A study published in the Journal of Gastroenterology found that the current ALT threshold value for detecting liver disease in children is unknown, leading to incorrect interpretations. Researchers developed sex-specific thresholds using data from the National Health and Examination Survey, which improved detection rates by 70-80%.
Rival bacterial colonies use a toxic protein called sibling lethal factor to outcompete each other for limited nutrients. The protein kills cells at the edge of a colony closest to a competing group, creating a lopsided growth pattern and preserving scarce resources.
College-educated mothers in the US are spending more time coordinating and driving their children to organized activities, trading nine hours of leisure time per week. The phenomenon, dubbed 'the rug rat race,' is linked to increased competition in college admissions.
Researchers found that poor sleep patterns influence the spread of adolescent drug use in social networks, with teens at the center of the network being more vulnerable. Healthy sleep habits can have a positive impact on reducing drug use and other behaviors.
A new combination drug treatment has been found to be effective in controlling parasitic worms, reducing the need for repeated treatments and minimizing drug resistance. The dual therapy uses a protein crystal made by bacteria, which works by a different mechanism than existing levamisole-like drugs.
Professor Terry August, a Rady School of Management faculty member, has received a prestigious CAREER award from the National Science Foundation for his research on software security. The $530,000 award will support his project to analyze the relationship between government policy, economic incentives and software security.
Researchers from UC San Diego and Harvard found that cooperative behavior is contagious and spreads through a social network. When people benefit from kindness, they are more likely to help others, creating a cascade of cooperation.
A study published in Plant Biotechnology Journal found that algae can produce human therapeutic proteins such as VEGF, HMGB1, and fibronectin at levels comparable to mammalian cell cultures. This could significantly reduce the cost of expensive treatments for diseases like Multiple Sclerosis and Type 1 diabetes.
A team of researchers, including UC San Diego's Richard Norris, presents new evidence linking an asteroid impact to the mass extinction that wiped out dinosaurs and other organisms 65.5 million years ago. The study highlights a unique layer of debris in deep-sea sediments that correlates with abrupt environmental changes.
The study provides a comprehensive atlas of transcription factor combinations, indicating which factors can combine to determine cell fate. The researchers identified nearly 1,000 different pairs of TF proteins that can be wired together, representing the blueprint of all possible combinations that direct gene expression in mammals.
A team of scientists at UC San Diego identified a protein called Sestrin as a natural inhibitor of aging and age-related pathologies in fruit flies. Sestrin regulates the AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK) and Target of Rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathway, which controls aging and metabolism.
Researchers have discovered a Bt protein that is highly effective at curing intestinal parasitic roundworm infections in humans. The Cry5B protein produced by the Bt bacterium is three times better than tribendimidine and shows promise as an alternative to existing treatments.
Researchers found that exergames significantly improved mood and mental health-related quality of life in older adults with subsyndromal depression. The study suggests encouraging results from using video games to improve symptoms, with over one-third of participants experiencing a 50-percent or greater reduction of depressive symptoms.
A new special issue of Oceanography presents groundbreaking research on seamounts, highlighting the importance of these underwater mountains for marine life and global ocean health. The study reveals devastating impacts from overfishing and habitat destruction, emphasizing the need for sustainable management practices.
Damage to Gulf of California habitats can be reversed through conservation efforts, as protected areas have shown increased biomass and flourishing fish populations. Key protection strategies include reducing or eliminating fishing activity in critical spawning aggregation areas and sensitive nursery habitats.
Researchers identified a key protein that controls bacterial cell division and found the biological clock's role in regulating this process. The study's findings provide insights into the evolution of circadian clocks between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
A new study of nematode worms with identical genes and environments found that chance played a role in the development of their gut, defying traditional explanations. Researchers attribute variations among organisms to differences in genes or environment, but this study adds random variation to the mix.
A signaling protein, GM-CSF, plays a vital role in fighting bacterial infections and inflammation in the intestinal tract. Its deficiency is linked to increased susceptibility to persistent gut infection, severe inflammation, and disease duration.
Researchers developed biological probes that can stick to and light up tumors in mice, allowing for more accurate tumor removal and improved survival rates. The probes enabled surgeons to visualize areas of tumors they wouldn't ordinarily see, reducing cancer cells by 90% on average.
Researchers at UC San Diego have identified the region in vertebrates where adult blood stem cells arise during embryonic development. This discovery is a critical step towards developing safer and more effective stem cell therapies for patients with leukemia, multiple myeloma, and other diseases.
A defective signaling pathway for PPAR-γ contributes to cystic fibrosis disease severity. Correction of the pathway reduces symptoms in mice, suggesting a potential therapeutic target.
Researchers found that amyloid beta peptides induce calcium waves in astrocyte networks, which could clarify what causes Alzheimer's disease and suggest new drug targets. The study provides a potential link between the accumulation of Amyloid beta fragments and sustained disruption of calcium balance within cells.
A novel anti-cancer drug has been developed by binding to a molecular switch found in cancer cells and blood vessels, keeping it in the 'off' position. The new approach uses scaffold-based chemistry and supercomputer technology to identify potential drug candidates that can halt tumor growth.
A Scripps-led study found that extremely long waves originating along Pacific coasts may destabilize Antarctic ice shelves. The researchers propose that infragravity waves could initiate ice shelf collapse by opening crevasses and reducing ice integrity.
A biologist at UC San Diego discovered a 'stop' signal in honey bee communication that warns nest mates about dangers. The signal reduces recruitment to dangerous food patches and is an example of negative feedback in superorganisms.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have discovered that HIV RNA in seminal plasma is transmitted during sex, not HIV DNA. This finding has significant implications for developing prevention strategies, including vaccines and microbicides to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted HIV.
A recent study found that the majority of TB-HIV co-infection cases in San Diego are now among Hispanics, highlighting a significant shift in the disease's ethnic makeup. The results emphasize the need for targeted binational prevention efforts to address the widening health disparities.
Researchers found that a negative mood imparts a warm glow to familiar stimuli, while a happy mood eliminates this preference for familiarity. This discovery has applications in various fields, including parenting, marketing, and politics.
The CYCORE project aims to aggregate data from clinical trials, patient records, and behavioral data to study cancer treatment effectiveness. By analyzing this data, researchers hope to better understand which treatments work best for specific patients and develop more effective prevention and recovery strategies.
Researchers at University of California, San Diego have identified a signaling protein called RON that helps pancreatic cancer cells survive and resist chemotherapy. The study provides new insights into pancreatic cancer development and suggests combining RON-targeted therapy with other treatments to combat tumor resistance.
A study published in the journal Cancer found that prostate cancer treatment decisions are influenced by the type of healthcare facility where patients receive care. Patients treated in county hospitals are more likely to undergo surgery, while those in private facilities tend to receive radiation or hormone therapy.
Researchers at UC San Diego are launching a project to improve communication and data-sharing among emergency officials during disasters. The new system aims to overcome obstacles such as unreliable wireless networks, staggering arrival times of responders, and rapidly changing infrastructure capabilities.
Research at the University of California, San Diego, reveals that obesity is a tumor-promoting factor for liver cancer, primarily through chronic inflammation caused by cytokines like IL-6 and TNF. This effect may be preventable with anti-TNF drugs, which also reduce liver fat accumulation.
Researchers at UC San Diego successfully synchronized bacterial genetic clocks to blink in unison and alter their blinking rates in response to environmental conditions. The achievement is a crucial step towards creating genetic sensors that can monitor temperature, poisons, and other hazards.
Scientists found that repeated exposure to tobacco smoke made lung cancer worse by causing inflammation in the lungs. The study provided definitive evidence for the role of lung inflammation in promoting lung cancer growth and suggested using anti-inflammatory agents to prevent or slow lung cancer progression.
Researchers discovered that gliomas can evade EGFR inhibitors by expressing alternative genes like KLHDC8, which halts tumor growth. This finding provides potential new targets and treatment strategies for brain tumors.
A team of scientists has discovered a new link between a common form of inherited blindness and the AHI1 gene. They found that patients carrying a specific genetic alteration were more likely to have retinal blindness, and some forms may be treatable with gene therapy.
A new study found that fluctuating water chemistry and temperature variations in freshwater lakes can actually increase biodiversity, while a stable but variable environment can also be detrimental. Zooplankton populations respond quickly to changes due to their fast reproduction rate.
A Scripps/LLNL team has won a grant to improve greenhouse gas emissions verification using continuous atmospheric measurements. The method will focus on industrially produced gases with limited sources, aiming to create reliable computer representations of emissions activity.
The discovery of Sox2, a protein that regulates stem cell formation, is crucial for spiral ganglion neuron development. The study's findings may lead to the regeneration of these nerve cells, potentially revolutionizing cochlear implant technology and biological treatments for hearing loss.
Researchers have developed a novel way to trace mutations in HIV that lead to drug resistance. By comparing sequences of HIV from treated and untreated patients, they identified clusters of mutations that help the virus escape treatment. This breakthrough could enable doctors to tailor drug cocktails to individual patient strains.
The study identified specific binding sites of microRNAs in C. elegans, providing a wealth of data for understanding miRNA regulation in development and disease. This breakthrough enables researchers to identify individual miRNA targets in various tissues and cell types.
Researchers have developed an efficient way to genetically modify human embryonic stem cells using bacterial artificial chromosomes, which can increase the yield by up to 20%. This approach enables the rapid development of stem cell lines that can serve as models for human genetic diseases and testbeds for potential treatments.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in engineering nanoscale materials, enabling the creation of large-scale arrays of individual structures with precise locations. This discovery could lead to advancements in sensing, transistors, and other applications.
A team of researchers developed a 'nano cocktail' consisting of two nanomaterials that work together to locate, adhere to, and kill cancerous tumors. The system uses gold nanorods to accumulate in tumors and then sends in a second nanoparticle type coated with a targeting molecule specific for the heat-treated tumor.
A study by researchers at the University of California - San Diego has found that amyloid beta reduces plasticity in dendritic spines, affecting synapse transmission and memory storage. Continuous release of Aβ is required to prevent this effect.
Researchers identified associations between genetic variations and brain surface area, suggesting a key role for microcephaly genes in human brain evolution. The study found significant links with regulatory regions of the CDK5RAP2 gene, indicating a need to focus on these processes for future research.
Researchers at UC San Diego's Englekirk Structural Engineering Center conducted comprehensive shake tests on semi-gravity reinforced concrete cantilever walls. The project aims to improve the seismic design of California's thousands of miles of retaining walls, ensuring safer transportation systems.
The San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) at UC San Diego and Arizona State University will operate an internet-based national data facility for high-resolution topographic data acquired with LiDAR technology. The facility, funded by the NSF, will provide online processing tools and act as a community repository for information.
Researchers identified a protein switch that helps prevent liver damage and cancer, offering new insights into the development of liver disease and cancer. The study suggests that TAK1 could be a master regulator of liver function, and its role in liver disease and cancer may enable the development of new therapeutic strategies.