A new study led by researchers at UC Santa Barbara found that the black rat is likely responsible for transmitting deadly hantaviruses in rural Madagascar. The virus was exclusively found in rats, with larger, adult rats more likely to be infected.
Retention bans are a good first step in addressing shark overfishing, but won't be enough to prevent continued decline. Small sharks and threatened species are most likely to die after being caught, highlighting the need for complementary strategies like area-based fishing restrictions and catch quotas.
UC Santa Barbara researchers develop photonic integrated 3D-MOT, a miniaturized version of equipment used to trap and cool atoms. This innovation enables new applications in sensing, precision timekeeping, and quantum computing, and paves the way for accessible quantum research projects.
A team of researchers has matched Earth's ice age cycles with orbital shifts, predicting the onset of the next ice age in approximately 10,000 years. The study analyzes a one-million-year record of climate change and finds a predictable pattern for glacial and interglacial periods.
New research at UC Santa Barbara illuminates a path to superior electro-optic performance in AlScN alloys by adjusting atomic structure and composition. The study found that precisely oriented layer structures and strain tuning can yield significant enhancements in electro-optic properties, potentially surpassing those of lithium niobate.
A team of researchers has created a robotic material-like collective that can change shape and stiffness in response to internal signals. The robots, composed of disk-shaped autonomous units, use light sensors, magnets, and force fluctuations to achieve this behavior, reducing power consumption compared to traditional robotic systems.
A Microsoft team led by UC Santa Barbara physicists has developed an eight-qubit topological quantum processor, opening the door to a more stable and robust quantum computer. The chip utilizes Majorana zero modes for error correction, promising a fault-tolerant system.
A study evaluated California's marine reserve network, finding that MPAs increase fish biomass across multiple ecosystems, especially in targeted species like rockfishes. Stronger protections and habitat diversity emerged as key predictors of success.
A team of researchers has solved a puzzle in fluid mechanics using an experiment featuring an ink-on-milk maze. The study reveals how the presence of surfactants in milk helps the ink/soap mixture navigate the maze by exploiting variations in surface tension.
A study published in the American Economic Journal found that India's Public Distribution System (PDS) reduces malnutrition rates by 8.2% and increases household expenditure by 12.4%, with benefits extending beyond just calories to income, health, and human capital.
UCSB professor Leah Stokes has been recognized with the Schneider Award for her exceptional science communication skills, making complex climate research accessible to broad public audiences. Her work also focuses on building community resilience and leveraging collective power to drive change.
Researchers developed a groundbreaking photonic platform to overcome limitations in in-memory computing, enabling faster calculations and greater efficiency. The innovative magneto-optical memories consume about one-tenth the power of traditional electronics and can be rewritten billions of times.
Researchers found that human cells have higher gene expression rates compared to chimpanzees, with 5-10% of genes showing significant differences. Human glial cells, particularly oligodendrocytes, showed the greatest variations in gene expression, suggesting a link to human brain complexity.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara develop a chip-scale ultra-low-linewidth self-injection locked laser, outperforming current tabletop systems in key metrics. The technology enables scalable laser solutions for quantum computing and portable field-deployable sensors with improved interaction with atomic systems.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara discovered that the orbitofrontal cortex and hippocampus collaborate to understand context-dependent stimuli. Rats learned to associate auditory cues with rewards in specific contexts, demonstrating the brain's ability to adapt and learn from experience.
Coconut palms now cover over half of Pacific atolls' total forested area and 24.1% of their total land area. The widespread conversion to coconut monocrops has been linked to groundwater depletion, declining seabird populations, and adverse impacts on coral reefs.
Daniel Oropeza, an assistant professor at UC Santa Barbara, has been awarded a $1 million grant to research near-net-shape fabrication of high-density ceramics. His team aims to create complex geometries using a multi-material deposition system and hot pressing, which could lead to the development of new materials for extreme environme...
A global map of ship strike risk for blue, fin, humpback and sperm whales has been created, revealing that these species' migratory ranges overlap with about 92% of global shipping traffic. The study identifies high-risk areas along coastal regions in the Mediterranean, Americas, southern Africa, and parts of Asia.
Researchers analyzed four diets: Indian, Mediterranean, EAT-Lancet, and average government-recommended guidelines. The Indian diet showed the greatest reduction in global environmental pressure (20.9%), while FBDGs led to a potential 35.2% increase.
A long-term study has shown that reintroducing resistant mountain yellow-legged frogs to sites infested with the deadly amphibian chytrid fungus allows for landscape-scale recovery. The frogs have developed resistance to the fungus, enabling them to persist in its presence and thrive in their ecosystems.
A comprehensive study published in Science finds that implementing four global policies can reduce mismanaged plastic waste by 91% and plastic-related greenhouse gas emissions by one-third. The policies include increasing post-consumer recycled plastic, capping new plastic production, investing in waste management, and implementing a s...
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara created deaf mosquitoes and found that males had no interest in mating, even when left with females for days. The absence of a single gene, trpVa, is responsible for this effect, which could have major implications for managing disease transmission by controlling mosquito populations.
Chris Van de Walle, a distinguished professor at UCSB, has been awarded the American Physical Society's 2025 Aneesur Rahman Prize for Computational Physics. He was recognized for his development and application of first-principles methods to compute structural, electronic, and optoelectronic properties of point defects and interfaces.
A study of 292 species reveals that even large animals like whales and elephants are not immune to cancer, challenging Peto's paradox. The data suggests that different strategies, such as lower somatic mutation rates or unique tumor suppressor genes, may be responsible for some species' exceptional resistance to cancer.
Researchers challenge U-shaped happiness theory, finding more variability in nonindustrialized societies, with happiness increasing into middle age and declining later life. Happiness is often tied to physical ability and social value, not a universal trajectory.
A team of scientists at UC Santa Barbara found that single bursts of exercise improve memory, attention, and executive function. Vigorous activities like cycling and HIIT produced the most consistent effects, with smaller enhancements seen for shorter exercise durations.
UCSB researchers used scanning ultrafast electron techniques to visualize fleeting electric charges in semiconductor materials. The study provides direct visual evidence of charge transfer across the interface, shedding light on the behavior of hot photocarriers and their impact on device performance.
Researchers reconstructed the entire anterior visual pathway of a fruit fly, a complex series of connections between eyes and brain navigation center. This insight contributes to understanding intricacies of animal brains and ultimately human brain wiring.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara used drones to count white sharks near Carpinteria Beach, finding that ocean temperature, season, and time of day correlate with shark density. The study provides insights into shark behavior and may help inform conservation efforts and beachgoer safety.
Researchers found that dead coral skeletons left after bleaching events protect seaweed from herbivores, enabling its quick colonization and outgrowth over young coral. This complex landscape prevents new corals from settling and surviving on the reef.
A federal broadband subsidy program boosted high-speed internet to remote and rural areas, but once funding ended, much of the service faded. The study found that only about half of the sampled addresses certified as served were actually being provided by ISPs, highlighting the need for independent evaluations.
Researchers have created the first map of a human brain over the course of pregnancy, documenting changes in gray and white matter. These findings suggest that the adult brain is capable of undergoing extended periods of neuroplasticity, which may support behavioral adaptations tied to parenting.
A UC Santa Barbara researcher aims to reduce desalination's energy consumption by two times using renewable energy sources like solar or waste heat. The project's goals include improving the thermal distillation process and reducing dependence on fossil fuels, addressing global water scarcity and climate change concerns.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara discovered that mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti, can detect thermal infrared radiation from human skin heat, doubling host-seeking behavior when combined with CO2 and human odor. This newly documented sense helps explain how mosquitoes achieve their exceptional tracking skills.
Researchers found that cell nuclei control tissue stiffness and ordering in eye and brain tissues, revealing a new role for the nucleus in organ formation. This discovery challenges existing views on tissue organization and has implications for understanding diseases associated with impaired architecture.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara discovered that macrophages can be programmed to respond to light, triggering an increase in their appetite and improving the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies. The findings offer a new way to enhance trained immunity, a type of memory exhibited in the innate immune system.
A team of researchers led by UC Santa Barbara's Justin Wilson has developed a technique to purify certain rare earth elements at room temperature using optimized chelators. This new process can concentrate dysprosium by a factor of over 800, compared to less than 10 for the industry standard.
A new study reveals that large apex species like tiger sharks and great whites are critical to healthy oceans, but their populations have plummeted by 71% in the past 50 years. Conservation efforts must prioritize protecting these ecological roles to maintain ocean balance.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have made significant advancements in understanding the role of atomic vibrations in photon emission. By identifying techniques for engineering emitters that are brighter and more efficient, they hope to overcome low efficiency and pave the way for future quantum networks.
A study by University of California - Santa Barbara researchers found that NGO park management improves measures for wildlife, including reducing elephant poaching and increasing tourism. However, it also increases the risk of armed groups targeting civilians in protected areas, particularly in conflict zones.
Researchers have identified 14 alternative practices to traditional academic methods, aiming to address systemic exclusion and promote more equitable science. By considering these alternatives, scientists can evaluate current structures and potentially modify them for greater efficiency and inclusivity.
A new study maps global ecosystems dependent on groundwater, revealing 53% exist in areas with known depletion. The analysis provides critical data for conservation efforts, but highlights the need for policy protection and preservation.
A new study predicts that expanding marine protected areas will decrease both inside and outside the reserves, challenging common assumptions about ocean conservation. The research model used historical fishing data and machine learning to forecast the impact of large-scale closures on global fishing effort.
A new study reveals the crucial roles of fish and invertebrates in coral reef health, including nutrient boosting and predator protection. However, parasitic snails and destructive crab species also pose a threat to these vital ecosystems.
Scientists have discovered a material that can harness waste heat, increasing energy efficiency and sustainability. The researchers found that thinner cadmium arsenide films exhibit higher thermoelectric sensitivity, allowing for more efficient cooling in cryogenic environments.
The study reveals distributed proxies associated with the cosmic airburst across eastern US sites, including platinum and microspherules. Shocked quartz with irregular fractures indicates a low-altitude bolide airburst with pressures and temperatures inconsistent with major crater-forming impacts.
Scientists at UC Santa Barbara develop new neuromorphic computing platform that mimics human brain energy efficiency, reducing power consumption by about 100 times. The 2D tunnel-transistors use lower off-state currents and low subthreshold swing to enable faster and more efficient switching.
Researchers propose a conservation credit system to reduce costs and meet 30x30 ocean protection targets by allowing countries to trade conservation obligations. This approach enables nations with higher conservation costs to pay others to increase their efforts, achieving more equitable conservation across the globe.
Researchers developed an inclusive inventory approach to track global conservation areas, using local data and expertise. The approach revealed a wider diversity and area coverage of conservation areas than existing tracking systems showed.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have developed a method using photobiocatalysis to produce non-canonical amino acids that can be used as building blocks for novel proteins, therapeutics, and natural products. The efficient process is stereoselective and eliminates the need for protecting groups.