Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography describe a direct comparison between sperm whale clicking sounds and its physical features, including size and internal organ structure. The study provides a glimpse into a possible new approach for investigating the biology behind marine mammal sounds.
Researchers have discovered a massive family of green fluorescent proteins (GFPs) in a primitive sea animal, revealing their unexpected role as antioxidants. The discovery sheds new light on the evolution and functions of GFPs across the animal kingdom.
Researchers found that students speaking East Asian tone languages fluently scored nearly 100% on a perfect pitch test, while those who were only fairly fluent or not fluent at all performed worse. The study suggests that nurture may play a significant role in developing this rare ability.
A team of UC San Diego-led researchers made the first-ever direct detection of biological particles within ice clouds. Analysis revealed that half were mineral dust and about a third contained nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon, the signature elements of biological matter.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine have developed an efficient system for delivering siRNA into primary cells, overcoming a major hurdle in RNAi-based cancer therapy. The PTD-DRBD fusion protein enables targeted gene silencing in various cell types without toxicity or immune responses.
A phase III study found that adding an antibody-based therapy improved the survival rate of children with high-risk neuroblastoma by 66%, increasing their chances of living disease-free for at least two years. The therapy targets a specific glycan on cancer cells, enabling immune cells to attack and kill them.
A study by University of California, San Diego researchers found that polypharmacology can explain the failure of cholesterol-controlling drugs like Torcetrapib. By analyzing protein-drug interaction networks, they identified potential off-target effects and proposed a novel computational strategy to design safer pharmaceuticals.
A new music search engine developed by UC San Diego engineers uses artificial intelligence to analyze songs and provide accurate song suggestions based on user input. The system uses machine learning algorithms to identify patterns in music genres, emotions, and instruments, enabling users to find specific songs through descriptive words.
Researchers found that island ecosystems have eight to nine times the biodiversity of continental ecosystems. The study highlights the importance of protecting these unique habitats to preserve rare and endemic species.
Scientists at the University of California, San Diego, have developed a new class of infrared-fluorescent proteins (IFPs) that can be expressed in mammalian cells. These proteins are suitable for whole-body imaging in small animals and may provide a prototype for future studies in animal models.
A new molecular biology-based technique has been shown to detect potential breast cancer spread with high accuracy, speed, and specificity. The Lymphoseek molecule binds to lymph node white blood cells, allowing for targeted detection of nearby 'sentinel nodes' that are most likely to contain cancer.
Scientists discover carbon-based lavas are sourced from the upper mantle through partial melting of typical minerals, producing extremely fluid and low-silica lavas. The study reveals a uniform reservoir of volcanic gases beneath both oceans and continents.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have identified a potential new treatment for retinopathy in premature infants using JNK1 inhibitors. The study found that inhibiting JNK1 reduced abnormal blood vessel growth and vision loss in mouse models of ROP.
New studies by Scripps Institution of Oceanography suggest a magnitude-7 earthquake occurs every 2,000 to 3,000 years in Lake Tahoe's basin. The largest fault in the basin, West Tahoe, appears to have last ruptured between 4,100 and 4,500 years ago, capable of producing nearly 500m of overlying water tsunami waves.
A study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry reveals a novel protein called RANBP9, which when over-expressed leads to increased generation of amyloid-beta peptide. The researchers found that inhibiting RANBP9 may offer an alternative approach to therapy for Alzheimer's disease.
A trove of Benjamin Franklin letters has been discovered in the British Library, dating from 1755. The letters, written by Thomas Birch and copied by him in 1757 or 1758, provide new insights into the 'wagon affair' and Franklin's involvement in the French and Indian War.
Bioengineers at UC San Diego have developed a novel method for sequencing-based methylation profiling, enabling more efficient and cost-effective methods for studying certain diseases. The breakthrough could fuel personalized regenerative medicine and help address concerns about stem cell tumors.
Researchers at UC San Diego and Microsoft Research have developed a plug-and-play hardware prototype called Somniloquy, which induces a new energy-saving state in personal computers. This allows PCs to save up to 80% of their energy consumption while still maintaining network presence and running well-defined application functions.
Researchers found that a surge in atmospheric methane gas 11,600 years ago was more chemically consistent with an expansion of wetlands rather than a large-scale melting of frozen methane deposits. This discovery suggests that wetland regions may have played a significant role in regulating global warming during past events.
Researchers found that lymphocytes, a type of immune system cell, produce the inflammatory protein RANKL when breast cancer cells are present. This leads to increased lung metastases. Blocking RANKL can halt cancer progression and may be a potential target for drug therapy.
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography found that human-caused climate change will reduce the Colorado River's capacity to deliver water, leading to shortfalls 40-90% of the time by 2025 and doubling by the late century. The study suggests that reducing average water use could help sustain the system.
Researchers used computational approaches to analyze a human myeloid leukemia cell line's transcription factor network. They identified specific subnetworks of proteins that play a role in cell differentiation, and found the network to be redundant and resilient.
Scientists discovered a potential new biomarker, PDE7B, to predict the aggressiveness of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). High levels of PDE7B in white blood cells indicate aggressive CLL and need immediate treatment.
The new California Solar Energy Collaborative aims to establish consensus among key stakeholders, develop efficient solar technologies, and create an ambitious energy policy for the state. UC San Diego and UC Davis will utilize the grant to collect existing research, facilitate gap areas, and track evolving solar technology development.
A study by the University of California, San Diego found that 67% of injection drug users in Tijuana test positive for TB, which increases their risk for HIV infection. The analysis highlights the urgent need for TB screening and treatment for this high-risk population.
Researchers tested a one-story masonry structure with clay masonry veneer to evaluate its seismic safety. The test, which simulated earthquakes of up to 8.0 magnitude, showed the building performed well despite minor damage during initial shaking.
The College Board's SAT test sends a confusing message to students, teachers, and schools, as it features esoteric items rarely encountered in the classroom. In response, Richard C. Atkinson proposes dropping the SAT in favor of curriculum-based achievement tests in UC admissions.
A team of scientists has discovered a compound that can block the growth of brain tumors by reversing the effects of an altered enzyme. The mutation in the IDH1 gene impairs the body's ability to control a protein that promotes tumor growth, but adding a modified form of alpha-KG can restore this balance.
A UC San Diego bioengineer has made significant discoveries on the universal need for cells, tissues, organs, and organisms to use common biological modules. The researcher found that despite differences in structure and function, various biological systems respond to forces using similar strategies.
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography have discovered a connection between the sound produced by volcanic eruptions and jet engines. By analyzing infrasound from Mount St. Helens and Tungurahua volcanoes, they found that the large-amplitude signals are generated in a similar way to smaller-scale man-made jets.
Scientists at UC San Diego School of Medicine have clearly shown regeneration of critical nerve fibers required for voluntary movement. The breakthrough uses genetically engineered neurons to over-express receptors for BDNF, enabling corticospinal axon regeneration.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine have reviewed the neurobiology of wisdom, identifying key brain regions involved in its attributes such as empathy, compassion and emotional stability. The study suggests an optimal balance between primitive and pre-frontal cortex brain regions may enhance wisdom.
A study by University of California, San Diego researchers identified a protein called Nurr1 that protects neurons from excessive inflammation, which can lead to neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's disease. The protein's protective function was found to involve shutting off inflammatory responses in microglia and astrocytes.
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography have discovered that marine fireworms use bioluminescence for both attracting mates and as a defense mechanism to distract predators. The study found that the light is stable in temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius and resilient in low oxygen levels.
The UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering has launched the Bernard and Sophia Gordon Engineering Leadership Center to cultivate effective engineering leaders. The center will offer leadership courses, forums with industry leaders, and challenges for students to design and build products that benefit society.
A nationwide research team has identified and mapped 55,000 gene enhancers, revealing their critical role in cell-type-specific gene expression. The study broadens our understanding of the human genome and its regulation.
Severe pediatric epilepsy is generated from within the memory-forming hippocampus, according to a study by UC San Diego researchers. The discovery could pave the way for improved treatments of childhood epilepsy, which affects over two percent of children worldwide.
Biologists have identified a critical protein that links the morning and evening components of plant daily clocks, solving a longstanding puzzle about biochemical mechanisms controlling plant clocks. The discovery provides a new way to increase agricultural crop growth and yield.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine identified CD98hc protein as essential for B lymphocyte division and antibody secretion. The protein supports integrin signaling, which controls cell migration, survival, and proliferation.
Scientists propose that rapid sea level rises over the past 5 million years led to habitat compression, causing species extinction locally. A study of 325 mammal species mapped their ranges across the peninsula, revealing a 600-kilometer gap with 30% fewer species than expected.
Researchers used transparent zebrafish to study atherosclerosis development, revealing plaque buildup in blood vessels. The study showed that ezetimibe significantly improved vascular wall thickness and barrier function.
Leading scientists issue a challenge to find a way to purge latent HIV infection and eliminate the need for chronic therapy. A drug-free remission goal requires understanding of persistent infection reservoirs and combination approaches.
Researchers have created miniscule silicon flakes that glow brightly, slowly releasing cancer drugs before breaking down into harmless by-products. The particles showed promising results in mice, reducing tumor growth over several weeks.
A Scripps Institution of Oceanography study has provided evidence of a drastic decline in Florida's reef fish, with 'trophy fish' shrinking by nearly two-thirds over the last five decades. The study used archival photographs to analyze the weight and length of large predatory fish caught around coral reefs.
Researchers from the San Diego Supercomputer Center are using the Google-IBM CluE cluster to develop new software for making cloud computing clusters more accessible and efficient. They aim to improve data management and analysis capabilities, offering a complement to conventional supercomputing architectures.
Researchers at UC San Diego and Stanford University have identified a molecular mechanism that predicts the progression of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) to its more dangerous blast crisis stage. This discovery may enable physicians to make more accurate prognoses and improve treatment choices.
A new amplifier invented at UC San Diego has the potential to revolutionize high capacity wireless communications systems. The Cascaded Constructive Wave Amplifier can amplify signals at millimeter wave frequencies, enabling data transfer rates of up to 10 Gigabits per second over a kilometer.
Researchers at UC San Diego are developing new diagnostic tools to detect early-stage cancers using advanced imaging technologies. They aim to characterize tumor aggressiveness and monitor chemotherapy effectiveness, enabling more effective treatment decisions.
Alison Marsden's Y-Graft computer models can optimize Fontan procedures, predicting patient outcomes and exercise tolerance. The technology enables zero-risk testing of new surgery designs before patients undergo surgery.
Researchers found that BDNF treatment can prevent or reverse memory loss, cognitive impairment, and brain cell degeneration in animal models of Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests a potential novel approach to treating the disease by slowing its progression.