Astronomers have found supermassive black holes in small distant galaxies, suggesting that central black holes formed early in galaxy evolution. The study used the Hubble Space Telescope to probe the universe and identifies a connection between star formation and active galactic nuclei.
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz have developed a new material, SLUG-26, that can trap negatively-charged pollutants from water. The material, which has a high capacity for holding onto negative ions, could be used to treat polluted water through an ion exchange process.
Researchers at University of California, Santa Cruz and Institute for Theoretical Physics in Zurich simulate formation of massive spiral galaxy like Milky Way, resolving key features with high-resolution simulation. The result supports prevailing cold dark matter theory, which predicts galaxies form within dark matter halos.
Researchers identified three periods of evolutionary innovation in gene regulation that increased in frequency during different periods in vertebrate evolution. These innovations affected genes involved in embryonic development, cell-to-cell communication, and signaling pathways.
A new study suggests that a collision between the moon and a smaller companion moon could have formed the lunar farside highlands. The model proposes that the impact did not form a crater, but instead piled material onto one side, creating a mountainous region.
Researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, have made significant progress in explaining the unusual properties of high-temperature superconductors using a new theory. The theory, known as Extremely Correlated Fermi Liquids, shows remarkable agreement with experimental data from studies of high-temperature superconductors.
The decline of apex consumers has triggered trophic cascades, leading to changes in vegetation, wildfire frequency, infectious diseases, invasive species, water quality, and nutrient cycles. This review highlights the widespread impact of large predator loss on ecosystems and conservation efforts.
A UC Santa Cruz scientist is tracking bat populations using mobile storm-chasing radars, revealing insights into their behavior and population changes. The emerging field of aeroecology combines ecology, meteorology, and physics to study the interactions between organisms in the lower atmosphere.
The Kepler-11 system features five inner planets with masses between 2.3 and 13.5 times that of Earth, orbiting within 50 days, and a sixth planet with an orbital period of 118 days. The planets' densities suggest they may be mostly water or hydrogen-helium gases, defying expectations for small hot planets.
Astronomers have found the most distant galaxy candidate yet seen, about 13.2 billion light-years away, in ultra-deep imaging data from the Hubble Space Telescope. The study reveals a rapid build-up of early galaxies around 480 million years after the Big Bang, with a tenfold increase in star birth rate over 170 million years.
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz identified a crucial molecule for blood stem cells' niche in the bone marrow, potentially improving transplant safety and efficiency. The study's findings may lead to safer and more effective treatment options for cancers like lymphoma and leukemia.
A 30,000-year-old finger bone found in Siberia yielded a complete Denisovan genome sequence, showing the extinct group was a sister group to Neanderthals and had interbred with ancestors of modern Melanesians. The discovery provides new insights into human evolution and migration out of Africa.
Deep sediment cores from the Bering Sea floor reveal an ice-free region with high biological productivity during the Pliocene Warm Period. The findings suggest that global temperatures were a few degrees higher than today and carbon dioxide levels comparable to current levels.
Researchers have found a vast microbial ecosystem in the porous basalt rock of the upper oceanic crust, producing organic matter and exporting carbon to other systems. The discovery may influence astrobiological thinking about life on Europa and expand our understanding of the oceanic carbon cycle.
A new study predicts where neutron star mergers are likely to occur in the local galactic neighborhood, providing valuable information for researchers at gravitational-wave detectors. The predictions suggest that astronomers might not want to look in the nearest galaxies for optical counterparts of gravitational waves.
The Genome 10K Project aims to sequence the genomes of 10,000 vertebrate species, including humans. The project will focus on 101 species, chosen for their phylogenetic diversity and scientific interest, and will be sequenced within the next two years.
A new study led by researchers at UC Santa Cruz reveals that the lunar farside highlands' elevated topography may be attributed to tidal forces acting early in the moon's history. The shape of the bulge can be described by a simple mathematical function, accounting for about one-fourth of the moon's shape.
A new study found that iron from natural or artificial sources can stimulate rapid growth of toxin-producing algae, such as diatoms producing domoic acid, in the open ocean. This discovery adds to concerns about proposals for iron fertilization to combat global warming.
Physicists at UC Santa Cruz are developing a new particle detector called the Insertable B Layer (IBL) to upgrade the ATLAS detector at the LHC, improving sensitivity in Higgs boson searches and enabling new physics discoveries. The IBL will be installed in 2015 and use advanced technology to withstand higher radiation doses.
Researchers found that desert night lizards stay with their parents and siblings for several years after birth, forming family groups. The study suggests that viviparity provides the opportunity for prolonged interaction between mothers and offspring, predisposing animals to form cooperative behaviors.
Scientists have discovered an Earth-sized exoplanet in the habitable zone of a nearby star, making it potentially habitable. The newly discovered planet, Gliese 581g, is about three to four times the mass of Earth and has a stable surface climate.
Scientists at UC Santa Cruz and Brigham Young University have created an optical device that slows down light by a factor of 1,200, enabling potential vast improvements in ultra-low-power performance. The breakthrough holds promise for all-optical quantum communication networks.
Scientists discovered a rare 'triggered doublet' event where two great earthquakes occurred seconds apart on different faults. The initial earthquake triggered another massive event with a total magnitude of 8.0, causing devastating tsunamis that killed 192 people.
A new infectious disease, white-nose syndrome, is killing millions of bats and predicted to cause regional extinction of the little brown myotis. The disease affects hibernating bats and disrupts their hibernation, causing them to wake early and lose critical fat reserves.
A recent study found an alarming pattern of population extinctions among lizard species due to rising temperatures. Climate change is predicted to cause 40% of local populations to go extinct, translating to around 20% of species disappearing by 2080.
Researchers have extracted ancient DNA from 40,000-year-old Neanderthal bones to obtain a draft sequence of the Neanderthal genome. The findings suggest that modern humans interbred with Neanderthals shortly after migrating out of Africa, leaving genetic remnants in non-African genomes.
The Hubble Multi-Cycle Treasury Program will survey the first third of cosmic time, observing over 250,000 distant galaxies to understand galaxy formation and evolution. The project aims to study the earliest stages in the formation of supermassive black holes and find distant supernovae important for understanding dark energy.
A marine microorganism has been found to have a remarkably reduced set of genes, allowing it to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere into a form available to other organisms. This process fertilizes the oceans, controlling biological productivity and affecting carbon dioxide absorption.
A new study found that the disappearance of certain lizard morphs in some populations may lead to the emergence of new species. The researchers documented the loss of color morphs and observed rapid evolutionary change, including increased body size, which could eventually cause populations to diverge into distinct species.
A study published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology reveals that a genetic mutation disrupts an array of metabolic pathways in muscle cells by affecting two key proteins. The loss of either protein accounts for most molecular abnormalities associated with the disease, while loss of both also seems to play an important role.
Researchers found that small increases in carbon dioxide led to substantial global warming about 4.5 million years ago. Slow changes in ice sheets and other factors amplify the effects of greenhouse gas composition.
Researchers found that coots can recognize their own chicks and reject impostor chicks, a remarkable cognitive ability that helps them defend against parasitic chicks. This skill is essential for the survival of coot offspring, as parents learn to identify their own chicks through the first-hatched chicks.
Researchers found that longer dormant periods and thicker magma increase the length of a volcano's 'run-up' before an eruption. This can help scientists estimate when a rumbling volcano might erupt and how long to stay on alert after an eruption starts.
Recent NASA missions suggest conditions necessary for life may exist on the icy satellites of Saturn and Jupiter, particularly Europa and Enceladus. Liquid water beneath their surfaces could harbor life, with tidal forces keeping oceans from freezing up due to eccentric orbits.
An international team of astronomers has discovered six low-mass planets, including two super-Earths, around two nearby Sun-like stars. The discovery indicates that low-mass planets are common and potentially habitable worlds may be found within a few years.
Researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, found that new brain connections form quickly within one hour of training, leading to long-lasting memories. The study used mice with genetically altered fluorescent proteins to visualize changes in individual brain cells.
Researchers found that marine reserves replenish harvested species outside the reserve, producing larger fish and more plentiful populations. The establishment of reserves also supports larval production, benefiting fished populations.
The Genome 10K Project aims to sequence the genomes of 10,000 vertebrate species to understand evolutionary changes and inform conservation efforts. The project will analyze genomic data to reveal evolutionary changes and annotate experimental findings related to specific sites of change.
Researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, used stable-isotope analysis to investigate the number of human victims killed by the famous lions. The study found that one lion likely ate 11 humans and the other consumed 24 people during their final nine months.
A new research project will drill through a half-mile of ice to penetrate subglacial Lake Whillans, studying hidden processes that govern the dynamics of the West Antarctic ice sheet. The team aims to develop predictive models of polar melting and understand how subglacial lakes influence ice motion.
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz are working on a new approach to AIDS vaccine development using novel HIV protein structures and broadly neutralizing antibodies to combat the virus' high variability. The $3.5 million NIH grant will support studies exploring these promising findings and potentially lead to more effective vaccines.
Researchers found that chaotic processes and asymmetry of explosions create diversity in brightness, with potential impact on precision distance measurements. Simulations suggest use of multi-dimensional models to refine distance estimates and improve expansion rate measurements.
A new type of optical particle trap has been developed by UCSC researchers to manipulate particles on a chip. This innovation enables the rapid detection and sorting of bacteria and viruses, with potential applications in hospitals and research labs.
A new class of pulsars detected by NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope reveals the existence of a large population of radio-quiet gamma-ray pulsars. The study identifies 16 pulsars using computational techniques developed to analyze data from the Fermi Large Area Telescope.
Researchers have developed novel compounds that absorb by cancer cells and release nitric oxide upon specific light wavelengths, inducing apoptosis and killing tumor cells. The compounds, called dye-sensitized ruthenium nitrosyls, offer a localized delivery of high concentrations of nitric oxide without causing inflammation.
Researchers found a key role for disrupted copper regulation in prion disease progression, suggesting that the loss of copper binding ability contributes to neurodegeneration. The study identified a threshold at four extra octarepeats, beyond which changes in molecular properties lead to toxic effects.
The Cancer Genomics Browser is a web-based tool that enables researchers to find patterns in large-scale cancer studies, identifying genetic signatures for predicting therapy responses. By analyzing clinical and genomic data, researchers can gain insights into the complex genetic roots of cancer, leading to improved treatment outcomes.
Researchers at UCSC developed hollow gold nanospheres with strong, narrow, and tunable light absorption. These particles can target tumors for photothermal cancer therapy, killing cancer cells with near-infrared light irradiation. The ability to tune optical properties makes them highly versatile for various applications.
Researchers discovered that dust from certain regions can be toxic to marine phytoplankton, leading to negative effects on the ocean food web. Copper was found to be a primary cause of toxicity, with varying levels of sensitivity among different species.
A massive 'red tide' bloom caused seabirds to lose their waterproof insulation, leading to hypothermia and starvation. Researchers found a surfactant in the foam that stripped the birds' feathers of their natural oils.