The Aymara language locates the past ahead and the future behind, defying the conventional spatial metaphor for chronology. The study's findings suggest that cognition of everyday abstractions like time is partly a cultural phenomenon.
A new survey at UCSD reveals that sectarianism in conservative religious groups holds back coalition formation on the right. The study found that members of these groups who favor a larger role for religious leaders in politics are less sectarian, bringing good news for supporters of the religious right.
Researchers discovered a web of inter-related responses that cells use to avoid becoming diseased or cancerous after being exposed to environmental toxins. The findings could eventually be used to develop drugs to boost DNA repair in response to environmental toxins and possibly treat inherited degenerative diseases.
Researchers discovered a novel gene linked to juvenile spinal muscular atrophy with rigidity and dyskinesia (JSRD), characterized by cerebellar defects, poor balance, and mental retardation. The CEP290 gene may control cell division in the cerebellum during human development.
A new procedure utilizes plasma-mediated radiofrequency energy to gently remove soft tissue from spinal tumors, reducing damage to healthy tissue. The technique, called Coblation SpineWand, provides pain relief and improved mobility for patients with decreased risk of complications.
Research reveals that human T cells lack expression of certain 'Siglec' molecules, which regulate T cell activation in nonhuman primates. This absence may contribute to the disparity in disease susceptibility between humans and great apes. The study highlights the potential for Siglecs to act as a 'brake' on T cell activation.
Researchers found that starlings can classify acoustic sequences defined by recursive grammars, a feature thought to be exclusive to humans. The birds learned to distinguish between two sets of songs using abstract patterns and performed well above chance when tested with novel combinations.
The lung has a unique innate immune system, protected by alveolar macrophages that are repressed in steady state, activated when needed, and then re-repressed. This complex circuit allows for brief activation periods to fight invading microorganisms.
Researchers have successfully completed 18 data-gathering missions using autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles in pollution-filled skies over the Maldives. The aircraft flew in synchronous vertical formation, collecting unprecedented detail on how pollution particles contribute to cloud formation and dimming.
UC San Diego scientists chart rapid progress in developing new fluorescent probes to study proteins in living cells. These techniques enable the localization of molecular machines in situ by electron microscopy.
The new nanopore method has the potential to sequence human genomes in a matter of hours at a potentially low cost, reducing the time and expense associated with current methods. The approach uses mathematical calculations and computer modeling to distinguish between DNA bases, enabling faster and more accurate sequencing.
Researchers identify mutation in JAK2 signaling pathway, allowing cells to bypass normal red blood-cell production process. This discovery could lead to the development of targeted treatments that improve treatment outcomes for patients with PV disease.
Researchers at UCSD have discovered how bacterial messenger RNA is unfolded to be read by the cell's protein-making machinery. The study reveals essential factors required for this process and provides insights into developing novel antibiotics targeting these vulnerabilities.
A new mathematical algorithm designed to improve noise cancellation technologies can reduce unwanted helicopter and cabin noise by 40 decibels or more. The 'feedforward' active-noise control works by generating anti-noise signals that adapt to acoustic coupling, solving a long-standing problem in the field.
Researchers develop two mathematical tools to analyze and optimize tensegrity systems in various applications. The optimization algorithm helps maximize strength while minimizing weight, leading to potential breakthroughs in bridge, building, and aircraft design.
William Fenical, a Scripps Institution of Oceanography professor, has been awarded the Ernest Guenther Award for his pioneering work on marine natural products chemistry. His research has led to the discovery of potent anticancer agents and anti-inflammatory drugs from ocean sea floor bacteria.
The Digital Fish Library project will create a high-resolution online catalog of fishes, enabling researchers and the public to digitally probe and dissect specimens. The project aims to develop new methods for data analysis and visualization to penetrate through soft body tissue and provide 3-D images of physiological structures.
Dr. Worcester is recognized for his pioneering work on acoustical oceanography and tomographic inverse methods, as well as his tireless efforts to develop responsible permitting structures for scientific sound use. He is the eighth recipient of the Munk Award, a testament to his groundbreaking research and leadership in the field.
A new study suggests that Tijuana's HIV infection rate may be close to three times higher than Mexico's national average, posing a significant public health threat. The researchers emphasize the need for urgent intervention and prevention strategies targeting high-risk groups.
Researchers at UCSD have found that disease-causing Strep bacteria release an enzyme that degrades neutrophil DNA nets, allowing them to escape the immune system and spread in body tissues. This discovery could lead to new treatments by inhibiting this enzyme, making it easier for the immune system to clear the pathogen.
Researchers discovered variability in E. coli cell growth could lead to distinct survival advantages for bacteria, relevant to chronic infections and antibiotic resistance.
A new study from UCSD found that macrophage signaling can activate processes in both cancer cells and immune cells, altering the activity of androgen antagonists and allowing tumor growth. The research identifies a novel binding site on steroid receptors that makes them responsive to inflammatory signals.
Researchers have discovered a way to selectively target alpha 4 integrin molecules, which cause white blood cells to accumulate at the site of inflammation. This could lead to new treatments for autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
A study by UCSD/Boston University found a small but significant increased chance of delivering an infant with severe respiratory failure (PPHN) if pregnant women take SSRIs like Prozac, Paxil, or Zoloft in the second half of pregnancy. The risk is relatively low, affecting about 6-12 mothers per thousand.
New research suggests that the hippocampus plays a crucial role in recognizing familiar and recalling specific details, contradicting recent findings. The study used six memory-impaired patients with localized hippocampal damage to test verbal recognition memory, finding that recognition accuracy was identical between groups.
A UCSD study reveals that anthrax toxins, known as lethal factor and edema factor, can cause cellular damage and death in fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. The findings suggest that fruit flies can be used to test the effects of anthrax toxins on signaling pathways shared by flies and humans.
A landmark study reveals that older trees in tropical forests are more diverse than younger ones, suggesting that diversity is selected for as each forest matures. This finding highlights the importance of ecological value to species diversity in these complex ecosystems.
A study of 135 bacteria and 16 primitive microorganisms reveals large- and small-scale organizational patterns in their genomes, which are highly nonrandom. The findings suggest that evolution of prokaryotes is constrained by both gene content and genome arrangement on chromosomes.
Researchers discovered a genetic mechanism in plants that prevents the regrowth of a trait once it's lost, contradicting earlier studies. The findings highlight the importance of considering genetic data when reconstructing evolutionary history.
The UC San Diego-Venter Institute partnership aims to create a community resource for metagenomic data, facilitating advances in marine microbial ecology and evolutionary biology. The project will develop a novel cyberinfrastructure to store, analyze, and draw conclusions from large-scale microbial genomic sequence data.
A study published by University of California, San Diego researchers suggests that climate change may be a key factor in the evolution of larger body size in certain animal species. The study found that deep-sea ostracodes increased in size as global ocean temperatures cooled over 40 million years.
A team of UCSD researchers has identified a 24-member family of bacterial proteins called effector proteins that help pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella and E-coli infect human cells by hijacking the body's communication network. The findings could lead to novel ways to fight bacterial diseases.
Researchers at UCSD develop mouse model for lissencephaly, a severe brain disorder in newborn children. The study shows that removing two genes from the mouse replicates human lissencephaly features, shedding light on the condition's causes and potential treatment.
A new UCSD laser technique allows researchers to precisely create and image blood clots in the brain in real time, shedding light on small strokes implicated in dementia. The study enables controlled observation of brain response to stroke, paving the way for potential prevention strategies.
Scientists used ancient sea creature shells to uncover a monumental reversal in deep-ocean circulation patterns around the world. The shift was triggered by global warming and led to drastic climatological and biological changes.
Researchers have identified a gene called caspase 8 that plays a crucial role in preventing tumor cells from metastasizing, or spreading to distant sites. By activating this mechanism, the researchers aim to develop targeted therapies to halt the spread of neuroblastoma and possibly other cancers.
A single gene encoding the enzyme GnT-4a is key to enabling pancreatic beta cells to sense blood glucose levels and produce insulin. In mice fed a high-fat diet, this enzyme's suppression led to type 2 diabetes.
UCSD researchers found a strong association between vitamin D deficiency and higher rates of colon, breast, and ovarian cancers. They recommend increasing the public's intake of vitamin D3 to 1,000 IU/day to reduce cancer incidence, which could lead to thousands of premature deaths annually.
A team of researchers at UCSD has quantified more noise in gene expression, discovering significant fluctuations within individual cells and variations between identical cells. This study provides a mathematical description of 'extrinsic noise,' a larger component of variation in gene expression.
Researchers at UCSD found that E. coli exhibits only six distinct functional states regardless of the carbon source or electron acceptor used, suggesting a surprising level of simplicity in its metabolic processes. The study suggests that this principle may be generalizable to other species.
The study found that pressures at 20% of body weight measured 70 mmHg on the left shoulder and 110 mmHg on the right shoulder - skin surface pressures that are more than double and triple the threshold for reduced blood flow. The researchers hope their findings will influence future backpack design to promote safety and comfort.
Researchers discovered that toucan beaks are made of a bio-composite consisting of keratin tiles glued to a rigid foam-like interior, providing exceptional lightweight strength. The study's findings could lead to the development of ultra-light aircraft and vehicle components with improved impact-absorption systems.
Researchers at UCSD found that selectively inactivating the IKK beta gene in airway membrane-lining cells significantly reduces inflammation, mucus production, and scarring. This discovery suggests a potential targeted treatment for asthma sufferers.
Researchers at UCSD develop mice models expressing high amounts of alpha-synuclein to study its effects on the nervous system. The models aid in understanding the causes of multiple system atrophy and developing treatments to slow disease progression, potentially benefiting patients with Parkinson's disease as well.
A Scripps-led study finds that climate warming will shrink key water supplies around the world, affecting millions. Glacier-dependent regions like China, India, and parts of South America are particularly vulnerable to vanishing glaciers, which will lead to costly disruptions in water supply and resource management systems.
Professor Larry Milstein has been recognized with an endowed chair for his contributions to wireless communication, particularly CDMA and interference suppressing receivers. His research focuses on ultra wideband communications, MIMO systems, and orthogonal frequency division modulation.
A new method to rank scientific output has been proposed by a UCSD physicist, using the h-index to estimate a scientist's cumulative research contributions. The h-index is derived from citation counts and provides a single number that can be used to compare relative ranks within a discipline.
Researchers developed a new method to identify novel drug targets for fighting malaria by comparing protein interactions in Plasmodium falciparum with other organisms. This approach could lead to the development of antimalarial drugs that exploit unique differences in protein wiring.
Researchers used a fast and low-cost computational tool to predict haplotypes from the world's largest genotypes database. The study provides valuable insights into human genetic variation, enabling faster computation of haplotypes and improving disease research.
Researchers reveal that a mesh-like protein skeleton gives red blood cells their rubbery ability to stretch without breaking, facilitating oxygen diffusion across the membrane. The model also suggests that deformation of the cell can enhance oxygen movement through narrow capillary openings.