Researchers discovered that the chemical language of nerve cells is determined by electrical activity in the developing nervous system. This finding suggests modifying nerve activity could be a treatment for various brain disorders.
Researchers developed an open-source software system called InvChecker to detect microinversions in genomic sequences. Microinversions can provide insights into genetic diversity and evolution. The new approach confirmed the existing phylogenetic tree for 15 mammals, shedding light on species splits and evolutionary relationships.
Researchers found that genetic variations impact blood pressure differently in men and women, suggesting a need to consider gender when diagnosing and treating hypertension. The study identified six genes with varying frequency of variation between sexes and extreme blood pressure levels.
Researchers at UCSD have identified the internal compass that allows neutrophils to detect and migrate towards chemoattractants. This discovery could lead to novel anti-inflammatory drugs for treating chronic inflammatory diseases.
Researchers at UCSD School of Medicine identify a protein group that forms the chromosome-spindle connection, allowing for accurate genome distribution. They also discover a complex that helps cells discriminate between correct and incorrect spindle connections, shutting down pulling processes to prevent genetic birth defects and cancer.
Researchers at University of California - San Diego have developed fiber-reinforced polymer composites that quadruple the toughness of dental composites. Braided polyethylene fibers performed best, increasing toughness by up to 433% compared to the composite alone.
A recent UCSD graduate has won an award for his work on human functional brain imaging, specifically analyzing competing Bayesian approaches for source localization. His research may lead to improvements in existing algorithms used in magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG) techniques.
Researchers at UCSD find mechanical tension can switch on/off enzymes acting on DNA, revealing new mechanism for sensing and responding to cell stresses. The study demonstrates a tiny force of one pico-Newton can alter protein activity, sparking potential applications in biotechnology.
Bioengineering researchers at UC San Diego have shown that sliding forces on cartilage surfaces increase the production of proteoglycan 4, an important step towards growing healthy joint tissue. This discovery has significant implications for the treatment of osteoarthritis and the development of artificial joints.
A team of researchers at UCSD School of Medicine has identified a genetic regulatory pathway that controls the choice between proliferation and differentiation in neural cells. Defects in this pathway result in brain malformations, such as Dandy-Walker malformation, which affects motor development and causes progressive skull enlargement.
Researchers found that genetically similar ants have peaceful relations and genetically different ants attack each other. This suggests that the lack of genetic diversity permits supercolonies to arise, allowing ants to devote more resources to breeding rather than competing for territory.
Researchers discovered a pattern to Ebola's spread, linking it to wildlife populations and climate. The study found that the virus spreads both within and between species, with outbreaks more frequent than previously believed.
Nuno Bandeira's award-winning protein analysis technique allows scientists to study highly modified proteins in snake venom, potentially leading to breakthroughs in drug development and cancer research. The technique surpasses current methods by providing a completely automated approach to identify amino acid sequences and modifications.
Researchers discovered that present-day organisms use trace metals derived from ancient changes in ocean chemistry. Protein structures revealed a major influence of geochemistry on life, leading to diversification and complexity. The study links biology and geology, shedding light on co-evolutionary processes.
Researchers used comparative genome sequencing technology to study E. coli's evolution over 44 days. Mutations appeared in key genes, enabling faster growth and adapting to environmental conditions.
Physicists at UC San Diego observed spontaneous coherence in excitons, a bound pair of electrons and holes that enable semiconductors to function as novel electronic devices. This discovery could lead to the development of new computing devices and insights into quantum properties of matter.
A team of biologists at the University of California - San Diego has identified 27 different Tweedle genes in fruit flies, which they believe strengthen the cuticle. This discovery could lead to novel insecticides as the gene family appears to be unique to insects.
A study of 79 patients diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and compulsive hoarding syndrome found that serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) medication, paroxetine, significantly improved symptoms. Compulsive hoarding is a psychiatric disorder characterized by failure to discard objects due to anxiety and excessive clutter.
Researchers identified 'sociality' neurons in bird brains, which promote positive affiliation and are more active in gregarious species. The study's findings have implications for understanding social behavior in animals, including humans.
A groundbreaking study shows that fishing can promote fluctuations in targeted fish populations, increasing uncertainty and risk of collapse. The study analyzed CalCOFI data to find that fishing selectively culls larger individuals, leaving a stock of near-juveniles less able to cope with environmental pulses.
Researchers will focus on possible therapies aimed at affecting the peptide beta amyloid and the tau protein. The consortium's work will translate basic research knowledge into clinical trials of interventions that target Alzheimer's disease mechanisms.
Researchers at UC San Diego aim to reduce genome sequencing costs from $10 million to $1,000 using innovative technologies. The team plans to sequence over 1 billion individual DNA molecules simultaneously on a glass slide the size of a business card.
Researchers at UCSD discovered a key protein that enables distinct light gathering units in fruit fly compound eyes, improving visual acuity and angular sensitivity. The presence or absence of this protein can convert open to closed eye systems in insects.
A study found that 13% of children and adolescents with autopsy records had fatty liver, while 9.6% of the living population in San Diego County had the disease. The team identified major risk factors, including age, ethnicity, gender, and obesity.
The Temporal Dynamics of Learning Center aims to improve teaching techniques and alter human lives through a better understanding of how humans learn. The center, funded by the National Science Foundation, will study the role of timing in learning and develop interdisciplinary research networks.
Experiments by Piotr Winkielman and colleagues suggest that judgments of attractiveness are influenced by the ease with which our minds process stimuli. Prototypical images are rated as more beautiful or appealing because they fall into the average of what we've seen, making them simple for our brains to recognize quickly. The research...
Scientists have discovered a natural protein produced by Bacillus thuringiensis that is highly effective at treating hookworm infections and curing anemia. The protein, called Cry5B, targets both developing and adult parasites, and can be produced inexpensively and safely for humans.
Biologists at UCSD discovered red and yellow monkeyflowers have distinct pollinators, with hummingbirds preferred for the red form and hawkmoths for the yellow. The shift in flower color is likely due to natural selection by these different pollinators.
Researchers at UCSD School of Medicine have reconstructed the signaling pathways that regulate activation of glycoprotein IIb-IIIa, a critical receptor in platelet function. The study provides a powerful tool for studying therapeutic targets and developing new antithrombotic drugs.
A global study has shown a clear association between kidney cancer incidence rates and proximity to the equator, suggesting that UVB exposure triggers vitamin D production. Countries near the equator have lower kidney cancer rates, while those farther away have higher rates, indicating a potential protective effect of sunlight exposure.
Patients can self-report muscle weakness, fatigue, cognitive problems, and mood changes associated with statin use on a new web site. The site aims to gather information on side effects and provide education on minimizing health risks.
Researchers found that a compartment of the spleen called the marginal zone is where autoreactive B cells are primarily located. Transplanting immune cells from this zone into mice with lupus-like disease led to the production of pathogenic antibodies, highlighting the spleen as a potential target for new therapies.
Researchers found that BMPs regulate neural patterning in fruit flies and vertebrates, implying a conserved evolutionary process. A unified model of early neural development suggests that at least part of the neural patterning mechanism has been preserved from a shared ancestral organism over 500 million years ago.
A recent study published in Pediatrics has found that children who are overweight at any stage of their growth before age 12 are more likely to be overweight by the time they are 12. The study examined over 1,000 children and discovered that preschool-age children who were medically determined to be overweight at one of three points of...
A study by UCSD researchers shows that the central nervous system can sense and modulate inflammation in joints, reducing symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Blocking key signaling enzymes in the CNS resulted in decreased joint inflammation and destruction.
A team from the University of California, San Diego has identified the cells and protein responsible for detecting sour taste. The researchers found that each of the five basic tastes is detected by distinct receptors in separate cells, challenging a popular view that different tastes map to specific areas of the tongue.
Researchers developed a novel approach to assessing the risk of water-borne diseases, including leptospirosis, by measuring bacterial DNA in environmental waters. The method provides a quantitative risk assessment for human disease and has implications for health departments monitoring water safety.
Researchers at the University of California - San Diego have developed a new technique to detect internal defects in steel railroad tracks using laser beam pulses and ultrasonic microphones. The technology has shown promising results, detecting 76.9-100% of internal defects and 61.5-90% of surface cuts in dry and wet conditions.
Jeff Elman's work in connectionism and artificial neural networks has led to breakthroughs in speech perception, language processing, and cognition. His creation of the TRACE model and Simple Recurrent Network has been widely used to simulate human behavior.
Researchers have devised a new way to visualize and quantify the activity of key enzyme PKA, linked to heart failure. This innovative technique combined computer modeling with fluorescence-imaging in living cells, uncovering new details in molecular control.
Researchers develop a novel approach to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by delivering an antisense oligonucleotide drug directly to the brain and spinal cord. The treatment slows disease progression by silencing mutant proteins that cause the disease, offering new hope for patients.
Researchers developed a vaccine using irradiated Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, providing better protection against disease than traditional heat-killed vaccines. The irradiated vaccine retained the ability to activate the immune system through Toll-like receptors, promoting long-term immunity.
Researchers at University of California - San Diego found that mechanical stretching activates cellular protein JNK, damaging cells and contributing to atherosclerosis. This discovery may help design better treatment approaches for cardiovascular disease.
Researchers discovered a genetic mutation in Florida beach mice that affects their coat color, revealing a possible explanation for the evolution of similar color patterns in extinct mammoths. The study also sheds light on the complex genetic process underlying coat pattern generation in mammals.
A new study published in Science finds that rising temperatures are exacerbating the number of large and costly wildfires in the western United States. The research, led by Scripps Institution of Oceanography, analyzed a database of recent large western wildfires since 1970 and compared it with climate and land-surface data from the re...
Researchers at UCSD have identified a family of 11 genes involved in the synthesis of auxin, a key plant hormone. Disrupting these genes reveals that localized production of auxin controls plant architecture, contradicting previous assumptions. This discovery has significant implications for crop improvement and development.
Researchers identified a family of 11 genes involved in auxin synthesis and found that their localized production influences plant development. This discovery can be applied to agricultural problems like producing seedless fruit or stronger stems.
A study by UCSD researchers found that the absence of IKKƒÒ in hepatocytes leads to increased JNK activation after exposure to toxic chemicals, resulting in accelerated tumor development. Deletion of JNK1 gene prevented liver cancer, suggesting a critical role for this isoform in tumor growth.
Bioengineering researchers found that cells use pairs, trios, and combinations of up to 13 transcription factors to regulate distinct sets of genes. The study predicts 980 as-yet-undiscovered transcription factor-gene binding interactions.
The Smart Petri Dish uses porous silicon crystals filled with polystyrene to detect subtle changes in cell sizes and shapes, allowing for early detection of liver toxicity. The device can perform multiple assays simultaneously and is non-invasive, making it a potential tool for predicting human liver responses.