A study published in Nature Communications has found an unexpected overlap between the causes of rheumatoid arthritis and Huntington's disease. The researchers developed a novel algorithm to analyze epigenetic data, identifying new cell signaling pathways and potential treatment options for both conditions.
A team of scientists discovered a key factor that unravels nucleosomes, allowing genes to activate. This finding provides new insights into the regulation of genes and has implications for understanding human diseases such as cancer.
Researchers successfully grafted induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural precursor cells into the spinal cords of genetically identical adult pigs, eliminating the need for immunosuppression measures. The grafted cells survived long-term and displayed differentiated functionality without causing tumors.
A new study funded by a $4.7 million gift from the Ray and Tye Noorda Foundation aims to investigate the therapeutic benefits of cannabidiol for children with severe symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. The study will involve clinical assessments and basic research to better understand how CBD interacts with neural activity.
Researchers at UC San Diego developed a soft eel-like robot that can swim silently in salt water using artificial muscles filled with water. The robot's undulating swimming motion is generated by electrical charges that activate the muscles, allowing it to move without making any sound.
A new study implicates a role for light-induced electrical activity in controlling chemical codes in the brain, potentially leading to chemical imbalances underlying mental illness. The researchers found that manipulating brain electrical activity prevented neurotransmitter switching associated with anxious and depressed behavior.
A phase I clinical trial enrolls adults with type 1 or 2 diabetes to test the accuracy of a non-invasive tattoo sensor that measures glucose levels through sweat. The technology has the potential to break down barriers to regular blood glucose monitoring, improving patient management and quality of life.
Researchers found that vitamin D levels above 30 ng/ml reduced diabetes risk by one-third and those above 50 ng/ml had a one-fifth risk reduction. Vitamin D deficiency was linked to a greater risk of developing diabetes, with persons at up to five times higher risk than those with optimal levels.
A recent study identified rare inherited variants in non-coding DNA as a contributor to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These variants disrupt neighboring DNA control elements that regulate gene expression. The findings suggest that the inherited genetic contribution from mothers and fathers may be qualitatively different.
A recent study published in Child Development found that a mother's depression can negatively affect her child's cognitive development up to age 16. Mothers who were highly depressed invested less emotionally and provided fewer learning materials, leading to lower verbal IQ scores in their children.
Researchers Matthew Alford and Thomas Peacock call for collaborative scientific research to inform the future of seabed mining. The study highlights the importance of sediment plumes in assessing marine life impacts and recommends limited-scale operations with academic researchers.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that individuals with schizophrenia who experienced childhood trauma had improved health outcomes when they possessed high levels of psychological resilience. The research team evaluated data from 114 participants with schizophrenia and 101 non-psychiatric comparison subjects.
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a gene drive system targeting the invasive spotted-wing drosophila, a fruit fly causing millions of dollars in damage. The Medea system dramatically biases inheritance rates with near-perfect efficiency, allowing for potential control of populations.
The US government has renewed funding for UC San Diego's Center for AIDS Research, supporting continued studies of HIV/AIDS. The five-year, $15 million grant will focus on finding a cure for HIV in those already infected and preventing transmission to uninfected individuals.
Engineers at the University of California San Diego developed a miniature biosensor that can be implanted under the skin to track alcohol levels continuously. The chip consumes ultra-low power and is powered wirelessly by a wearable device, making it suitable for long-term monitoring in substance abuse treatment programs.
Researchers developed a robotic gripper combining gecko toes' adhesive properties with air-powered soft robots, enabling it to grasp various objects, including rough and dirty ones. The gripper's unique design maximizes surface contact area, ensuring a better grip.
A study analyzing four beach nourishment projects in San Diego County found that mechanically placed sand moves significantly, with some areas receiving more sand than was initially added. The research provides insight into the behavior of nourishment sand and its potential unintended consequences.
Researchers found that major adverse events like divorce or death of a family member can measurably accelerate brain aging in older men. The study used MRI scans to assess brain volume and cortical thickness, predicting brain age difference based on life-changing events.
Researchers estimate that non-optimized medication therapy costs over half a trillion dollars annually, resulting from illness and death due to suboptimal treatment regimens. The study proposes expanding comprehensive medication management services to improve patient health and lower costs.
Researchers identified nearly 200 mutations in non-coding DNA that play a functional role in cancer, providing potential molecularly targeted therapeutics. These mutations could represent new targets for cancer drugs and may help explain the diversity of genetic mutations in tumors.
Researchers discovered a new path of evolution that enables viruses to quickly adapt to their environment and infect new host targets. This phenomenon could lead to new insights into preventing the emergence of new diseases.
A study by computer scientists at the University of California - San Diego found that mining altcoins can earn higher returns than speculation, with daily returns ranging from 7-18% for miners. The researchers estimated potential profits using opportunity cost and simulated daily returns under various conditions.
A recent study found that receptivity to e-cigarette advertising significantly increased the odds of 12-21 year-olds who have never smoked trying cigarette smoking within a year. This association was independent of receptivity to cigarette advertising.
Researchers have developed a stretchable ultrasound patch that can image internal imperfections on curved surfaces without water or gel. The device uses an island-bridge structure and piezoelectric transducers to produce ultrasound waves, enabling real-time imaging and videoing of complex structures.
Researchers have found that ocean acidification impairs phytoplankton's access to iron, a crucial nutrient for growth. This discovery highlights the critical impact of rising CO2 levels on marine food webs and global carbon cycling.
Researchers developed a light-activated genetic switch that can turn genes on and off in mammalian cells using red and far-red light. The switch relies on two insights: creating an electron transfer system and placing the molecular synthesis in mitochondria, allowing for precise gene control.
Researchers developed a microbial detection technique that can reveal previously undetectable bacteria in various environments. KatharoSeq detected bacteria on surfaces at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a neonatal intensive care unit, and an endangered abalone rearing center, revealing new insights for improving environmental health.
Researchers are testing a new combination of cirmtuzumab and ibrutinib to eradicate leukemias and other blood cancers. The trial aims to determine the safety and effectiveness of the duo's treatment, which could potentially lead to complete remissions without continuous therapy.
A phase II clinical trial showed that NGM282 significantly reduced liver fat content in patients with NAFLD and NASH. The treatment, a non-tumorigenic variant of an endocrine gastrointestinal hormone, has no FDA-approved treatments for these conditions.
Researchers developed a visible neural network, DCell, that uses real-world cellular behaviors and constraints to predict cellular growth. The system can simulate cellular growth nearly as accurately as a real cell grown in a laboratory.
Researchers have developed a polygenic risk score to identify adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in their 50s, who are at higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The score correctly identified individuals with MCI and showed that those with cognitive deficits other than memory problems were more likely to have diabetes.
Researchers identified a strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis that produces a chemical compound 6-N-hydroxyaminopurine (6-HAP), which inhibits the growth of some cancers. In mice exposed to UV rays, those with 6-HAP-producing bacteria had significantly reduced skin tumors.
Researchers developed Recon3D, a comprehensive human metabolic network reconstruction integrating genes, proteins, and metabolites. The tool revealed 'mutation hotspots' where disease-causing mutations occur, and how drugs affect metabolic reactions.
A signaling protein called Daple, normally a tumor suppressor, can be manipulated by growth factors to become a driver of malignant growth and metastasis in cancer cells. This discovery highlights the complexity of crosstalk between major signals that drive cancers.
Scientists successfully grafted human neural progenitor cells into rhesus monkeys with spinal cord injuries, growing hundreds of thousands of human axons and synapses. The findings represent a major step toward future human clinical trials for paralyzing spinal cord injuries.
Researchers developed an AI-based computational tool to screen patients for common retinal diseases, achieving over 95% accuracy in diagnosis. The tool also showed promise in diagnosing childhood pneumonia with over 90% accuracy, highlighting its potential applications in healthcare.
Researchers at UC San Diego and UC Berkeley developed a method that dramatically improves the simulation of fur in computers, using subsurface scattering to mimic how light interacts with fur fibers. The new algorithm is 10 times faster than existing models and produces more realistic simulations.
A new study finds that species adapted to colder waters are more vulnerable to withering syndrome, and that rising water temperatures lead to greater susceptibility. The research also suggests that genetics may play a role in the disease's impact on abalone populations.
A team of scientists developed an algorithm that accurately pinpoints mutations favored by natural selection, shedding light on the specific mutations responding to selection pressure. The iSAFE algorithm reliably identifies favored mutations in large genomic regions without needing function information or demographic data.
A team of engineers at UC San Diego used data mining and computational tools to discover a new phosphor material that is inexpensive, easy to make, and produces high-quality white LEDs. The new material, dubbed SLAO, has better color quality than many commercial LEDs and can be manufactured using industrial methods.
A team of researchers has discovered a chemical compound that converts patient-derived stem cells into blood vessels, offering new hope for treating achromatopsia and cone-rod dystrophy. The compound, AA147, successfully directed the stem cells to develop primarily into endothelial cells that can form blood vessels.
A peptide called catestatin has been shown to improve glucose and insulin tolerance and reduce body weight in obese mice. CST treatment also inhibited liver inflammation and reduced fatty liver.
Researchers developed 4-D goggles that allow wearers to feel a looming object on screen, such as an approaching spacecraft. The device synchronizes with entertainment content to deliver immersive multisensory effects near the face and enhance sense of presence.
Researchers discovered that DNA acts as an 'air-in-a-balloon' mechanism to inflate bacterial cells, beyond its genetic information role. This finding has implications for understanding cell formation and growth, potentially revealing insights into the origins of cellular life.
Scientists discover two new feedback loops that regulate energy expenditure, with TBK1 inhibiting AMPK's role in burning fat. Deleting TBK1 from fat cells increases inflammation and weight loss.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that approximately one to five percent of first-grade children in the US have fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, rates comparable to those of autism spectrum disorders. Researchers evaluated over 6,000 children across four regions and estimated prevalence ...
The active genetics technology has been used to edit gene regulatory elements in fruit flies, revealing new fundamental mechanisms controlling gene activity. The researchers provided experimental validation for using active genetics as an efficient means for targeted gene insertion and single-step replacement of genetic control elements.
A protein called ZFP36L2 is essential for eggs to complete normal development and fertility. Female mice lacking this protein in their eggs are infertile due to a failure in global transcriptional silencing.
A new study found that pink sea urchin species are less vulnerable to climate change than other urchin species. The species is abundant at depths similar to spot prawn fishers and produces edible roe during winter. Legalizing fishing of pink sea urchin as bycatch could relieve pressure on vulnerable species.
Researchers used novel techniques to analyze sea turtle bones and uncover previously unknown information about their habitats, including their age when they move into nearshore habitats and how they use offshore waters for feeding. The study provides strong applications to the conservation and management of this endangered population.