The study reveals that cumulative pressures of food production are more concentrated than previously believed, with 92% of pressures from land-based food production concentrated on just 10% of the Earth's surface. The top five offenders are pig farming, cow farming, rice, wheat, and oil crops.
A team of researchers demonstrates a nonconscious cognitive system that enables humans to make intuitive judgments striking a balance between conflicting moral duties. The study's findings contradict an influential dual process model, proposing instead a system capable of making tradeoffs in an optimal way.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara found that intense pumping of aquifers pushes young, recently replenished groundwater to greater depths, possibly carrying pollutants. This phenomenon, known as 'pumping-induced downwelling,' suggests that groundwater is less safe from surface contaminants than previously thought.
Researchers found that proteins coalesce into a liquid droplet to process and relay information in stem cells, which could be a target for cancer therapies. The droplet's unique structure enables efficient processing of proteins, making it a crucial component in cancer development.
Researchers investigate how interparticle interactions affect dynamical localization, a phenomenon where disorder brings particles to a standstill. In disordered systems with multiple interacting electrons, the system's behavior is closely analogous to that of an insulator.
A new study by UC Santa Barbara researchers Anabel Ford and Mattanjah de Vries reveals that cacao was accessible to the general populace and used in celebrations at all levels of ancient Maya society. The analysis of 54 archaeological ceramic sherds from El Pilar, Belize, found evidence of cacao residues in all vessel types, including ...
Helen Hansma proposes that primitive life emerged from precursors corralled between layers of mica, offering a stable environment for molecules to grow and processes to develop. The presence of potassium ions in micaceous clay supports this hypothesis, as cells have high intracellular concentrations of potassium.
UC Santa Barbara researchers develop a device to convert data from electrical current to pulses of light, allowing for faster transmission between cryogenic and room-temperature systems. The magneto-optic modulator enables the integration of superconducting microprocessors and quantum computers, promising revolutionized computation.
Recent findings from Iceland's Fagradalsfjall eruptions reveal a highly dynamic process that challenges traditional understanding of volcanoes. The eruption showed more compositional variability than expected, with rapid changes in chemical indicators over the course of just one month.
UC Santa Barbara researchers estimate that plants use an additional 14% of their harvested photosynthesis energy to lift water through their xylem. This process, called transpiration, is essential for plant life and has significant implications for our understanding of life on Earth.
Researchers discovered hydrated glass in Antarctic rocks that indicates polar glaciation during the Late Cretaceous, around 66-100 million years ago. The findings suggest that climate conditions in Antarctica were more complex than previously thought, with evidence of ice sheets existing alongside a generally warm and humid environment.
Researchers ranked 57,000 store-bought food products by their environmental impacts, finding that plant-based foods are healthier for both humans and the environment. The study suggests that making this information easily available to consumers could enable a more sustainable food system.
Researchers gauged small-scale fishers' willingness to use vessel tracking systems, finding that safety functionality and ownership of data were key factors. In a survey of 211 fishers, 67% were willing to pay for the technology, while those citing corruption as their main problem were more likely to participate if paid.
A team of researchers has identified two compounds that target DNMT3A complexes in cancer cells, offering a safer and more targeted treatment for leukemia patients. The findings provide hope for reducing off-target toxicity associated with current leukemia therapies.
A paleoclimatologist discovered an ancient climate feedback loop that accelerated the effects of Earth's last warming episode. The Eemian warm episode, which occurred 128,000 to 125,000 years ago, saw oceans up to 1-1.5°C warmer than today, leading to a significant increase in methane hydrates and their release into the atmosphere.
Long-term research at LTER sites reveals climate change effects on ecosystems, including altered productivity and biodiversity. Coastal ecosystems, such as kelp forests and coral reefs, are particularly vulnerable to changes in water temperature and storms.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara analyzed Southern Africa's resources and power grid to develop an energy portfolio that meets the region's 2040 energy requirements. The model suggests that wind and solar are the most cost-effective options, with potential to freeze greenhouse gas emissions at 2020 levels.
Researchers tracing nitrogen pollution affecting the Mesoamerican Reef Region reveal that agricultural operations are responsible for the vast majority of nitrogen pollution. The study highlights the need for tailored management strategies to mitigate nutrient input and protect coral reef and seagrass health.
The study explores the relationship between cohesion and erosion, revealing a scaling law that can predict erosion thresholds for different grain sizes. This understanding could improve modeling of erosion in various applications, such as soil stability and dust removal from solar panels.
After the debris flow, researchers studied how far debris from Goleta Beach dispersed along the coast. They found that most of the material appeared to be largely removed from the beach and showed signs of degradation in deeper waters.
New research by UC Santa Barbara anthropologist Douglas Kennett links climate change to civil unrest among the ancient Maya. The study found that drought may have stoked violence, leading to the collapse of the city's institutions and abandonment.
Researchers found that kelp scraps availability determines urchin behavior, leading to a 50-fold decrease in kelp biomass when demand exceeds supply. This study helps explain the dynamics driving urchin-induced kelp forest collapse.
Researchers challenge the notion that natural selection declines after reproduction is complete. Instead, they propose that older adults play a crucial role in maintaining their fitness through intergenerational transfers of resources and knowledge.
Professor Ben Mazin and his team developed precision optical sensors for telescopes, doubling the spectral resolving power. This breakthrough enables scientists to analyze exoplanet composition using spectroscopy, with implications for detecting different molecules across the universe.
Researchers at UCSB develop soft, semiconducting carbon-based polymer for reconfigurable logic circuits. The conjugated polyelectrolyte enables flexible and power-efficient electronics, promising a new era in computing systems.
Scientists at UC Santa Barbara have discovered a novel membraneless organelle called BAG2 condensate that can sweep up faulty proteins, including tau protein associated with Alzheimer's disease. The discovery could lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative conditions by targeting misfolded proteins before they cause damage.
Researchers have demonstrated the potential of p-computers, which use probabilistic bits to make decisions on incomplete data. This approach outperforms classical computers and qubits in solving complex optimization problems.
Researchers have successfully integrated microcomb-driven silicon photonic systems, increasing data capacity and efficiency in large integrated circuits. The technology, developed by UCSB professor John Bowers and collaborators, enables the creation of high-speed data links with unprecedented scalability.
A study published in the Clinical Kidney Journal found that ketogenic dietary interventions improved overall health, reduced ADPKD-related issues, and promoted weight loss in 90% of participants. Safety concerns were raised in 22 cases, mostly due to increased cholesterol levels.
An international study uncovered a network of gastrointestinal parasite sharing among 17 wild and domestic herbivore species. The researchers found that host evolutionary history and gut type are key factors in determining parasite diversity and similarity.
A global dataset of river avulsions confirms the existence of three distinct regimes: fan avulsions that occur when a river transitions to flatter topography, backwater-scaled delta avulsions found in low-sloping deltas along major waterways, and extreme sediment load delta avulsions triggered by intense flooding and sediment transport.
Researchers characterized the Hunga volcano's atmospheric waves, providing exceptional resolution of the evolving wavefield compared to historic events. The data revealed Lamb waves, rare and low-frequency pressure waves associated with large eruptions and nuclear detonations.
Researchers found that adopting another metabolism can have major competitive consequences, impacting a species' ability to compete in different environments. The study demonstrates the importance of considering acquired metabolisms in understanding community dynamics and ecosystem interactions.
A UC Santa Barbara-designed mechanical jumper has achieved a record-breaking 100-foot height, thanks to the innovative application of 'work multiplication' and a novel hybrid spring design. The device overcomes biological limitations, enabling efficient locomotion in challenging environments.
Mariculture holds great potential to help satisfy global demand for meat, but requires careful governance and efficient operations. The study suggests that finfish and shellfish farms can increase seafood availability, while maintaining ecosystem health.
Engineers at University of California - Santa Barbara found that suspensions exhibit distinct behaviors when measured at varying scales. The study highlights the limitations of approximations and has industrial applications in manufacturing.
Researchers analyze over 2,000 national park names, revealing 52 places commemorating violence against Indigenous peoples and 10 using racial slurs. The study supports renaming efforts to address erasure of indigenous sovereignty.
Researchers found that a third of proposed decarbonization bills passed with bipartisan co-sponsors, while two-thirds passed in Democratic-controlled state legislatures. Bipartisan bills tended to focus on environmental social justice components and expand consumer choice.
UC Santa Barbara geologists Melissa Scruggs and Frank Spera led an international team in publishing the first holistic account of the Tonga eruption, which devastated the nation on January 15. The eruption triggered massive tsunamis and atmospheric waves globally, with an ash plume reaching over 58 kilometers into the atmosphere.
A new test predicts sepsis soon after infection in mice, enabling early antibiotic treatment and markedly increased survival. The findings provide a platform for developing rapid clinical tests for early sepsis detection and intervention.
A retinal stem cell patch has survived for two years after implantation and continues to function without triggering immune rejection. The patch, developed through a collaboration of researchers, is one step closer to securing FDA approval and potentially restoring vision to millions of people affected by age-related macular degeneration.
Researchers predict that certain regions will experience perpetual drought or perennial pluvial conditions due to climate change, rendering traditional definitions obsolete. The team's findings suggest a need to adapt water management strategies to account for an ever-changing baseline.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have discovered a way to extend the longevity of germline stem cells in fruit flies by halting egg production during diapause. This process, studied in detail for its potential to inform future medical discoveries, found nearly every step to be put on hold, extending the stem cells' viability.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara experimentally demonstrate the quantum boomerang effect, where particles in a disordered system return to their starting point after being displaced. The effect is rooted in Anderson localization and is stabilized by wave-like interference in quantum systems.
Researchers discovered a population of Colorado blue columbines that have lost their petals and nectar spurs due to a single gene mutation. The finding supports the punctuated equilibrium hypothesis, suggesting that adaptation can occur in large jumps rather than gradual changes over extended timespans.
Researchers find that familiar stimuli quiet down brain activity in fruit flies, allowing for clearer processing of specific odors. This mechanism applies to neural circuits in other animals, including humans, and is essential for filtering out distractions to focus on relevant information.
The team's achievement marks a significant step towards discovering physical phenomena where symmetry breaks down, which could explain the matter-antimatter asymmetry in the universe. The researchers plan to use the new optical clock to search for time symmetry violation and make large steps towards discovery.
A study found that only 15.5% of the Earth's coastal areas are ecologically intact, with high levels of biodiversity and ecosystem services relied upon by millions of people. The researchers call for increased protections and restoration targets to conserve remaining intact coastal regions.
Giant kelp forests are driven by a mix of external and internal factors, according to researchers who used remote sensing technology to assess canopy biomass and age dynamics. The effects of different drivers are more pronounced at different scales.
Researchers found chytrid infections were more common and intense at higher elevations, with the California red-legged frog being among the most infected. The disease was also more prevalent in Baja California, where 68% of surveyed animals had the fungus, compared to 15% in Southern California.