Researchers found that human herpes simplex virus (HSV) -1 and -2 originated in chimpanzees, with HSV-1 present in humans for over 6 million years. The study suggests that HSV-2 emerged from ancient chimps around 1.6 million years ago, prior to the rise of modern humans.
A study published in PLOS ONE maps the transmission network of HIV in San Diego, predicting new transmissions and identifying high-risk individuals. Targeted treatment interventions based on this analysis can significantly reduce new infections.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine discovered that a lack of oxygen in fat cells leads to inflammation and insulin resistance in obesity-induced diabetes. Inhibiting key proteins like ANT2 and HIF-1alpha may provide therapeutic targets for prevention or reversal.
Researchers developed ParentGuardian, an app that combines a sensor and smartphone to detect stress in parents and deliver evidence-based strategies. The system was tested on parents of children with ADHD, who reported significant reductions in stress.
Computer scientists at UC San Diego have developed a tool to test security in hardware design, addressing the growing concern of device vulnerabilities. The tool can detect confidentiality and integrity breaches, such as timing channels and critical subsystem interference.
The Health Data Exploration project aims to catalyze the use of personal health data for research, identifying policies and best practices for its transformative knowledge. The Network will bring together companies and researchers to strategize on using personal data to understand health.
Scientists successfully erased and reactivated memories in rats by applying specific frequencies of light and electrical stimuli to the brain. This breakthrough study offers new hope for treating Alzheimer's disease, as it shows promise in strengthening or weakening synaptic connections that are weakened in the condition.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have identified two gene mutations that cause uveal melanoma, a type of eye cancer. They also found that an existing FDA-approved drug can slow tumor growth in experiments with mice.
Researchers discovered that DNA relaxes to pack into virus heads at speeds determined by physics. The process counteracts the molecule's tendency to repel itself due to its negative charge.
Researchers have discovered a unique molecular signature for adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC), a rare and virulent form of pancreatic cancer. The identification of somatic mutations in the UPF1 gene may lead to the development of novel diagnostic approaches and therapeutic strategies, offering new hope for patients with ASC.
Researchers used computer simulations to identify most effective drugs for brain cancer, considering genomic signatures and predicted sensitivities. The approach may help personalize therapies for cancer patients, selectively testing effective drugs while reducing exposure to toxic ones.
Researchers eliminate a potential speed bump in quantum computing by showing that local symmetries are sufficient for fast searches. Global symmetry is not required for the quantum speedup, contrary to intuition.
A new study by researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine found that technology can improve the transition of adolescents with chronic diseases into adulthood. Patients in an intervention group received a secure web site and automated text messages to help them perform various tasks, resulting in improved...
A study published in PNAS suggests that Kawasaki disease may be caused by airborne aerosols from northeast China, possibly related to the fungus Candida. The findings indicate a strong link between wind patterns and disease outbreaks in Japan, with Candida species identified as the dominant airborne fungus.
Researchers found that mindfulness training can help Marines recover from stressful combat situations by reducing heart and breathing rates. The study suggests that incorporating meditative practices into pre-deployment training might be a way to reduce stress-related health conditions in the US military.
Researchers found that elephant seals have 10% carboxyhemoglobin, similar to someone smoking 40 cigarettes a day, and more than healthy humans. The study suggests carbon monoxide may be beneficial at low levels, preventing inflammatory responses and inhibiting cell death.
Researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine report that people living with depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions are twice as likely to have tried e-cigarettes and three times as likely to be current users. They also face a higher risk of trying e-cigarettes in the future.
Researchers found weak gravitational lensing in CMB polarization data, allowing detailed maps of the universe and constraining neutrino mass estimates. The discovery provides a firm test for general relativity on cosmological scales.
A team of nanoengineers at UC San Diego created a 3D-printed hydrogel matrix to house nanoparticles, mimicking the function of the liver in sensing and capturing toxins from the blood. The device successfully neutralized pore-forming toxins, offering a potential solution for removing dangerous toxins from the blood.
A new benchtop semiconductor sequencing procedure and bioinformatics software tools can detect multiple types of chromosomal abnormalities with high sensitivity and specificity. The noninvasive method uses cell-free fetal DNA and is faster, cheaper, and safer than current procedures.
Scientists identified two proteins on fetal membranes that help the body's immune cells recognize and fight GBS bacteria. The study found a genetic risk factor for premature birth in fetuses lacking one of these proteins, highlighting the importance of GBS-siglec crosstalk on placental membranes.
Researchers used molecular tumor boards to evaluate 34 patients with advanced cancer, identifying 74 genes and 123 aberrations involved in cancer growth. The approach showed promise in tailoring personalized treatment plans for patients who have exhausted standard therapies.
Researchers discovered that motor cortex actively participates in learning new motor movements, revealing a more complex process than previously thought. The study found that different patterns of activity in the motor cortex accompany similar movements after learning, suggesting a crucial role in adapting to new actions.
Researchers have made breakthroughs in developing flexible and stretchable electronic materials that can conform to non-planar surfaces without wrinkling. These materials have potential applications in energy harvesting, biomedical devices, wearable electronics, and consumer electronics.
New study finds that beta-catenin plays a critical role in promoting recovery of hematopoietic stem cells after radiation exposure. The researchers discovered that mice deficient in beta-catenin had impaired hematopoietic stem cell regeneration and bone marrow recovery after radiation.
Research refines association between cardiovascular disease risk factors and prostate cancer, highlighting LDL cholesterol and triglycerides as key players. The study identifies 17 related gene loci that contribute to both high blood lipid levels and prostate cancer risk.
Researchers sequenced blood and brain samples from a 115-year-old supercentenarian to identify somatic mutations. They found approximately 450 somatic mutations in white blood cells, with most being single nucleotide variants, which did not affect genetic fitness.
Researchers have identified a new genetic brain disorder associated with degeneration of the central and peripheral nervous systems, caused by a mutation in the CLP1 gene. The condition is characterized by reduced brain size, sensory and motor defects, seizures, brain atrophy, and neuronal death.
A Scripps Institution of Oceanography study finds that Alteromonas bacteria can consume as much dissolved organic carbon as diverse communities of organisms. This discovery sheds light on the complex mechanisms of ocean carbon cycling and highlights the importance of individual species in regulating atmospheric carbon dioxide.
A community-based structured weight loss program significantly improved blood sugar control and reduced medication use in overweight adults with type 2 diabetes. Participants who received personalized counseling and portion-controlled foods lost more weight and showed better diabetes management compared to a control group.
Scientists have identified a molecule called CD61 on the surface of drug-resistant tumors that induces tumor metastasis by enhancing cancer cell properties. The findings suggest that existing drugs can exploit this pathway to reverse drug resistance and re-sensitize tumors.
Researchers discovered how Fragile X mental retardation protein affects brain cell protein production, leading to the development of potential therapies for the genetic disorder. The study identified a critical binding site on the ribosome that could be targeted by drugs.
Researchers found that compassionate behaviors are associated with better health and well-being as we age. The study identified three factors predictive of self-reported compassion: gender, recent suffering, and high mental resiliency.
Researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine discover mutant protein levels in muscle cells are involved in SBMA, suggesting an alternative treatment avenue. Antisense oligonucleotides suppress mutant protein toxicity in mice, improving symptoms and survival.
Researchers have developed nanosensors to track the movement and distribution of the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) within plants. This allows for better understanding of ABA's role in drought resistance and plant growth under environmental stress, enabling future studies on how ABA helps plants respond to drought and other stresses.
Hepatitis C virus infects liver cells' energy centers, damaging mitochondria and recruiting proteins to eliminate damaged area. This process helps the virus persist in the body, making mitochondrial operations a potential therapeutic target.
Engineers at UC San Diego have created new ceramic materials that can store hydrogen safely and efficiently. The compounds are manufactured using a simple, low-cost combustion synthesis method, reducing production time and cost compared to traditional methods.
A team of researchers has discovered a network of protein interactions among autism genes, shedding light on how different variants of the same protein could alter the wiring of the entire system. The study highlights the importance of considering alternative splice forms in understanding autism genetics.
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a novel method of encoding multiple environmental inputs into a single time series using frequency multiplexing, inspired by FM radio. This breakthrough enables the creation of genetic circuits that can react with the execution of a sequence of instructions in real-time.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that the intensity difference between an immune response that stimulates cancer and one that kills it may be minimal. This discovery challenges long-held assumptions about the role of the immune system in preventing and killing cancers.
SRPK1 acts as a tumor suppressor when abundant and promotes cancer when scarce, according to researchers at UC San Diego. This unexpected dual role is crucial for understanding tumorigenesis in humans.
Scientists have discovered a new mechanism for using light to activate drug-delivering nanoparticles, providing precise control over the release of therapeutic substances. The method employs near-infrared light from a low-power laser to heat pockets of water within non-photo-responsive polymeric nanoparticles infused with drugs.
Researchers found Gulf War veterans with impaired mitochondrial function had significantly delayed phosphocreatine recovery after exercise, a robust marker of mitochondrial dysfunction. Impaired mitochondrial function accounts for Gulf War illness symptoms like fatigue, cognitive challenges, muscle problems, and exercise intolerance.
A study found that autism is caused by disruptions in early brain development, specifically in the formation of cortical layers. The researchers analyzed 25 genes in post-mortem brain tissue and discovered focal patches of disrupted development in most children with autism. These findings suggest that the brain can sometimes rewire con...
The study discovered impaired neuronal activity in the brain associated with anticipatory functioning among occasional 18- to 24-year-old stimulant users. This finding suggests a potential biomarker for identifying at-risk youth long before they exhibit obvious addictive behaviors.
A retrospective cohort study of 7,431,858 patients found that bariatric surgery significantly reduces the risk of endometrial cancer. Bariatric surgery can lead to normal hormone levels, decreased inflammation, and improved overall health.
A joint study found that a computer system can detect fake facial expressions of pain more accurately than humans. The research team developed a pattern-recognition algorithm that identifies distinctive dynamic features of facial movements, which are often missed by human observers.
Children who are lied to by an adult are more likely to cheat and lie themselves. The study tested 186 children ages 3 to 7 and found that those who were lied to peeked at a temptation toy nearly as much as those who weren't lied to, and were more likely to lie about it later.
A new GPS system on commercial aircraft captures detailed meteorological readings to improve weather models and hurricane forecasts. This technology has the potential to save lives and provide more accurate predictions.
A team of scientists has discovered a new therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease by blocking the production of key neurotoxic peptides linked to the condition. The drug candidate, E64d, has been shown to be safe in humans and has improved memory deficits in mouse models.