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2018 Physical and Biological Sciences

December 10, 2018
Ocean fertilization by unusual microbes extends to frigid waters of Arctic Ocean
Researchers have documented nitrogen fixation by an unusual type of cyanobacteria in the cold waters of the Bering and Chukchi Seas.
December 10, 2018
The complex history of Earth’s magnetic reversals
UC Santa Cruz geology professor Robert Coe will be presenting his paper, “What We Know and Don’t Know about Reversals” during the upcoming American Geophysical Union (AGU) meeting in Washington, D.C. this December.
December 07, 2018
Biochemist Glenn Millhauser receives Outstanding Faculty Award
The annual award from the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences is the division's highest honor for faculty achievement, recognizing combined excellence in research, teaching, and service.
December 03, 2018
Environmental, social changes shift how elephant seals communicate
UC Santa Cruz Ph.D. candidate Caroline Casey retraced biologist Burney Le Boeuf's scientific footsteps and discovered the seals’ threat calls no longer had geographic distinctions. Instead, as the northern elephant seal population had increased, the males’ calls had grown more individualized and complex.
November 30, 2018
Kepler telescope captures extraordinary observations of a star's death throes
Kepler's observations of the supernova known as SN 2018oh showed an unexpected fast rise in brightness that may be an important clue to understanding the progenitors of Type Ia supernovae, which cosmologists use to study the expansion of the universe and dark energy.
November 27, 2018
Ocean scientist Jonathan Zehr elected 2018 AAAS Fellow
Jonathan Zehr, professor of ocean sciences at UC Santa Cruz, has been awarded the distinction of AAAS Fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
November 23, 2018
Grassland expansion—not human hunting—drove ancient African extinctions
A new study revealed ecological changes in the African savanna, not the emergence of our hominin ancestors, led to the extinction of African ‘megaherbivores’ millions of years ago.
November 19, 2018
Study reveals importance of 'cryptic connections' in disease transmission
Innovative study of fungal disease in bats quantifies unseen interactions that play a key role in the spread of disease through populations and between species.
November 15, 2018
Astronomers find the progenitor to a unique type of supernova
Astronomers may have finally uncovered the long-sought progenitor to a unique type of exploding star called a type Ic supernova.
November 14, 2018
Planet discovered orbiting the second closest stellar system to the Earth
Measurements from high-precision instruments, including Keck's HIRES and Lick's Automated Planet Finder, reveal a cold super-Earth around Barnard’s star.
November 12, 2018
Escape responses of coral reef fish obey simple behavioral rules
Loom-sensitive neural circuits characterized in previous lab studies are shown to underlie complex evasive behaviors observed in a natural environment.
November 09, 2018
In Memoriam: Frank Talamantes (1943–2018)
Frank Talamantes, professor emeritus of molecular, cell, and developmental biology at UC Santa Cruz, died October 8 in El Paso, Texas. He was 75.
November 09, 2018
ENVS doctoral candidate Paulo Quadri takes top honors for NYC talk
Paulo Quadri, a doctoral candidate in environmental studies, was recognized for giving one of the three best talks during the American Museum of Natural History’s annual Student Conference on Conservation Science.
November 08, 2018
Oil and gas development off California's coast—Is more in our future?
The Ken Norris Memorial Lecture at the Seymour Center on Tuesday, November 13, features a moderated discussion with an expert panel.
November 06, 2018
Long noncoding RNA identified as a key regulator of inflammation
New findings add to growing evidence that previously dismissed "junk DNA" actually produces RNA molecules with important regulatory functions.
November 01, 2018
UCSC chemists develop safe alternatives to phthalates used in plastics
Growing concern over the health effects of phthalates has spurred a search for alternatives that can add flexibility to plastics without leaching out.
November 01, 2018
Exhibit showcases art inspired by the UC Santa Cruz Natural Reserves
'Reserves of Inspiration: Exploring UC Santa Cruz Natural Landscapes' opens November 6 at the Eloise Pickard Smith Gallery in Cowell College.
October 31, 2018
UCSC interns among top high school presenters at Sigma Xi Student Research Conference
Five high school students participating in UCSC's Science Internship Program took top honors for geosciences and for physics and astronomy in the high school division.
October 23, 2018
Researchers plant baby oysters at Elkhorn Slough
First attempt in California to restore native oysters through aquaculture is led by Kerstin Wasson, adjunct professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa Cruz.
October 19, 2018
Creating a culture shift in fieldwork
A workshop designed by a UC Santa Cruz professor and Ph.D. student aims to help scientists learn how to prevent and deal with sexual assault and harassment in field settings, where researchers often work in harsh conditions and close quarters miles from help.
October 18, 2018
3D-printed supercapacitor electrode breaks records in lab tests
Advances in supercapacitor technology could lead to wider use of fast-charging energy storage devices and novel designs for electronic gadgets.
October 18, 2018
NSF honors astronomer Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz among Hispanic leaders in science
In recognition of their efforts and Hispanic Heritage Month, the National Science Foundation profiled eight leaders in their fields.
October 17, 2018
Study documents paternal transmission of epigenetic memory via sperm
Susan Strome's lab at UC Santa Cruz is making steady progress in unraveling how environmental effects on health and development can be transmitted across generations.
October 11, 2018
Gary Griggs covers region's history of natural disasters in new book
Griggs puts the natural disasters of recent decades into historical context in his latest book, 'Between Paradise and Peril: The Natural Disaster History of the Monterey Bay Region.'
October 10, 2018
Three UCSC professors honored as Fellows of the California Academy of Sciences
Biologist Beth Shapiro and astronomers Claire Max and Natalie Batalha are among 14 new fellows elected to the California Academy of Sciences for 2018.
October 10, 2018
Astronomer Natalie Batalha to receive Alumni Achievement Award
After serving as science lead for NASA’s Kepler Mission from 2011 to 2017, Batalha is returning to UC Santa Cruz as a professor of astronomy and astrophysics.
October 05, 2018
Local group funds four UC Santa Cruz cancer researchers
The Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Group is continuing its support for cancer research at UC Santa Cruz with new grants.
October 04, 2018
Molecular guardians monitor chromosomes during cell division
Cell biologist Needhi Bhalla investigates the intricate choreography of cell division and the chromosomal surveillance apparatus that guards against disaster.
October 04, 2018
Alumni Profile: Author-naturalist Christian Schwarz crusades on behalf of the planet
With his smart phone in hand, Christian Schwarz is empowering "citizen scientists" to document today's biodiversity in hopes of inspiring action before it's too late.
October 03, 2018
Arctic ecology field course a memorable experience for students
After studying Arctic ecology and environmental change in the classroom, students experienced it firsthand on a three-week summer field trip .
October 03, 2018
SACNAS to honor UC Santa Cruz chapter at annual diversity in STEM conference
The UCSC chapter will be recognized as 2018 Chapter of the Year for its outstanding achievements.
October 02, 2018
ARCS Foundation scholarships support UCSC graduate students
Thirteen UC Santa Cruz graduate students have received scholarships worth a total of $141,000 from the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation.
October 01, 2018
NSF grant funds program to increase diversity in physics and astronomy
The Cal-Bridge program has received a $5 million grant to support Ph.D. pathways at 24 campuses.
September 25, 2018
First-year Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam survey results yield cosmological constraints
UC Santa Cruz astronomer Alexie Leauthaud has been involved in the HSC survey project from the beginning of the survey.
September 25, 2018
Astrophysicist Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz elected fellow of American Physical Society
Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz, professor and chair of astronomy and astrophysics, has been elected an APS Fellow in recognition of his outstanding contributions to physics.
September 25, 2018
New faculty to advance campus teaching, research
UC Santa Cruz is welcoming more than 35 new faculty members this year, bringing the campus total to 603.
September 20, 2018
Planetary scientist Francis Nimmo awarded 2018 Farinella Prize
Francis Nimmo, professor of Earth and planetary sciences, was awarded the 2018 Paolo Farinella Prize at the European Planetary Science Congress in Berlin.
September 20, 2018
Ocean scientist Phoebe Lam leads Pacific Ocean research cruise
Lam is one of three chief scientists on the U.S. GEOTRACES GP15 cruise to sample the Pacific Ocean from Alaska to Tahiti.
September 17, 2018
Decisive sea otters distinguish differences by touch
Research at Long Marine Laboratory reveals the sensitivity of sea otters' paws and whiskers, as well as their ability to process tactile information rapidly.
September 13, 2018
Quantum information science on the verge of a technological revolution
Theorist Yuan Ping is developing computational methods to guide the design of new materials for quantum computing and other quantum information technologies.
September 10, 2018
NSF funds powerful new supercomputer for UC Santa Cruz researchers
The new high-performance computer system will support research in theoretical astrophysics, climate science, materials science, and other fields.
September 06, 2018
Adaptable lizards illustrate key evolutionary process proposed a century ago
The 'Baldwin effect' has now been demonstrated at the genetic level in a population of dark-colored lizards adapted to live on a lava flow in the desert.
September 03, 2018
Tracking marine migrations across geopolitical boundaries aids conservation
By tracking migratory marine species, scientists reveal movements through different countries' waters and in the open ocean beyond areas of national jurisdiction.
August 30, 2018
Injection wells can induce earthquakes miles away from the well
A study of earthquakes induced by injecting fluids deep underground has revealed surprising patterns, suggesting that current recommendations for hydraulic fracturing, wastewater disposal, and geothermal wells may need to be revised.
August 29, 2018
Gifts to UC Santa Cruz fund new presidential chair for diversity in astronomy
UCSC astronomer Sandra Faber and her husband made the lead gift to establish an endowed chair named in honor of Faber's mentor, distinguished astronomer Vera Rubin.
August 29, 2018
UC Santa Cruz researchers contribute to new assessment of Central Coast climate impacts
Nearly a dozen UC Santa Cruz researchers contributed to a new state-issued report that assesses the dire impacts of climate change throughout California.
August 28, 2018
LHC scientists detect Higgs bosons decaying into bottom quarks
UC Santa Cruz physicists made important contributions to the discovery, which confirms the fate of the vast majority of all Higgs bosons produced in the LHC.
August 09, 2018
Three UCSC scientists elected fellows of the American Geophysical Union
Andrew Fisher, Adina Paytan, and Eli Silver are among the 62 eminent scientists honored by the American Geophysical Union (AGU) as members of the 2018 class of AGU Fellows.
August 06, 2018
Coastal Science and Policy graduate program welcomes first cohort of students
The new graduate program in Coastal Science and Policy at UC Santa Cruz will welcome its first cohort of students in fall 2018.
August 03, 2018
Harry Noller to receive Biophysical Society's 2019 Ignacio Tinoco Award
Molecular biologist Harry Noller has been chosen by the Biophysical Society (BPS) to receive its 2019 Ignacio Tinoco Award.
July 30, 2018
Two UCSC graduate students win HHMI Gilliam Fellowships for Advanced Study
The Gilliam Fellowships support exceptional graduate students who are committed to increasing diversity among scientific leaders.
July 30, 2018
Groundwater recharge project informs statewide sustainability efforts
Study shows how collecting storm-water runoff to replenish depleted groundwater supplies can be coupled with a simple strategy to reduce nitrate contaminants.
July 26, 2018
New meta-analysis reveals pace and extent of river recovery
A new global meta-analysis by UC Santa Cruz researchers reveals patterns of river responsiveness to disturbances such as oil spills, wastewater contamination, and fires.
July 24, 2018
Among golden-crowned sparrows, a false crown only fools strangers
Researchers can change dominance relationships between birds by altering the colors on their heads, but only if the birds don't already know each other.
July 24, 2018
Campus, Silicon Valley leaders celebrate Lick Observatory’s 130th anniversary
The University of California owns and operates the observatory, which was founded by a bequest from James Lick. It opened in 1888.
July 17, 2018
Study finds 50 times more native trees on rat-free Palmyra Atoll
New research demonstrates a strong positive benefit to native trees after removal of an invasive species.
July 12, 2018
VERITAS supplies critical piece to neutrino discovery puzzle
The VERITAS array has confirmed the detection of gamma rays from the vicinity of a supermassive black hole that is potentially the first known astrophysical source of high-energy cosmic neutrinos.
July 12, 2018
Basic research in fruit flies leads to potential drug for diseases afflicting millions
A promising drug to treat river blindness and other neglected tropical diseases caused by filarial worms is now in preclinical development.
June 26, 2018
ISEE receives presidential award for excellence in STEM mentoring
The UC Santa Cruz Institute for Scientist & Engineer Educators has received a Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM).
June 25, 2018
'Electrogeochemistry' captures carbon, produces fuel, offsets ocean acidification
Researchers analyzed the global potential for 'negative emissions energy' using electricity from renewable sources to generate hydrogen fuel and capture carbon dioxide.
June 25, 2018
Astronomer Alexie Leauthaud wins DOE Early Career Award
The award from DOE's Early Career Research Program supports Leauthaud's research on dark energy.
June 22, 2018
Climate scientist Nicole Feldl wins NSF CAREER Award
NSF grant includes funding for climate research and for a cross-disciplinary environmental game project for students to develop a learning game about climate science.
June 18, 2018
Graduates mark new era, seek to improve world for all
More than 3,200 students participated in commencement ceremonies in the colleges, Graduate Division, and Baskin School of Engineering.
June 15, 2018
Commencement stories: Benjamin Smithers
Benjamin Smithers is a double major in mathematics and physics who is now working on his Ph.D.: an expedition into the world of neutrino physics.
June 14, 2018
Dust clouds can explain puzzling features of active galactic nuclei
Mysterious features seen in light emitted from active galactic nuclei may be due to partial obscuration by dust clouds, according to new study.
June 12, 2018
Instruments of good
Introductory physics students test their knowledge and get exposure to the wider world in a class project in which they create musical instruments to be donated to kids in need.
June 12, 2018
Without coral reefs, annual flood damages from storms could double globally
New study shows annual costs soaring to $272 billion, sending a powerful signal about reefs and their importance during the International Year of the Reef.
June 11, 2018
Commencement stories: Rachel Doran
Rachel Doran is a Ph.D. candidate in the graduate program in biomedical sciences and engineering, working on HIV immunogens. She has won a Graduate Research Symposium award for her presentation on “From armor to Achilles heel: Targeting the glycan shield of HIV in novel vaccine strategies".
June 11, 2018
Help from the wizarding world
A gift from a Harry Potter–themed virtual running club enables a UC Santa Cruz professor to observe whales in Antarctica
June 06, 2018
Climate scientist James Zachos appointed to Ida Benson Lynn Endowed Chair in Ocean Health
Zachos has spent his career studying episodes of climate change in Earth's distant past and their relevance to current global warming.
June 05, 2018
Master's degree approved for Science Communication Program
The UC Santa Cruz Science Communication Program will award students a M.S. degree in science communication starting in fall 2018.
June 04, 2018
UC Santa Cruz offers new major in environmental sciences
UC Santa Cruz has approved a new interdisciplinary major in environmental sciences leading to a B.S. degree.
June 01, 2018
Biochemist Carrie Partch honored for research on biological clocks
The latest findings from Partch's lab have resolved a longstanding question about how the timing of our biological clocks is regulated.
May 29, 2018
New model explains what we see when a massive black hole devours a star
Theoretical astrophysicists have developed a unified model that explains observations of tidal disruption events, when a black hole swallows a disrupted star.
May 25, 2018
Diverse campus landscapes are ideal outdoor laboratories—and classrooms
UC Santa Cruz is known for its beautiful landscapes, but its meadows, forests, farm fields, and coastal bluffs also support a range of scientific research and hands-on learning opportunities for students.
May 24, 2018
Selective neural connections can be reestablished in retina after injury, study finds
Circuit repair in the retina of adult ground squirrels can recreate the selective neural connections needed for color vision.
May 23, 2018
Biologist Beth Shapiro selected as Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator
Shapiro’s Paleogenomics Lab at UC Santa Cruz uses ancient DNA to study evolutionary history and the effects of environmental change on species and ecosystems.
May 22, 2018
Astrophysicist Jedidah Isler will give annual Mandel Lecture on June 7
Award-winning astrophysicist Jedidah Isler will give a free public lecture entitled "Blazars: Nature's particle accelerators" on Thursday, June 7, at the Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz.
May 21, 2018
Lightning in the eyewall of a hurricane beamed antimatter toward the ground
The first detection of a downward positron beam from a terrestrial gamma-ray flash was captured by an instrument flown through the eyewall of Hurricane Patricia in 2015.
May 10, 2018
Sue Carter named provost for Rachel Carson College
Professor Sue Carter said her vision for Rachel Carson College is to strengthen its role in supporting students as they seek to create a more sustainable future and make it a place for them to gain skills needed for green careers in which they can develop sustainable innovations to preserve the environment.
May 07, 2018
Astronomers find an exoplanet atmosphere free of clouds
An international team of astronomers has detected an exoplanet atmosphere that is free of clouds, marking a pivotal breakthrough in the quest to better understand what lies at the outer reaches of our galaxy.
May 04, 2018
Elkhorn Slough scientist Kerstin Wasson honored as 'wetland hero'
An adjunct professor at UC Santa Cruz, Wasson will receive the 2018 National Wetlands Award for Scientific Research.
May 01, 2018
NIH grant supports development of a novel drug for stroke treatment
A drug discovery grant is funding the quest by UCSC chemistry professor Ted Holman to bring a new drug treatment for stroke to clinical trials.
May 01, 2018
Undergraduate Eric Medina wins $15,000 Strauss Scholarship to reinvigorate Oakes Garden
Eric Medina, a fourth year at UC Santa Cruz double majoring in ecology and evolutionary biology and Latin American and Latino studies, has received a $15,000 public service scholarship to reinvigorate the garden at Oakes College.
April 30, 2018
UC Santa Cruz glaciologist leads project to study Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier
Earth sciences professor Slawek Tulaczyk will lead one of eight projects in a joint U.S.-U.K. research program to understand how quickly the massive Antarctic glacier could collapse.
April 26, 2018
Award-winning biologist and writer Sean B. Carroll to speak at UC Santa Cruz
Carroll will give the 2018 Sinsheimer Lecture on Thursday, May 10, followed by a free screening of the film 'The Serengeti Rules' on May 11 at the Rio Theater.
April 26, 2018
Innovative ‘Studies in Medicine’ course will be offered online to all UC students
Developed by UC Santa Cruz biology professor Grant Hartzog and local physician Dr. Greg Gates, the popular course examines the field of medicine through a historical and philosophical lens.
April 23, 2018
Face recognition for galaxies: Artificial intelligence brings new tools to astronomy
A 'deep learning' algorithm trained on images from cosmological simulations has been surprisingly successful at classifying real galaxies in Hubble images.
April 19, 2018
UC Santa Cruz honors alumni Thomas Webb and Susanne Hering
The Physical and Biological Sciences Distinguished Alumni Awards recognize contributions to society by graduate and undergraduate alums.
April 16, 2018
Teaching on the edge
Four of UC Santa Cruz’s most innovative educators will offer insights and advice about fostering lively, dynamic, and relevant classrooms during a special edition of the Alumni Weekend Teach-Ins.
April 16, 2018
Lick Observatory expands evening programs for the public this summer
Tickets for the popular concert and lecture series and new evening tours on Mount Hamilton go on sale at noon on Wednesday, April 18.
April 11, 2018
Nature-based solutions can prevent $50 billion in Gulf Coast flood damages
Researchers found that restoration of marshes and oyster reefs are among the most cost-effective solutions for flood risk reduction on the U.S. Gulf Coast.
April 10, 2018
Coastal stream restoration projects concentrated where residents are 'whiter, wealthier, and more educated,' researchers find
Stream restoration efforts along the coast of Central California are unevenly distributed, with activity more likely to occur in areas that are more highly populated and dominated by residents who are "whiter, wealthier, and more educated," according to an analysis by researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
April 04, 2018
2018 Osterbrock Lecture will focus on the role of science in public policy
Rush Holt, CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, will speak at UC Santa Cruz on Thursday, April 19 .
April 04, 2018
Astrophysicist Douglas Lin remembers Stephen Hawking
Astrophysicist Doug Lin wrote some personal reflections on his friendship with the late physicist Stephen Hawking.
April 02, 2018
Thanks for the sediment
Kimberley Kanani Bitterwolf won this year's campuswide Grad Slam competition by taking a daunting topic -- our planet’s climate history—and boiling it down to three entertaining minutes.
March 21, 2018
Seismologists introduce new measure of earthquake ruptures
Seismologists have developed a new measurement of seismic energy release that can be applied to large earthquakes.
March 20, 2018
Marine researchers say recent sea star wasting disease epidemic defies prediction
Some sea star communities on the west coast could recover, but marine scientists still can’t pinpoint the environmental factors behind the unprecedented disease outbreak.
March 20, 2018
UC Santa Cruz graduate programs rank among best in nation in U.S. News survey
The U.S. News and World Report's 2019 Best Graduate Schools guide evaluates graduate schools in business, education, engineering, law, medicine, nursing, social work, criminology, public affairs, and the sciences.
March 15, 2018
NIH grant funds high-end instrument for shared biomedical research facility
UC Santa Cruz establishes a Bay Area facility in electron paramagnetic resonance with a $1.5-million grant from NIH's High-End Instrumentation program.
March 14, 2018
Textbook on number theory acclaimed for its novel approach
Mathematics professor Martin Weissman's new book has received an honorable mention in the 2018 PROSE Awards and raves from fellow mathematicians.
March 13, 2018
UC Santa Cruz prof and grad student are among honorees at 2018 NEXTies
The local awards show will be held at the Rio Theater in Santa Cruz on Friday, March 23.
March 12, 2018
Four kinds of algal toxins found in San Francisco Bay shellfish
Researchers monitoring San Francisco Bay for algal toxins have found a surprising array of different toxins in the water and in mussels collected from the bay.
March 08, 2018
Grant to transform upper floor of Science and Engineering Library
A $5 million grant will kick-start the Science and Engineering Library’s transformation and name floor to honor legendary astrophysicist Sandra Faber
March 05, 2018
Mothers in science offer solutions to the conference-childcare conundrum
A Working Group of Mothers in Science has proposed guidelines for scientific conferences to remove barriers for parents.
March 01, 2018
Ecologist Erika Zavaleta elected Fellow of the Ecological Society of America
Zavaleta was honored in recognition of her contributions to the science of ecology.
February 26, 2018
Tracking data reveal the secret lives of marine animals
Seals, whales, sharks, turtles, seabirds, and other marine vertebrates show similar patterns of movement in marine environments.
February 21, 2018
Novel search strategy advances the hunt for primordial black holes
Researchers analyzing data from the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope for evidence of nearby primordial black holes put an upper limit on the number that might be lurking in the vicinity of Earth.
February 15, 2018
UCSC astronomer Alexie Leauthaud wins Sloan Research Fellowship
The Sloan Research Fellowships honor early-career scholars whose achievements mark them as among the very best scientific minds working today.
February 14, 2018
Analysis of major earthquakes supports stress reduction assumptions
After a major earthquake, the area where the fault slipped a lot is unlikely to slip again, seismologists say, but stress increases in surrounding areas.
February 13, 2018
State program funds lung cancer research at UC Santa Cruz
The California Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program has awarded $1.8 million in grants and fellowships to UCSC biomedical researchers.
February 12, 2018
Innovative restoration of coral reefs helps protect Caribbean islands
Study shows direct link between healthy coral reefs and shoreline stability and field-tests an innovative risk-reduction solution that combines engineering with reef restoration.
February 12, 2018
Acoustic imaging reveals hidden features of megathrust fault off Costa Rica
First detailed 3-D images of a megathrust fault show long grooves and other features in the fault surface that are likely to control how it slips in an earthquake.
February 09, 2018
Climate Conference features visionary artist and Smithsonian biologist
The fifth annual Climate Science and Policy Conference presented by UC Santa Cruz brings together a visionary artist and a Smithsonian scientist for an engaging, interdisciplinary conversation about how humans and ecosystems will cope on a warming planet.
February 09, 2018
Surfing into the history books
If the right conditions arrive this winter, alumna Sarah Gerhardt could be among the first women to compete in the Mavericks big-wave surf contest.
February 01, 2018
Polar bears finding it harder to catch enough seals to meet energy demands
As climate change alters their environment a growing number of polar bears are unable to catch enough fat-rich prey to meet their energy needs.
January 18, 2018
Study finds convergent evolution of gene regulation in humans and mice
Molecular biologists have found evidence of convergent evolution in an important mechanism of gene regulation in humans and mice.
January 16, 2018
New catalyst for hydrogen production is a step toward clean fuel
A novel material developed at UC Santa Cruz has shown impressive performance as a catalyst for the electrochemical splitting of water to produce hydrogen.
January 10, 2018
Earliest galaxies in the universe spin like the Milky Way
Astronomers looking back to a time soon after the big bang have discovered swirling gas in some of the earliest galaxies to have formed in the universe.
January 08, 2018
How birds' genes influence adaptation to climate change
Biologists involved in the Bird Genoscape Project are racing against time to find out the potential for adaptation in vulnerable populations of birds.
January 08, 2018
Neutron star merger observations hailed as scientific breakthrough of the year
Both Science and Physics World noted the significance of the findings in which UC Santa Cruz astronomers played a key role.
January 03, 2018
NSF I-Corps pushes discoveries to market
Professor Sue Carter testified before congressional leaders on NSF Innovation Corps, which assists scientists and engineers in discovering commercial applications for their research.
January 02, 2018
Unraveling the mechanisms that control cell growth and size
Scientists studying how cells control their size and growth rate are closing in on fundamental mechanisms that are common to all cells and are disrupted in cancer.
January 01, 2018
Supermassive black holes control star formation in large galaxies
Astronomers found a close correlation between the mass of a galaxy's central black hole and its star formation history.