Coral reefs surrounding Palmyra Atoll in the Pacific recovered dramatically after a 2015 bleaching event, with less than 10% dying. Imaging software and 3D structuring helped scientists monitor coral growth and decline over time.
The NASA Twin Study has provided a comprehensive multi-omics view of the human body's response to long-term space flight. The study found increased collagen proteins in urine, correlating with vascular remodeling during space flight.
Researchers developed a new method to alleviate chronic inflammatory disease by inducing mitophagy and removing damaged mitochondria. The treatment with choline kinase inhibitors reduced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and prevented inflammation in mice with genetic diseases such as Muckle-Well Syndrome.
A recent study found that pesticide cocktails can harm honey bees, reducing their survival and causing abnormal behavior. The research, led by the University of California San Diego, showed that combining Sivanto with a common fungicide can synergistically harm bee behavior and survival, depending on seasonality and bee age.
The PATHS program, funded by Chan Zuckerberg Initiative grants, aims to empower underrepresented students to succeed in STEM fields at UC San Diego. The initiative replicates successful models from UMBC's Meyerhoff Scholars Program and offers research experiences, team learning, peer counseling, and more.
Scientists at UC San Diego developed a new CRISPR-based 'allelic drive' to selectively swap genetic variants, allowing precise editing of specific traits in populations. The technology has potential applications in agricultural pests, disease-carrying insects, and conservation efforts.
Researchers have identified a key hormone receptor called RORγ that promotes tumor growth and is responsible for therapy resistance in pancreatic cancer. Blocking this receptor slows patient-derived tumor growth and improves survival in animal models, providing new avenues for research and potential therapies.
Researchers at UC San Diego identified unique bacterial features in the stool of people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and their twins, allowing for 92% accurate diagnosis of liver cirrhosis. The test also showed promise in detecting previously undiagnosed cases with 87% accuracy.
A new study evaluates the effectiveness of three home-based assessment methods to monitor cognitive function and decline in participants over 75. The results show that all approaches are feasible but with varying degrees of success, and suggest potential improvements in participant retention rates and reduced costs.
A recent study found that high levels of the 'proofreading' enzyme PHLPP1 lead to low PKC levels in pancreatic cancer patients, associated with poor prognosis. The researchers aim to develop new therapeutic drugs that inhibit PHLPP1 and boost PKC to improve survival rates.
Dementia caregivers want robots to support positive moments and alleviate emotional stress through tasks like answering repeated questions, managing daily schedules, and providing reminders. The researchers are now building high-tech prototypes based on the initial low-tech prototypes designed by caregivers.
Researchers found that dammed rivers in Mexico's Pacific states experience severe coastal recession, with mangrove forests and commercial fishery habitats being particularly affected. The study highlights the need to consider the environmental and economic impacts of hydroelectric dams on entire regions.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine have made breakthroughs in treating liver cancer with a combination immunotherapy approach. This therapy successfully suppresses tumor growth and induces complete remission in some mouse models, offering new hope for patients diagnosed with this devastating disease.
Researchers at UC San Diego have found a new mechanism that allows bacteria to survive antibiotics by controlling magnesium ion uptake. This discovery could lead to new treatments for infectious diseases and boost the potency of existing antibiotic drugs.
Researchers have developed a new mouse model that closely resembles human acne by adding synthetic sebum, allowing them to directly compare 'good' and 'bad' strains of Propionibacterium acnes bacteria. The study found that acne-associated strains caused inflammation and lesions, while health-associated strains had minimal effect.
An international team of scientists discovered a new species of killer whale, Type D, off the coast of Cape Horn, Chile. Genetic samples collected will help determine whether this animal is indeed new to science.
A team of UC San Diego engineers is developing an Integrated Photonics Education Kit (IPEK) to teach undergraduates practical skills in integrated photonics. The kit, priced at $1,500, offers a portable and robust platform for hands-on training.
A new study aims to understand the biological mechanisms behind increased HIV risk in women who have experienced sexual trauma, especially among adolescents. The THRIVE Study will examine the impact of forced vaginal sex on immune system and stress response in young girls and women.
UC San Diego Health, Ochsner Health System, Sutter Health and Stanford Health Care developed diverse models of care incorporating patient-centered technologies with measurable outcomes. Technology improved medication adherence for hypertension and diabetes, reduced distress in cancer patients, and enhanced patient engagement.
Scientists found that microtubule ends couple with kinetochores to direct chromosome segregation during cell division, and this process is similar to neuronal morphogenesis. The KMN network plays a critical role in both processes, suggesting a potential explanation for neurological conditions like microcephaly.
A team of researchers discovered a way to make glioblastoma brain tumors more sensitive to radiation by blocking the activity of a specific protein, PTEN. This breakthrough could lead to improved treatment prospects for patients with this aggressive form of brain cancer.
Researchers have identified baseline characteristics that predict moderate-to-severe psychiatric adverse events in smokers using smoking cessation drugs. Existing anxiety, suicidal ideation, and white race are key predictors across all three frontline medications.
Honey bees are outcompeting native pollinators for access to pollen and nectar in San Diego's natural habitats. The study found that honey bees account for more than 90 percent of pollinators observed visiting flowers on the most abundantly flowering native plant species.
Researchers found patients taking proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) were 28.4 times more likely to develop chronic kidney disease compared to those taking histamine-2 receptor antagonists. PPIs were also linked to higher rates of acute kidney injury, end-stage renal disease, and unspecified kidney impairment.
Researchers found that nearly one-third of persons with schizophrenia had 'normal' wisdom scores, which correlated with fewer psychotic symptoms, improved cognitive performance, and enhanced everyday functioning. Assessing and enhancing wisdom may help improve the quality of life for individuals with schizophrenia.
Researchers found that vagus nerve stimulation in the neck reduced brain activity and delayed pain response in people with PTSD. The treatment also altered autonomic responses to painful stimuli, dampening fight-or-flight-type responses.
A new study found that hearing impairment accelerates cognitive decline with age, but higher education reduces the impact of milder hearing losses. The researchers tracked 1,164 participants over 24 years and discovered that social engagement did not affect the association between hearing loss and cognitive decline.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego discovered that breast tissue stiffening triggers multiple pathways to promote cancer cell formation. The study, published in PNAS, found that a subpopulation of mammary cells do not respond to stiffening, potentially leading to fewer or smaller primary tumors.
Researchers uncovered an unexpected pattern of HIV infection among transgender women and cisgender men in Los Angeles County. The study suggests that transgender women are at a higher risk of being in an HIV transmission network than previously thought, highlighting the need for tailored public health efforts within this community.
A new scale has been developed to characterize the strength and impacts of atmospheric rivers, which can deliver heavy precipitation to the Western United States. The scale assigns five categories to atmospheric rivers based on the amount of water vapor they carry and their duration in a given location.
Scientists at University of California San Diego School of Medicine use single-cell RNA sequencing to define cell types in human testes, opening a path for new strategies to treat male infertility. The study identifies spermatogonial stem cells and biomarkers that could help develop protein cocktails to drive cell proliferation.
A new study is analyzing blood samples from over 2,500 participants to identify biomarkers of Parkinson's disease. The researchers aim to find molecular indicators in DNA that can aid in early diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers at University of California San Diego found evidence that p53 stimulates tumor growth by enhancing cancer metabolism, challenging the widely accepted idea that it suppresses cancer. The study suggests that drug therapies designed to enhance p53's function may inadvertently cause opposite effects.
A perception system for soft robots has been developed, mimicking human body components to predict complex motions and forces. The system uses a motion capture system, neural network, and soft sensors to interpret sensor signals, enabling accurate predictions of robot movements.
Researchers have created a novel mouse model that demonstrates how epigenetic changes can negatively impact a key gene involved in neurodevelopment and behavior. The study provides direct causal evidence linking this gene to autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-like behavior.
A team of researchers has identified a genetic pathway that causes some individuals to develop an abnormal heart rhythm after experiencing a heart attack. They have also discovered a drug candidate that can block this pathway.
Researchers found that Hispanic patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease are less impaired on cognitive tests compared to non-Hispanic patients. The study suggests greater small blood vessel disease and increased amyloid angiopathy in Hispanic patients, highlighting the need for culturally adapted diagnostic protocols.
Researchers have found a potential therapeutic pathway for Alzheimer's disease by targeting the regulation of critical cholesterol in neurons. Cholesteryl esters were identified as regulators of tau protein, which accumulates in abnormal aggregates that cause neuronal malfunction and death.
Scientists at UC San Diego have developed the world's first CRISPR/Cas9-based approach to control genetic inheritance in a mammal. They successfully engineered an active genetic element that can be copied from one chromosome to another, allowing for the control of multiple genes in mice.
Researchers found that a low-sugar diet resulted in significant improvement in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adolescent boys. The study showed a 31% reduction in liver fat in the low-free sugar diet group compared to the typical diet group.
A new study found that early adult general cognitive ability is a stronger predictor of cognitive function and reserve later in life than other factors. Higher education and late-life intellectual activities were associated with reduced risk of dementia and sustained or improved cognitive reserve.
Scientists at UC San Diego discovered that barbules on bird feathers are spaced consistently across species, leading to potential breakthroughs in adhesives and aerospace materials. The study's findings also shed light on the growth patterns of bird bones, particularly the humerus.
Researchers created a 3D printed scaffold that mimicked natural anatomy and boosted stem cell-based treatment for spinal cord injuries. The implants supported tissue regrowth, stem cell survival, and axon outgrowth in rats, leading to significant functional motor improvement.
Scientists at UC San Diego developed a new method to control pest populations using precision-guided genetics, resulting in sterile male progeny with 100% efficiency. The 'precision-guided sterile insect technique' (pgSIT) can be applied to various insects, including disease-spreading mosquitoes.
A new study using a mouse model found that pregnant mice fed a high-fat diet gained more body fat compared to control mice, but quickly lost the added weight after giving birth. However, they began gaining more fat again and weighed two-fold above levels of control mice due to excess fat mass.
Researchers discover ADAR1 enzyme promotes cancer cell resistance to treatment by hyper-mutating tumor suppressor RNAs. This enzyme may provide a molecular radar for early detection of malignancies and represent a new therapeutic target for preventing cancer cell resistance.
Researchers discovered the pathway that causes dermal fibroblasts to lose their ability to convert into fat cells as people age. This process affects the skin's ability to fight infections, particularly bacterial ones like MRSA. The study may lead to new treatments for obesity, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases.
A team of researchers developed a neuroinspired hardware-software co-design approach that can make neural network training more energy-efficient and faster. The approach uses a type of energy-efficient neural network called spiking neural networks, combined with the soft-pruning algorithm to minimize computing power and time.
A recent study found that moderate to severe loneliness persists across the adult lifespan, particularly during late-20s, mid-50s, and late-80s. However, researchers also discovered a strong inverse association between wisdom and loneliness, suggesting that wiser individuals are less lonely. The study highlights the need for solutions ...
The University of California San Diego is awarded $2 million to create novel methods for manufacturing biologically based monomers used in making polyurethane polymers. The project aims to produce cost-competitive algae-based products for various plastics found in everyday items.