A new US-UK study reveals that people in both countries hold positive views of nanotechnologies, with a focus on energy applications. The research found that participants were more optimistic about the future contribution of new technologies to society and exhibited a high degree of comfort with energy applications.
A new type of seed bank is proposed to gather wild species, capturing evolutionary responses to future changes in climate. This approach will allow detection of the results of calamitous changes and testing of evolutionary predictions.
A new $24 million national center, co-funded by NSF and EPA, will investigate the environmental risks of nanotechnology. Researchers at UCSB's CNS-UCSB and UC CEIN will collaborate on risk perception studies, comparative analyses of risk communication, and more.
Researchers at UCSB have developed a new nanoscale process called block co-polymer lithography that enables the creation of square, nanoscale chemical patterns on silicon wafers. This technology has the potential to make computers smaller, faster, and more efficient by packing transistors closer together.
A study by UC Santa Barbara researchers found that human colonization of islands has led to a significant increase in biodiversity, with native species making way for new, exotic plants and animals. The research suggests that ecosystems may be oversaturated, leading to potential extinctions.
The Citipix Collection, valued at over $14.3 million, is a historic snapshot of urban history in the US at the turn of the century. The collection consists of 500,000 color-stereo images taken between 1999-2002, providing clear detail up to six inches off the ground.
A study published in Nature shows that parasites have substantial biomass in ecosystems, sometimes exceeding that of top predators by a factor of 20. This challenges the long-held assumption that free-living organisms like fish and birds dominate biomass in habitats.
Professor Nakamura's revolutionary light-emitting diodes and blue laser diode have significantly contributed to the progress of humanity in energy efficiency. The award recognizes his work as a major breakthrough, enabling solid-state lighting to replace traditional incandescent and fluorescent lighting up to ten times more efficiently.
The University of California, Santa Barbara will receive a $3.2 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to develop a state-of-the-art stem cell research facility. The center aims to foster interdisciplinary research and translation of stem cell-based therapeutics for human diseases.
An international team of astronomers has found 10 new 'extra solar' planets using a robotic camera technique that will revolutionize scientific understanding of how planets form. The newly discovered planets have masses between half the size of Jupiter to eight times its size, including exotic worlds with extremely close orbits.
Scientists discover squid beak is both extremely hard and stiff at the tip and soft at the base, allowing it to capture prey without harming itself. This unique property inspires new possibilities for joining materials together.
Researchers at the University of California - Santa Barbara and Ames Laboratory have discovered how fundamental particles in matter lose their quantum mechanical properties through interactions with their environment. This finding is key to unraveling how the classical world emerges from interacting quantum particles in matter.
Scientists warn that small sea creatures like pteropods, which are eaten by many species, may go extinct due to ocean acidification and warming. This could have catastrophic effects on the food chain, as these organisms play a vital role in marine ecosystems.
A new study provides a global-scale map of human impact on marine ecosystems, revealing 40% of the world's oceans are heavily affected. The research highlights the cumulative effect of activities such as fishing, climate change, and pollution, with some areas experiencing dramatic degradation.
Researchers are exploring ways to manage fisheries in Southern California, with a focus on sustainability and community involvement. The collaboration aims to develop lower-cost, effective management strategies that involve all stakeholders.
Scientists at UC-Santa Barbara found that fish larvae that endure long and rough ocean journeys arrive on reefs in good condition and go on to thrive. In contrast, locally produced young have a harder time surviving and only do well if they are in excellent condition.
Researchers at University of California, Santa Barbara study ocean floor seeps and find that only 1% of dissolved methane escapes into the air, with most transported below surface where it's oxidized by microbial activity. This discovery offers a potential solution to mitigating climate change.
A new hypothesis suggests that life emerged in the confined spaces between mica layers in ancient oceans. This model provides a more plausible explanation than existing prebiotic and 'pizza' hypotheses, explaining how early biomolecules formed and evolved.
A new analysis shows that as plant species go extinct, natural habitats become less productive and contain fewer total plants. This situation could ultimately compromise the benefits that humans get from nature. The study found that ecosystems with fewer species produce up to 50 percent less plant biomass than those with more natural d...
UCSB researchers have discovered a key milestone in the evolution of animal vision, finding evidence of light-sensitive genes in ancient aquatic animals. The study, published in PLoS ONE, suggests that animal vision emerged around 600 million years ago.
An international team of scientists has identified a tiny galaxy, about half the size and one-tenth the weight of the smallest distant galaxies typically observed. The galaxy is 100 times lighter than our own Milky Way and is 100 times closer to us than the nearest known structure, the Virgo cluster.
A research team has discovered forests of endangered tropical kelp in deep waters near the Galapagos Islands. The find suggests that marine ecosystems may be more resilient to climate change than initially thought, with kelp forests potentially harboring unique biodiversity.
Researchers at UC-Santa Barbara have built the world's first mode-locked silicon evanescent laser, paving the way for integrated circuits that combine lasers and electronic functions on a single chip. This technology enables higher data transmission speeds, lower power consumption, and more compact devices.
Researchers discovered that PKR enzyme plays a crucial role in the antiviral effect of interferon against some viruses. They found that PKR affects protein synthesis and apoptosis, leading to reduced cell death and viral replication in response to stimuli.
A new tandem organic solar cell has been developed with increased efficiency of six and a half percent, marking the highest level achieved for solar cells made from organic materials. The discovery utilizes semiconducting polymers recognized by the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, which promises to be less expensive to produce.
Researchers use echo-sounding equipment to create images of the ocean floor, providing evidence that West Antarctica was involved in the growth of the Antarctic Ice Sheet. The findings suggest that more of the continent hosted an ice sheet at the start of the 'icehouse' Earth period.
Researchers at UCSB discovered a method to extend nanoparticles' in vivo lifetime by attaching them to red blood cells, potentially revolutionizing drug delivery. The attachment allows particles to evade phagocytosis and remain in circulation for up to 120 days.
Researchers found significant clues to the evolutionary origins of the nervous system by studying the genome of a sea sponge, a group considered ancient. The discovery pushes back the origins of genetic components to at or before the first animals.
A 120-foot sediment core from the Gulf of Guinea reveals a 155,000-year record of continuous monsoon history, tied to Northern Hemisphere climate shifts and local solar radiation. The study demonstrates the sensitivity of the monsoon region to global climate conditions.
Researchers designed a pulsed microjet system to deliver protein drugs into the skin, eliminating pain and bruising. The system uses high-velocity jets with small diameters to deliver precise doses, enabling local and systemic applications.
A UCSB study found evidence of a nonconscious mechanism in the human brain that identifies genetic siblings based on cues guided by hunter-gatherer ancestors. This mechanism regulates feelings of altruism and aversion to incestuous relations, suggesting natural selection played a role in its evolution.
Researchers at UCSB are developing a new approach to determine the structure and composition of the Abeta 42 peptide, which is responsible for Alzheimer's disease. They hope to find non-toxic drugs that can prevent further damage by identifying early markers of the disease.
Researchers at UCSB's Solid State Lighting and Display Center have achieved lasing operation in nonpolar gallium nitride semiconductors, demonstrating the world's first nonpolar blue-violet laser diodes. These devices have numerous commercial applications, including high-density optical data storage for high definition displays and video.
UCSB is part of a $12.5M DARPA-funded consortium researching robust uncertainty management in large networks with complex dynamics. The project aims to develop techniques for predicting the consequences of events like power grid blackouts and improving decision-making under uncertainty.
A comprehensive genetic analysis of an invasive marine host and its parasites reveals the accidental introduction of Japanese seed oysters carrying parasitic flatworms, leading to widespread disease in the region. The study highlights the importance of identifying and mitigating disease outbreaks in a globalized economy.
New satellite data show that ocean warming is reducing phytoplankton growth, imperiling ocean fisheries and marine life. Phytoplankton are responsible for about the same amount of photosynthesis as all plants on land combined, making their decline a significant threat to the food chain.
Hydrogen atoms can simultaneously bond to four or six other atoms, forming highly stable multicenter bonds that explain electronic conductivity in metal oxides. This discovery has significant implications for technological applications and could enable the use of hydrogen as a substitutional dopant in oxides.
A new model developed by researchers at the University of California - Santa Barbara predicts the survival of coral reefs based on their shape and size. The study found that table corals with broad flat tops are more susceptible to strong wave forces, while bushy or mounded corals are less vulnerable.
A comprehensive analysis of over 100 studies reveals that biodiversity loss will have severe consequences on ecosystem function, including pest control, organic waste management, food production, and water purification. The study suggests that protecting biodiversity is crucial to maintaining these essential services.
Tiny Pacific 'housekeeper' crabs play a crucial role in preventing coral death by removing sediment from coral surfaces. Without these crabs, corals experience slower growth rates, increased tissue bleaching, and higher sediment loads.
UCSB researchers discovered that a 'dielectric dead layer' at the metal-insulator interface limits the size of thin-film capacitors. The team found metals with good screening properties can improve capacitance properties.
The National Science Foundation has renewed and increased funding for the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) at UC Santa Barbara. The center will receive $18.4-million over five years, with an additional $2.6-million to advance research on managing complex ecological information.
Researchers from UCSB and Intel built the world's first Hybrid Silicon Laser using standard silicon manufacturing processes, combining Indium Phosphide for light emission and silicon for light routing. This breakthrough addresses the last major barrier to producing low-cost, high-bandwidth silicon photonics devices.
The College of Engineering at UC Santa Barbara has received a $2.75 million Partnerships for Research and Education in Materials (PREM) award from the National Science Foundation to partner with Jackson State University (JSU). The grant aims to develop new materials research in organic semiconductors and optical nanosystems, while focu...
Researchers suggest that Toxoplasma gondii, a common cat parasite, may influence human behavior and cultural aspects such as ego, money, and work. High prevalence of the parasite in certain regions is associated with higher neuroticism scores and differences in masculine sex roles.
A team of scientists at the University of California, Santa Barbara, has reported a massive methane blowout from the ocean floor, which may provide answers to historical global warming cycles and current climate changes. The study found that nearly all the methane was transported to the atmosphere during the blowout.
Researchers found that parasites dominated the links between species in food webs, with a significant impact on ecosystem stability. The study also revealed new patterns, including increased vulnerability of mid-trophic level animals to parasites and predators.
Shuji Nakamura, a professor at UC Santa Barbara, has won the 2006 Millennium Technology Prize for his pioneering work on blue, green and white light-emitting diodes and the blue laser. His technological innovations have various important applications in fields like energy, health care, and communication.
Scientists have discovered a link between bacterial growth fueled by algae and the death of corals. The study shows that bacteria suffocate corals by cutting off oxygen supply, leading to a positive feedback loop that accelerates reef decline. Human activities such as overfishing, pollution, and climate change exacerbate this process.
A new study reveals that removing top predator species from kelp forests has a profound impact on the ecosystem, while organic coastal run-off has minimal effect. The research suggests California is on the right track with fishing limits to protect the delicate food chain.