditional robot feet in adapting to natural environments.
Asymptomatic individuals can spread SARS-CoV-2 via aerosols, highlighting the importance of mask-wearing and physical distancing. Research estimates that a single minute of loud speaking can generate up to 100,000 virion-containing aerosols, which can remain airborne for hours.
Researchers at UC San Diego developed a non-invasive wearable device to track vitamin C levels in sweat, enabling personalized nutrition and dietary adherence. The device has shown high sensitivity and potential for detecting nutritional deficiencies and supporting recovery from COVID-19.
Researchers found two single-miRNA and 29 two-miRNA biomarkers in serum plasma that can predict later onset of preeclampsia in asymptomatic pregnant women. Early identification could lead to prevention and better maternal and newborn outcomes.
Researchers developed an affordable, radiation-free GPS-like system to track flexible surgical robots inside the human body. The system improves localization accuracy, enabling safer and more compliant robot use in constrained environments.
A new study finds that certain stream pools act as drought refuges for salmon, providing conditions necessary to support survival during extreme conditions. The research provides insight into the role of habitat fragmentation in threatening salmon survival and informs strategies for conservation efforts.
The study by UC San Diego researchers develops a scalable method to produce microalgae-based polyols from waste oils, creating valuable monomers for sustainable bio-plastics. The team also converts co-products into food flavoring and fragrance molecules, with economic value.
The Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute at UC San Diego has received a five-year, $54.7 million Clinical and Translational Science Award from the National Institutes of Health. This grant will refine fundamental work and provide new resources to launch a wave of discovery and transformation.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have identified key neurological modifications following sustained exercise, leading to improved learning for motor-skill acquisition. Exercise has been shown to promote neurotransmitter switching, which enhances motor coordination and skill learning.
A team of researchers has developed a new method to produce hydrogen peroxide, which can be made in-house using a portable setup. This reduces costs for hospitals by up to 50-70% and has the potential to enable households to generate their own supply of disinfectant.
A Phase III clinical trial is assessing whether tocilizumab can reduce out-of-control inflammation and improve health outcomes in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. The study aims to determine if the drug reduces mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, and ICU admissions.
A study published in eNeuro found that gut microbes significantly impact the brain's response to opioids in rats, altering the pattern of neuron recruitment during addiction and withdrawal. This discovery may lead to new prevention and treatment strategies for drug abuse.
Researchers at UC San Diego Health found that olfactory impairment suggests a milder clinical course in COVID-19. Patients who displayed no or mild symptoms were less likely to require hospitalization.
Researchers found a connection between HHV-6 exposure and ME/CFS symptoms, showing how efforts to boost immune system come at physiological cost. The study provides an explanation for the common observation that ME/CFS patients report fewer viral infections after developing the disease.
Researchers discovered that bacterial cells stimulated with light remembered exposure hours later, laying groundwork for memory-capable biological systems. The study reveals surprising similarities between low-level bacteria and complex neuronal processing.
Researchers have developed a genome-editing technique that can eliminate up to 70% of contaminating proteins in recombinant-protein drugs, making them cheaper and purer. The technology uses CRISPR-Cas mediated gene editing to reduce purification demands and improve drug quality.
Researchers at UC San Diego are developing a COVID-19 vaccine using a plant virus, which can be easily manufactured and distributed globally. The team plans to create slow-release microneedle patches that patients can self-administer, reducing barriers to vaccination in resource-poor areas.
A team of researchers used genome-wide CRISPR technology to identify RNA-binding proteins, including Staufen2, that sustain and protect drug-resistant leukemia stem cells. Loss of Staufen2 led to a reduction in leukemia growth and improved survival in mouse models.
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine found that adult brain cells revert to an embryonic state after injury, allowing them to regenerate new connections. The study identifies the essential genetic pathway involved in this process, which sustains regeneration by a gene known as Huntingtin.
A recent study suggests that those exposed to the novel coronavirus may face a range of brain diseases and disorders, including depression, psychosis, and immune complications. The authors warn that monitoring and investigations are needed to mitigate such outcomes.
A study by UC San Diego Health found that patients with COVID-19 often experience profound loss of smell and taste, which is highly specific to the virus. The majority of patients recover their sense of smell within two to four weeks of infection.
Researchers at UC San Diego discovered the critical gene ZNF263, which regulates heparin biosynthesis in human cells. This breakthrough could enable the production of heparin in well-controlled cell culture, providing a safer and more sustainable alternative to current methods.
Researchers have successfully 3D printed coral-inspired structures that can grow dense populations of microscopic algae, up to 100 times more densely than natural corals. This breakthrough could lead to the development of efficient bioreactors for producing algae-based biofuels and help restore coral reefs.
Researchers at UC San Diego Health are developing a dedicated space stem cell orbital research laboratory within the International Space Station (ISS) to study microgravity's effects on human biology. The studies aim to understand aging, degenerative diseases, and cancers in space, with potential applications for therapeutics on Earth.
Researchers at University of California San Diego discovered that internal circadian clocks regulate DNA uptake in cyanobacteria, increasing its efficiency during nighttime hours. This finding highlights the crucial role of synchronizing biological processes with environmental rhythms for human health and disease prevention.
UC San Diego researchers have created soft, flexible robots using a new method that doesn't require special equipment or long manufacturing times. The 'flexoskeletons' are made from 3D printing and can be assembled quickly and easily, making them potentially suitable for large-scale deployment.
A clinical research study at UC San Diego Health is using artificial intelligence to analyze lung imaging data for COVID-19 patients. The AI algorithm has provided unique insights into over 2,000 images, helping physicians identify early signs of pneumonia and potentially saving lives.
Researchers discovered a biomarker for early detection of Alzheimer's disease in the form of high levels of RNA produced by the PHGDH gene. The study, published in Current Biology, suggests that overproduction of extracellular RNA by the PHGDH gene in elderly individuals may serve as an early warning sign of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers outline robots' potential roles in clinical care, logistics, and reconnaissance to combat COVID-19. They suggest robots for disinfection, delivery, and monitoring compliance with quarantines.
The study found that fish species and size affect the types and amounts of plastics ingested, with larger fish consuming more plastics. The research sheds light on how plastics enter marine ecosystems from urban watersheds and highlights the need for better understanding to reduce plastic pollution's impact.
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine identified a novel way to treat Danon disease using gene therapy, adding a specially designed gene that restores LAMP2 function. The treatment improved cardiac and liver function in mice with the disease, offering a new approach beyond heart transplants.
A new study links Antarctic sea ice melt to warmer oceans, increased rainfall, and strengthened trade winds in the tropics. The research team found that a 0.5? (0.9?) warming of the surface ocean at the equator would lead to an additional 0.3 millimeters of rain per day.
New studies propose that Earth's mantle, rather than its core, was responsible for generating the planet's early magnetic field. This concept is supported by estimates of thermodynamics of magnetic field generation within the liquid portion of the early Earth's mantle.
The researchers focus on inorganic solid electrolytes to create stable chemical interfaces, diagnose and characterize batteries in real-time, and design scalable and cost-effective manufacturing processes. Their work aims to address the challenges of all-solid-state batteries and make them safer, longer-lasting, and more energy-dense.