Researchers at UC San Diego have identified a new genetic pathway that plays an active role in neuron damage regeneration. The discovery of the PIWI-interacting small RNA (piRNA) pathway could offer therapeutic targets for helping neurons regrow after traumatic injuries and stroke.
A new recycling method restores used cathode particles from spent lithium ion batteries, restoring charge storage capacity, charging time, and battery lifetime. The process reduces energy consumption compared to other methods and aims to address environmental concerns and economic issues related to battery waste.
Researchers found that a repurposed drug used to treat Hepatitis C effectively protected and rescued neural cells infected by the Zika virus in both cell cultures and mouse models. The study suggests that the drug could be effective against Zika-infected adults, including pregnant women.
Researchers studied hospice patients' perceptions of wisdom, finding it to be a continuous recalibration between accepting illness and wanting to grow and change. Participants emphasized the importance of acceptance, gratitude, and positivity in their final days.
Researchers found that women with PCOS have less diverse gut bacteria compared to those without the condition. Elevated testosterone levels in PCOS may contribute to these changes, suggesting a potential link between the microbiome and the development of PCOS.
A new algorithm, VarQuest, has been developed to identify naturally occurring antibiotics, revealing an order of magnitude more compounds than previous studies. This breakthrough could lead to the discovery of new medicines and help combat rising antibiotic resistance.
Scientists at UC San Diego report that distinct, sparse sets of hippocampal neurons encode episodic memories, recollections of past events. The findings provide significant insights into the mechanisms of memory and have implications for health-related reasons, including Alzheimer's disease.
A team of researchers has developed an innovative approach to remotely control genetic processes in live immune T cells, enabling them to recognize and kill cancer cells. The system uses mechanogenetics to convert mechanical signals into genetic control, with potential to increase precision and efficiency in CAR-T cell immunotherapy.
Researchers used hydroacoustics to compare fish abundance within and outside Mexico's Cabo Pulmo National Park, finding a four-fold increase in protected areas. The study demonstrates a cost-effective method for assessing fish populations and highlights the importance of marine protected areas for maintaining sustainable fisheries.
A study identified new drug targets and resistance genes in malaria parasites resistant to 37 diverse antimalarial compounds. The research, published in Science, revealed a complex chemogenetic landscape of the parasite's underlying biology.
A new genetic tool predicts the age of onset for aggressive prostate cancer, guiding decisions on PSA screening. The polygenic hazard score is a highly significant predictor of age at diagnosis, estimating individual genetic risk.
A new report synthesizes global data to identify honey bees as the world's most important single species of pollinator in natural ecosystems. They are recorded in 89% of pollination networks in their native range and 61% in introduced regions, contributing to 1 out of 8 interactions between non-agricultural plants and pollinators.
A recent study found that 70% of respondents believe the marine environment is under threat from human activities, with pollution and fishing identified as top concerns. The public also strongly supports protection of marine areas through MPAs, but rules governing these areas vary widely.
A new study published in Nature Geoscience found that strong El Nino events cause rapid melting of Antarctic ice shelves due to increased basal melt and reduced snowfall. In contrast, La Nina events lead to an increase in surface mass gain and reduce ice loss.
The ocean is losing its breath, with low-oxygen sites increasing fourfold in the open ocean and tenfold in coastal waters since 1950. Climate change and nutrient pollution are driving this decline, which can stunt growth, hinder reproduction, and lead to disease or death.
Researchers developed macrophage nanosponges that can safely absorb and remove endotoxins and pro-inflammatory cytokines from the bloodstream. These nanosponges improved survival rates in mice with sepsis by preventing systemic inflammation and reducing bacterial counts.
Researchers have developed a new method to measure the average temperature of the global ocean using noble gases in the atmosphere. By analyzing air bubbles trapped in ice cores, scientists can calculate the average global ocean temperature with high precision, providing insights into past climate cycles and modern ocean changes.
Researchers have developed a standardized, freely available method for creating interactive 3D maps of molecules on the skin. The technique has been used to study the influence of environmental factors and health outcomes, with potential applications in forensics, agriculture, and microbiome studies.
A new study by University of California San Diego School of Medicine researchers suggests that medications alone may not be effective in helping smokers quit. Despite promising results in clinical trials, the study found no evidence that pharmaceutical cessation aids improved smoking cessation rates in real-world settings.
A study published in Geomorphology identifies areas with high cliff erosion rates and introduces a new hazard scale to predict impending collapses. The research provides accurate erosion rates for 680 miles of the California coast, highlighting the need for improved models and planning strategies to protect critical facilities.
A new study by UC San Diego researchers reveals that combining pesticides and limited nutrient sources causes a synergistic effect on bee survival, increasing deaths by up to 50%. The scientists used honey bees as test subjects due to their role as agricultural pollinators and environmental bioindicators.
A study published in BMJ Tobacco Control found that plain cigarette packaging can reduce consumers' misconceptions about the safety of certain brands. In an online survey, participants rated Natural American Spirit packaging as safer when viewed with a plain container or graphic warning image compared to current US packaging.
A new study found that a bioluminescent worm's ferritin is nearly eight times faster at storing and releasing iron than human capabilities, with potential applications in biomedical research and medical treatments.
Researchers at UC San Diego tested human subjects' ability to distinguish between smooth silicon wafers with different topmost layers of molecules. Human subjects could correctly identify the differences 71% of the time, thanks to a phenomenon known as stick-slip friction.
Researchers developed a simple tool to detect website data breaches by monitoring email account activity. The study found that 19 websites, including a well-known startup with millions of active customers, were hacked during the 18-month testing period.
Researchers found a strong bond with family, religion, and land; positivity, work ethic, stubbornness, and self-confidence as common traits. Participants displayed better mental health than younger family members, despite poorer physical health.
Researchers have developed a more detailed map of the human brain's cellular diversity, identifying 35 subtypes of neurons and glial cells linked to various brain disorders. The study provides insights into genetic risk factors for diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
Researchers have discovered a promising new strategy to program the immune system to fight cancer by leveraging the novel function of the protein Runx3. This allows killer T cells to locate and persist in infected tissues or tumors, helping to eradicate infections or slow growth of malignancies.
A large genetic study found a significant link between delay discounting and ADHD, obesity. Delay discounting refers to the tendency to undervalue future rewards, which was found to be correlated with various psychiatric and behavioral traits.
A new drug approach targets breast cancer's stem-like cells, slowing their spread before metastasis occurs. Researchers found co-expression of integrin αvβ3 and Slug identifies these cells in up to 20% of primary breast cancers.
Engineers at UC San Diego developed a smartphone case and app that allows patients to record and track their blood glucose readings anywhere. The device, called GlucPhone, uses reusable sensors and wireless transmission for accurate measurements.
Researchers found that high ADAR1 levels correlate with reduced survival rates and disease recurrence in multiple myeloma. Inhibiting ADAR1 in experimental models suggests a potential approach to detect the disease earlier and address its root cause.
Researchers have discovered a small-molecule drug that can restore brain function and memory in mice with Alzheimer's-like symptoms by blocking toxic ion flow. The drug, anle138b, attaches to amyloid-beta protein clusters and deactivates pores, reducing neuronal dysfunction and cell death.
UC San Diego researchers receive nearly $8 million to develop and test stem cell-based treatments for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The funding will support testing of novel therapeutic approaches targeting cancer stem cells in AML, which is responsible for a high relapse rate in the disease.
Researchers have identified a genetically distinct subpopulation of patients with glioblastoma that is particularly sensitive to drugs like cilengitide. The strategy uses a gene profile alone to predict which tumors are susceptible to αvβ3 blockade, offering a new therapeutic target for precision medicine in brain cancer treatment. Thi...
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine will conduct clinical trials to test the PI3Ky inhibitor IPI-549 in combination with checkpoint inhibitors for head and neck cancers, aiming to boost immunotherapy effectiveness.
A team of researchers at UC San Diego discovered a specific gene module that predicts patient life expectancy and metastasis across nine cancer types. The study found that a constrained environment triggers the formation of blood vessel-like structures in tumor cells, leading to aggressive behavior.
A team of researchers has discovered that ions in hybrid perovskite crystals migrate and create regions with reduced efficiency, degrading the material's performance. Limiting this ion migration could lead to improved high-efficiency solar cells with low costs.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that women over age 65 who engaged in regular light physical activity had a reduced risk of mortality. Adding 30 minutes per day of moderate activity further lowered mortality risk by 39%.
Researchers created detailed photomosaics of the coral reef at Palmyra Atoll, discovering non-random clustering and a link between coral growth and reproductive strategy. The findings have implications for coral reef management and conservation.
Researchers developed Fastron, a machine learning-based collision detection algorithm that runs up to 8 times faster than existing methods. The algorithm uses a minimalistic approach to classify collisions versus non-collisions in dynamic environments.
Researchers discovered a synthetic double-stranded RNA that boosts anti-tumor innate immune functions, potentially preventing liver cancer. The study found that administering the RNA at different stages suppressed tumor formation in mouse models.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine found that chronic liver inflammation suppresses immunosurveillance, allowing cancer cells to grow. Inhibiting PD-L1 restored immune function and cleared tumors in mice with NASH-associated mutations.
Researchers found that dying cell DNA stimulates an ancient antiviral program in immune cells, leading to inflammation and heart dysfunction. Blocking this response improves survival rates in mice, suggesting a new potential therapeutic opportunity for preventing heart failure.
Researchers at University of California San Diego have found a new pathway called Intracellular Pathogen Response (IPR) that helps animals cope with certain types of stress and attacks, including heat shock. The study reveals the IPR gene pals-22, which increases tolerance to heat shock when expressed in roundworms.
Researchers deciphered molecular processes influencing aging by studying chromatin silencing in yeast, discovering a balance between open and closed states to maintain cell function and longevity. Continuous or complete loss of this balance accelerates aging.
The Earth Microbiome Project has cataloged over 27,000 samples from diverse environments worldwide, generating the first reference database of bacteria colonizing the planet. The project identifies unique microbial sequences, revealing patterns in microbial community composition across environments and geography.
Researchers discovered that Zika virus is transmitted from mother to fetus by infected microglia cells, which later develop into the brain's defense system. The finding suggests a potential therapeutic target for reducing Zika transmission and offers hope for preventing devastating neurological damage.
Scientists at UC San Diego have discovered how brain blood vessels dynamically regulate oxygen levels across large distances, shedding light on the mechanisms behind resting-state connectivity. This breakthrough has significant implications for human health and medicine, including the development of higher resolution imaging methods.
Pancreatic cancer is a deadly and lethal disease with an 8% 5-year relative survival rate. Researchers at UC San Diego Health, in partnership with other institutions, have received a $7 million grant to develop new ways to prevent the disease, which comprises 3% of all cancer cases but is the fourth leading cause of cancer death.