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.

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.

Breakthrough in designing cheaper, more efficient catalysts for fuel cells

UC Berkeley chemists are reimagining catalysts in ways that could have a profound impact on the chemical industry as well as on the growing market for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

Looking at new ways to learn math, science

A joint UC San Diego and San Diego State program studies how people learn math and science and then use that research to develop more effective K-12 and college curricula.

For water researchers, an atmosphere full of questions

A UC San Diego scientist is part of the CalWater project to determine why some clouds give up their moisture and others don't.

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.

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.

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.

Student has no trouble visualizing a doctorate in chemistry

UC Davis graduate student Henry Wedler, blind from birth, sees complex chemical structures in his mind and occasionally with his hands.

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.

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.'

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.

The periodic table expands once again

A Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory chemist was part of a team that discovered two new elements.