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University of California - San Diego


What's in a kids meal? Not happy news

A study by UC San Diego researchers found that convenience-driven choices account for 36-51% of a child's daily caloric needs, with meals providing over 50% of recommended sodium intake. The study highlights the need to educate families on making healthier decisions when dining at fast-food restaurants.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalChildhood Obesity·DateAug 2, 2011

Your brain on androids

A team of researchers led by Ayse Pinar Saygin found that the human brain responds with a mismatch in perception when an android's appearance and motion are at odds. This phenomenon, known as the 'uncanny valley,' occurs when an artificial agent becomes too human-like, causing discomfort and unease.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateJul 14, 2011

Buzz kills

A study published in Addiction journal finds that even low levels of blood-alcohol content are associated with severe injuries and death. The research suggests that buzzed drivers are more likely to speed, be improperly seat-belted, and drive at greater speeds, leading to increased accident severity.

Blood simpler

Researchers at UCSD have discovered a novel signaling pathway and gene, Wnt16, essential for the formation of hematopoietic stem cells in vertebrate embryos. This breakthrough has significant implications for developing stem cell-based therapies for diseases such as leukemia.

Slow road to a synapse

A study led by Subhojit Roy reveals how certain proteins in neurons travel at a slower pace than others, assembling into larger complexes that move down the axon. The proposed model suggests a 'plume' of proteins, where complexes disassemble and reassemble as they progress, making the overall motion slow and coordinated.

Tiny talk on a barnacle's back

Researchers at UC San Diego and Scripps Institute of Oceanography used matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry to reveal multiplex microbial interactions. The technique allowed them to see competition for resources, secretion of molecules altering neighboring organisms' phenotypes.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateMay 10, 2011

Study finds Filipino children in San Diego County at higher risk for Kawasaki disease

A study by researchers at UC San Diego finds that Filipino children are more likely to develop aneurysms and inflammation of the blood vessels of the heart compared to other Asian and non-Asian backgrounds. The research highlights the need for medical providers to be aware of Kawasaki disease in high-risk populations.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalThe Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal·DateMay 6, 2011

Scientists create stable, self-renewing neural stem cells

Researchers at University of California - San Diego School of Medicine and colleagues report a game-changing advance in stem cell science: the creation of long-term, self-renewing neural precursor cells from human embryonic stem cells that can be directed to become many types of neuron. The new process promises to have broad applicatio...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 25, 2011