An international team of scientists has discovered that a recently exploded supernova was a 'white dwarf' star, challenging the long-held theory that it was a red giant. The finding provides direct evidence that white dwarfs are responsible for Type Ia supernovae.
A team of scientists has discovered the fastest-rotating massive star ever recorded, with a rotational velocity of 600 kilometers per second. The star, VFTS 102, is extremely hot and luminous, having been ejected from a double star system by its exploding companion star.
The researchers have developed a highly efficient system to generate nucleic acid molecules, called aptamers, for next-generation disease diagnosis and testing. The Quantitative Parallel Aptamer Selection System (QPASS) aims to make devices like instant diagnosis machines ready for widespread clinical use.
The University of California, Santa Barbara has received funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop an innovative global health research project, ImmuNet. The project aims to create a low-cost local cellular architecture to track vaccine status and disseminate vaccination-related information in rural regions.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have discovered a potential treatment for autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), an inherited kidney disease affecting millions worldwide. The drug Leflunomide inhibits the STAT6 signaling pathway, which is activated in kidney cysts and leads to excessive cell growth.
A group of international diabetes researchers have been awarded $4.5 million to engineer an artificial pancreas system that can monitor and adapt to the body's complex physiological changes. The system aims to improve quality of life for patients with type 1 diabetes by treating the condition in their natural environment.
Researchers developed a simplified lab technique for measuring polymer characteristics using magnets, validating decades-old Nobel-Prize-winning theory. The new method uses magnetic tweezers to measure the structure and other critical parameters of long polymer molecules like polyethylene glycol.
UCSB researchers develop scalable synthesis technique for high-quality and uniform graphene, controlled number of layers, and improved carrier mobility. The discovery paves the way for next-generation electronics applications in green electronics, super-strong materials, and medical technology.
The new institute will advance revolutionary materials research and education, focusing on nanomaterials and energy-efficient technology. UCSB will educate future scientists and engineers through corporate internships and a $2 million endowment.
A team of researchers at UC Santa Barbara has developed a novel technique using laser spectroscopy and silver nanoparticles to discriminate between cancerous and non-cancerous cells. The technology can help identify unique tumor cells that may spread to other parts of the body, improving diagnosis and treatment outcomes.
The UCSB Materials Research Laboratory has received a renewed $20 million grant from the National Science Foundation to conduct distinctive research and education programs. The grant will advance materials science research in areas such as energy-efficient microelectronics, adhesives, and coatings inspired by marine organisms.
The study estimates $1.7 billion in local government expenditures and $830 million in lost residential property values each year from invasive tree-feeding insects like the emerald ash borer and Asian longhorned beetle. Strengthening regulations and enforcement are crucial to mitigate future costs.
Scientists at UC Santa Barbara have discovered two general rules for ecosystem abundance: one based on body size and food chain position, and another that biomass production is independent of animal size or type.
Astrophysicists are using Type Ia supernovae, also known as 'zombie' stars, to build a map of the universe's history and understand dark energy. The stars' explosive deaths can be used to measure distances in the universe.
Researchers at UCSB successfully reproduced the Josephson junction using Einstein's general theory of relativity, a breakthrough that sheds new light on non-gravitational physics. The discovery has significant implications for understanding superconductivity and the development of room-temperature superconductors.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara developed a new method of nanoscopic imaging that could lead to early detection and diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. The study focused on the myelin sheath, a membrane surrounding nerves compromised in MS patients.
New studies at UCSB reveal wide-ranging variability in retinal neurons among individuals, with potential causal genes identified for cone photoreceptor production. The research contributes to a fuller understanding of retina development and its significance in vision research.
A study by UCSB researchers found that over 99% of produce grown in Santa Barbara County is exported, while 95% of consumed produce is imported from abroad. Localization of the food system may not lead to better nutrition or decreased environmental impact as expected.
UC Santa Barbara researchers identify Auger recombination as the mechanism behind LED droop, a drop in efficiency when operating at high powers. They propose using thicker quantum wells or growing devices along non-polar directions to minimize this loss mechanism.
Scientists at UC Santa Barbara are studying sea squirts to better understand the immune system's response to transplanted organs. By analyzing the sea squirt's cellular biology, researchers hope to find ways to 'tune' the body's immune response and prevent rejection of donated organs.
A group of experts has identified 40 critical environmental questions to guide scientific research and inform natural resource management. These questions aim to balance economic, social, and ecological considerations, facilitating collaboration between researchers and policymakers.
The new instrument, developed at UCSB, can detect nanoparticles in fluid at rates of up to half a million particles per second. It measures the volume of each nanoparticle for rapid and precise size analysis of complex mixtures.
The study found that Lake Baikal's seasonality of surface water temperatures relates to the fluctuating intensity and path of the jet stream, while also tracking decadal-scale variations in the Earth's rotational velocity. This information can help forecast seasonal onset in Siberia and predict longer-term ecological changes.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara and in China and Japan created NOON states by generating and storing microwave photons in two physically-separated cavities. The team demonstrated the ability to manipulate these states, showing that probing one cavity affects the other.
A team of scientists predicts continued death of forests in the southwestern US due to climate change, with more severe fire events, higher tree mortality rates, and insect infestation. The study finds that warmer temperatures are negatively impacting tree growth, particularly in the spring and summer months.
A team of scientists has discovered that microRNA profiles can predict the type of cell, including whether it's cancerous or not. This finding has significant implications for the use of stem cells in repairing damaged body parts, as it highlights the potential risks of creating cancer.
Researchers found that the brain uses different 'maps' to plan movements, depending on whether they are visually defined or performed in darkness. This discovery has important applications for robotics and developing machines to help paraplegics.
A team of UC Santa Barbara researchers successfully predicted the movement of oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico. They developed a new approach that uses computational models to forecast sea surface conditions and predict where and when oil will wash ashore.
A team of UCSB astrophysicists has discovered a unique eclipsing binary star system, confirming a theory about white dwarf stars. The researchers measured the size of a rare helium-core white dwarf for the first time, revealing it burns hotter and is larger than ordinary white dwarfs.
A newly discovered species of monitor lizard, Varanus obor, has been found in the Moluccan islands of east Indonesia. The Torch monitor, as it is known, can grow up to four feet in length and thrives on a diet of small animals and carrion.
A pattern connecting changes in Earth's orbital cycle to climate fluctuations has been discovered by UCSB geologist Lorraine Lisiecki. She found a correlation between the timing of climate change and eccentricity, as well as glacial cycles, which suggests internal instability within the climate system.
An international team of scientists has discovered a new planet called CoRoT-9b, similar in size to Jupiter. Located 1500 light-years from Earth, the planet orbits a star similar to our sun and is considered temperate.
A special issue of PNAS explores the latest science on marine reserves, revealing that well-designed reserves can benefit both fish and fishermen. Studies show that reserves can play a major role in reducing cumulative impacts on marine ecosystems in areas like the South China Sea and Coral Triangle.
A team of experts found that knowing fish spawning habits and oceanographic models can increase both conservation and fisheries profitability. Spatial information is key to achieving this balance.
UCSB scientists have made a major discovery in how the brain encodes memories. They found that strengthening synapses, which cement memories into place, involves making new proteins. The production of these proteins is regulated by RNA and microRNA, and degradation of silencing molecules allows for protein synthesis.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have demonstrated electrically manipulating quantum states of electrons in diamond crystals, a step towards developing quantum computers. The achievement enables the creation of magnetic fields large enough to change an atomic-scale defect's quantum state in under one billionth of a second.
A new class of supernova was discovered, predicted by UC Santa Barbara scientists Lars Bildsten and colleagues. The event is fainter than typical supernovae and rises and falls in brightness over a few weeks.
Researchers have discovered a new species of shell-covered animal from the Early Cambrian epoch, dating back around 520 million years. The fossils indicate that these early animals were larger than previously thought and provide valuable information on their evolution and relationships to other species.
A new synthetic method creates longer polymer chains, increasing current density in plastic solar cells. The reduced reaction time cuts production time by nearly 50%, making it easier to optimize chemical structure and reduce manufacturing costs.
A recent study found that public views on nanotechnology are overwhelmingly favorable, but many people are unfamiliar with the technology. The research highlights the importance of educating the public about nanotechnology's benefits and risks to avoid negative perceptions.
Researchers at UCSB have developed a novel drug delivery system that uses nanoparticles and laser exposure to deliver siRNA into cancer cells, providing temporal and spatial control over gene expression. The technique has potential applications in delivering multiple drugs against diverse biological targets.
Researchers have isolated a unique protein that affects both gene expression and protein transport, which may lead to new medicine treatments. The findings could provide insights into various biological processes, including cell movement and neural networking.
Researchers describe a mathematical model that helps fine-tune artificial biomolecular switches, shedding light on their evolution and potential applications in detecting chemicals and disease markers.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have identified genes that regulate flower color change, revealing a predictable pattern of evolution. The study found that hawkmoths prefer white or yellow flowers over red ones, driving natural selection to shift flower colors.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara and the Burnham Institute for Medical Research have created a nanoparticle that can detect and attack plaque in arteries, a leading cause of cardiovascular disease. The treatment shows promise for developing therapies to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Researchers found that oil spills from petroleum seeps in the Santa Barbara Channel are mostly deposited on the ocean floor, with most of it being biodegraded. The study provides insights into the life cycle of oil spills and their impact on the environment.
Researchers at UCSB are developing new techniques for manipulating single electron spins in diamond, aiming to build ultra-secure communication systems and lightning-fast database searches. The project will also focus on creating synthetic crystal diamond and heterostructure materials and devices.
A recent study by researchers from UC Santa Barbara's National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis has shed light on how to effectively manage the world's endangered coral reef ecosystems. The study reveals that the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, a vast area stretching over 1,200 miles, are highly vulnerable to human-induced t...
A team of scientists discovered a mysterious screen of extra-loud radio noise permeating the cosmos, preventing astronomers from observing heat from the first stars. The source of this cosmic background remains unknown.
Researchers discovered that compounds like sulforaphane inhibit cell proliferation and kill precancerous cells, similar to anticancer drugs. This finding suggests that consuming cruciferous vegetables like broccoli may help prevent breast cancer.