How UC harnesses nature's super powers

From gecko-inspired climbing gear to robotic vehicles that can sprint over sand, UC researchers are looking to the natural world for breakthrough ideas that can turn ordinary people into super human.

Ancient Roman concrete better than today's

Using the Advanced Light Source at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, researchers studied a Roman breakwater that has spent the last 2,000 years submerged in the Mediterranean Sea. They found that the best Roman concrete was superior to most modern concrete.

Graduate student launches post-Katrina oral history project

A UC Riverside sociology student witnessed the hurricane's devastation and later co-founded the Lower Ninth Ward Living Museum.

Grad students are driving force behind research

Twenty UC graduate students are visiting with lawmakers in Sacramento on June 4 to explain the value of their work, to California and the nation.

Dealing with crap to improve water quality

To better understand how bacteria impact the environment a former UC Riverside graduate student built a system that replicates a human colon, septic tank and groundwater and 'fed' the colon three times a day to simulate human eating.

Researcher brings new meaning to 'Shop 'Till We Drop'

A UC Berkeley graduate student is poring over mountains of data showing how much of motorists' time is spent driving to retail stores and how much of the space on highways and streets is used up by trucks getting goods to the shelves.

QB3, partnership to open new, large life sciences incubator

A unique real estate partnership including UC's QB3 institute will expand San Francisco's amount of biotech incubator space by 50 percent, providing enough room for 20 to 30 young companies.

UC awards grants to improve care to surgery patients

UC has awarded 11 grants totaling $5.4 million for projects designed to improve patient care and reduce the risk of clinical harm to UC surgery patients.

Smartphone app permits secure storage, testing of DNA data

UC Irvine researchers have created an app, dubbed the GenoDroid, and say it could also be used for secure paternity tests, customized cancer-fighting drugs and more.

Scientists collect first intact samples from an Antarctic subglacial lake

A research team including UCSC scientists successfully drilled through a half-mile of Antarctic ice and sampled directly the waters and sediments of Subglacial Lake Whillans.

Registration open for UC innovation center colloquium

The UC Center for Health Quality and Innovation spring colloquium, May 3, will address the changing health care marketplace, increasing financial challenges and clinical and operational approaches available to UC Health to compete as health care reform unfolds.

Researchers successfully treat autism in Infants

By modifying a form of therapy, UC Santa Barbara researchers have found a way to lessen the severity of autism in infants and perhaps alleviate it altogether.

Sleep gene has surprising role in migraines

A finding by UCLA and UCSF researchers could help explain the links between sleep problems and migraines. It also should make it easier to find new drugs to treat migraines.

Rethinking early atmospheric oxygen

UC Riverside biogeochemists provide a new view on the relationship between the earliest accumulation of oxygen in the atmosphere, arguably the most important biological event in Earth history, and its relationship to the sulfur cycle.

Global food summit addresses feeding world's billions

On April 9, UC's Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources will convene some of the world's leading experts at a daylong forum focused on addressing how to sustainability feed 8 billion people by 2025.

UC researchers part of Obama initiative to map the brain

UC scientists are among the brains behind President Obama's national initiative to map the human brain.

Brain-imaging tool and stroke risk test help identify cognitive decline early

UCLA researchers have used a brain-imaging tool and stroke risk assessment to identify signs of cognitive decline early on in individuals who don't yet show symptoms of dementia.

NIH cutbacks bite into research for cancer cures, treatment

The director of the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center says cuts in NIH funding will cause loss of important ground in its work to prevent, control and, hopefully, someday eradicate cancer.

Sodium, hiding in plain sight

A new report, prepared by experts, including from UCSF, projects that a small, steady reduction of sodium in the American diet could save up to half a million lives over the next decade.

Study uses mobile technology to help predict and prevent heart disease

A UCSF team has developed an ambitious online cardiovascular study using smartphones, with the goal of enrolling one million people from all over the world to improve heart health.

Robots that can navigate across sand

A UC Berkeley scientist has combined his focus on the physics of shifting sands and the intricacies of lizard locomotion for a six-legged robot that can run in a bed of sand faster than any spacecraft on Mars today.

Synthetic biologists standardize genetic parts to engineer cells

A team of scientists, including from UC Berkeley, has produced high-quality standardized biological parts that can be mixed and matched by biotech researchers creating new drugs, fuels or chemicals.

DNA study clarifies relationship between polar bears and brown bears

An unusual population of brown bears on Alaskan islands turns out to have a remarkable and revealing history, finds a UC Santa Cruz study.

What blood, spit and a data bank can tell us about disease

A giant data bank, a cooperative venture between UCSF and Kaiser Permanente, is part of the genetic revolution that appears to be reshaping medical research.

UC advances medical research through trust

Through a project called EngageUC, researchers at UCSF and across the UC system are working to improve research consent processes, especially for tissue donation

Costs of ER visits vary in U.S., study finds

Of the 10 most common outpatient conditions treated in U.S. emergency departments, urinary tract infections and kidney stones can be the most expensive, according to a UCSF study.

Researchers uncover earliest tobacco use in the Pacific Northwest

Native American hunter-gatherers living more than a thousand years ago in what is now northwestern California smoked tobacco, the earliest known usage in the Pacific Northwest, according to a UC Davis study.

UC researchers win new Breakthrough Prize

Napoleone Ferrara of UC San Diego and Shinya Yamanaka of the UCSF Gladstone Institutes are among inaugural recipients of a new award recognizing advanced research.

Synthetic biology: engineering a new frontier

Researchers at UC Berkeley, UC Santa Cruz and UCSF are among those pioneering a new field and striving to design and build organisms unlike anything made by Mother Nature.

New report highlights global governments' failure to support family-friendly policies

A UCLA report presents never-before-available comparative data on nearly every country in the world, revealing how millions of children across the globe face conditions that limit their opportunities to thrive and reach their full potential.

Does Central Valley irrigation boost the Southwest's rainfall?

Irrigation in California's Central Valley pours so much water vapor into the atmosphere that it significantly drives up summer rainfall and runoff in the Southwest, according to a UC Irvine study.

Scientists studying snouts of bizarre moles find genes that could be the key to beating pain

One of the world's ugliest creatures, which boasts a bizarre snout fringed by 22 waggling tentacles that are highly sensitive to touch, could lead to new painkillers, according to a UC Berkeley study.

Scientists collect first intact samples from an Antarctic subglacial lake

A research team including UCSC scientists successfully drilled through a half-mile of Antarctic ice and sampled directly the waters and sediments of Subglacial Lake Whillans.

Outdoor fast food ads could promote obesity, study finds

New research from UCLA has identified a possible link between outdoor food ads and a tendency to pack on pounds.

Registration open for UC innovation center colloquium

The UC Center for Health Quality and Innovation spring colloquium, May 3, will address the changing health care marketplace, increasing financial challenges and clinical and operational approaches available to UC Health to compete as health care reform unfolds.

Smartphone app permits secure storage, testing of DNA data

UC Irvine researchers have created an app, dubbed the GenoDroid, and say it could also be used for secure paternity tests, customized cancer-fighting drugs and more.

Team poised to begin drilling into subglacial lake in Antarctica

UC Santa Cruz scientists are part of a team in Antarctica to investigate one of the last unexplored aquatic environments on Earth.

How to make a fat mouse

Despite all the attempts to legislate America's way out of obesity with food regulations, a new UC Irvine study suggests that there could be more to fat than sloth and supersized sodas.

Longer-life gene variant found

If you lead an active, extroverted life and are something of a thrill seeker, you might be genetically primed to live into your 90s or longer, according to a new study by a team that included UC Irvine researchers.

Crusading against sugar

In a new book, 'Fat Chance,' UCSF's Robert Lusing argues that sugar is the major culprit behind the country's explosive obesity rates.

Pesticides and Parkinson's: researchers uncover further proof of a link

UCLA neurologists add benomyl to a growing list of chemicals tied to the disease and propose a wholly new target for future Parkinson's therapies.

Students combine sun and know-how to purify water

The lens is recycled from an old large-screen TV; the frame, a few pieces of scrap metal.But put them together with a team of engineering students at UC Riverside and you get an ingenious, very cheap device for harnessing the sun to purify water in developing countries.

UC Davis contributes to sequencing of the simplest cotton genome

The discovery by a consortium of institutions, including UC Davis, paves the way for making improvements in the fiber crop.

Scientists construct first map of how the brain organizes everything we see

UC Berkeley researchers have found that the brain is wired to put in order all the categories of objects and actions that we see. They have created the first interactive map of how the brain organizes these groupings.

Few pregnant women warned about chemicals

A UCSF survey of obstetricians and gynecologists nationwide found that most do not warn their pregnant patients about chemicals in food, consumer products or the environment that could endanger their fetuses.

So you want to go to space: you'll need medical clearance first

UCSF researchers published a helpful paper outlining some of the unique issues that physicians conducting pre-flight physicals might consider, such as extraterrestrial effects on the body including motion sickness, muscle deterioration and exposure to radiation.

Emerging virus in raccoons may provide cancer clues

Rare brain tumors emerging among raccoons may be linked to a previously unidentified virus discovered by a team of researchers, led by scientists from the UC Davis.

Gaming graphics changing computational science

A UC Merced researcher is using the same graphics computer cards that make your Playstation games so realistic to turn her regular old computer into a supercomputer capable of executing the most complex scientific calculations in a fraction of the time it typically takes.

Students build mobile solar power system

UC Riverside engineering students designed and built a mobile solar power system aimed to provide clean energy everywhere from on-campus concerts to national parks or forests where scientists are conducting fieldwork.

Scientists identify key biological mechanism in multiple sclerosis

Scientists at UCSF and the Gladstone Institutes have defined for the first time a key underlying process implicated in multiple sclerosis.

Students complete app battle

Smartphones and tablets could one day become as essential to medicine as stethoscopes and thermometers. With that future in mind, 30 UC Irvine medical students joined forces with 100 computer science students for the university's first Med App Jam.

Preschoolers at play show science skills

Kids draw conclusions from data and evidence and experiences the same way scientists do - by making hypotheses, testing them, analyzing statistics and even doing experiments, says a UC Berkeley researcher.

A test of nerves

When a UC Irvine researcher injected human neural progenitor cells into mice paralyzed by an MS-like condition, the animals regained the ability to walk. Now he's working to refine the treatment, with the goal of someday healing human patients.

Saliva samples aid genetics research

A Kaiser-UCSF project could be of enormous use to the burgeoning field of personalized medicine.

Dark matter detector nearing activation deep below earth's surface

A UC Santa Barbara scientist hopes to detect dark matter deep in a former South Dakota gold mine. A UC Davis graduate student also works on the experiment.

New front in fight against brain cancer

UC Irvine researchers are testing an experimental vaccine that trains the immune system to target remaining tumor cells after surgery and chemotherapy.

Lung cancer odds better with gene test

A new molecular test developed by UCSF researchers gives doctors a way of telling which lung cancers are at high risk of recurring and whether certain patients would benefit from chemotherapy after surgery.

USAID award, up to $20 million, for global development

The award to UC Berkeley will fund a new multidisciplinary lab to ready inventions for the developing world, train a new generation of development practitioners and innovators, and launch a brand new field of research called development engineering.

New super-Earth planet found in habitable zone of six-planet system

An international team of astronomers, including at UC Santa Cruz, discovered one of three new super-Earths found in orbit around a star already known to have three other low-mass planets orbiting it.

Research facility tackles renewable energy issue

The Energy Biosciences Institute, a public-private partnership with BP and UC Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, is leading the race to develop nonfood, liquid biofuels.

Pistachio crop threatened by moths, fungus

The UC Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center offers a solution to a serious pistachio production problem. Hear story by NPR's 'The California Report.'

Stricter smoking bans tied to more health benefits

Smoking bans in workplaces were associated with fewer deaths and hospitalizations due to heart attacks, strokes and respiratory diseases, a UCSF study finds.

Tabletop fault model reveals why some quakes lead to faster shaking

The findings of a new UC Berkeley study could help engineers better assess the vulnerabilities of buildings, bridges and roads.

Autism early intervention normalizes brain activity in children as young as 18 months

UC Davis researchers reported a therapy that is effective for improving cognition and language skills among very young children with autism also normalizes their brain activity, decreases autism symptoms and improves social skills.

Astronomers report dark matter 'halos' may contain stars, disprove other theories

Could it be that the huge, invisible cocoons of dark matter that envelop galaxies aren't completely dark after all? Astronomers from UCLA, UC Irvine and elsewhere make a case for that in a new study.

Gleaning clues on sunny days from the clouds

UC Merced researchers have created a forecasting engine that they say is 20 to 40 percent more accurate than the model in common use. The innovation could accelerate the adoption of renewable energy, save billions of dollars in energy costs and help turn cloud-watching from an idle pastime into a vital and profitable part of the weather forecast.

Voice software helps study of rare Yosemite owls

A UC Davis graduate student perfected computer voice recognition software to track the largest of North America's owls.

Too important to smile back: the 'boss effect'

In a study presented at a neuroscience meeting, UC San Diego researchers documented how a smile can embody workplace authority.

Scientists unlock benefits of barley genome

Scientists, including researchers at UC Riverside, have developed a high-resolution genomic resource for barley that they say will help produce higher yields, improve pest and disease resistance and enhance the nutritional value of the grain.

Colleagues at UCLA applaud Lloyd Shapley's Nobel win

Faculty in the economics and mathematics departments at UCLA celebrated the awarding of the 2012 Nobel Prize in economics to their longtime colleague.

Stem cells show early promise for rare brain disorder

UCSF scientists safely transplanted human neural stem cells into the brains of four young boys with a rare, fatal brain condition. The preliminary trial paves the way for future research into potential stem cell treatments for the disorder.

Giant 'sombrero' lifting Earth's crust

Using satellite data, researchers at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego revealed a geological oddity in South America unlike any seen on Earth.

Spray detects poison oak's toxic oil

A UC Santa Cruz chemist has developed a spray, which produces a fluorescent glow, to detect urushiol on clothes and equipment, and potentially on skin. It allows people to wash off the oil before it causes an itchy, blistering skin rash.

Two-thirds of Americans object to online tracking

And that number rises once they learn the different ways marketers are following their online movements, according to a new survey by researchers at UC Berkeley and the University of Pennsylvania.

UC Davis gets $3 million grant to study aging Latinos

The five-year National Institute on Aging grant will study the brain health and aging of Latinos, a population that faces health disparities due to a lack of funds and health care.

UC winners of MacArthur grants

A UC Riverside emeritus professor of art and a UCLA neuroscientist are among this year's winners of the prestigious MacArthur Foundation 'genius grants.'

Study sheds light on bacterial cell division

UC Merced research could lead to figuring out how to control bacterial population growth in infections such as staph, e-coli, meningitis, MRSA and botulism.

Innovation center seeks second round of health fellows

The UC Center for Health Quality and Innovation is accepting applications for its 2013 fellowship program. The fellowship provides support on a project that will adopt cost-saving innovations in care delivery and offers mentorship and leadership development for mid- to senior-level UC Health staff and faculty.

Take one start-up, add expertise and grow with care

A UC Berkeley incubator for student start-ups develops companies based on everything from social media websites to medical devices and software.

Can wine consumers taste variation of corks and screw caps?

UC Davis researchers are determining the best cap closures for wine bottles and hope to inform winemakers about the most appropriate to use in bottling wines.

Green building hits major milestone

A new lab on the UCLA campus is more than just a place for cutting-edge research into paraplegia and cancer: It is the 100th green-certified facility in the UC system, a milestone in sustainability that puts it far ahead of other universities around the nation.

Fighting childhood obesity

A study will take place in the Central Valley with collaborative effort by UC Davis and local communities and organizations to help promote good nutrition and physical activity among Mexican-heritage children.

New breed of robotics aims to help people walk again

Originally financed by the military, Ekso collaborated with UC Berkeley on a device that allows soldiers to carry up to 200 pounds of equipment over mixed terrain. Now, it is working on wearable robots to help disabled people or to make the human body superhuman.

The cause of sinus infections

UCSF researchers found that among those with sinus infections, the microbial makeup of the sinuses was way out of whack. They hope to find a new approach to treat the infections.

UCSF professor receives Lasker Award

Ronald Vale was one of three scientists awarded the 2012 Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award. The researchers' work, beginning more than three decades ago, has helped illuminate several critical aspects of life — how the heart beats and how cells transport material around internally.

UC San Diego engineering school adding huge new facility

UC San Diego's Jacobs School of Engineering opens an $83 million center whose researchers work in areas ranging from aircraft design to the testing of medical devices, the 3D printing of blood vessels and creation of all manner of artwork.

Admitting that the ugly spider is scary may make it less frightening

UCLA psychologists found that talking about your fear at the moment you confront it may help overcome phobias.

Identifying drug risks before they reach patients

UCSF and the FDA have partnered to create an online resource that will help pharmaceutical developers improve testing on potentially destructive drug interactions before new medicines reach consumers.

Innovation Profile

UCLA's Daniel Uslan: Resistance isn't futile for this infection fighter.

Study suggests large methane reservoirs beneath Antarctic ice sheet

UC Santa Cruz researchers were part of a team that demonstrated that old organic matter, located beneath the Antarctic ice sheet in sedimentary basins, may have been converted to methane by microorganisms living under oxygen deprived conditions.

Outdoor labs

The Angelo Reserve, one of 38 in the UC Natural Reserve System, is a stage for 21st-century research that turns the very outdoors into a scientific laboratory.

Tiny 'LunarCubes' could explore moon on the cheap

Researchers at UC Santa Cruz and UC Berkeley spearhead a proposal to study the moon with agile, ultra-small and lightweight satellites.

Skimping on sleep to study could mean worse grades

A UCLA study followed 535 high schoolers and found that students who skipped out on sleep to study did worse on a test or assignment.

Santa Maria farmers and farmworkers assist in UC pesticide-exposure research

Farmworkers from Santa Maria are participating in a UC study to determine if they are exposed to hazardous pesticides while harvesting strawberries. Researchers have found that pesticides are transferred to farmworkers' gloves and are now trying to learn how much exposure actually occurs.

Disclosure of 'conflict minerals' may cost billions

A UC Davis study predicts shareholders will lose billions if a proposed federal rule passes, requiring companies to disclose use of 'conflict minerals.' These are mined in the Republic of Congo and neighboring countries and are linked to armed conflict and human rights abuses.

River project promises clarity, security for California water resources

Researchers at UC Merced are installing wireless sensors across the American River to monitor the water level. This will help pinpoint how fast the snow is melting and when the meltwater will arrive in the reservoirs each spring.

A deadly virus identified in snakes

UCSF scientists have uncovered the possible cause of a mysterious disease that causes bacterial infections, neurological problems, anorexia and withering in snakes.

Too much fructose sets up metabolic trouble

A UC Davis study explains how fructose is a major factor in metabolic syndrome, which can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Overcrowded ERs lead to even bigger problems

A UCSF study found that California hospitals in areas with large minority populations are plagued with overcrowding, which has become a major problem in the health system.

Embryonic blood vessels can do more

Stem cell researchers at UCLA have discovered that the thin layer of cells lining the interior of blood vessels can serve as a source for heart muscle cells, which one day may lead to a new way of treating heart attacks and repairing damaged cells.

Pet therapy without the pet

Oncologists at UC Irvine are studying whether robotic stuffed animals can help reduce stress and anxiety in chemotherapy patients. The cuddly robots obey commands, and they're hypoallergenic, too.

Lack of sleep weakens vaccine effectiveness

A UCSF study shows that people who get less than six hours of sleep don't have the adequate response to the standard three-dose hepatitis B vaccine. The study is the first real-world look at the link between sleep duration and immune response to vaccines.

Climate change skeptic changes views

A UC Berkeley physicist now states that the reason for global warming is due to the human emission of carbon monoxide. He argues that the warm-up began with the Industrial Revolution and has accelerated in recent years.

UC shares $93 million in stem cell grants

UC Davis, UC Irvine and UCLA received or shared new grants from the state's stem cell agency. This money will help speed up therapies for patients suffering from diseases, including Huntington's, osteoporosis, melanoma and spinal cord injury.

Chemical allows mice to regain vision

UC Berkeley scientists have discovered a chemical that temporarily allows blind mice to see. They hope that this chemical compound will help people with the most common forms of acquired blindness.

Promising melanoma treatment in trial

Researchers at UCSF are testing a procedure called electroimmunotherapy, which sends electric forces deep into the skin to eliminate melanoma tumors. A trial patient loses 4 of 6 of his lumps.

Transportation energy challenge solved?

UC Davis joined five other research institutions in releasing a national standard for low carbon fuel. There are high hopes that this standard will ensure fuels in the future are cleaner and cheaper and 'made in America.'

Fellows advance commercially promising research

Research innovations by early-career faculty at UC Berkeley are getting a boost toward commercial development from the campus'Baker Fellows Program, which helps push discoveries that will improve the California economy.

FDA aims to track food-borne bacteria's genetic codes

The FDA is teaming up with UC Davis scientists to pinpoint the genetic codes of 100,000 types of lethal food-borne bacteria so the agency can more quickly stop deadly contamination outbreaks.

The first of these things is not like the others

When faced with a snap decision, people will reliably pick the first option they're given, according to UC Berkeley researchers.

Recession's bite: nearly 4 million Californians struggled to put food on table during downturn

An estimated 3.8 million California adults, particularly those with children and low-income Latinos, could not afford to put adequate food on the table during the recent recession, according to a UCLA report.

Engineering aid for UC Natural Reserves

Enterprising UC Berkeley engineering students have developed two compact, remote-controlled aircraft to keep tabs on UC Natural Reserves.

Study warns of continued rise in wildfires

A UC Berkeley researcher reports that some areas of the world, including the western United States, 'should brace themselves for more fire.'

UC Irvine, Intel partner on $12.5 million research center

The new center applies social science and the humanities to the design and analysis of digital information.

Resolving the riddle of why the zebra has stripes

A UCLA researcher received a grant from the National Geographic Society's Committee for Research and Exploration to investigate the genetic basis and adaptive significance of stripe pattern variation in zebra.

Why dissonant music can strike an emotional chord

The Screaming Marmots aren't a rock band, but shrieks of the large rodents are telling UCLA scientists something about the animal nature of some music.

Greater use of imaging tests raises radiation fear

Use of CT scans, MRIs and other forms of advanced medical imaging has skyrocketed in recent years, according to a UCSF study.

Armored caterpillar could inspire new body armor

Military body armor and vehicle and aircraft frames could be transformed by incorporating the unique structure of the club-like arm of a crustacean that looks like an armored caterpillar, according to researchers at UC Riverside.

Taking the sting out of jellyfish isn't easy

If you're stung by a jellyfish how do you treat the pain? Some emergency room docs at the UC San Diego Medical Center pored over all the scientific papers they could find to come up with answers.

Prostate cancer drug so effective trial stopped

A new drug for advanced prostate cancer patients has proved so effective that researchers stopped the clinical trial early to give all patients a chance to receive the life-extending medication, according to a UCSF-led study.

As obesity rates rise, cases of kidney stones double

The number of Americans suffering from kidney stones has almost doubled since 1994, UCLA researchers report, and the obesity epidemic is the most likely reason why.

Researchers make bone health discovery

Osteoporosis patients are among those who could benefit from the findings of a UC Merced study showing how bone health could affect the immune system.

Meet the man who invented the instructions for the Internet

Steve Crocker was among a small group of UCLA researchers who sent the first message between the first two nodes of the ARPAnet, the U.S. Department of Defense-funded network that eventually morphed into the modern internet.

Military marriages stay strong in face of challenges

Despite being tested by long hours and frequent relocations and separations, military marriages are no more likely to end in divorce than civilian marriages, a UCLA study shows.

Many kids exposed to smoke despite parents' claims

More than half of kids who were part of a UCSF study tested positive for secondhand smoke exposure, even though only a handful of their parents admitted to lighting up.

California chosen as home for computing institute

The Simons Foundation, which specializes in science and math research, has chosen UC Berkeley as host for an ambitious new center for computer science.

Cancer genome data center raises hope for cures

UC Santa Cruz researchers unveiled a major weapon in the war against cancer: the nation's first catalog of cancer genomes, which hold the clues to the disease's deadly secrets.

College students admit to distracted driving

Almost 80 percent of college students admit to using a cell phone while driving, and about half send or receive text messages, according to a UC San Diego study.

California to test HIV-prevention pill

The California HIV-AIDS Research Program at the UC Office of the President awarded $11.8 million in grants for prevention pill studies and efforts to get about 3,000 HIV-infected people in Southern California into treatment and keep them there.

UC Riverside recognized for environmental efforts

The new School of Medicine Research Building at UC Riverside has received LEED Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.

'Text therapy' may ease isolation

Text messaging often gets a bad rap for contributing to poor spelling and high-risk behavior such as reckless driving. But a UC Berkeley study has found an upside to texting, especially for people who feel stressed out, isolated, and alone.

'Robosquirrel' deployed to research relationship with rattlesnakes

A lifelike robot, built by a team from UC Davis, can replicate two behaviors squirrels display when confronted by a rattlesnake. It joins a growing list of robot creatures created by the campus.

Autism: scientist zero in on rare chromosome defect

A UCSF study is one of the first in which autism researchers are narrowing their focus into one of the few known causes of the disorder.

Coastal California fog carries toxic mercury, study finds

New research out of UC Santa Cruz shows that the moist fog air carries methylmercury, an especially toxic form of the heavy metal mercury.

Study finds genes possibly linked to autism

UC San Diego researchers inched closer to the root causes of autism, identifying genes that appear to go haywire before a child is born, preventing the brain from developing normally.

Rise in childhood obesity rates in California is slowing, study finds

A UC Davis study has found that the rise in childhood obesity rates in California is slowing, which researchers think may be the outcome of improved nutrition and physical fitness programs in the state's public schools.

Report: nitrate contamination spreading

Nitrate contamination of drinking water is a pervasive problem in California's agricultural heartland and is bound to intensify in the coming years, according to a UC Davis study.

California cellphone ban reduced traffic related deaths, injuries, study finds

California's nearly four-year-old ban on drivers using handheld cellphones is saving lives, according to a UC Berkeley.

A U.S. recovery, but only for the 1 percent

A UC Berkeley economist is a shy data jock who does most of his communicating by marshaling vast pools of statistics.

Student entrepreneurship is humming at elite universities

UC students tend to ask about the real-world problem, and they try to solve it.

Stress kills the mind, one day at a time

UC Irvine researchers found that our daily reactions to stress take a cumulative toll on our minds.

Alzheimer's and low blood sugar in diabetes may trigger a vicious cycle

A new UCSF-led study looks at the close link between diabetes and dementia, and a researcher urges caution on the use of certain diabetes drugs in dementia patients.

Large-scale biodiversity is vital to maintain ecosystem health

New analysis by ecologists at UC Santa Cruz demonstrates that even higher levels of biological diversity are necessary to maintain ecosystem health in larger landscapes over long periods of time.

Scientists discover cinnamon compounds'potential ability to prevent Alzheimer's

The common baking spice might hold the key to delaying the onset of, or warding off, the effects of Alzheimer's disease.

Depression linked to telomere enzyme, aging, chronic disease

UCSF researchers have found that activity of an enzyme called telomerase is greater, on average, within cells of the immune systems of individuals untreated for major depression.

Students invent smog-cutting device for mowers

An environmental engineering student at UC Riverside is part of a five-person team that recently unveiled an emissions-reducing attachment for lawnmowers and other small-engine devices.

'Thirdhand smoking' poses danger to guests in non-smoking hotel rooms, study finds

A study by a scientist funded by UC's Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program found that partial smoking bans in hotels fail to protect guests from carcinogens that may waft through ventilation systems and linger on surfaces for weeks and months.

Doubling down on energy efficiency

Spending on energy efficiency programs funded by electric and natural gas utility customers will double by 2025 to about $9.5 billion per year, according to projections by researchers at Lawrence Berkeley Lab.

Is athleticism linked to brain size?

UC Riverside research on mice shows that exercise-loving mice have larger midbrains.

Team finds new target for treating wide spectrum of cancers

UC Irvine scientists have identified an elusive pocket on the surface of the p53 protein that can be targeted by cancer-fighting drugs.

UC medical centers will expand palliative care with $1 million grant

UC is leveraging its expertise to enhance patient care at UC medical centers systemwide, awarding a $1 million grant to expand specialized care for seriously ill patients.

Study shows that individual brain cells track where we are and how we move

Using virtual reality, UCLA neurophysicists determined how environmental stimuli and brain rhythms generate our neuronal maps of the world.

'Pure' research competes with lure of biotech startups

After a few classes run by an entrepreneur center, a UCSF doctoral student has a new goal: launch a biotech startup with an app that will help diabetics track their health and make lifestyle choices.

'Socially responsible licensing' receives Patents for Humanity award

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office honored UC Berkeley's technology transfer office for its socially responsible licensing to provide low-cost treatments and technologies to people in developing countries.

Global forum provides food for thought

UC, through its Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, hosted a wide-ranging, provocative discussion on how to sustainably feed 8 billion people by 2025.

Zapping the brain with magnets could cure cocaine addiction

UCSF experiments on mice addicted to cocaine found they were weaned off the drug after laser beams were used to change neurons in a particular part of the brain.

Paris, San Francisco choose CITRIS for smart city research

UC Berkeley's CITRIS (Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society) and Inria (The French National Institute for Research in Computer Science and Control) were chosen to carry out joint research in creating smart and sustainable cities.

Farsighted engineer invents bionic eye to help the blind

For UCLA bioengineering professorWentai Liu, more than two decades of visionary research burst into the headlines last month when the FDA approved what it called 'the first bionic eye for the blind.'

Planck mission brings universe into sharp focus

The Planck space mission, in which UC Santa Barbara scientists played a key role, has released the most accurate and detailed map ever made of the oldest light in the universe, revealing new information about its age, contents and origins

Computer models show how deep carbon could return to Earth's surface

Computer simulations of water under extreme pressure are helping UC Davis geochemists understand how carbon might be recycled from hundreds of miles below the Earth's surface.

Study on T-cell behavior sheds light on how vaccines work

The immune system's T cells, while coordinating responses to diseases and vaccines, act like honey bees sharing information about the best honey sources, according to a new UCSF study.

An exotic killer attacks San Diego County oaks

A video, produced for the UC Onward campaign, features UC Riverside researchers who hunt for ways to stop the destruction left by an invasive beetle in some of San Diego County's oak woodlands.

Using the here and now to get a handle on the hereafter

A UC Riverside philosophy professor has received a $5 million grant to study immortality, but don't expect any ghost hunting or seances.

Smiling could be good for your health

UC Irvine researchers found that wearing a smile brings certain benefits, like slowing down the heart and reducing stress. This may even happen when people aren't aware they are forming a smile.

All not sunny for California economy

Recent forecasts for the California economy may be more optimistic than warranted, according to a new report by UC Irvine economists.

Reading the human genome

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab researchers have achieved a major advance in understanding how genetic information is transcribed from DNA to RNA by providing the first step-by-step look at the biomolecular machinery that reads the human genome.

NASA finds parts of Middle East have seen 'alarming rate' of water loss in 7 years

An amount of freshwater almost the size of the Dead Sea has been lost in parts of the Middle East due to poor management, increased demands for groundwater and the effects of a 2007 drought, according UC Irvine study that uses NASA satellites.

Air pollution linked to low birth weight

Mothers who breathe the kind of pollution emitted by vehicles, coal power plants and factories are significantly likelier to give birth to underweight children, according to studies by UC Berkeley and UCSF researchers.

Tobacco control program saves billions

Over 20 years, California's tobacco control program cost $2.4 billion and reduced health care costs by $134 billion, according to a new UCSF study funded by UC's Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program.

Study reveals genetic diversity of genes in peppers

A UC Davis study, which sampled 30,000 genes in peppers, will be critically important to plant breeders for developing hardier, higher yielding plants for production around the world.

'Fountain of Youth' may be in your genes

A discovery in mice by UC Berkeley scientists is being touted as a possible 'molecular fountain of youth.'

Outdoor fast food ads could promote obesity, study finds

New research from UCLA has identified a possible link between outdoor food ads and a tendency to pack on pounds.

Research into friction provides Insight Into the mechanics of arthritis

A new, noninvasive, and low-cost method for the early detection and monitoring of osteoarthritis, thanks to research by UC Santa Barbara scientists.

Scientists collect first intact samples from an Antarctic subglacial lake

A research team including UCSC scientists successfully drilled through a half-mile of Antarctic ice and sampled directly the waters and sediments of Subglacial Lake Whillans.

Plastics and chemicals they absorb pose double threat to marine life

Marine creatures that ingest plastics suffer from a double whammy of the plastic itself and the pollutants those plastics have absorbed while floating in the open seas, according to research led by a UC Davis doctoral student.

App lets drivers zero in on license plates of DUI suspects

UC Riverside researchers have designed a simple video recorder application for mobile phones that allows concerned citizens to record and report suspected drunk drivers.

Why a rechargeable zinc battery is such a big deal

A startup, founded by two former UC Berkeley graduate students, is developing just such a battery that could free gadget makers from the constraints of the standard lithium ion battery. Their research was aided by a UC Proof of Concept grant.

Genome test reveals your cat's ancestry

Is your cat really a purebred Persian? Or is he more of a Maine Coon mix? Thanks to the UC Davis cat ancestry test, you can now find out.

Nice teens are also happier

A UC Riverside study found that teens who were proactive about kindness were happier and were more likely to be chosen by their classmates as someone they would like to spend more time with.

Study links low wages with hypertension

UC Davis researchers found the correlation between wages and hypertension was especially strong among women and persons between the ages of 25 to 44.

How prostate cancer therapies compare by cost and effectiveness

UCSF researchers conducted the most comprehensive retrospective study to compare how the major types of prostate cancer treatments stack up to each other in terms of saving lives and cost effectiveness.

UC Irvine's desert research center awarded funds for expansion

Field scientists and students who rough it in Steele-Burnand Anza Borrego Desert Research Center, part of the UC Natural ReserveSystem, will soon settle into a new laboratory, apartment building and dormitory thanks to $2.8 million in Proposition 84 funds awarded by the California Wildlife Conservation Board.

Small, portable sensors allow users to monitor exposure to pollution on their smart phones

Computer scientists at UC San Diego have built a small fleet of portable pollution sensors that could be particularly useful to people suffering from chronic conditions, such as asthma.

Public obsession with obesity may be more dangerous than obesity itself

In new book, a UCLA sociologist questions whether there really is an obesity crisis in the U.S. and calls for a reframing of our national dialogue on fatness.

Scholars scoff at talk of Mayan doomsday

A UC Berkeley anthropologist explains why we mustn't worry that the world will end on Dec. 21, as some believe the Mayan calendar foretells.

ARPA-E gives UC Berkeley $4 million for smart grid research

UC Berkeley's California Institute for Energy and Environment will oversee the research, working with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the UC Center for Information Research.

Engineers develop new energy-efficient computer memory using magnetic materials

By using electric voltage instead of a flowing electric current, UCLA researchers have made major improvements to an ultra-fast, high-capacity class of computer memory known as MRAM.

Tracking pumas

UC Santa Cruz students get first-hand scientific experience while monitoring the elusive big cats as part of the Puma Project.

Researcher, grad student contribute to inventory of all marine life

Counting the number of species that live in the Earth’s oceans sounds as impossible as counting the grains of sand on a beach. But a global collaboration involving a UC Merced scientist and a graduate student is doing just that.

Fire-retardant law's back draft

A study by UC Berkeley and Duke researchers adds to the growing body of evidence that toxic or untested fire retardants have become commonplace in American couches.

We look right below the eyes to judge faces

Using an eye tracker and more than 100 photos of faces and participants, UC Santa Barbara researchers followed the gaze of their subjects to determine where they first glance at others.

Oil: a three-letter word

A new episode of Onward California follows UC Santa Barbara's David Valentine to his research site off the California coast where he studies all of the different compound that make up oil.

Scientists look to Hawaii's bugs for clues to origins of biodiversity

UC Berkeley researchers will focus on the islands' insect and spider life in search of clues to how animals explore and settle into new niches, leading to increasing biodiversity over time.

UC Merced eyes saving land

UC Merced and the Sierra Nevada Research Institute are developing a conservation and research plan for thousands of acres of grasslands. Ultimately, about 6,400 acres could become part of the UC Natural Reserve System, a network of 38 protected sites, including more than 750,000 acres.

Wandering minds associated with aging cells

Studies have suggested that a wandering mind indicates unhappiness, whereas a mind that is present in the moment indicates well-being. Now a UCSF study suggests a possible link between mind wandering and aging, by looking at a biological measure of longevity.

Retail therapy is real

As the holiday shopping season begins, UC Riverside research finds people who are sad are willing to forgo future monetary benefits in exchange for instant financial gratification.

The greatest young inventors in America

A UC San Diego graduate student won the Collegiate Inventors Competition grand prize for an ingenious drug delivery system that involves making a silicon wiffle ball structure a millionth the size of a wiffle ball and sealing an enzyme inside.

Practice gratitude to help keep you healthy

UC Berkeley scientists are documenting how giving thanks or feeling thankful is good for your health.

New cell type developed for possible treatment of brain diseases

UC Irvine researchers have created a new stem cell-derived cell type with unique promise for treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.

Hours of sitting may lead to fatty buildup around the heart

All those hours Americans spend in their office chairs or on their sofas may be packing on a particularly unhealthy form of fat around the heart, suggests a UC San Diego study.

The brain trainers

A UCSF neuroscientist, who spent years conducting brain plasticity research, developed a program that may help people with cognitive disorders.

High blood pressure a danger for people as young as 40

Scientists at UC Davis' Alzheimer's Disease Center study the links between systolic blood pressure and various indicators of brain injury among middle-aged adults.

UC Health Innovation Profile: Standing up for senior health

UC Irvine's Lisa Gibbs has seen the toll that time can take on the health of older adults and their caregivers, and she has dedicated her career to improving geriatric care.

Engineers tackle big data

Research projects at UC Santa address challenges and opportunities of big data, including energy-aware storage, efficient data processing, proactive information retrieval and cancer genomics.

Study: Academia should fulfill social contract by supporting bioscience startups

Universities not only provide the ideal petri dish for cultivating bioscience with commercial potential, but have a moral obligation to do so, given the opportunity to translate public funding into health and jobs, according UCSF researchers.

Scientists retrieve important ocean acidification data from Antarctic waters

A research team led by UC Santa Barbara scientists has gathered data from a sensor that will provide critical baseline information on the changes in chemistry, or acidification, of those remote seas.

Universities are crucial to innovation

In an op-ed piece, UC Davis Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi and Rep. Jackie Speier warn that Congress has until the end of the year to act in order to avoid more than $1 trillion in automatic budget cuts that are slated to occur in January.

Sorry, music lessons can't teach perfect pitch

UC San Diego scientists have identified another clue to solving the mystery of perfect pitch: whether or not you know the note might be down to your genes.

Great whites' diets shown to vary widely

UC Santa Cruz researchers found that the dining habits of the finned creatures vary and often include dolphins, squid and a wide variety of fish.

New center aims to help shift chemical industry toward sustainability

Plastic in its myriad forms does not have to be manufactured from petroleum products, according to scientists from UC Santa Barbara and three other universities. They have created a new center, funded by the National Science Foundation.

Research could yield a better battery

Rechargeable batteries could be 25 percent cheaper and recharge almost twice as quickly, thanks to a new algorithm for measuring battery charge devised by UC San Diego researchers.

Group gets $10 million to study advanced prostate cancer

A team of researchers led by UCSF will study advanced prostate cancer, which is resistant to even the most promising treatments. UC Davis, UCLA and UC Santa Cruz scientists are also part of the project.

50 years to save a species

This episode of Onward California follows a UC Santa Cruz professor whose work is key to preserving such species as the Hawaiian monk seal and keeping other species, like dolphins, healthy.

Evidence does not support three-strikes law as crime deterrent

Contrary to what police, politicians and the public believe, research by a UC Riverside criminologist finds that the get-tough-on-criminals policy voters approved in 1994 has done nothing to reduce the crime rate.

Tanning beds' toll: At least 170,000 skin cancers a year

A new UCSF study confirms earlier research establishing a link between indoor tanning and skin cancer.

Voters act on performance, not policy, new book says

Voters in U.S. presidential races make choices based on a candidate's performance rather than on his or her policy positions, even when those stances run counter to the voters' own, according to a UC Berkeley political scientist.

California wine industry on upswing

Despite a significant, long-term shortage of grapes and economic pressures that are putting the squeeze on profit margins, wine industry leaders in the state are cautiously optimistic about the future, according to two new surveys by UC Davis.

Study divides breast cancer Into four distinct types

A study, which included UCSF and UC Santa Cruz researchers, reshapes the scientific understanding of breast cancer. Findings are from the largest and most comprehensive study of the genetics of breast cancer and could offer new hope to patients.

How mobile tech can influence our brain

A UCSF neuroscientist discusses how the rapid evolution of mobile technology has placed quite a burden on our brains.

Secondhand smoke takes large physical and economic toll

A UCSF study, funded by UC's Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program, found that secondhand is accountable for 42,000 deaths annually to nonsmokers in the U.S., including nearly 900 infants.

Unusual symbiosis discovered in marine microorganisms

In single-celled algae and specialized bacteria, UC Santa Cruz scientists have found a partnership that plays an important role in marine ecosystems.

Should I marry him?

A study by UCLA psychologists reports that women with premarital doubts should examine their uncertainties. Divorce was a common outcome for those who were doubtful.

Truvada's potency in preventing the transmission of HIV

A new study, led by UCSF researchers, found that a drug used to treat HIV-positive patients may also prevent new infections in people who come in contact with HIV.

Professor focused on skin cancer

A UC Merced scientist studies the metabolic cycle of melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

Tribe invites researcher to study acorns

A UC Berkeley graduate student will use scientific methodology in a study to measure how the Karuk tribe's traditional way of intentional burning affects the infestation of acorns.

Monogamy and the immune system

Researchers at UC Berkeley recently showed how the differences in sexual behavior of closely related California mice impact the bacteria hosted by each species as well as the diversity of the genes that control immunity.

UC shares $65 million in stem cell grants

The latest round of funding from the state's stem cell agency includes efforts to begin human clinical trials to treat Alzheimer's disease and retinitis pigmentosa as well as projects focusing on basic research.

Explosion of galaxy formation lit up early universe

New data from UC Berkeley indicates that the birth of the first galaxies that lit up the universe was an explosive event. And it happened more rapidly and ended earlier than originally believed.

Affluent people less likely to reach out to others in times of chaos, study suggests

A UC Berkeley study finds that while the have-nots reach out to one another in times of trouble, the wealthy are more apt to find comfort in material possessions.

'Adaptive zones' limit amount of crocodiles and increase beetle species

Scientists at UCLA returned to an old idea in evolutionary biology that 'ecological limits' restrict the number of species that can emerge.

Climate change spawns salmon dilemma for San Joaquin River

A UC Merced study will guide authorities who manage reservoirs, recreation areas and hydroelectric lakes as the climate warms. It also will give farm water leaders and districts new insights on the timing of snowmelt decades from now.

Students strive to engineer plastic-degrading bacteria

UC Davis students are tackling the problem of plastic pollution and working to create bacteria that can biodegrade a common plastic used in soda bottles and food trays.

AIDS 2012: Looking back on D.C. and ahead to Melbourne

George Lemp, director of UC's HIV/AIDS research program, discusses $11.8 million project to test a potential HIV prevention pill among high-risk HIV-uninfected people in California.

Better food helps in AIDS treatment

UCSF researchers associate increased hospitalization and emergency room visits among HIV-positive individuals with inadequate access to nutritious food.

Prepping for law school admission test alters brain

Neuroscientists at UC Berkeley found that intense preparation for the LSAT changes the microscopic structure of the brain. Training people in reasoning skills strengthens areas of the brain and can even up IQ scores, they suggest.

Women with PTSD may have increased health risk

UCSF researchers found that women who have post-traumatic stress disorder are more likely age faster, and they have a higher risk for diseases than men.

Anti-aging cosmetics give skin 'ion overload'

Scientists, including from UC Davis, discovered a mechanism that plays a role in skin physiology and temperature sensitivity. It could lead to better anti-aging cosmetics.

An easy way to solve loneliness

As people age, they are more prone to loneliness, which can take a huge physical toll. A UCLA study shows that meditation can reduce loneliness and strengthen the body's immune system

Solar energy institute seeks to shine by raising funds

UC Merced is focused on making solar energy more affordable and efficient, and the funds from its sponsors are allowing the institute to thrive.

Researchers determine costs of gene expression

Bioengineers at UC San Diego made a major advance in developing a method of modeling an organism's metabolism and gene expression. This research opens up a slew of questions and ideas about the cellular impacts of gene expression and data.

A treatment for kidney disease in the making

UC Santa Barbara scientists have found a drug that may be effective in treating common kidney disease. The new drug is still being tested, but it shows promise in the laboratory.

UC research drives climate change report

A state report on climate change and California's landscape features research from seven UC campuses and laboratories.

Amphibian species on the increase

Scientists at UC Berkeley have discovered new species of frogs, newts, salamanders, caecilians and are tracking them day by day, while continuing to worry about mass extinction of frogs.

Helping plants fight back

To protect crops from destruction researchers at UC Davis are developing a technique to exploit parasitic vines that suck water, nutrients and information from plants.

Scientists connect seawater chemistry with ancient climate change, evolution

Scientists at UC Santa Cruz and University of Toronto are looking in depth at the causes of the cooling trends in the past 45 million years, which have a lot to do with the chemistry of the world's oceans, not just humans.

Pink and painful

Researchers at UC San Diego have new insight on the science behind the sunburn. Their study pinpoints the factors that trigger sunburn, which is a protective mechanism preventing damaged cells from turning into skin cancer.

Electric vehicles are doing even more

UC Riverside scientists say they can extend the rate of vehicles by 10 percent by taking into account real time traffic conditions. They are developing an eco-routing procedure that finds a way to expend the least amount of energy for a trip.

Why will California have higher sea level rise?

UC Santa Cruz director of the Institute of Marine Sciences explains the curious reason why California will see higher than average sea level rise, while the Pacific Northwest will see a lower rise. A major earthquake could make the situation even worse.

Astronaut to lead new research center at UC Davis

After retiring from NASA last month, Stephen Robinson will head a new center for research on human-vehicle interaction at UC Davis.

Patients trust doctors but consult the Internet

Patients look up their illnesses online to become better informed and prepared to play an active role in their care, not because they mistrust their doctors, a UC Davis study suggests.

Social networking evaluated to improve diabetes management

Researchers at the UC San Diego School of Medicine are evaluating a new social media tool to treat patients with type I and II diabetes.

Brown widow spiders taking over black widows in California

The brown widow spider, a less-poisonous species than its cousin, the black widow spider, is making its claim in the dark recesses of Southern California trash can lids, plant pot lips and wood piles, finds a UC Riverside study.

Study links key dementia protein, brain trauma

The mysterious proteins called prions, which build up in the human brain to cause Alzheimer's and other dementias, are also linked to post-traumatic stress disorder in combat veterans and in the brain damage of athletes like football players who have suffered repeated concussions, UCSF researchers report.

UCSF joins trend offering published research free

UCSF has joined the growing ranks of academic institutions that are offering most, if not all, of their research free to the public, by requiring that all published scientific studies be added by their authors to a university repository.

Sleep deprivation drives up anxiety, study shows

Not getting enough shuteye can amplify the brain's anticipatory reactions, upping overall anxiety levels, according to UC Berkeley researchers.

Lab ensures quality control for climate research

In a fortresslike laboratory at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, scientists track subtle changes in ocean chemistry with the kind of precision that can be compared around the globe and across decades.

Type of stem cell may contribute to heart disease

UC Berkeley scientists have discovered a type of stem cell that appears to lie dormant in blood vessel walls for decades before waking up and causing the arterial hardening and clogging that are associated with deadly strokes and heart attacks.

UCSF advances fight against cystic fibrosis

At UCSF, aggressive treatment has produced striking results over the past decade.

Most job injury costs not paid by workers' comp

Workers' compensation insurance is not used nearly as much as it should be to cover the multi-billion-dollar price tag for workplace illnesses and injuries in the U.S., finds a UC Davis study.

Nuisance seaweed found to produce compounds with biomedical potential

A seaweed considered a threat to the healthy growth of coral reefs in Hawaii may possess the ability to produce substances that could one day treat human diseases, a new study led by scientists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego has revealed.

People with rheumatoid arthritis feel better after 6 weeks of Iyengar-style yoga

Young patients with rheumatoid arthritis may feel better after practicing yoga for just six weeks, a UCLA study shows.

Team taps viruses to make electricity

Scientists at UC Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a way to generate power using harmless viruses that convert mechanical energy into electricity.

The physics of carrying a coffee cup without spilling

UC Santa Barbara fluid dynamics scientists diverted from weightier subjects for a while to publish a paper on 'Walking with coffee: Why does it spill?'

Robots measure flow of Sacramento River

A fleet of 100 robots, developed by UC Berkeley researchers, floated down the Sacramento River to demonstrate their ability to measure the pace of the river's flow and to navigate the delta's water.

Scientists drill into Clear Lake to see future

Drilling deeply into ancient sediments, UC Berkeley scientists are seeking vital clues to the future of plant and animal life by investigating how changing climates have altered life in the distant past.

Nano-subs built to grab and move oil spills to collection site

UC San Diego scientists have built a self-propelled 'microsubmarine' that can scoop up oil from contaminated waters and take the droplets to a collection facility.

Soft drinks: public enemy No 1. in obesity fight?

A UC Davis nutritional biologist found that blood chemistry was out of whack in volunteers who drank a concoction with 500 calories of added sugar.

Researchers decipher 'selective hearing'

A UCSF neurosurgeon and an electrical engineer say they now understand how the 'cocktail party' effect works, a finding that resolves a mystery that has plagued psychologists for more than a century.

Fusion energy progress by Livermore scientists

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory scientists report that after years of experiments, they have moved closer to reproducing the blazing energy of the sun's interior in the laboratory.

Mom's pregnancy weight may increase risk of autism, developmental disorders

A mother's weight and metabolic conditions during pregnancy are not just potentially harmful to herself. New UC Davis research suggests these factors can play a key role in her child's development as well.

Energy from lasers: Sure shot or dead end?

The National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory opened its doors to their control room for CBS 'Sunday Morning' to witness a laser shot for tests that may change how the U.S. may someday get its energy.

Eating a small amount of chocolate could actually help you lose weight

Although chocolate contains more calories than many other foods, those who eat it regularly have less body fat than those who don't, a UC San Diego study shows.

Mind the gap year

The Blum Center for Developing Economies at UC Berkeley helps impoverished people around the world by bringing together academics and entrepreneurs to develop technological innovations.

Research see link between HIV and abuse among women

Trauma and post-traumatic stress syndrome are closely tied both to the risk of becoming infected with HIV and lower rates of successful treatment, according to two recent UCSF studies.

Sex-deprived male fruit flies drink more

In experiments seeking to understand the root causes of human addiction, UCSF scientists have discovered that male fruit flies turn to alcohol when female flies reject their sexual advances.

Why bilinguals are smarter

A commentary in the New York Times cites a recent study UC San Diego that found that individuals with a higher degree of bilingualism were more resistant than others to the onset of dementia and other symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

More seniors likely to find that memory doesn't serve

UC Irvine scientists are searching for solutions or modifications to a pending crush of memory impaired seniors.

2013 California fire season brings stronger fires

UC Berkeley environmental sciences experts discuss fire danger in Northern California and what the state can do to adapt to the possibility of increasingly long fire seasons due to climate change.

With global warming, will iguanas grow as big as Komodo dragons?

A recent discovery at UC Berkeley shows that at least some herbivorous lizards did grow that large during a warmer era 40 million years ago.

Potential new way to suppress tumor growth discovered

Researchers at UC San Diego identified a new mechanism that appears to suppress tumor growth, opening the possibility of developing a new class of anti-cancer drugs.

Non-wetting fabric drains sweat

Waterproof fabrics that whisk away sweat could be the latest application of microfluidic technology developed by bioengineers at UC Davis.

Scientists present new insights on climate change and species interactions

The effect of rising temperatures on the interaction of species 'is going to have very important consequences for the stability and functioning of ecosystems,' UCLA biologists say.

Is a lack of water to blame for the conflict in Syria?

Water loss documented by a pair of satellites suggests water-related conflict could be brewing on the riverbank again. A UC Irvine hydrologist calls the data 'alarming.'

Can you read Charles Darwin's handwriting?

UC Berkeley's entomology museum hopes to decipher and digitize some of the labels on collections of insects, some more than a century old, with the help of the public.

Plastics and chemicals they absorb pose double threat to marine life

Marine creatures that ingest plastics suffer from a double whammy of the plastic itself and the pollutants those plastics have absorbed while floating in the open seas, according to research led by a UC Davis doctoral student.

Outdoor fast food ads could promote obesity, study finds

New research from UCLA has identified a possible link between outdoor food ads and a tendency to pack on pounds.

Research into friction provides Insight Into the mechanics of arthritis

A new, noninvasive, and low-cost method for the early detection and monitoring of osteoarthritis, thanks to research by UC Santa Barbara scientists.

UC faculty elected to National Academy of Sciences

Eleven UC professors from seven UC campuses were elected to the National Academy of Sciences for their distinguished achievements in research.

New plant protein discoveries could ease global food and fuel demand

UC San Diego scientists found that the way plants transport important substances across their biological membranes to resist toxic metals and pests, increase salt and drought tolerance, control water loss and store sugar can have profound implications for increasing the world’s supply of food and energy.

Study provides some ugly truths about lipstick

UC Berkeley research shows lipsticks and lip glosses can contain lead, cadmium, aluminum and other metals, sometimes at a level that can raise health concerns

Poor women who delay breast cancer treatment less likely to survive

A UC Irvine study found that Latinas, African Americans and poor women were most likely to put their recovery at risk by waiting to have surgery or begin chemotherapy.

Charting her own course

UCSF's Elizabeth H. Blackburn, who shared the 2009 Nobel Prize in medicine, talks about her work on telomeres, and when she knew she wanted to be a scientist.

Symposium highlights breast cancer research advances

UC's California Breast Cancer Research Program will host a symposium to discuss the latest studies and key national issues affecting research on the disease on May 17 and 18 in Costa Mesa, Calif.

Study links suicide risk with rates of gun ownership, political conservatism

Research by a UC Riverside sociologist also finds that a high rate of church membership at the state level reduces suicide risk.

Sea lion boogies to disco

A California sea lion, trained by UC Santa Cruz researchers, is the first mammal besides humans to demonstrably keep rhythm to music.

Universe as an infant: fatter than expected and kind of lumpy

The Planck satellite team, which includes a UC Berkeley astronomer, has released a heat map of the universe as it appeared 370,000 years after the Big Bang.

Immigration research group provides up-to-date data, analyses

UC Riverside scholars launched a new website to help inform national discussion about immigration policy issues.

Keck Observatory celebrates 20 years of cosmic discovery

Atop Mauna Kea in Hawaii, the Keck Observatory is quietly revolutionizing what's known about the universe.

Outside the box: brain aneurysm treatment stops irregular heart rhythms

For the first time, a UCLA team has used a technique normally employed in treating brain aneurysms to treat severe, life-threatening irregular heart rhythms in two patients.

The sequester is going to devastate U.S. science research for decades

Cutting the meager amount the federal government spends on basic science would do little to meet short-term fiscal goals while incurring huge costs in the future, write the directors of the Department of Energy's National Laboratories.

Americans less religious than ever before

Americans are the least religious they've ever been, with one in five Americans declaring no religious preference, according to a UC Berkeley study.

Clarity of Lake Tahoe water improves, researchers find

The clarity of the alpine lake improved for the second year in a row, according to UC Davis researchers. The lake's waters are the clearest in 10 years.

Clues to climate cycles dug from South Pole snow pit

Particles from the upper atmosphere trapped in a deep pile of Antarctic snow hold clear chemical traces of global meteorological events, a team from UC San Diego has found.

New study could explain why some people get zits and others don't

UCLA researchers have discovered that acne bacteria contain 'bad' strains associated with pimples and 'good' strains that may protect the skin.

Brain deterioration, sleep woes linked

Hallmarks of aging include brain atrophy, a decline in sleep quality and memory problems, and new research from UC Berkeley has uncovered a relationship among them.

Scientists create automated 'time machine' to reconstruct ancient languages

In a compelling example of how 'big data' and machine learning are beginning impact all facets of knowledge, UC Berkeley and University of British Columbia researchers created a computer program that can rapidly reconstruct 'proto-languages.'

Reducing sodium could save hundreds of thousands of lives

A UCSF study looks at the impact of salty foods on heart attack and stroke rates over 10 years.

Stop the sequester

Members of the research community are warning about automatic federal spending cuts slated to take effect on March 1 and how they could put at risk discoveries, cures and innovative new companies. A UC Davis chemical engineer, who founded a startup that is turning tobacco plants into vaccines and medical therapeutics, speaks out.

Cancer gene mutation linked to earlier menopause

Women carrying BRCA mutations tied to breast and ovarian cancer may hit menopause a few years earlier than other women, according to a UCSF study.

Team finds new target for treating wide spectrum of cancers

UC Irvine scientists have identified an elusive pocket on the surface of the p53 protein that can be targeted by cancer-fighting drugs.

Is athleticism linked to brain size?

UC Riverside research on mice shows that exercise-loving mice have larger midbrains.

Doubling down on energy efficiency

Spending on energy efficiency programs funded by electric and natural gas utility customers will double by 2025 to about $9.5 billion per year, according to projections by researchers at Lawrence Berkeley Lab.

Robot toddler could unlock secrets of human development

Robotics, neuroscience, developmental psychology and machine learning have converged in a UC San Diego project that created a robotic one-year-old that 'learns' to move and interact the same way a real baby does.

ChemCam follows the 'Yellowknife Road' to Martian wet area

Researchers from Los Alamos National Laboratory and the French Space Agency have tracked a trail of minerals that point to the prior presence of water at the Curiosity rover site on Mars.

As forests disappear, examining the mechanisms of their death

A plant physiologist at Los Alamos National Laboratory has set up a kind of intensive care unit for trees to find out precisely how they die.

Pioneering research on Type 2 diabetes

UC Santa Barbara researchers are studying the metabolism of cells and their surrounding tissue, to ferret out ways in which certain diseases begin. This approach, which includes computer modeling, can be applied to Type 2 diabetes.

Physicist to receive National Medal of Technology and Innovation

President Obama named UC Berkeley and LBNL physicist Arthur Rosenfeld one of this year's recipients of the medal for his pioneering work on reducing the nation's energy usage.

UCSC astronomer to receive National Medal of Science

Sandra Faber, a professor of astronomy and astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz and the interim director of UC Observatories, has been selected by President Obama to receive the National Medal of Science.

Scientists literally 'squeeze' cancer out of malignant breast cells

UC Berkeley scientists found that this transformation can happen even if the genetic mutations responsible for the cancer remain, setting up a fight between nature and nurture in determining a cell's fate.

How excess holiday eating disturbs your 'food clock'

If the sinful excess of holiday eating sends your system into overload, you may be upsetting the body's 'food clock,' which keeps the human body on a metabolic even keel. A new study by UCSF researchers reveals how this clock works on a molecular level.

UC awarded $24 million in stem cell grants

Funding to UC includes efforts to support the career development of promising physician scientists working on projects from finding new ways of treating chronic skin disease to researching new therapies for the pregnancy complication preeclampsia.

Noisy toys can harm children

UC Irvine researchers measured the noise levels of two dozen popular toys. All exceeded 90 decibels and several reached 100 or more, equivalent to the noise of a chain saw, subway train or power mower.

Insurance industry paying increasing attention to climate change

The world's largest business, with $4.6 trillion in revenues, is making larger efforts to manage climate change-related risks, according to a Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory study.

Berkeley Lab picked for $150 million battery center team

The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory was chosen as part of a team that will establish a battery and energy storage research center, backed by up to $120 million in federal funds over the next five years.

Study links clouds to microbial processes in soil for first time

By studying small forests of Bishop pine trees on Santa Cruz Island, a UC Santa Barbara researcher has discovered the importance of fog and low clouds in keeping the entire forest ecosystem alive.

Methane detector tracks pipeline leaks

A UC Davis team has developed a system to hunt pipeline leaks by plane. For utility companies, the benefits could be big.

Innovation Profile: Rebecca Smith-Bindman

When you take a pill, you know what dose to take. But when you get a CT scan do you know how much radiation you are supposed to receive? Chances are you don't, and neither does your doctor. A UCSF researcher hopes to change that.

Couch potatoes no more

Reversing the image of the sedentary game player, a new video game by UC Davis researchers will encourage children to strengthen their action-hero characters by logging miles walked and calories burned in the real world.

Dog noses inspire explosives detector

UC Santa Barbara researchers say a chip inspired by the biology of dogs' scent receptors is capable of quickly identifying dangerous substances such as explosives.

Using llamas in park research

The pack animals were critical to a UC Merced graduate student who researched conifer tree encroachment into subalpine meadows in the Sierra Nevada.

Increasing efficiency of wireless networks

UC Riverside researchers have developed a new method that doubles the efficiency of wireless networks and could have a large impact on the mobile Internet and wireless industries.

Researchers report potential new treatment to stop Alzheimer's disease

Using what they call molecular 'tweezers,' UCLA scientists were able to break up the toxic aggregations of proteins that characterize Alzheimer's in the brains of mice.

Flame retardants might affect kids' development

Fetal or infant exposures to flame retardant chemicals that lurk in furniture, carpets and other household items could adversely affect a child's development, a UC Berkeley study suggests.

Kids may risk cancer from toxins in food

All 364 children in a UC Davis study of food-borne toxin exposure exceeded cancer benchmarks for arsenic, dieldrin, DDE and dioxins.

Water is a critical issue for California and the world

A new Onward California video follows a UC Merced scientist at the Sierra Nevada Research Institute, which measures the water and geochemical balance of the landscape.

Extreme weather preceded collapse of Maya civilization

Decades of extreme weather crippled, and ultimately decimated, first the political culture and later the human population of the ancient Maya, according to a UC Davis study.

Genital harm more common than dental injuries, study shows

A UCSF study found that every year, nearly 16,000 adults in the U.S. have genital injuries that can be caused by shaving, sports equipment, falling off furniture, or even sex toys.

Tahoe project to eliminate Asian clams

The fast-multiplying shellfish threaten Lake Tahoe's ecosystem, and UC Davis researchers have developed the largest Asian clam control project in the lake's history.

Without 'Notch' signal, cells swap jobs

UC Santa Barbara researchers discovered that breaking a biological signaling system can change a cell's destiny. The findings could lead to new ways of making replacement organs.

California is home to extreme weather, too

The state won't see a superstorm like Hurricane Sandy, but UC Merced researchers monitoring precipitation and snowpack say weather can have comparable effects.

Scientists develop promising therapy for Huntington's disease

Researchers, including from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, have designed a compound that suppresses symptoms of the devastating disease in mice.

Study finds elevated levels of formaldehyde, contaminants in day care centers

A survey by UC Berkeley researchers found that the environmental quality in child care settings was similar to other indoor environments, but that levels of formaldehyde and several other contaminants exceeded state health guidelines.

Yes, diesel is dirtier than gasoline

UC Berkeley researchers found that diesel exhaust, particularly from big trucks, is a bigger source of secondary particles in smog than gasoline.

Global mobility: Science on the move

Husband-and-wife neuroscientists have run their laboratory at UCSF for more than three decades: time enough to see the geography of the science world change.

Male perception bias a survival mechanism, study says

People who encounter the dark silhouette of a stranger are more likely to decide it's a man, a gender bias which is a survival reflex, UCLA researchers say.

New military apparel repels chemical and biological agents

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory scientists and collaborators are developing a new military uniform material that 'will be like a smart second skin that responds to the environment.'

Keck observations reveal complex face of Uranus

UC Berkeley astronomers have created the most richly detailed, highest-resolution images ever taken of the giant ice planet in the near infrared, revealing an incredible array of atmospheric detail.

Protect your Facebook feed from hackers

Engineers at UC Riverside have created an app that flags hacker-created posts.

America's Alzheimer's epidemic

A three-part series on UCTV reveals the heartache for those suffering from and coping with Alzheimer's disease and the hope offered by UCLA researchers leading the charge to slow its progress and, eventually, find a cure.

Yellowstone wolf study reveals how to raise successful offspring

New research by UCLA scientists points to the crucial importance of pack cooperation in ensuring that pups survive and thrive.

Researcher examines how babies communicate

From burps to babbling, a UC Merced scientist studies how children develop their ability to verbally communicate in the first year of their lives.

After mortgage settlement, banks continued abusive practice, California monitor says

A report by a UC Irvine law professor is the first official look at the progress five big banks have made in complying with a settlement to reform foreclosure practices.

White shark diets vary with age and among individuals

White sharks are thought of as apex predators that feed primarily on seals and sea lions. But a new UC Santa Cruz study shows surprising variability in the dietary preferences of some sharks.

Searching universe for habitable planets

UC Santa Cruz astronomer Steve Vogt spent 15 years searching for Earth-like planets. See what he's found in this UC Onward California video.

Air pollution from grilled burgers worse than trucks

A UC Riverside study found that commercially cooked hamburgers cause more air pollution than diesel trucks.

Forests and climate change: a combustible combination

By looking at tree rings, scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory have been able to assess how droughts stress southwestern forests.

Possible key to slow progression toward AIDS

A UCLA study, funded by the California HIV-AIDS Research Program, is uncovering one of big mysteries of AIDS: why some HIV-positive people take more than a decade to progress to full-blown AIDS, if they progress at all.

New hope for asthma sufferers

UCSF researchers believe they have found a way to impede the two most significant biological responses that lead to an asthma attack.

Facebook boosts voter turnout

A UC San Diego study estimates that almost one third of a million more people voted on Election Day in 2010 because of a Facebook message that helped get them to the polls. They will watch to see if Facebook has the same influence this year.

Self-defense for the self-driving car

A Los Alamos National Laboratory researcher, who studies cyber-physical systems, says that as more robots venture out on their own, their creators are already struggling with how to protect them.

1.4 billion don't have electricity

A video featuring John Bowers, director of UC Santa Barbara's Institute for Energy Efficiency, is part of UC's Onward California campaign. He talks about an initiative providing solar-powered lights to schoolchildren in underdeveloped countries.

What caused the Yosemite hantavirus outbreak?

A UCSF infectious disease expert explains the hantavirus and what he and other researchers are rushing to figure out in light of the latest outbreak.

More students cheating, with high achievers no exception

A UC San Diego researcher comments on studies that show students violate academic integrity to some degree, and high achievers are just as guilty.

Sea otters reduce CO2 in the atmosphere

A UC Santa Cruz study suggests that the prospering sea otter population will keep sea urchins in check and allow the kelp forests to flourish.

Repeated exposure to traumatic images harmful

A UC Irvine study found that repeated viewing of images from the terrorist attacks of September 11 may have led to an increase in physical and psychological ailments.

Male snails babysit for other dads

UC Davis researchers have discovered that a male snail does all the work of raising the young. From egg laying to hatching, they primarily care for young that isn't their own.

Tracking a subtle cent, a dog may help save the whales

A UC Davis graduate student studies how orcas are affected by the thousands of whale watchers and scores of commercial whale-watch vessels that cluster around the animals.

As genes learn tricks, animal lifestyles evolve

To understand how snakes evolved their infrared detection systems, UCSF scientists searched for potential infrared-sensing proteins in the western diamondback rattlesnake.

'Electronic nose' sniffs out harmful substances

A UC Riverside nano-engineer has invented a device to smell dangerous substances such as pesticides and gas leaks. This new electronic nose could soon be placed in smart phones.

California voter turnout impacted by foreclosures

Researchers at UC Riverside find that residents in areas that were heavily impacted by the housing crisis were less likely to vote during the 2008 presidential election.

Walnuts improve sperm quality

A UCLA School of Nursing study found that eating two handfuls of walnuts provides a natural plant source of omega-3, which may provide men a needed boost to improve their fertility.

Chemical widely used in antibacterial hand soaps may impair muscle function

An antibacterial chemical in hand soap and other common hygiene products seems to weaken skeletal muscles in both humans and animals, according to a UC Davis study.

When it pays to be overconfident

Overconfidence helps people gain respect, prominence and influence, according to UC Berkeley study. It also showed that overconfidence led to higher social status.

Climate change can determine whether species go or stay

UC Berkeley scientists study how precipitation and temperature changes impact birds and other animals. They hope to project how different species will respond to future climate change.

Breast feeding has its advantages

A UC Riverside scientist sheds light on the cellular and biological mechanisms behind the stronger immune systems of breastfed children.

Pavement a hot topic for UC Berkeley researchers

The recently retired director of the UC Pavement Research Center discusses some of the important work conducted at the facility.

Global health fellows announced

The UC Global Health Institute announced new fellowship recipients from four UC campuses. Funded by the Fogarty International Center at the NIH, fellows will conduct research in various parts of the world.

Studying immortality

A philosopher at UC Riverside will oversee a $5 million study of "immortality." The study will last three years and be scientifically rigorous, involving research projects, conferences and translations of philosophical work.

UC Health: Innovation Profile

UCSF's Wendy Anderson is a champion of palliative care, focusing on quality of life for seriously ill patients and their families.

A new way to understand PTSD

Recent improvements in imaging technologies offer a detailed look of the brain. A UCSF psychiatrist hopes these tools will help scientists better understand the cause of conditions such as post traumatic stress and sleep disorders.

Teen brains show early signs of cigarette addiction

A UCSF study, has found that teenagers have a lower level for nicotine addiction than is commonly believed. It shows that people who begin smoking in their early teens are more likely to become lifelong smokers.

A new way to break down bacteria 'castles'

Using a stop-action imaging microscope, UC Berkeley researchers described in detail for first time the 'castles' of bacteria that are often the causes of fatal infections

Leading scientists issuing research road map to get AIDS cure

At the start of the International AIDS Conference, a UCSF scientist and others discuss a number of different leads that just might solve and treat the epidemic.

Solar cells that produce electricity from windows

UCLA researchers have developed a new transparent solar cell that allows windows in buildings to generate electricity while still letting people be able to see outside.

A new method to treat diabetes

Biologists at UC San Diego have discovered a new chemical that offers a new and promising direction for the development of drugs to treat metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes.

California pot research backs therapeutic claims

California's famed Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research, headquartered at UC San Diego, has now all but completed the most comprehensive studies into the efficacy of pot. But its state funding is gone.

Discovery opens door to attacking biofilms that cause chronic infections

A clever new imaging technique discovered at UC Berkeley reveals a possible plan of attack for many bacterial diseases that form biofilms that make them resistant to antibiotics.

Dark galaxies of the early universe spotted for the first time

UC Santa Cruz scientists were part of an international team to perhaps spot an early phase of galaxy formation.

Sun-like star dimming may point to planet formation

Rocky planets like Earth may form in a hurry, suggests a UC San Diego team that observed one young star.

Why your tomato has no flavor

UC Davis researchers have found that the genetic trait breeders prize for making tomatoes also contribute to making them less sweet.

IBM computer sets speed record

Clocking in at 16.32 sustained petaflops, a supercomputer at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has been named the world's fastest computing system.

Hot water, not pee, eases jellyfish stings

There's a lot of folklore on how to treat a jellyfish sting, but UC San Diego researchers suggest your best bets may be hot water and topical painkillers, at least in North American waters

Climate change may spark more wildfires in future

A UC Berkeley study shows that in coming years, the frequency of wildfires will increase because of climate change.

A virus that helps charge your cellphone

Scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory say they have created a virus that generates electricity. It's a first step toward using genetically engineered viruses to build devices that convert the body's motion into electricity.

Study: immigration made Southern California stronger

The large influx of Asian and Latino immigrants into Southern California in the past 50 years has resulted in less crime, lower joblessness and more stable property values, according to a UC Irvine study.

Optical tweezers help researchers uncover key mechanics in cellular communication

By using a laser microbeam technology, UC Irvine and UCLA researchers have uncovered fundamental properties of a key molecular signaling system involved with development, cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Synthetic platelets built to treat bleeding

UC Santa Barbara scientists have created synthetic platelets, the blood components that prevent excessive bleeding and heal wounds.

Fever in pregnancy ups risk of developmental delay, autism

A provocative new UC Davis study suggests untreated maternal fever during pregnancy increases the chance that the child will be developmentally delayed or autistic.

California considers DNA privacy law

UC scientists are voicing concerns about a bill, dubbed the Genetic Information Privacy Act, which if passed, could have a costly and damaging effect on research.

New malaria vaccine made from algae

Researchers at UC San Diego have genetically engineered algae to prepare a vaccine which can prevent the transmission of the parasite that causes malaria.

Software will ID long-dead people in paintings

Art historians at the UC Riverside hope to identify people portrayed in 15th-century paintings using the same software used to spot terrorists in a crowd.

UC Merced innovations all seen as a big win

Solar-powered farm equipment, almond byproducts as biofuels and new valves to improve blood flow for newborns were just some of the projects unveiled by UC Merced engineering and management students at the Innovate to Grow competition.

Entomologist gains notice with online answer to question bugging humans

'Should I kill it and put it out of its misery?' This question about insects garnered a burst of celebrity for a UC Davis graduate student.

Hospital bills for appendix removal may range from cost of a refrigerator to cost of house

A UCSF study found huge disparities in patients' bills. Researchers say the results aren't unique to California and illustrate a broken system.

Crowd-sourcing expands power of brain research

UCLA scientists are part of the largest collaborative study of the brain to date. Using imaging technology at more than 100 centers worldwide, they have for the first time zeroed in on genes play a role in intelligence and memory.

Professor uses physics to get out of $400 ticket

A UC San Diego physicist was able to argue his way out of a traffic ticket by producing a four page paper arguing that it was physically impossible for him to violate the law.

'Time Machine' to study distant galaxies

A team of UCLA researchers are building an advanced scientific instrument unlike any other ever built before, with the aim to study some of the oldest galaxies in the universe.

UC Berkeley tackles big data

A UC Berkeley team working to advance data science is awarded $10 million by the National Science Foundation.

What 23 years of e-mail may say about you

Larry Smarr, a computer science professor at UC San Diego, who also directs the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology, wears one wireless sensor to monitor the calories he burns and another to see how well he sleeps.

Is sugar toxic?

A UCSF pediatric endocrinologist believes the high amount of sugar in the American diet, much of it in processed foods, is killing us.

Tobacco plants turn into living vaccine factories

A UC Davis graduate student has formed a startup to turn tobacco plants into cheap biological factories for churning out bioengineered proteins for human or animal vaccines.

Social butterflies find safety in numbers

A UC Irvine study finds when butterflies roost together, they are better at fending off predators.

A new species in New York was croaking in plain sight

Genetic analysis to identify a new species of leopard frog was conducted in the UC Davis lab of H. Bradley Shaffer, who is now at UCLA.

Study endorses maximum-security inmates in lower-level California prisons

An 18 month study by researchers at UC Berkeley, Davis and Irvine comes as a new state law sends thousands of lower-level offenders to local jails instead of state prisons.

Turning cartilage to bone could replace grafts

UCSF scientists aren't only studying techniques for improving bone grafting, they're looking at ways to replace bone grafts with cartilage transplants.