Researchers have found a previously unknown oxygen-isotope signature in sulfate minerals on Earth, altering the understanding of the anomaly's origin. The discovery provides a new window into the Earth's ancient atmosphere and its cycling processes.
Researchers at UCSD develop a new drug-combination therapy using tamoxifen and cisplatin, significantly improving survival rates for patients with metastatic melanoma. The treatment results in a 62% reduction in tumor recurrence after five years.
Researchers have found a genetic link between IKK-gamma gene and the rare human disease incontinentia pigmenti, which affects skin and its derivatives. The discovery provides a nearly perfect mouse model of the disease, enabling thorough study and development of diagnostic and screening tests.
UCSD School of Medicine scientists have successfully cultured human beta cells that can produce insulin indefinitely. The immortal cell line holds promise for treating people with diabetes through transplantation, potentially offering an unlimited source of insulin-producing tissue.
The UCSD Superfund program will conduct projects on 20 toxic contaminants, studying their effects on humans, animals, and the environment. Researchers will use molecular biology and recombinant DNA technology to develop tools for evaluating health risks and minimizing hazardous risks.
A UCSD researcher has been awarded a grant to study the incidence and impact of microsatellite instability on colon cancer in African-Americans. The research aims to understand why African-Americans have a higher death rate from colorectal cancer despite lower incidence rates.
Biologists at UCSD discovered that the Argentine ant's ability to thrive in California is due to its low genetic diversity, which allows it to recognize and accept individuals from the same colony. This has led to the formation of a single, large 'supercolony' that dominates native species.
The international panel established recommendations for drug resistance testing in treating HIV failure and pregnant women. This guidance aims to optimize the use of these tests in designing effective drug therapies.
A team of biologists at UCSD identified three genes that produce the 'double flower' abnormality, which is prized for its attractiveness. Normal flowers consist of four rings or whorls; when these genes are mutated, petals, stamens and carpels are converted into sepals, resulting in a double-flower character.
The University of California, San Diego has secured $47 million in private support to build a state-of-the-art cancer facility, with John and Rebecca Moores committing $20 million towards the project. The facility will bring together over 300 physicians, scientists, and staff to provide advanced patient care and conduct research.
A new vaccine technology has demonstrated a dramatically enhanced immune response in mice against tumor growth and infection. The PIC vaccine bypasses key steps in the normal chain of events leading to immune response, directly targeting the cellular switch to muster a potent attack on foreign proteins.
A national leukemia research consortium will be established to study chronic lymphocytic leukemia in a new way, bringing together top scientists from different disciplines. The consortium aims to generate new insights and novel ways of attacking the disease, with the ultimate goal of curing CLL.
A new prototype vaccine activates cytotoxic T-lymphocytes to destroy cancer cells using telomerase as a target. The vaccine has shown promise in both human and transgenic mice, indicating potential effectiveness against various types of cancer.
Actor Christopher Reeve was awarded the UCSD-Salk Institute Service Award for his tireless efforts to raise awareness of the importance of basic research for human biology and disease. The award recognized his unwavering personal campaign to increase public and legislative awareness of the need to support basic research in health.
Scientists discover a 1,800-year tidal cycle that matches recent climate change, suggesting a natural warming trend began a hundred years ago. The study suggests strong oceanic tides drive changes in climate by increasing vertical mixing, resulting in cooler climates and drought conditions.
Researchers at UCSD School of Medicine have discovered a defensive molecular mechanism launched by the body to protect against oxygen deprivation on the heart. HIF and VEGF, two angiogenesis genes, are activated in response to ischemia or infarction, attempting to increase decreasing blood flow.
A new transgenic mouse model has been developed to simulate Parkinson's disease and related disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. The model shows impaired motor function and protein deposits in specific brain regions associated with the diseases, offering a new tool for studying and treating these conditions.
UC San Diego bioengineers discover that blocking powerful pancreatic digestive enzymes in the intestine can prevent shock and multiple organ failure in experimental animals. This breakthrough provides clues into cellular mechanisms leading to shock and may lead to therapies to prevent and treat ischemic shock.
A study using fMRI scans found that sleep-deprived subjects displayed increased activity in the prefrontal cortex, while verbal learning tasks activated the parietal lobes, which showed better memory performance. The brain's compensation for sleep deprivation varies depending on the cognitive task.
Scientists have isolated two novel proteins expressed in cells specifically geared to the sense of taste, which are believed to be the first taste receptors. These candidate taste receptors resemble those that mediate sensory processes such as vision and olfaction and are positioned in specific cells on the tongue.