The San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) at the University of California, San Diego, has received a $1 million NSF grant to help school districts develop model 'villages' for introducing and sustaining up-to-date computer science courses.
Genetically programmed probiotics can detect liver cancer metastases early-on by producing signals easily detectable in urine. The approach may be useful for detecting the disease earlier, increasing chances of survival.
Researchers at UC San Diego discovered a microsporidian called Nosema ceranae can infect honeybee larvae, leading to reduced lifespans as adults. The parasite has been linked to colony collapse disorder, with global losses of one-third of managed bee colonies each year.
Researchers at University of California, San Diego, have identified six mRNA isoforms that distinguish ovarian cancer cells from normal cells, offering potential for early diagnosis and targeted therapies. The study's findings may also lead to new therapeutic targets and more effective treatment options.
Researchers created a human embryonic stem cell model that allows real-time tracking of cellular behavior during early human development. The study discovered critical molecular cues required for the formation of the neurovascular unit, comprising endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and autonomic neurons.
Researchers developed a gel filled with toxin-absorbing nanosponges that effectively treat skin and wound infections caused by MRSA without using antibiotics. The treatment keeps bacterial toxins under control, allowing the immune system to kill the bacteria more easily.
A recent study found that youth dance classes offer only limited amounts of physical activity, with an average of 17 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per class. The CDC's guidelines recommend at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily for kids aged 6-17, but most dance classes fall short of this target.
Scientists at UC San Diego have created thin films of material that produce a wide range of pure colors, from red to green, by arranging synthetic melanin nanoparticles. The colors are determined by the physical structure rather than pigments.
Research suggests that PTSD is associated with reduced telomere length, increased pro-inflammatory markers, and medical comorbidity, indicating potential for accelerated aging. This finding warrants a deeper look at the phenomenon and a more integrated medical-psychiatric approach to care.
Researchers developed a combinatorial approach to treating glioblastoma by combining three classes of anti-cancer drugs. The study found that a combination of EGFR inhibitor, PLK1 inhibitor and DNA-damaging agent effectively halted tumor growth in mouse models and human glioblastoma tissue.
Two proteins, Contactin-4 and amyloid precursor protein, bind during embryonic development to stabilize brain cells involved in image stabilization. This finding suggests precise neural connections are crucial for accurate sensory perception and behavior.
Researchers developed a novel approach using a molecular homing beacon that attracts pre-existing antibodies to attack pathogenic bacteria. The technology shows promise in targeting multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens, and could potentially be applied to other infections, viruses, or cancer cells.
UC San Diego researchers use a statistical tool to determine the optimal media composition for growing human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), reducing variability and improving reproducibility. The findings aim to create a standard for hPSC cultures, enabling laboratories worldwide to access consistent results.
Computer scientists developed a new method combining computer vision algorithms and brain-computer interface to detect mines in sonar images, outperforming existing methods. The system uses classifiers to capture changes in pixel intensity and improves accuracy by detecting 99.5% of true positives and reducing false positives.
Scientists have created microbe-sized beads that can sense their environment and move upstream through purely physical means. The beads meet two essential requirements of life: metabolism and mobility. This discovery is an important step toward developing biomimetic microsystems that can respond to environmental changes.
Scientists at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine demonstrate ability to reprogram large parts of a cell's signaling network by manipulating key hub in communication networks. This approach shows potential to slow or reverse disease progression, including cancer driven by abnormal cell signaling.
Researchers found that patients with GIST are at higher risk of developing other sarcomas, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, carcinoid tumors, melanoma, and various types of colorectal, esophageal, pancreatic, and renal cell cancers. This association was particularly notable in smaller tumor sizes.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine found that axon injury location affects regeneration in neurons. Injury before a branch point resulted in 89% regeneration, while cuts to both branches led to 67% regeneration.
Researchers at UC San Diego found that pancreatic cancer rates are highest in countries with the least amount of sunlight, due to low vitamin D levels. Limited foods naturally contain vitamin D, and experts suggest that a deficiency may contribute to an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.
Researchers have discovered an experimental drug that stabilizes the immune defense protein HIF-1alpha, increasing its levels in human bladder cells and mice. This leads to improved resistance against major UTI pathogen E. coli, highlighting a new approach to combating antibiotic-resistant infections.
A new study reveals a significant gender gap in bariatric surgery rates among U.S. men and women. Demographic, socioeconomic and cultural factors contribute to the disparity, with men undergoing surgeries at lower rates than women.
A novel approach has been identified to block amyloid production in an Alzheimer's mouse model, promising a potential early therapeutic intervention. The study found that the most promising compound, P8, can be administered to individuals at high risk of developing the disease and may have few side effects.
Researchers found that blocking immune-suppressing cells allows chemotherapy to destroy prostate tumors in mouse models, achieving near complete remission. This novel combination therapy may have broader applications for other cancer types due to its effectiveness against metastatic and unresponsive cancers.
The Cal-BRAIN program awards $1.92 million in seed grants to 16 interdisciplinary teams at 10 UC campuses and other institutions to advance neurotechnology research. The projects focus on measuring brain activity through various strategies, aiming to improve treatments for brain disorders.
Researchers at the University of California - San Diego have discovered a method to increase electric charge storage in graphene, a two-dimensional form of carbon. The 'holey' structure introduces charged defects that increase capacitance by three-fold, making it useful for quick bursts of energy.
Researchers discovered a molecular mechanism connecting breast tissue stiffness to tumor metastasis and poor prognosis. High stiffness causes TWIST1 protein to lose its anchor, enabling cancer cells to invade surrounding tissue and metastasize.
A new report from UC San Diego highlights the scope of the problem, finding that only 1,510 counterfeit incidents were reported between 2009 and 2011, despite an estimated 100,000-1 million deaths per year. The study calls for improved detection, data collection, and analysis to combat falsified medicines.
Researchers found that overnight fasting reduced postprandial glucose levels and associated them with lower breast cancer risk. Longer nighttime fasts were linked to fewer calories consumed per day and improved biomarker results.
Chemists at the University of California, San Diego, have developed a simple modular system that can attach proteins to cell membranes with precise control. The system uses light-activated anchors and SNAP-tags to direct protein movements, enabling researchers to study cellular processes in unprecedented detail.
A novel in vitro live-cell platform allows direct visualization of endothelial cell injury patterns after clot removal. Researchers validated their findings with in vivo testing, offering significant promise for future device design and improving post-stroke recovery outcomes.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that smokers who use e-cigarettes are 49% less likely to decrease cigarette use and 59% less likely to quit compared to non-users. The researchers discovered that daily smokers and women were more likely to have tried e-cigarettes.
A genome-wide association study identified genetic signals linked to increased AD risk, including those associated with CRP and plasma lipid levels. The findings suggest that targeting these risk factors may help delay AD progression and could have significant societal implications.
A team of researchers identified four mechanisms in collagen that work together to reduce stress concentrations at the tip of a tear. These mechanisms - rotation, straightening, stretching, and sliding - can be replicated in synthetic materials to improve strength and resistance to tearing.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine discovered G proteins signaling on membranes inside cells, controlling Golgi trafficking and enzyme secretion. Inhibition of protein GIV was shown to delay enzyme secretion and inhibit key cancer-driving signals.
Researchers used fMRI to analyze brain activity in response to speech in ASD toddlers, finding distinct neural substrates for good and poor language outcomes. The study's findings may lead to more individualized treatments for the heterogeneous condition.
The Rady Family Foundation has made a historic $100 million commitment to the Rady School, enabling faculty recruitment, student retention, and strategic initiatives. The school has achieved significant success in innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration.
A recent study by UC San Diego researchers found a correlation between CD33rSIGLEC gene copy number and maximum lifespan across 14 mammalian species. Mice lacking this gene also showed signs of accelerated aging and higher levels of reactive oxygen species.
The study suggests the hippocampus is primarily associated with memory formation and not spatial skills. Patients with hippocampal lesions can perform spatial tasks as long as these tasks don't depend on long-term memory, supported by frontal lobe functions.
Researchers found that cigarette smoke made MRSA bacteria more resistant to killing by the immune system, increasing their ability to invade human cells. In mouse experiments, smoke-exposed MRSA caused pneumonia with a higher mortality rate.
Scientists have discovered that the chromosomes in laboratory stem cells open slowly over time, allowing them to respond to growth factors and differentiate into specific cell types. This understanding could lead to advancements in stem cell research and the development of new therapies for diseases such as type 1 diabetes.
Researchers created 3D maps of molecular and microbial variations across the body, providing a baseline for future studies of human health and disease. The study found that personal hygiene products and environmental factors contribute to the skin's chemical composition.
A new study reveals that the thickness of Antarctica's floating ice shelves has decreased by as much as 18 percent in certain areas over nearly two decades. The accelerated losses are attributed to climate change, with some ice shelves losing up to half their volume within the next 200 years.
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a new family of time-resolved numerical simulation methods that significantly increase the speed of complex fluid and plasma simulations. The breakthrough reduces memory usage, allowing for larger simulations to be considered.
Researchers discovered a control switch for the unfolded protein response (UPR), a cellular stress relief mechanism involved in various diseases. The UPR pathway can trigger cell death if stress is not resolved, but the discovery of this control switch may open new drug development avenues to prevent excessive cell death.
A new genetic method called MCR enables biologists to rapidly generate mutations in both copies of a gene, accelerating genetic research on diverse species. This method has the potential to control insect-borne diseases such as malaria and animal/plant pests by disseminating genetic elements with high efficiency.
Researchers at SDSC and UCSD have described the molecular mechanism of cancer development caused by well-known EGFR mutations in non-small cell lung cancer. Computer modeling elucidated their molecular mechanism of action, suggesting that antibodies targeting dimerization would be effective treatments.
A new analysis found that highly connected databases don't always support fastest quantum computing, with low connectivity yielding fast search in some cases. Researchers used the properties of superposition to model a quantum particle's movement through a database, demonstrating the unexpected influence of data structure on search speed.
A global genome study using the Gordon supercomputer has revealed new relationships among birds, with over 10,000 species analyzed. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding evolution and human traits.
Researchers at UC San Diego have identified a gene variant in the SORL1 gene that may be used to predict people most likely to respond to an investigational therapy for Alzheimer's disease. The study found that variants of the gene confer some protection from AD and are associated with reduced beta amyloid peptide production in neurons.
Researchers have found genetic markers in blood samples associated with gene networks regulating innate immune function and interferon signaling, offering insights into the pathophysiology of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study suggests that these molecular signatures may be used to predict who is at risk of developing PTSD.