News Archive - All Stories

A Climate in Crisis Calls for Investment in Direct Air Capture, New Research Finds

New research from the University of California San Diego explores one possible mode of response: a massively funded program to deploy direct air capture (DAC) systems that remove CO2 directly from the ambient air and sequester it safely underground.

Study Finds Neglected Mutations May Play Important Role in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Mutations that occur in certain DNA regions, called tandem repeats, may play a significant role in autism spectrum disorders, according to research led by Melissa Gymrek, assistant professor in the UC San Diego Department of Computer Science and Engineering and School of Medicine.

Metabolism May Play Role in Recurrent Major Depression

Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine, in collaboration with Dutch scientists, have found that certain metabolites — small molecules produced by the process of metabolism — may be predictive indicators for persons at risk for recurrent major depressive disorder.

$1.2 Million Grant Funds a New Generation of Healthcare Telemanipulation Robots

Researchers at UC San Diego, UCLA, UC Irvine and San Diego State University have been awarded a $1.2 million UC Multicampus Research Programs and Initiatives (MRPI) grant to develop an advanced class of mobile telemanipulation robots.

Ocean Acidification is Transforming California Mussel Shells

As the waters off our coasts change due to human influences, scientists have found that the composition of shells of California mussels, a critical species found along the Pacific Coast, are weakening as a result of ocean acidification.

Youth Using E-cigarettes Three Times as Likely to Become Daily Cigarette Smokers

University of California San Diego Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science researchers report that starting tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, before the age of 18 is a major risk factor for people becoming daily cigarette smokers.

Scientists Developing New Solutions for Honeybee Colony Collapse

Under a new effort to halt a worldwide decline in honeybees, scientists at UC San Diego and other UC campuses have established a network of bee researchers and engineers. The network, one of the largest in the country, will develop new solutions by joining various avenues of expertise.

Fresh Sea Spray Turns ‘Sour’ after Being Airborne

UC San Diego chemistry researchers find that the smallest fresh sea spray particles become 100,000 times more acidic than the ocean within two minutes.

Study: E-Cigarettes Trigger Inflammation in the Gut

Chemicals used for vaping break down zipper-like junctions between cells in the gut, leading to chronic inflammation and potential for other health concerns.

Wait for Me: Cell Biologists Decipher Signal that Ensures No Chromosome is Left Behind

Biologists have unraveled the mystery of how chromosomes are inherited correctly every time a cell divides. They discovered how a “matchmaker” molecule stops cell division until components are ready to be split. Alterations in the process can result in birth defects and certain cancers.