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2014 Research

December 11, 2014
Professors Leta Miller and Carolyn Dean honored for arts research
Acting Arts Dean Martin Berger has named the 2014 Arts Dean’s Eminent Professors, the division’s highest recognition of faculty research achievement.
December 11, 2014
Scientists reconstruct genome of common ancestor of crocodiles, birds, dinosaurs
A new study of crocodilian genomes led by scientists at UC Santa Cruz reveals an exceptionally slow rate of genome evolution.
December 10, 2014
UC Santa Cruz leads UC effort to study effects of climate change on ecosystems
A $1.9 million grant from the new UC President's Research Catalyst Awards will fund a UC-wide institute on climate impacts.
December 02, 2014
Study of deadly bat disease finds surprising seasonal pattern of infections
White-nose syndrome fungus can infect an entire bat colony during hibernation, but surviving bats clear the infection after they become active.
November 20, 2014
Hubble observations deepen mystery of how globular clusters form
New findings are at odds with leading theories for the formation of globular clusters of stars in galaxies
November 20, 2014
Ocean scientist Christina Ravelo receives Outstanding Faculty Award
Christina Ravelo, professor of ocean sciences, was recognized by the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences for her contributions.
November 17, 2014
Virus identified as top suspect in sea star wasting disease
A previously unidentified virus has been linked to the sea star wasting syndrome that has devastated west coast starfish populations.
November 17, 2014
Evolutionary constraints revealed in diversity of fish skulls
The evolution of biting in eels allowed diversification of skull shapes, while suction feeding limits the skull shapes of most fish.
November 07, 2014
UC Santa Cruz student researchers recognized at national conference
Five undergraduates doing research at UCSC were recognized for outstanding research presentations at the 2014 SACNAS conference.
November 06, 2014
UC Santa Cruz grad student among veterans honored by National Science Foundation
Ocean sciences grad student John Koster was one of 11 military veterans recognized in an event at NSF headquarters.
November 05, 2014
Study shows benefits of being fat (but not too fat) for deep-diving elephant seals
As elephant seals add to their fat stores, changes in buoyancy affect their swimming efficiency during deep dives in search of food.
November 04, 2014
UC confirms continued support of Lick Observatory
The UC Office of the President has reversed an earlier decision to pull funding from Lick Observatory by 2018.
November 03, 2014
NCI Cloud Pilot program to boost cancer genomics data sharing, accessibility
UC Santa Cruz and UC Berkeley partner with Broad Institute to build a cloud computing environment for large-scale analysis of cancer genomics data
October 31, 2014
From smart grids to flying robots, engineer finds many applications for theory
UC Santa Cruz computer engineer Ricardo Sanfelice uses hybrid systems analysis to understand and control systems with complex dynamical behavior
October 29, 2014
UC Santa Cruz offers 'Genome Browser in a Box' for local installations
New software enables scientists to quickly install the UCSC Genome Browser on their own computers to protect sensitive genomic data.
October 27, 2014
Novel biosensor technology could allow rapid detection of Ebola virus
Rapid detection of viruses without expensive equipment is among the potential applications of biosensor research at UC Santa Cruz.
October 22, 2014
Astrophysics meets theater in ‘Birth of Stars’
What does the birth and death of stars have to do with the lives of real human beings? How do we balance the joy and pain of life in a productive way? Does technology make us less than human…or something more?
October 21, 2014
A global surge of great earthquakes holds clues to future quakes
UC Santa Cruz seismologist Thorne Lay discusses the implications of recent studies for quake risk in Cascadia
October 16, 2014
Astronomers create first 3-D map of the 'adolescent' universe
Astronomers have created the first map of the ‘adolescent’ universe as it appeared 10.8 billion years ago.
October 10, 2014
Social Sciences Research Frontiers Day focuses on data, environment, and justice
The second annual Social Sciences Research Frontiers Day at UC Santa Cruz will take place Friday, October 24, 2014, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. with a focus on data, the environment, and justice.
October 09, 2014
Astronomers analyze atmosphere of planet orbiting another star
Scientists have made the most detailed global map yet of the glow from a planet orbiting another star.
October 09, 2014
UC Santa Cruz leads $11 million Center for Big Data in Translational Genomics
National Institutes of Health awards UC Santa Cruz funding for new research center as part of the NIH Big Data to Knowledge initiative.
October 07, 2014
Graduate applications, enrollment increase at UC Santa Cruz
Graduate student enrollment at UC Santa Cruz is projected to top 1,625 for fall 2014, about 9 percent of total enrollment, indicating continued strong interest in the academic programs offered.
October 03, 2014
UC Santa Cruz ranked first for research influence in world university rankings
Times Higher Education measured overall research influence based on the average number of citations per paper published by faculty.
October 02, 2014
Study of mountain lion energetics shows the power of the pounce
High-tech collars enabled scientists to track mountain lions in the wild and determine how much energy the big cats use to hunt their prey.
October 02, 2014
Astronomer Claire Max appointed interim director of UC Observatories
Claire Max, professor of astronomy and astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz, succeeds Sandra Faber as interim director of UC Observatories.
October 01, 2014
UCSC Ebola genome browser now online to aid researchers' response to crisis
The UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute late Tuesday (September 30) released a new Ebola genome browser to assist global efforts to develop a vaccine and antiserum to help stop the spread of the Ebola virus.
September 29, 2014
Simulations reveal unusual death for ancient stars
Study led by UC Santa Cruz postdoc indicates some supernovae would leave no remnant black hole behind
September 28, 2014
Human genome was shaped by an evolutionary arms race with itself
A study of primate genomes reveals an ongoing battle to control "jumping genes," driving the evolution of greater genomic complexity
September 23, 2014
UC Santa Cruz among top five institutions seeing growth in NIH funding
UC Santa Cruz is in the top five of institutions that have seen significant increases in funding from the National Institutes of Health over the past decade.
September 23, 2014
UC Santa Cruz establishes Symantec Presidential Chair in Storage and Security
Computer scientist Ethan Miller has been appointed to a new endowed chair funded by a gift from Symantec and UC Presidential matching funds
September 22, 2014
Linguists receive $260,000 grant to study endangered Irish language
“Although we all have tongues, we are surprisingly bad at knowing precisely what they're doing or conveying that to others,” says UC Santa Cruz professor of linguistics Jaye Padgett...
September 22, 2014
California's sea otter numbers holding steady
California's sea otter population is slowly swimming toward recovery, according to the latest field survey.
September 19, 2014
Library taps specialist to explore role of technology in Humanities research
The University Library and Humanities Division have jointly awarded a two-year Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) Postdoctoral Fellowship supporting digital humanities scholarship to Rachel Deblinger.
September 18, 2014
Study shows how epigenetic memory is passed across generations
Researchers traced markers of gene repression and showed that both sperm and eggs transmit a memory of gene repression to embryos.
September 16, 2014
Native vegetation makes a comeback on Santa Cruz Island
Study led by UC Santa Cruz undergrads shows native shrubs reclaiming the island on their own after removal of introduced grazers.
September 11, 2014
Teaching computers the nuances of human conversation
Computer scientist Marilyn Walker wants to make spoken dialogue systems more responsive to the user.
September 08, 2014
Study traces ecological collapse over 6,000 years of Egyptian history
Ancient Egyptian artworks helped scientists reconstruct how animal communities changed as climate became drier and human populations grew
August 31, 2014
Mixing in star-forming clouds explains why sibling stars look alike
New findings suggest chemical fingerprints can be used to identify stars born in the same cluster
August 18, 2014
Grad student unites personal passion and programming skills to help others
Computer science graduate student Lourdes Morales is working to help others with disabilities use technology.
August 18, 2014
Breast Cancer Breakthrough Award funds search for new treatments
Cancer researcher Seth Rubin is working toward the development of a new class of drugs for treating breast cancer.
August 13, 2014
Novel chip-based platform could simplify measurements of single molecules
A nanopore-gated optofluidic chip combines electrical and optical measurements of single molecules onto a single platform
August 07, 2014
Cancer study reveals powerful new system for classifying tumors
One in ten cancer patients would be classified differently using a new classification system based on molecular subtypes.
August 06, 2014
NIH awards $2 million to UCSC group for DNA sequencing research
Biomolecular engineer Mark Akeson leads efforts to develop nanopore technology for DNA sequencing.
August 04, 2014
Old evidence leads to new ideas about earthquake hazards in Pacific Northwest
Sediment cores collected in 1960s by geologist Gary Griggs have attracted renewed scrutiny for clues to Cascadia earthquakes.
July 31, 2014
Global Alliance for Genomics and Health unveils new genomics interface
The Global Alliance for Genomics and Health has released a new Application Programming Interface (API) for seamless sharing of genomic data.
July 30, 2014
Tidal forces gave moon its shape, according to new analysis
Most of the moon's overall shape can be explained by taking into account tidal effects acting early in the moon's history.
July 28, 2014
Cassini finds 101 geysers and more on icy Saturn moon
Scientists on NASA's Cassini mission have identified 101 distinct geysers erupting on Saturn's small, icy moon Enceladus.
July 28, 2014
Next-generation Thirty Meter Telescope to begin construction in Hawaii
The TMT has its roots at UC Santa Cruz, where astronomers have been working for years on the design of this powerful new telescope.
July 07, 2014
Two UC Santa Cruz Earth scientists honored by American Geophysical Union
Gary Glatzmaier and Thorne Lay will receive AGU medals in recognition of their breakthrough achievements in Earth science.
June 26, 2014
UCSC graduate student is a new kind of storyteller
Aaron Reed's award-winning games use computer technology to explore the possibilities of interactive fiction.
June 11, 2014
Energy demands of raising a pup push sea otter moms to the limit
Study by UCSC biologists reveals just how much it costs a sea otter mom to raise her pup.
June 04, 2014
Huffman Prize winner approaches bioengineering with an artist's eye
Payam Yousefi, who graduates in June with a B.S. in bioengineering and a minor in bioinformatics, is the 2014 Huffman Prize winner.
June 03, 2014
Astronomers detect two planets orbiting nearby ancient star
An international team of scientists has reported two planets orbiting a nearby and very old star known as Kapteyn's star.
June 02, 2014
Corporate-sponsored projects give engineering students valuable experience
UCSC engineering students presented their corporate-sponsored senior design projects to mentors and faculty
May 29, 2014
8th annual screening of Soc Doc graduate films at Del Mar Theatre
UCSC presents the 8th annual exhibition of thesis films from the Film and Digital Media Department’s masters program in Social Documentation on June 11.
May 29, 2014
Congrats, Class of 2014!
Ideally, we'd profile every one of UCSC's talented, passionate, and determined graduates--but the three students featured here serve as excellent representatives of the Class of 2014.
May 27, 2014
NSF grant funds development of alternatives to phthalate plasticizers
Chemistry professor Rebecca Braslau has developed a new approach that could lead to a safe and affordable alternative to widely used phthalates
May 21, 2014
Astronomer Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz wins fellowship at Harvard's Radcliffe Institute
Astrophysicist Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz is among a select group of 50 artists and scholars chosen for the Radcliffe Fellows Program.
May 20, 2014
Focus on excellence: Student Achievement Week recognizes outstanding work
Student Achievement Week from June 2-6 honors high academic achievement and creativity. Highlights include a science and mathematics poster symposium and the 40th annual Print Sale.
May 20, 2014
UCSC data storage researchers tackle practical problems
In the rapidly evolving field of data storage, UCSC has been a leading academic research center for more than a decade.
May 19, 2014
Wireless camera network offers new possibilities for security systems
A prototype solar-powered device developed at UCSC has potential applications for security cameras and wildlife monitoring in remote areas.
May 16, 2014
Astronomer Harland Epps honored by Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Harland Epps, a pioneer of astronomical optics, will receive the ASP's Maria and Eric Muhlmann Award.
May 13, 2014
Coral reefs provide valuable protection for coastlines
A new study shows that coral reefs offer cost-effective protection from coastal storms, flooding, and rising sea levels.
May 12, 2014
Awards recognize top presentations at Graduate Research Symposium
Graduate students from all divisions shared their research at the 10th Annual Graduate Research Symposium.
May 08, 2014
UCSC engineer focuses on assistive technology for people with disabilities
Roberto Manduchi applies computer vision technology to develop products that address daily challenges faced by visually impaired people.
May 06, 2014
Thorne Lay honored by Seismological Society of America
Harry Fielding Reid Medal is the second major honor in one week for Lay, who was just elected to the National Academy of Sciences
May 02, 2014
Grad students in the spotlight at Graduate Research Symposium May 9
The 10th annual Graduate Research Symposium will take place on Friday, May 9, at McHenry Library.
April 30, 2014
Red Hat to acquire Inktank, a cloud storage company with UCSC roots
Software provider Red Hat will acquire Inktank, a data storage company with origins in a UCSC research project, for $175 million.
April 29, 2014
Two UCSC professors elected to National Academy of Sciences
Ecologist James Estes and seismologist Thorne Lay have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences.
April 28, 2014
Leon Panetta touts 'real grit,' blasts congressional gridlock at Launch celebration
Former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta fired up a crowd of 275 with shout-outs for ingenuity and “sheer grit" at Launch! A celebration of the UCSC student experience
April 23, 2014
UCSC receives NEA grant for art/science project on ocean ecology
UCSC has been awarded an NEA grant to support Blue Trail: Imagination and Innovation for Ocean Sustainability--a series of art installations that will be spread out across the San Francisco waterfront.
April 15, 2014
'Condor Watch' enlists citizen scientists to help an endangered species
Biologists studying the endangered California condor have launched a new web site to enlist the help of citizen scientists.
April 07, 2014
Orbital physics is child's play with 'Super Planet Crash'
An online game and educational resources are offshoots of the software astronomers use to find planets beyond our solar system
March 27, 2014
UCSC Arboretum holds annual Spring Plant Sale on Saturday, April 12
The Arboretum offers new, colorful, drought-tolerant, and unusual plants for creating dynamic central coast gardens.
March 25, 2014
Lick's Automated Planet Finder: First robotic telescope for planet hunters
In its first months of operation, the APF has found two new planetary systems, giving astronomers a taste of planetary riches to come
March 17, 2014
Reintroduction experiments give new hope for a plant on the brink of extinction
A critically endangered plant is inching back from the brink of extinction thanks to a UCSC plant ecologist and her students.
March 03, 2014
Yosemite bears and human food: Study reveals changing diets over past century
A new study reveals how much human food has contributed to the diets of Yosemite bears over the past century.
February 27, 2014
UCSC students shine at CAMP Statewide Symposium
Five UC Santa Cruz undergraduates received awards for their research presentations at the 2014 CAMP symposium
February 26, 2014
Spotted seal study reveals sensitive hearing in air and water
Two spotted seals at Long Marine Lab are giving scientists a rare opportunity to learn about how these arctic seals perceive their environment.
February 18, 2014
When a black hole shreds a star, a bright flare tells the story
A new study shows what happens during the disruption of a star as it falls into a black hole
February 18, 2014
UCSC planetary scientist Ian Garrick-Bethell wins Sloan Research Fellowship
The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has awarded a Sloan Research Fellowship to Ian Garrick-Bethell, assistant professor of Earth and planetary sciences.
February 12, 2014
UCSC humanities research institute to participate in Mellon Foundation grant
The Institute for Humanities Research (IHR) at UC Santa Cruz has been selected to participate in a $1.35 million grant awarded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to the Consortium of Humanities Centers and Institutes.
February 06, 2014
Friends of Long Marine Lab supports 16 student research projects
Friends of LML Student Research and Education Awards will support studies of sea otters, sperm whales, extreme waves, and more.
February 05, 2014
Amborella genome sequenced using material from UCSC Arboretum
The UCSC Arboretum provided plant material from the its collections to researchers working on the Amborella genome project.
February 04, 2014
UCSC ranked second for research influence in world university rankings
In an analysis of the world's top universities, UCSC ranked second in research influence.
January 30, 2014
UCSC partners with Stanford, Salk Institute in stem cell genomics center
The California stem cell agency will fund a $40 million center to bridge the fields of genomics and stem cell research.
January 29, 2014
UCSC appoints Scott Brandt as vice chancellor for research
As vice chancellor for research, Scott Brandt provides executive leadership and coordination for UCSC research administration and planning.
January 24, 2014
Howard Haber and Abraham Seiden to give Faculty Research Lecture on Feb. 11
"The Higgs Boson Unleashed" will be a joint presentation by UCSC physicists Howard Haber and Abraham Seiden
January 22, 2014
Electrical engineer Holger Schmidt named Optical Society Fellow
Holger Schmidt, professor of electrical engineering, has been elected a Fellow of the Optical Society
January 21, 2014
Institute of Arts and Sciences third LASER talk on Jan. 28
UCSC’s Institute of the Arts and Sciences will present its third “LASER” talk on Tuesday, January 28, beginning at 6:45 p.m. in the Digital Arts Research Center (DARC building, Room 108). 
January 21, 2014
Astronomer Sandra Faber to give public talk Feb. 5 on our cosmic future
Renowned UC Santa Cruz astronomer Sandra Faber will give a free public lecture on astronomy and cosmology on Wednesday, February 5.
January 19, 2014
Distant quasar illuminates a filament of the cosmic web
UCSC astronomers discovered a distant quasar illuminating a vast nebula of diffuse gas, revealing part of the cosmic web.
January 15, 2014
New technique allows 'nanobiopsies' of living cells
UCSC researchers have developed a robotic "nanobiopsy" system that can extract tiny samples from inside a living cell without killing it.
January 13, 2014
New campus office provides services to broaden societal impacts of research
The Broader Impacts Office will help researchers respond to new requirements from funding agencies.
January 08, 2014
Cancer Genomics Hub adds childhood cancer data
Researchers studying the genetics of childhood cancers now have access to a large and growing set of genomic data through UCSC's Cancer Genomics Hub.
January 08, 2014
Marine scientist Adina Paytan honored at AGU meeting
Adina Paytan was chosen to give the Rachel Carson Lecture at the 2013 Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco.
January 07, 2014
UCSC astronomers discover ultra-bright young galaxies
Astronomers have discovered four surprisingly bright galaxies that are among the earliest and most distant galaxies ever observed.
January 07, 2014
World's most powerful exoplanet camera looks skyward
Much of the key technology for the Gemini Planet Imager was demonstrated and validated at UCSC's Laboratory for Adaptive Optics.