Researchers at UC San Diego have identified a new signal transduction pathway in alternative RNA splicing, which could lead to novel cancer drugs. The SRPK kinase plays a central role in regulating VEGF and controlling tumor growth.
Researchers have identified a molecule called regenerating islet-derived protein 3-alpha (REG3A) that is highly expressed in skin cells during psoriasis and wound-healing, but not under normal skin conditions. Inhibiting REG3A may clear up psoriasis and slow down wound-healing.
Scientists have demonstrated that they can control the length and height of plasmons on graphene using an electrical circuit, opening up possibilities for information processing in tight spaces. This breakthrough uses infrared light to excite surface plasmons with wavelengths as short as 100 nanometers.
A proposed drug treatment has shown promise in reversing Huntington's disease symptoms in animal models, with sustained motor and neurological benefits reported. The therapy silences the mutated gene responsible for the disease by using antisense oligonucleotides to destroy toxic proteins.
Researchers sequenced exomes of 118 patients with specific neurodevelopmental diseases, identifying numerous disease-causing genes. In approximately 10% of cases, exome sequencing led to the identification of a known disease-causing gene, prompting changes in diagnosis and care for some patients.
Scientists at UC San Diego created metallic nanocubes that spontaneously organize into larger structures with precise orientations, enabling ultra-sensitive optical sensors and compact optical circuitry. The technique could revolutionize the development of new sensing technologies and optical devices.
Researchers found that individuals taking statin cholesterol-lowering drugs are more likely to experience decreased energy and fatigue upon exertion. The study, which included over 1,000 adults, suggests that these side effects should be taken into account when prescribing statins.
A new meta-analysis suggests that people with pre-diabetes are at increased risk of stroke, but the precise degree of this threat depends on the medical definition used. Researchers found that those with fasting glucose levels between 110-125mg/dL carry a 21% higher chance of suffering a future stroke.
Researchers will directly examine biological aging in schizophrenia using psychiatric and medical interviews, as well as laboratory techniques. The study aims to unravel biological mechanisms underlying faster aging in patients with schizophrenia.
Researchers suggest that inactivation of two specific genes related to the immune system may have conferred selected ancestors of modern humans with improved protection from some pathogenic bacterial strains. This proposed factor could have contributed to the emergence of anatomically modern humans around 100,000 years ago.
The Navy awarded nearly $4.5 million to six research projects led by Scripps Institution of Oceanography researchers, including Eric Terrill, to acquire instruments from California and Massachusetts manufacturers. The funding will support studies in coastal oceanography, deep-ocean acoustics, and other areas.
Researchers at UC San Diego have received over $12 million in new grants from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to develop stem cell-based treatments for various diseases. The awards will support projects that aim to repair gene mutations, find new drugs and regeneratin spinal cord injuries.
A Scripps-led study reveals that the nuisance seaweed Leptolyngbya crossbyana produces honaucins with potent anti-inflammation and bacteria-controlling properties. These compounds could one day treat chronic inflammatory conditions, bacterial infections, acne, and other skin conditions.
A study by UC San Diego biologists found that a small dose of imidacloprid, a commonly used crop pesticide, makes honey bees more selective and less willing to feed on low-sugar nectar. This can lead to reduced food stores and communication among the colony.
Physicists have successfully trapped and cooled exotic particles called excitons, condensing them into a giant matter wave that coheres at extremely low temperatures. This breakthrough allows scientists to better study the physical properties of excitons, promising applications in efficient solar energy harvesting and ultrafast computing.
A hormone previously associated with calcium homeostasis boosts immune response when dietary vitamin D levels are inadequate. The discovery may provide an alternative to current antibiotic therapies for treating skin infections.
The UC San Diego Superfund Research Program has received a $15 million grant renewal to continue studying the molecular and genetic consequences of toxicant exposure from Superfund sites. The program aims to develop novel biological models to define how toxicants cause disease and find effective ways to remediate.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine have identified an existing drug, auranofin, that effectively targets the Entamoeba histolytica parasite. The parasite causes over 70,000 deaths worldwide each year, and current treatment with metronidazole has adverse effects.
A new study finds that girl child marriage rates have declined in some South Asian countries, including India, Nepal, and Pakistan, but not among older girls. The rate of marriages among girls under 14 has decreased significantly, while those between 16-17 years old show little change.
Biologists at UC San Diego have engineered algae to produce potential candidates for a malaria vaccine. The use of algae can lead to a cheaper and more accessible vaccine, as it can be grown in ponds or bathtubs anywhere in the world.
Researchers have engineered algae to produce potential candidates for a vaccine that prevents malaria transmission. The use of algae to produce malaria proteins that elicited antibodies in laboratory mice and prevented transmission was published in PLoS ONE.
Scientists at UC San Diego mapped omega-3 fatty acid processes in mouse cells, discovering that they inhibit an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX) and potentially generating anti-inflammatory compounds from EPA and DHA. This finding suggests possible manipulation to short-circuit inflammation or boost health benefits.
A new biomarker, PEAK1, has been identified for pancreatic cancer, a disease with low survival rates. Inhibition of PEAK1-dependent signaling sensitizes PDAC cells to existing chemotherapies.
A clinical study at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine found that smoked cannabis reduced symptoms of multiple sclerosis, including improved spasticity and pain. However, the study also reported short-term adverse cognitive effects and increased fatigue.
A team of researchers, led by Professor Todd Coleman, has been awarded a Grand Challenges Explorations grant to develop flexible tattoo-like devices for continuous pregnancy monitoring. The devices, which use skin-mounted electronics systems, aim to detect signs and symptoms of pre-term labor in a reliable and non-invasive manner.
A new study reveals a 100-fold surge in small plastic debris in the North Pacific Ocean Subtropical Gyre, altering marine habitats and changing natural ecosystems. The influx of plastic has led to an increase in sea skater egg densities, potentially affecting animals across the food web.
Scientists at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine found that activated myofibroblasts can revert to an inactive phenotype during liver healing, suggesting a potential treatment approach for reversing fibrosis. This discovery has implications for treating not only liver but also lung and kidney fibrosis.
Researchers developed a solution called 'game-powered machine learning' that enables computers to automatically label every song on the internet using examples provided by unpaid music fans. This approach is as accurate as using paid music experts and saves time and money.
A new study has found that experiments underestimate plant responses to climate change, with shifts in flowering and leafing timing being much greater than estimated. Long-term historical records show that many plant species have shifted their leafing and flowering earlier, in step with warming temperatures over recent decades.
A new study suggests that invasive bladder testing before incontinence surgery is not necessary, with a preoperative office evaluation showing equally successful outcomes. Women with stress urinary incontinence experienced high success rates with minimal testing.
A study of 50 plant studies across four continents found that experimentally induced shifts in plant timing are underestimated by at least fourfold compared to long-term records. Long-term historical records consistently show a 5-6 day advance per degree Celsius, with potential consequences for species diversity and ecosystem services.
Scientists investigate the complex relationships between lipids and inflammation in insulin resistance, as well as the role of omega 3 fatty acids and a gene called GPR120 in fighting inflammation. Elevated levels of a protein called PGC-1alpha may delay muscle destruction in ALS patients
A study published in Journal of Adolescent Health found that happy body image is linked to lower rates of depression, anxiety, and unhealthy eating habits among overweight teenagers. Researchers suggest improving body satisfaction could be a key component of interventions for overweight youth.
Researchers argue that focusing on short-lived climate pollutants, such as soot and ozone, could deliver tangible local benefits and generate swift global benefits. The authors believe a combination of top-down and bottom-up approaches can implement this new strategy.
A study published in PLoS ONE suggests that the number-line concept is not an innate human intuition but a culturally acquired tool. The research, conducted with indigenous Yupno adults in Papua New Guinea, found that precise number concepts can exist independently of linear spatial representations.
Researchers found that alpha-synuclein protein aggregates in ring structures within neuron membranes, causing cell damage and symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The study provides a step-by-step explanation of how these aggregates form and offers hope for developing drugs to slow disease progression.
A new study reveals that both amyloid-beta plaque deposits and elevated levels of the altered protein p-tau are required for clinical decline in Alzheimer's disease. The presence of both is associated with significant clinical decline over three years, highlighting p-tau as a potential target for new therapies.
Research published in The Journal of Hepatology found that moderate alcohol consumption can reduce the risk and severity of liver disease in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NALFD). Patients with NALFD who consume two drinks or less daily are half as likely to develop hepatitis as non-drinkers, experiencing less severe l...
Researchers at UC San Diego are conducting a two-week series of tests on the world's largest outdoor shake table to assess a five-story building's resilience to earthquakes and fires. The tests aim to improve understanding of nonstructural systems' performance during earthquakes, with a focus on medical centers.
Researchers found a strong association between elevated pulse pressure and an increased risk of cerebrovascular disease in Alzheimer's patients. The study suggests that targeting the pulsatile component of blood pressure may offer new treatment implications for Alzheimer's patients.
A new study reveals a global ocean warming trend spanning at least 100 years, with an average increase of .33-degree Celsius in upper ocean temperatures. The research uses historical temperature readings from HMS Challenger's 1872-1876 voyage and modern data from the Argo program.
Researchers attribute decline of Caribbean coral reefs to historical land clearing and overfishing, not climate change. The study used novel excavation techniques to reconstruct the timeline of historical change in coral reefs, finding damage from these activities occurred decades before climate-related damage.
A national team of scientists has created the first atlas of the human brain surface based on genetic information, revealing distinct genetic divisions that differ from traditional brain maps. This atlas provides a new tool for understanding how genes influence brain development and function.
A new study by the University of California, San Diego, suggests that regular chocolate eaters are actually thinner than those who don't consume chocolate regularly. The research found a modest but significant association between chocolate consumption and lower body mass index, regardless of calorie intake or exercise habits.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, found that chronic stress triggers the production and accumulation of insoluble tau protein aggregates inside brain cells, similar to neurofibrillary tangles. This may explain why people prone to stress are more likely to develop sporadic Alzheimer's disease.
A study led by Eric Courchesne identified genetic mechanisms involved in abnormal early brain development and overgrowth in young autism patients. The findings suggest novel genetic and molecular targets for prevention and treatment strategies.
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a new technology to predict solar energy output, which could help utilities generate significant savings. The system uses sky imagers to capture cloud conditions and forecast power output in 15-minute increments.
A parent's weight change is the most important predictor of a child's weight loss in family-based treatment of childhood obesity. Parents can help their obese child lose weight by losing weight themselves and making changes to their home food environment.
Scientists at UC San Diego School of Medicine developed a new strategy for faster anticancer drug discovery by analyzing the genetic pathway of disease. They identified Peruvoside, a cardiac glycoside, as a potential treatment for prostate cancer with minimal side effects.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that dietary trans fatty acids are associated with irritability and aggression in both men and women of all ages. The research, which analyzed data from nearly 1,000 adults, suggests a strong link between trans fat consumption and aggressive behaviors.