Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have successfully created self-assembling cell membranes using a simple metal catalyst. This breakthrough could be a crucial step in making artificial life forms from scratch and understanding the origins of life on Earth.
Scientists at UC San Diego School of Medicine have created in vitro models of sporadic and hereditary Alzheimer's disease using induced pluripotent stem cells. The living cells provide an unprecedented tool for developing and testing drugs to treat the disorder, offering a new method for understanding the cause of the disease.
Researchers argue that most charter school studies use unsophisticated methods, failing to account for differences in student backgrounds and academic histories. Lottery-based studies suggest charters perform as well as traditional public schools, but these findings are limited by low representation rates. Value-added research is propo...
A new test can identify biomarkers for mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS), a group of inherited metabolic disorders, allowing for earlier diagnosis and potentially more effective treatment. The test detects specific carbohydrate structures in cells, blood, and urine samples, enabling differentiation between forms of the disease.
William C. Mobley, chair of UC San Diego's Department of Neurosciences, received the International Sisley-Jérôme Lejeune Prize for his innovative research on treatments for neurological disabilities, including Down syndrome. The prize acknowledges his contributions to advancing care and management of intellectual disabilities.
Researchers have solved part of the mystery of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) in eukaryotes, revealing a brief window of opportunity for MMR proteins to identify new DNA strands. This discovery sheds light on how eukaryotes eliminate genetic errors and develop cancer resistance.
A comprehensive study of ocean acidification has made key findings, showing that some marine ecosystems are already experiencing acidity levels not predicted to occur until the end of the century. The study used sensors developed at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and found variability in seawater pH within and across ecosystems.
A recent study published in Neuron reveals that rare genetic mutations, specifically copy number variants, contribute significantly to the risk of early onset bipolar disorder. These findings suggest that de novo mutations play a crucial role in the development of the disease, which appears in childhood or early adulthood.
Researchers at UC San Diego created a living 'neon sign' composed of millions of bacterial cells that glow in unison, synchronized by fluorescent proteins. The bacteria can detect low levels of arsenic and other toxins, providing a real-time update on the presence and concentration of toxins.
Researchers have created two new methods to treat overeating in children and adults, focusing on internal hunger and satiety cues. The 'appetite awareness' group trained participants to regulate eating by monitoring their hunger and satiety cues, while the 'cue exposure' group taught them to tolerate cravings to reduce overeating.
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a new method for simulating rainbows, including primary, secondary, and twinned rainbows, using improved models of light interaction with water drops. The study provides an almost complete picture of how rainbows form, shedding new light on their physics.
A team of scientists created a genetically modified zebrafish model that can visualize early events in human atherosclerosis. The model, which is efficient and cost-effective, allows researchers to test the potential effectiveness of new antioxidant and dietary therapies.
Scientists identified a novel gene mutation causing glioblastoma, a common type of malignant brain tumor. Two existing drugs targeting this mutation effectively prolonged the survival of mice, offering new hope for patients.
Biologists discovered genes in roundworms that signal wound presence and trigger chemical reactions to close cuts. The study also identified a protein that inhibits wound closure, raising hopes for developing treatments.
Researchers used magnetic resonance imaging data from 406 adult human twins to confirm the long-standing idea that human cortical regionalization is similar to and consistent with patterns found in other mammals. The study found genetic influences on brain development progress along an anterior-to-posterior scale, with differences base...
Researchers discover a novel combination of a sugar molecule and two cell-killing drugs that induces programmed cell death in various types of cancer cells. The treatment, which works by depriving cancer cells of their energy source, shows promise in treating leukemia, hepatocarcinoma, lung, breast, and cervical cancers.
A new international study found that patients with very low systolic blood pressure levels may actually increase their chances of experiencing a recurrent stroke. The research, led by Bruce Ovbiagele, suggests that the relationship between blood pressure and stroke risk is more complicated than previously thought, with timing also play...
A recent study conducted by researchers at UC San Diego Health System found that the text4baby mobile service is increasing users' health knowledge, facilitating interaction with healthcare providers, and improving adherence to appointments and immunizations. The service has already enrolled over 2,200 individuals in San Diego County.
Researchers at UC San Diego have identified a new class of drugs that can arrest division in virtually all tumor cells by altering the structure of the RAF enzyme. The discovery offers an effective alternative to current therapies and has shown promising results in tests on cancer cell lines, animal models, and human tissue biopsies.
Researchers at UC San Diego and EPFL found that removing a regulatory protein called NCoR dramatically improved insulin sensitivity in mice. The study reveals a new role for NCoR in regulating fatty acid storage and glucose metabolism, which could lead to the development of targeted treatments for type 2 diabetes.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine discovered that non-coding RNAs TUG1 and NEAT2 relocate genes to activate their function in response to growth signals. This process provides a new understanding of the interaction between regulated genes and human diseases.
Researchers found a link between large-scale wind patterns and Kawasaki disease outbreaks in Japan, Hawaii, and San Diego. Wind currents carrying potential infectious agents may be triggering the disease, with seasonal shifts in winds exposing regions to air masses from Central Asia.
Scientists discover that genetic dysfunction in multiple cell types contributes to SCA7, a devastating neurological disorder. Targeting specific cell types may improve treatment and slow disease progression.
A study published by researchers at the University of California, San Diego found a 67% excess of cortical cells in children with autism, pointing to prenatal processes gone awry as a possible cause. The excess neurons were discovered in areas associated with social, communication and cognitive development.
Researchers used NASA's Shuttle Radar Topography Mission data to create a model that takes elevation into account, improving predictions of solar power output in California. The model, made available publicly, provides more realistic estimates for utility companies and homeowners.
Biologists have identified two critical genes, DSCAM and COL6A2, responsible for congenital heart defects in individuals with Down syndrome. These genes disrupt cardiac development and function when produced at elevated levels. The study used a novel approach combining fruit flies and mice to untangle the problem.
Researchers at UC San Diego used functional magnetic resonance imaging to assess how memories are formed and compared recollected and familiar items. The data showed that the hippocampus is actively involved in both strong recollections and familiarities, challenging earlier assumptions about their separate functions.
A study by University of California, San Diego biologists reveals that bacteria age and use asymmetric division to improve population fitness. By giving more cellular damage to one daughter cell and less to the other, bacteria allow for rejuvenation and diversity in their reproductive investment.
Biologists at UC San Diego have unraveled the complete chain of biochemical reactions that controls auxin synthesis, a hormone regulating plant growth. The discovery enables agricultural scientists to develop new ways to enhance or manipulate auxin production for improved crop yields.
In the study, men edged out women by 0.11 points on a theoretically perfect score of 5.0, but only excelled with other male raters, highlighting that men's humor prowess is largely driven by social dynamics rather than inherent traits.
Researchers used a combination of MRI, cerebrospinal fluid, and neuropsychological testing to improve predictive accuracy for near-term dementia conversion. The test results were found to be almost perfect in predicting those who would not develop Alzheimer's disease in three years.
Researchers designed a synthetic genetic circuit that creates a striped pattern, using genes from one species of bacterium and inserting them into another. By controlling the rate at which cells move, they can create distinct patterns with concentric rings of crowded and dispersed bacterial cells.
A new survey of galaxies reveals active galactic nuclei in young, blue star-making factories, overturning the idea that these objects hinder star formation. The study finds X-ray signals from AGN in a wide range of galaxy types, including massive and smaller galaxies, old elliptical red galaxies and younger blue spirals.
A newly developed method allows scientists to match compounds produced in the wild back to their genomic origins, revealing core structural details and biosynthetic pathways. This approach has the capability of changing the way natural products are discovered in nature, offering a paradigm shift in the field.
Early humans' immune system responded strongly to Neu5Gc, a sugar molecule found on most animal cells. This response likely reduced reproductive success in males with high levels of Neu5Gc, driving the evolution of human ancestors.
Researchers at University of California, San Diego, have made a groundbreaking discovery blocking the progression of lung fibrosis in mice. By targeting a specific phosphorylation pathway, they found that it may contribute to the development of lung injury and fibrosis.
Researchers identify key protein CFH that blocks inflammatory immune response to oxidative stress, found in conditions like atherosclerosis and AMD. The study reveals potential therapeutic target for treating chronic inflammatory diseases.
A new polymeric material has been developed that can disassemble in response to low-level near infrared light, making it suitable for non-invasive medical procedures. This breakthrough could allow previously inaccessible target sites to be reached for diagnosis and treatment.
The University of California San Diego is awarded a $5.9 million grant to study kidney complications related to type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The researchers aim to challenge current dogma by examining the link between mitochondrial function, metabolic alterations, and kidney disease.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have identified unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats from plants and cold-water fish as beneficial for health. These fats block JNK activation by saturated fatty acids, which are linked to adverse health effects.
Three international teams describe in unprecedented detail the workings of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), a major molecular target for drugs. GPCRs are essential to human life, involved in almost every physiological function, and malfunctions have been linked to dozens of diseases.
Research from the University of California - San Diego School of Medicine found that people with prehypertension have a 55% higher risk of experiencing a future stroke than those without. The study analyzed 12 prospective cohort studies involving over 518,000 participants and found that even high-but-normal blood pressure elevates stro...
A study has identified an enzyme called proteasome phosphatase that regulates the removal of damaged proteins from cells. This process is essential for removing misfolded or damaged proteins from the cell, but a defective proteasome can be catastrophic.
Two key Southern California fisheries have collapsed due to a combination of overfishing of spawning areas and changes in oceanographic conditions. The study found that despite stable catch rates, the population sizes of barred sand bass and kelp bass decreased by 90% since 1980.
A breakthrough allows scientists to assemble virtually complete genomes from DNA extracted from a single bacterial cell. This opens the door to sequencing bacteria that cannot be cultured in the lab, including those living on the planet's surface and within human bodies.
Scientists discovered a previously unknown compensatory pathway that protects the brain and organs from genetic and environmental threats. The NMD pathway is vulnerable to insults, but human cells have evolved a way to overcome attacks by sending reinforcement molecules to compensate for losses.
A novel software system developed by SDSC researchers was used in the first global camera trap study of mammals, documenting 105 species across seven protected areas. The study confirms that habitat loss and smaller reserves have a direct impact on mammal diversity and survival.
The ComPASS project aims to improve educational capacity for preparing students to contribute to a computationally driven economic future. UCSD and SDSU will offer 'computer science principles' classes at high school, undergraduate, and teacher training levels.
Researchers at UC San Diego have been awarded grants to develop innovative, affordable healthcare technologies. The projects include a smartphone-based disease diagnostic tool and a device that turns cell phones into microscopes, with the goal of improving chronic disease management and preventive care in underserved communities.
Researchers at University of California - San Diego have discovered that inhibiting a single enzyme helps slow disease progression in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. The study suggests that targeting fatty acid metabolism could lead to new therapies with fewer side effects.