Scientists developed a novel approach to securely share and analyze genomic data, enabling a more nuanced understanding of heritable diseases like cancer. This 'federated analysis' method allows researchers to analyze large amounts of genomic and clinical data without compromising patient privacy.
Researchers at UCSC developed a simple method to make aluminum nanoparticles that split water and generate hydrogen gas rapidly. The gallium-aluminum composite creates aluminum nanoparticles that react with water at room temperature, yielding large amounts of hydrogen.
Researchers identified that the changing weight of ice sheets caused the entire landscape to tilt, changing the course of the Missoula megafloods. This finding provides a new perspective on Washington state's Channeled Scablands, carved by massive floods at the end of the last ice age.
The genome of Steller's sea cow reveals genes that may have played a role in its adaptation to cold marine environments, similar to those found in humans with the skin disease ichthyosis. The study also found similarities between Steller's sea cows and cetaceans in certain genes involved in energy metabolism.
A new study by UC Santa Cruz found that many California cities still lack meaningful discussion of equity in their climate action plans. The research team analyzed 170 plans and identified common pitfalls, including a focus on aesthetically
Researchers found that slightly earlier social distancing in communities may have saved up to $132 per resident due to avoided COVID-19 deaths, resulting in significant economic benefits.
A team of researchers at UC Santa Cruz has created an unusual protein structure known as a ‘rippled beta sheet’ by mixing mirror-image peptides. The study used x-ray crystallography to obtain images of the structure, which closely matches predictions made in 1953 by Linus Pauling and Robert Corey.
Researchers have introduced a new tool, Giraffe, that can efficiently map new genome sequences to a 'pangenome' representing many diverse human genome sequences. This approach allows for a more comprehensive characterization of genetic variations and reduces mapping bias.
A new global-scale analysis shows that phenological changes are lagging temperature change, especially in human-dominated landscapes. Human activities such as population density and land-use types play a key role in this mismatch.
A new study published in Ecological Applications demonstrates rapid expansion of restored eelgrass plots and recovery of ecosystem functions, providing improved habitat for fish and invertebrates. The study shows that restored plots can recover near or at the level seen in natural eelgrass meadows within a few years.
A new study reveals that a female elephant seal's age and experience are more important than ocean conditions in determining the condition of her pup at weaning. Higher population densities lead to smaller pups, but older females outperform younger ones.
A new study reveals how supernovae explosions of massive stars can form heavy neutron star binaries, resolving a puzzle from gravitational wave observatories LIGO and Virgo. The team's results show that the explosion energy determines whether a stripped star forms a neutron star or black hole.
Researchers reconstituted cyanobacterial circadian clock in a test tube, enabling real-time study of clock protein interactions and their role in gene expression. The study reveals mechanisms of circadian timekeeping and provides insights into the genetic origins of clock disruption.
Researchers have created the first 3D-printed stellar nurseries, revealing features often obscured in traditional renderings. The models, about the size of a baseball, display swirling clumps and filaments, allowing for better understanding of star formation and physical processes.
A new study from the University of California, Santa Cruz, develops a comprehensive framework to determine when short-term changes in behavior caused by human activities have biological significance. The framework highlights the importance of life history traits and specific characteristics of disturbances in assessing vulnerability.
A new study of the Ophiuchus star-forming complex offers an analog for the formation of our solar system, suggesting that short-lived radioactive elements were enriched through supernovas in a nearby cluster. The research provides new insights into the conditions in which our solar system was born.
A long-term study in Elkhorn Slough found that superabundant crabs weaken tidal creek banks, reducing marsh plant growth and increasing erosion. Reducing crab abundance led to increased salt marsh vegetation growth and enhanced sediment density.
A laboratory study reveals that haze particles produced under different conditions have varying properties, determining the clarity of an exoplanet's atmosphere. Haze removal depends on surface energy, with particles having high surface energy being easily removed and resulting in clear skies.
Researchers created a model to predict when rivers crossing faults will abandon their channels, revealing a complex coupling between fault movement and river flow. The model can also estimate the rate of fault slip and sediment transport efficiency.
New research suggests abnormal ocean currents, rather than temperature changes, cause the occasional appearance of pelagic red crabs outside their native range. A seawater flow index was created to help researchers detect abnormal currents, providing a tool for understanding climate change and its effects on coastal species.
Research from the University of California, Santa Cruz, shows that regional shelter-in-place orders during the pandemic led to pumas moving into or closer to urban habitats. The study found a strong relationship between declining human mobility and the cats' increased willingness to venture into urban areas.
A new study shows that snowflake morays can grab and swallow prey on land thanks to an extra set of jaws in their throats, allowing them to utilize different environments for food resources. This unique feeding mechanism enables at least one species of moray to feed on land without relying on water.
Researchers analyzed sediment cores from Bering Sea to find evidence of recurring low-oxygen events in North Pacific Ocean. High sea levels and changes in ocean circulation are thought to trigger these events, which could have severe consequences for ecosystems and food sources.
Researchers have discovered that tabernanthalog (TBG) rapidly corrects stress-induced behavioral deficits and promotes neuronal regrowth in mouse brains. TBG lacks toxic and hallucinogenic effects of ibogaine, making it a promising potential treatment for mental health conditions.
Research analyzing camera trap data from across North America found that smaller, faster-reproducing mammals with generalist diets are best equipped to live alongside humans. Conversely, larger species like grizzly bears and lynx tend to avoid more developed areas and are less active when present.
Research identifies two critical thresholds for stream flow and salmon survival, with a historic mean flow of 10,712 cfs providing an important target for managing water resources. Enacting flows to match this threshold could increase salmon survival rates by doubling or tripling in some years.
A new study shows that horse populations on North America and Eurasia remained connected through the Bering Land Bridge, interbreeding multiple times over hundreds of thousands of years. The findings demonstrate genetic continuity between the horses that died out in North America and those domesticated in Eurasia.
Researchers found that playing games in virtual reality creates a 'time compression' effect, where players perceive less time passing than they think. This was observed among participants who played the game first in virtual reality, and could have implications for both benefits and harms of VR technology.
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz developed a novel chip-based antigen test that can detect individual viral antigens one by one in nasal swab samples, enabling simultaneous testing for multiple viruses from one sample. The test's ultrasensitive technique could eventually be developed as a molecular diagnostic tool for point-of-care use.
Researchers developed UShER to quickly analyze coronavirus genome sequences and track their relationships with other variants. The tool updates a comprehensive phylogenetic tree in real-time, enabling scientists to monitor emerging strains and transmission dynamics.
Cleanup efforts can restore affected streams to near natural conditions within 10-15 years, with common responses seen despite differing aquatic life and toxic metals. Shared feeding habits and behavioral characteristics unified how stream invertebrates responded to alleviation of metal pollutants.
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz heated meteorite samples in a high-temperature furnace and analyzed the gases released. The study suggests that the initial atmospheres of terrestrial planets may differ significantly from current theoretical models.
A new study reveals coral reefs offer over $1.8 billion in annual flood protection to US coastal communities, preventing 100-year flooding zones from increasing by 23% and impacting 53,800 more people. The US has 200 miles of high-value reefs worth millions per mile.
A new study highlights scenarios where a rocky planet around a sun-like star could have oxygen in its atmosphere without life. Astronomers say next-generation telescopes need to characterize planetary environments and detect multiple lines of evidence to distinguish false positives from signs of life.
New research reveals that young people's experiences with gender and sexuality vary greatly by region, with pressures to conform to masculinity affecting teens' ability to express themselves. The study found that nonbinary gender identity is more common in urban areas than rural ones.
Scientists reconstructed fluctuations in ocean chemistry by analyzing strontium isotope ratios, which provide information about geochemical processes. The study found that seawater strontium concentration has changed considerably over the past 35 million years and still changes today.
Researchers suggest covering California's public water delivery canals with solar panels to reduce evaporation and increase renewable energy production. The study found that cable-supported installations showed a 20-50% higher net present value, indicating greater financial return on investment.
A new study reveals how female elephant seals shift their activity patterns as their body condition improves during a 7-month foraging migration. As they regain weight, the seals prioritize safety over feeding, with rest dives occurring progressively earlier and in shallower waters.
Researchers have identified a small molecule produced by bioluminescent bacteria that plays a key role in establishing the symbiosis between the squid and its light organ. The molecule, cHP-3, is produced during colonization and influences bacterial luminescence, suggesting an important chemical signal specific to this symbiosis.
A study found that sea otters in Monterey Bay are maintaining patches of healthy kelp forest despite a decline in overall kelp forests along the California coast due to an outbreak of sea urchins. Sea otters increase their consumption of urchins in the remaining kelp patches, but ignore those in barren areas with low nutritional value.
The Northern California kelp forest ecosystem has collapsed due to an abrupt loss of a key predator, the sunflower sea star, which was wiped out by sea star wasting disease. The area covered by kelp forests has dropped by over 95%, with only isolated patches remaining.
A new study highlights the importance of preserving intraspecific variation within species, which supports essential ecological functions and benefits nature provides for people. The loss of this variation can have serious ecological consequences, including boom-bust population cycles and reduced medicinal properties in plants.
Researchers identified GAPLINC, a long noncoding RNA that regulates inflammatory gene expression and protects mice from septic shock. The study found that reducing GAPLINC levels enhanced inflammatory responses, but unexpectedly, this effect also protected mice from endotoxic shock.
Researchers found that mountain lions expend more calories to navigate human-dominated landscapes, leading to smaller home ranges. This trend is particularly pronounced for males, who must establish larger territories to find mates.
A study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B reveals how flowers with two distinct sets of anthers gradually present their pollen to bees over multiple visits. This 'pollen dosing' strategy allows flowers to limit the amount of pollen a bee can remove, maximizing pollination efficiency.
A global assessment reveals that groundwater discharge plays a significant role in ocean chemistry, with elements like lithium and barium entering the sea from underground sources. The study suggests that groundwater inputs can account for up to 16% of river contributions to ocean chemistry.
Researchers are developing a low-cost, easy-to-use platform to diagnose viral infections in point-of-care settings. The novel technology has high sensitivity and specificity, detecting viral proteins with high accuracy.
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz developed a novel serological assay for detecting SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, providing quantitative results in under 20 minutes. The biolayer interferometry immunosorbent assay (BLI-ISA) is as accurate and sensitive as current antibody tests, but faster and less complex.
A study by UC Santa Cruz professor Terrie Williams explores how marine mammals' physiological adaptations can help understand the effects of COVID-19. Marine mammals have evolved mechanisms to protect critical organs during low-oxygen conditions, which may inform strategies for humans to mitigate long-term damage from oxygen deprivation.
A newly described behavior, known as reciprocity in conversation, helps balance the scales of collaborative interactions. By incorporating small talk into work settings, teams can achieve higher levels of task enjoyment and better outcomes.