Researchers discovered that stressed endothelial cells form healthy alignment of stress fibers perpendicular to the axis of stretch, a hallmark of healthy blood vessels. Inhibition of Rho protein causes stress fibers to grow in an unhealthy direction parallel to the axis of stretch.
A recent UCSD study shows that non-coding regions of DNA, often referred to as 'junk' DNA, are essential for maintaining an organism's genetic integrity and play a crucial role in evolutionary survival. These findings suggest that these regions are not functionally inactive but rather provide resistance to new mutations.
Researchers developed a risk calculator to assess patient risk levels and recommend treatment options for patients with ocular hypertension. The tool identifies key factors predictive of disease progression, enabling physicians to make informed decisions about treatment.
The new drug dnaJP1, derived from a naturally occurring protein dnaJ, has been found to be effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis by re-educating the immune system's tolerance to the amino acid sequence. In a double-blind trial, patients receiving dnaJP1 experienced lessening of symptoms and improvement in mobility.
Researchers found that coastal bluffs and cliffs are a significant source of sand in Southern California beaches, accounting for half of the sand in the Oceanside Littoral Cell. The study uses laser-scanning technology to quantify bluff erosion with high accuracy, challenging conventional assumptions about beach sand supply.
The UCSD-led team has built a Geographic Information System (GIS) to assess toxic hazards from Katrina. The system will enable secure data sharing and collaborative analysis among experts nationwide.
A new computer model shows that intrinsic noise and biochemical delays generate oscillations in gene regulation, explaining observed variability in cells. This fine-grain analysis also sheds light on why identical twins don't have identical fingerprints.
The University of California, San Diego and Keio University successfully streamed nearly six hours of 4K content in real-time via 1 Gbps IP networks from Tokyo to San Diego. The demonstration showcased the feasibility of networked distribution of high-quality digital media over long distances.
High insulin levels block stress hormones, leading to excessive fat storage and energy imbalance. The study provides new understanding of insulin resistance in Type II diabetes and its potential link to obesity.
A team of UCSD biochemists has discovered a mechanism for generating 10 trillion varieties of a single protein, providing a new tool for developing novel drugs. This finding, published in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, uses the genetic mechanism used by a virus that infects bacteria to create a kaleidoscope of variants.
Researchers develop a computational model that accurately predicts cell behavior, revealing intricate protein interactions and improving cancer treatment design. The model has practical applications in developing targeted therapies that don't weaken patients' immune systems.
Researchers identify how nuclear receptors work to suppress inflammatory responses, potentially leading to more powerful anti-inflammatory drugs with fewer side effects. This discovery could lead to better therapeutic results in treating diseases such as arthritis and arteriosclerosis.
A gene called iagA anchors LTA on the bacterial cell surface, allowing bacteria to cross into the central nervous system. Removing the iagA gene from Streptococcus inhibited bacterial interactions with the blood-brain barrier, reducing mortality rates up to 90% in mice.
Researchers at UCSD advocate for standardized, humane guidelines for studying captive great apes, emphasizing the need for specialized care and data management. They propose a national network of facilities to support this effort, which could contribute to the survival of great ape species.
Intel donates microprocessor development kits to support UCSD's Computer Science and Engineering department, enhancing education in wireless multimedia embedded systems. The kits will equip research labs and enable students to work on projects involving application and systems programming for mobile devices.
Researchers successfully tested a new coast-to-coast, 10-Gigabit per second Ethernet cyber backplane connecting NASA's Goddard center to UCSD. The system enabled complex scientific analysis and visualization of large data sets remotely.
Researchers at UCSD's Jacobs School of Engineering have successfully fabricated a transistor-like structure using customized Y-shaped carbon nanotubes, exhibiting rapid switching speeds and three-way gating capability. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new nanotechnology devices with improved functionality.
A study by Maria Charles and Karen Bradley found that women are underrepresented in computer science globally due to pervasive stereotypes and a lack of choice. The researchers argue that governments should exert control over curricular trajectories to promote equal math and science education for all students.
The discovery provides the first conclusive evidence that a 'protosun' played a major role in chemically shaping the solar system by emitting ultraviolet energy. The team used a technique to reveal details about the Earth's early atmosphere from variations in oxygen and sulfur isotopes, indicating the presence of photochemical reactions.
Female California fiddler crabs check out 100 or more male crab candidates and burrows before choosing a mate due to the importance of burrow size for offspring survival. This picky behavior helps females select mates with suitable burrows that allow larvae to hatch at the safest time.
Researchers from the California Institute, led by Professor Henrik Wann Jensen, unveiled innovative computer graphics techniques at SIGGRAPH. Their work includes a new method for real-time relighting of scenes illuminated by local light sources and an efficient technique to account for diffusion in multi-layered translucent materials.
Researchers studied two human volunteers with amnesia who could learn simple object discrimination tasks through repetition and habit learning. The volunteers' ability to select the correct item improved over time, suggesting that humans have a capacity for habit memory that is independent of conscious memorization.
A two-year, $1.5 million project will provide fundamental information about sediment translocation in Venice lagoon, using a multidisciplinary approach to analyze geochemical, physical, microbial, toxicological, and ecological science. The research aims to assess the effects of sediment movement on the lagoon's ecosystem.
The 'Ecce Homology' project uses dynamic media and computer vision to visualize genomic data, making it accessible to the general public. By creating scientifically accurate pictograms of genes and proteins, researchers aim to reduce complexity and facilitate understanding of genomics.
A team of astrophysicists discovered X-ray oscillations in a neutron star that provide critical information about its internal structure. The oscillations, generated by massive quakes, contain frequency vibrations that can help scientists understand the nature of neutron stars.
Researchers found that a yellow-orange pigment produced by Staphylococcus aureus helps the bacteria resist neutrophil killing and produce disease. The discovery provides an novel target for treatment of serious Staph infections, including those caused by antibiotic-resistant MRSA.
Scientists have devised a method to more effectively dampen vertical instabilities in tokamak fusion reactors, allowing for improved control of electrical currents and magnetic fields. This development aims to increase the efficiency of fusion reactions and is an important step towards building the next-generation fusion reactor by 2015.
Scientists at UCSD found that white blood cells increase production of protein HIF-1 in response to bacteria, stimulating antimicrobial compounds to kill invading organisms. Treating white blood cells with chemicals can enhance their bacterial killing ability.
Researchers are exploring the use of interactive humanoids like RUBI and QRIO in educational environments. The robots are attending a UCSD nursery school as part of a long-term study to advance the field of real-time, social robotics.
Thirteen UCSD students, including five women, are selected for a summer program to conduct hands-on IT research in Asia. The Pacific Rim Undergraduate Experiences (PRIME) pilot program aims to foster global experiences and cultural competency among students.
Scientists at UCSD and Elan Pharmaceuticals have successfully vaccinated mice with a combination of human alpha-synuclein protein and adjuvant, reducing abnormal alpha-synuclein accumulation and promoting nerve cell survival.
Scientists investigated Antarctic icebergs' detachment from the main continental ice sheet, finding that ice fracturing occurs in episodes and may be tied to seasonal changes. The studies used satellite data, GPS equipment, and seismometers to monitor rifts on East Antarctica's Amery Ice Shelf.
Researchers at UCSD's Jacobs School of Engineering have developed Reality Flythrough, a system that stitches together live camera feeds to create an immersive 3D environment. The technology is being tested for homeland security and emergency response applications.
A peer-reviewed study published in Science finds a complex warming signal in world oceans over the past 40 years. The signal is of human origin and cannot be explained by natural variability or solar/volcanic forcing.
A new study developed a predictive profile of children likely to respond to Pivotal Response Training (PRT), a child-directed behavioral intervention. The study successfully matched autistic children with an appropriate therapy, leading to significant gains in language skills, play skills, and social behaviors.
Researchers found that people altered their behavior after exposure to subliminal happy faces, drinking more and paying triple the price for a mystery drink. Thirst proved necessary for influence, and effects were short-lived, lasting only until conscious awareness arrived.
A study by Teuscher found that time limits can amplify emotions in both positive and negative directions. This research has implications for understanding how people cope with endings and transitions, such as death, separations, or retirement.
Researchers at UC San Diego found that damage to a specific brain area, the angular gyrus, affects patients' ability to comprehend metaphors. The study suggests that this region plays a crucial role in processing conceptual metaphors and cross-modal abstractions.
Scientists have uncovered a submarine volcano growing in the summit crater of another larger underwater volcano, Vailulu'u. A unique hydrothermal community of hundreds of slithering eels was found surrounding the eruption site.
Scientists developed a new method to image the earth's rupture during the Dec. 26 Indian Ocean earthquake, providing a fresh perspective on the massive event. The technique uses first-arriving seismic waves to create detailed images in under 30 minutes, which could be used for public-warning and tsunami-alert systems.
Lafora disease is characterized by abnormal glycogen metabolism, with the accumulation of starch-/glycogen-like granules in most tissues. Researchers at UCSD have identified malin's role in the disease, revealing a testable model for its molecular mechanism.
Researchers found nonlinear mechanisms that could lead to dramatic and swift changes in the North Pacific Ocean's biological systems. In contrast, physical characteristics such as sea surface temperature evolve in a linear manner, making regime-like fluctuations unreliable.
A study published in PNAS reveals a short protein, SDF-2, used by Dictyostelium to synchronize spore formation, similar to DBI found in human brains. The discovery confirms the organism's potential as an experimental system for studying cell communication.
Researchers find that naturally occurring atmospheric chemicals react with sunlight to break down smog and pollutants, producing more OH radicals than previously thought. This discovery could improve our understanding of how the atmosphere works and potentially lead to better models for predicting pollution.
Researchers at UCSD map yeast gene circuitry to predict new functions and identify disease-causing combinations. The technique, which uses synthetic lethal interactions, could be applied to humans to develop more sophisticated drugs and gene therapies.
A significant gap exists in understanding Earth's energy balance, crucial for accurately determining climate change. Scientists call for improved research observations and models to describe the overall energy balance of Earth's system.
A team of scientists used a 3D acoustic imaging system to track the swimming behavior of zooplankton in the Red Sea, revealing that they 'treadmill' against upwelling and downwelling currents. The study sheds light on the mechanisms behind zooplankton patchiness and its ecological implications for predators.
An international team has determined the complete genetic blueprint of Dictyostelium discoideum, a simple social amoeba long used by researchers to gain insight into human diseases. The genome contains nearly twice as many protein coding genes as previously thought and provides a new tool for studying human disease.
A University of California, San Diego team discovered a receptor-ligand pair that plays a critical role in the final step of blood vessel formation, allowing newly constructed vessels to 'lock' together. Inhibiting this integrin protein may starve tumors and combat cancer.
UCSD medical researchers show that a protein called I-kappa-B kinase alpha (IKKa) is responsible for terminating an inflammatory response before it can damage cells and organs. IKKa's mechanism involves interacting with proteins RelA and C-Rel, which bind to genes mediating the inflammatory response for a short duration.