A team of UC Santa Barbara scientists has developed a miniature, energy-efficient optical frequency synthesizer that can be integrated onto silicon photonic integrated circuits. The device can tune over 50 nanometers and deliver a frequency stability of 7 x 10-13 after one second of averaging, matching that of the input reference clock.
A recent study found that farming fish can help feed the future global population while substantially reducing land use impacts of meat production. Replacing terrestrial livestock production with aquaculture could spare up to 747 million land hectares globally, an area twice the size of India.
A new study shows that farming fish can help meet the world's future protein demands while reducing land use, with potential savings of up to 747 million hectares globally. The research highlights the efficiency of aquatic animals in converting feed to biomass for human consumption.
Researchers at UCSB are developing a chip that uses ionic memristor technology to create a physically unclonable device, rendering it vulnerable to cyber attacks. The technology aims to prevent cloning and hijacking of devices in networks, making them ideal for securing IoT devices.
A 3,000-year-old horse burial in Sudan has provided significant insights into the Kushite state formation and the role of horses in ancient Nubian culture. The discovery, dated to around 950 BC, reveals that horses were central to the state's identity and foreshadowed later developments in Nubian kingship.
A team of UCSB physicists has created a device named DARKNESS, the first 10,000-pixel integral field spectrograph designed to overcome the limitations of traditional semiconductor detectors. This instrument enables direct imaging of planets around nearby stars and can detect fainter planets with higher contrast ratios.
Researchers at UCSB discovered that syntaxin 3S, a soluble form of SNARE protein, regulates gene expression in the nucleus, potentially playing a role in cancer progression. This finding opens up a new field of research into the moonlighting properties of proteins.
Researchers in UCSB/Google group aim to demonstrate quantum supremacy with superconducting qubits, overcoming challenges of decoherence and error correction. Their goal is to build a qubit system capable of exploring complex states efficiently, enabling applications in condensed matter physics, chemistry, and materials.
A comprehensive study of China's STEM research environment has found that the country's educational system stifles creativity and critical thinking, and rewards quantity over quality. The study, published in PLOS ONE, gathered data from 731 surveys completed by STEM faculty at top Chinese universities.
A team of researchers at UCSB has developed a retinal implant to replace support cells damaged by dry AMD. The phase 1/2A trial showed improvement in one patient's vision while maintaining the condition of others.
Researchers advocate for harnessing dynamic ecological forces to facilitate coral reef ecosystem recovery. By controlling factors like coral density and site selection, restoration practitioners can maximize growth rates and minimize mortality, promoting positive feedback processes.
A psychology professor's new paper suggests that facial expressions are used to achieve specific social outcomes, rather than revealing emotions. The study finds that certain expressions serve as 'social tools' in behavioral negotiation, and can be used to subdue or intimidate others.
A new study by UC Santa Barbara marine biologists shows that female purple sea urchins can condition their offspring to withstand stress induced by low pH levels, commonly caused by ocean acidification. The researchers found that the females' exposure to stressful conditions resulted in harder and larger offspring.
Research estimates vulnerability and extinction risk of migratory species from different regions and ecosystems worldwide. Migratory animals face barriers such as roads, dams, and urban development, which can lead to population decline and increased extinction risk.
Researchers at UCSB developed a specially engineered retinal patch using stem cells to treat people with sudden severe sight loss from wet AMD. The study showed improvements in vision, enabling patients to read and perform daily tasks.
Indonesia's anti-IUU fishing policies have successfully kick-started fishery recovery without reducing local fishing effort or catch. The country's policies reduced foreign fishing in its waters by over 90% and total fishing by 25%, generating a 14% increase in catch and a 15% increase in profit by 2035.
A new UC Santa Barbara-led study found that ending overfishing can promote population recoveries for many endangered species caught incidentally as bycatch. In about half the cases, overexploiting these mammals, turtles and birds occurs because we're also overexploiting the target species.
A team of climatologists at UC Santa Barbara's Climate Hazards Group has developed skillful predictions for droughts and famines, helping to mitigate their effects on severe food insecurity. Their work, in collaboration with various organizations, aims to make the world more food secure by anticipating climate extremes.
The chemical topology of silica surfaces can significantly impact the effectiveness of various chemical processes, including catalysis, filtration, and nanofabrication. Researchers found that hydrophilic silanol groups attract water molecules, forming a barrier that reactants must overcome to proceed with the desired process.
A new model balances ocean uses across sectors and industries to create a holistic approach to environmental sustainability. The system identifies tens of thousands of optimal spatial plans, increasing sector values by millions of dollars while reducing harmful impacts.
Researchers found the Asian tiger mosquito vanished from Palmyra Atoll following rat eradication, as humans became the sole host for mosquitoes to feed on. The study highlights a potential new approach to combatting mosquito-borne diseases by eradicating key hosts.
Researchers found a unique deposit in upper meter of marsh sediments, suggesting the 1861-62 storm season was erosive enough to remove coastal barriers. The team used sediment cores and analyzed European crop pollen and spheroidal carbonaceous particles to confirm the deposit's age.
A team of scientists from UCSB and Global Fishing Watch analyzed satellite data to track the movements and activities of over 70,000 commercial fishing vessels worldwide. Their findings reveal that cultural patterns and politics play a significant role in shaping fishing practices, while natural cycles such as fish migrations are less ...
The University of California - Santa Barbara team designed a new spiral inductor made of multiple layers of graphene, which offers one-and-a-half times the inductance density of traditional inductors. This innovative design enables a one-third reduction in size while maintaining high efficiency.
Researchers found evidence of extensive biomass burning at the Younger Dryas Boundary, coinciding with a cometary cloud impact that triggered an 'impact winter', causing widespread extinctions. The study suggests that this event may have contributed to the collapse of the Clovis people and the extinction of megafauna.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara found evidence that the amino acid arginine was essential for protein-aptamer interactions, potentially altering our understanding of the origin of life. This discovery provides new insights into the ideal conditions for life to emerge, with implications for various hypotheses and experiments.
Kurt Ingeman's project aims to coordinate predator-prey management for optimal conservation outcomes and restoration of marine food webs. He will analyze recovery trajectories of species like rockfish and lingcod using strategic modeling and partner with organizations such as NOAA and The Nature Conservancy.
UCSB researchers have developed a computational method to predict the growth rates of ionic crystals, which may save time and energy in industrial processes. The method uses transition path sampling to understand the events leading up to the transition state, providing insights into the role of water molecules and ion interactions.
A UCSB ecologist reconstructed the story of the missing foothill yellow-legged frog, finding a link to chytridiomycosis. The amphibian declined rapidly between 1960s and 1970s due to disease spread by the fungal pathogen.
Researchers at UCSB have identified a unique class of gustatory receptor neurons necessary for calcium taste in fruit flies. They found that calcium is sensed as slightly bitter and sour, but its effects on human health are complex, with high levels associated with diseases.
Research led by Jonathan Pruitt finds that the population majority determines whether influential individuals can emerge and lead a society, not just charismatic leaders. The study uses African social spiders to show that shy, generic spiders are key to creating advantageous social orders.
UCSB mechanical engineer Daniel Gianola and colleagues use machine learning to predict material failure based on a new concept of softness. By analyzing disordered materials, they found that the size of correlated softness is identical to the number of particles in motion during failure.
A new study estimates that sustainability certification significantly reduced deforestation in Indonesian plantations, saving 21 square kilometers of forests from destruction. However, the actual area conserved was surprisingly small, and more robust protection is necessary to effectively conserve tropical forests.
A new study by UC Santa Barbara researcher Matto Mildenberger finds substantial differences in Republican and Democratic climate change views across different states and congressional districts. The research reveals varied opinions among Republicans on issues like climate policies, renewable energy, and carbon regulations, despite part...
Researchers at University of California - Santa Barbara found that about half of hydraulically fractured wells exist within 2 to 3 kilometers of domestic groundwater systems. The study analyzed data from nearly 27,000 wells in 14 states and suggests increased water monitoring efforts are needed to protect water quality.
A team of UCSB researchers has developed a single-step method to convert methane into hydrogen while preventing the formation of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. The process uses molten metals and results in a solid form of carbon that can be readily transported and stored indefinitely.
Researchers at UCSB have successfully measured Berry curvature in solid matter for the first time using a unique laser experiment. This breakthrough has significant implications for designing new materials with optimized Berry curvature for applications in electronic and optical devices.
Researchers at UCSB have made a breakthrough in generating Majorana quasiparticles, which are essential for topological quantum computing. By using 'hashtag'-shaped nanowires, the team has successfully coaxed these exotic states into existence, paving the way for braiding and potentially revolutionizing quantum information processing.
A team of scientists has discovered a remarkable exception to existing theories on supernovae, with a star that exploded multiple times over 50 years. The star, iPTF14hls, was initially observed as an ordinary supernova but grew brighter and dimmer at least five times.
Researchers have developed a device using graphene that could provide conclusive evidence for the existence of non-Abelian anyons, a key component of topological quantum computing. The device achieves extremely low disorder and tunability, allowing for the study of these particles in a controlled environment.
Researchers found that competition and herbivory provide resilience against invasive species in certain marine protected areas. The study suggests that healthy kelp forests, with high levels of native algae, outcompete invasive species like Sargassum horneri.
Climate change and human activities are putting North Atlantic right whales under immense pressure, with food scarcity and high mortality rates exacerbating their decline. The study predicts population growth will be hindered by climate-mediated food availability and policy-driven mortalities.
A team of UCSB researchers created a dry polymeric system that maintains its stretchiness while becoming stiffer and tougher with the addition of iron coordination bonds. The material has potential applications in coatings and impact-resistant materials.
A team of scientists from UC Santa Barbara tested the effect of sulfurized nano-zero-valent iron on a common freshwater alga and found that it picked up cadmium and alleviated toxicity. Organic material produced by the algae mitigated the nanoparticle's toxicity, allowing for greater remediation.
UCSB biologist Douglas McCauley explores the pros and cons of using virtual and augmented reality in environmental science education. He argues that while VR and AR have potential upsides, such as enhanced experiences and simulations, they may also detract from core values like face-to-face interaction and direct observation of nature.
UCSB astronomers capture the fleeting kilonova using a network of telescopes and gravitational wave data. The event sheds light on the formation of heavy elements in the universe.
Researchers are developing a system to alert ships to the proximity of whales using acoustic monitoring, thermal imaging, and big data analytics. The goal is to reduce fatal collisions between ships and whales, particularly in the Santa Barbara Channel where important feeding grounds overlap with busy shipping lanes.
Researchers created a model, STORM, to simulate watershed rainfall under various climate change scenarios. They found that while overall rainfall is increasing, individual storms are becoming less intense and delivering less water, leading to declining runoff and affecting regional water resources. This study provides insights into the...
A team of scientists explored links between climate effects and two health outcome indicators: malnutrition and low birth weights. Their models indicate that vulnerable areas may see more malnourished children and lower birth weights due to warming and drying, but positive development trends can mitigate these effects.
A team of UC Santa Barbara geologists used ground-penetrating radar to study the effects of a massive tsunami that hit Northern California 900 years ago. The researchers found that the wave removed three to five times more sand than any historical El Niño storm, with erosion extending up to 360 feet inland.