A new study found that voluntary collective isolation was unlikely to prevent rapid spread of COVID-19 among the Tsimané, a small-scale Indigenous society in remote Amazonia. The simulation predicted nearly identical rates of infection in real-world data, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and medical resources
UC Santa Barbara researchers develop new catalytic process that can convert polyolefins from single-use plastics into valuable alkylaromatics, underlying surfactants in detergents. The improved method reduces production time and energy input, enabling potential commercialization and large-scale use.
A growing number of studies highlights the power of dogs in detecting COVID-19 and its variants, even when obscured by other viruses. Trained scent dogs are as effective and often more effective than antigen tests and RT-PCR tests, detecting the virus faster and without environmental impact.
A new study found that Tsimane women with the APOE-ε4 allele had an increase of 0.5 births and shorter interbirth intervals, allowing them to have about half an additional child. This advantageous effect on fertility could help explain why the allele persists despite negative effects in later life.
A study of 555 marine protected areas found that many plans contain forward-looking strategies for climate resilience. The plans overwhelmingly incorporated key principles for building resilience, including adaptive management and long-term objectives.
Researchers have exposed trap-assisted Auger-Meitner recombination as a major loss mechanism in blue and UV light-emitting diodes (LEDs). This phenomenon leads to higher loss rates compared to phonon-mediated processes, affecting device efficiency.
Removing nuisance aquatic vegetation from waterways reduces parasitic infection prevalence by up to 124%, while generating feed and compost for local farmers. The study's findings suggest a potential solution for schistosomiasis endemic areas, with implications for global health.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have developed a synergistic method that allows for the synthesis of non-canonical amino acids, which are important for therapeutic purposes. The process shortens existing multi-step methods by 3-5 steps and provides stereoselective chemistry.
A six-year dune restoration project in Santa Monica Beach, California, has shown promising results in increasing the beach's resilience to sea level rise. The project involved creating a natural dune system using native vegetation, which trapped sand and formed hummocks and dunes.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara's Climate Hazards Center have made significant advancements in predicting droughts and food shortages in the Eastern Horn of Africa, enabling agencies to take effective actions and provide humanitarian assistance. These early warnings have helped prevent devastating famines and saved millions of people f...
Researchers have developed a set of biocatalysts that enable precise control over free radical reactions, solving a decades-old challenge in asymmetric catalysis. The metalloenzymes can selectively convert chiral compounds into desired products, opening up new possibilities for the synthesis of bioactive molecules and everyday polymers.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara found that diatoms and coccolithophores, two key phytoplankton groups, can tolerate increased ocean alkalinity without significant harm. The treatment can speed up the geologic process of carbon sequestration, reducing acidity in oceans.
UCSB researchers develop platform to interpret cellular 'stress memory landscape', predicting future reaction to stressors. The study opens window into various cellular stress-related conditions, including aging, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
A study found that even no-take MPAs in California and globally are vulnerable to marine heatwaves, leading to mass species mortality and displacement. The research revealed that ecological communities shift dramatically after such events, regardless of protection status.
Researchers found that most US forests have the potential to adapt to hotter, dryer conditions, but are not changing quickly enough. The study suggests that biodiversity can buffer the impact of climate change on forests.
Researchers propose using lensed gravitational waves from binary black holes to measure cosmic expansion. The method uses the delays between repeat appearances of these signals to encode the universe's expansion rate. This approach does not rely on knowing the exact locations or distances of binary black holes, making it a promising to...
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery in the developmental biology of Parhyale hawaiensis, a tiny crustacean with unique appendages. By tracking the development of an embryo, they found that cells divide and reorient themselves to maintain alignment with the head-tail axis, resulting in a robust and coordinated body structure.
Researchers found that groundwater management plans with stakeholder input offered greater protection from groundwater depletion, especially for domestic wells and ecosystems. However, only 9% of plans integrated all three stakeholder groups, with economically vulnerable communities being disproportionately affected.
A landmark study reveals that more than 90% of global aquaculture and capture fisheries face substantial risks from environmental change. The study highlights the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the need for transboundary collaboration, diversification, and stakeholder engagement to adapt to climate change.
A study by UC Santa Barbara psychology professor Hongbo Yu found that individuals prone to guilt in their everyday lives are less likely to take bribes. The research suggests that anticipatory guilt may make people think twice before engaging in corrupt behavior, particularly when they can see the potential harm to others.
Anthropologists study El Gigante rockshelter to understand early agriculture's impact on human populations. The site provides a rare glimpse into foraging strategies and the transition from foraging to farming.
Researchers aim to characterize theory structure using symmetry, but find it doesn't capture enough information for a thorough comparison of complexity. They explore alternative approaches to measuring structural complexity, but ultimately conclude that symmetry-based methods may be limited.
MethaneMapper is an artificial intelligence-powered hyperspectral imaging tool that can detect real-time methane emissions and trace them to their sources. With a performance accuracy of 91%, it has the potential to revolutionize the way we monitor oil and gas operations and curb climate change.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara created a new material made of bosonic particles called excitons, forming a correlated insulator. The discovery uses a moiré platform and pump-probe spectroscopy to study the behavior of bosons in a real material system.
A new study examines the impact of marine heatwaves on fisheries and ecosystems, providing insights for managing these disruptions. The research highlights both winners and losers in the face of warming waters, emphasizing the need for adaptable management strategies to mitigate losses and capitalize on unexpected gains.
Research found that drought can increase tree growth in cold, harsh environments due to its impact on energy-limited systems. The study's results provide insights into how different tree species and ecosystems will respond to climate change, particularly in water-limited regions.
Researchers investigated California's oil extraction impact on health and jobs, finding setbacks reduce emissions but lead to job losses. Policies like carbon taxes and excise taxes aim to curb production while minimizing economic harm.
Scientists at UC Santa Barbara discovered a unique pathway in fruit flies that reduces the sensation of pain from heat, with a single pair of neurons called 'Epi' neurons playing a crucial role. The Epi neurons produce a neuropeptide that suppresses thermal nociception, contradicting their role in fly larvae.
Scientists have developed a method to increase the efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing without viral material, stimulating homology-directed repair by threefold. This breakthrough improves nonviral gene editing and may lead to more efficient disease modeling and hypothesis testing.
A new test has identified several effective antibiotics rejected by standard testing, suggesting the gold-standard test is incorrect ~15% of the time. This study provides a potential solution to address the disparity between recommended antibiotics and actual patient outcomes.
A new study suggests that wildfires can actually increase species richness and biodiversity among birds and mammals in ecosystems where fire is a natural occurrence. The research found that the negative effects of fire on plant productivity are outweighed by its positive effects on animal diversity.
Researchers found that Indigenous populations with limited food availability have slower brain aging, while industrialized populations experience faster cognitive decline. Beyond a certain point, excessive energy gain from food intake is associated with smaller brain volumes and faster aging.
A new study predicts US forests may lose significant carbon storage due to climate change, compromising their role as a climate solution. The researchers used multi-perspective modeling approaches to forecast changes in aboveground carbon storage in different regions.
Researchers found that coral skeletons provide protection to algae, allowing them to outcompete slow-growing coral. This protection does not benefit young coral, which struggles to recover from bleaching due to limited predation pressure and rapid algae growth.
Scientists at UC Santa Barbara have created a new method to track protein movement in lifelike environments. The TiGGER technique involves tagging proteins with gadolinium ions and tracking their distance using quantum phenomena.
A team of scientists led by Michelle O'Malley proves that tough lignin can be broken down in an anaerobic environment using anaerobic fungi. This discovery opens up new possibilities for biofuels and commodity chemicals from plant biomass.
Researchers found that petroleum production from Platform Holly reduced methane seepage into the waters, confirming earlier regional studies. The study suggests harnessing gas could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the South Ellwood Oil Field.
A team of global experts discovered new signals of natural selection in humans, focusing on the Tsimane and Moseten populations living in the Bolivian Amazon. They found 21 regions in the genome that underwent positive selection for immunity-related traits and metabolic functions.
A new study reveals that holographic haptic displays create diffuse and faint tactile sensations due to widespread vibration patterns in the skin. The researchers discovered a phenomenon known as constructive interference that amplifies shock waves, leading to reduced spatial precision and clarity.
The study finds that aquatic foods are rich in essential nutrients, potentially diminishing malnutrition and heart disease risks. Implementing blue food policies can also promote a more environmentally friendly and sustainable food system.
Researchers developed an antibiotic that cured mice infected with nearly untreatable bacteria, with virtually undetectable resistance to the drug. The unique mechanism of action targets multiple bacterial functions, disrupting the bacterial membrane and leading to broad-spectrum antibacterial activity.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara developed a novel electrical method to control and analyze the dynamics of brain protein tau, which underlies many neurodegenerative diseases. The technique allows for real-time observation of the protein's transition from normal function to toxic tangles.
Researchers document diverse assemblage of fish species living on asphalt volcanoes in the Santa Barbara Channel, characterized by low densities and high diversity rates. The team's findings highlight the unique nature of these habitats and emphasize the need for conservation efforts to protect them.
A study by UC Santa Barbara researchers found that 95% of the cumulative environmental footprint of farmed chicken and salmon is concentrated on less than 5% of the planet, with 85.5% spatial overlap between the two products due to shared feed ingredients. This highlights opportunities for promoting sustainability in the food system.
Researchers at UCSB discovered that a single parameter, air bubble length, determines the performance of superhydrophobic surfaces. A longer air pocket can significantly reduce drag and overcome surfactant effects.
Researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) have made a breakthrough in generating single photons on-chip using a new method. The team, led by Kamyar Parto, has successfully created a steady and fast stream of single photons essential for photonic-based quantum technologies.
A group of over 100 researchers identified priorities for synthesis research in ecology and environmental science, including diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. The study aims to address pressing issues and adapt to complex shifts in the environment by incorporating diverse perspectives and data.
Scientists found that neurons actually fall silent above a certain level, with the most sensitive ones dropping off first. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that neurons plateau in activity above odor concentrations, and suggests a more complex encoding of smells at different levels.
Phosphate ions in water alternate between a hydrated state and a mysterious 'dark' state, evading direct detection. The discovery has implications for understanding biocatalysis, cellular energy balance, and biomaterials formation.
Embryonic cells use mechanical cues, known as the cell's sense of touch, to make collective decisions during tissue formation. The study reveals that cells perceive the stiffness and confinement of a 'living foam' structure, which changes its properties at the moment of differentiation.