Research

Global warming likely to be amplified by slow changes to Earth systems

The sensitivity of Earth's temperature to increases in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere may be greater than has been expected on the basis of climate models.

Supernova explosions stay in shape

Supernova remnants--the debris from exploded stars--retain information about how their progenitor stars exploded.

Pre-eruption earthquakes offer clues to volcano forecasters

Pre-eruption earthquakes give scientists an opportunity to study the tumult beneath a volcano and may help them improve the accuracy of eruption forecasts.

Soap opera in the marsh: Coots foil nest invaders, reject impostors

Coots have evolved a remarkable set of cognitive abilities to thwart other coots that lay eggs in their neighbors' nests.

Icy moons of Saturn and Jupiter may have conditions needed for life

Evidence from recent NASA missions suggests that conditions necessary for life may exist on the icy satellites of Saturn and Jupiter, according to planetary scientist Francis Nimmo.

New planet discoveries suggest low-mass planets are common around nearby stars

An international team of planet hunters has discovered as many as six low-mass planets around two nearby Sun-like stars.

Cholera bacteria show adaptability to changing environments

Understanding the behavior of cholera bacteria between epidemics and how the pathogen moves between different environments could help prevent outbreaks.

Massaro announces iPhone app for animated tutor

Dominic Massaro has created an iPhone application for Baldi®, a computer-animated tutor that facilitates speech.

New search technique for images and videos has broad applications

Engineers have developed a new approach to a fundamental problem in computer vision: how to program a computer to recognize or categorize what it "sees" in an image or video.

Faculty join systemwide effort focused on global health

UCSC faculty join new UC Global Health Institute.

Studies show marine reserves are an effective tool for managing fisheries

Studies conducted in California and elsewhere provide support for the use of marine reserves as a tool for managing fisheries and protecting marine habitats.

Scientists propose a "genome zoo" of 10,000 vertebrate species

In the most comprehensive study of animal evolution ever attempted, an international consortium of scientists plans to assemble a collection of DNA sequences for 10,000 vertebrate species.

Legendary "man-eating" lions of Tsavo likely ate about 35 people--not 135, say scientists

The notorious "man-eating lions of Tsavo" that terrorized a railroad camp in Kenya in 1898 likely consumed about 35 people--far fewer than popular estimates.

Lead poisoning threatens a vulnerable albatross population

Populations of Laysan albatross face severe declines due to widespread lead poisoning of chicks unless comprehensive cleanup measures gain momentum, according to a recent study.

Archaeology course unlocks "silent history" of the slave trade in West Africa

Anthropologist J. Cameron Monroe led UCSC's first undergraduate archaeological expedition to Benin this past summer.

Loik leads international collaboration on precipitation research

Michael Loik of environmental studies is the lead scientist on an international study of precipitation that's part of Biosphere 2.

Researchers to study hidden lakes beneath West Antarctic ice sheet

UCSC researchers will drill through a half-mile of ice to penetrate subglacial Lake Whillans and study hidden processes that govern the dynamics of the West Antarctic ice sheet.

Nanopore project wins $1.1 million NIH grant

NHGRI has awarded a $1.1 million grant to support work at UCSC on nanopore technology for analyzing DNA.

Antarctic expedition studies survival strategies of Weddell seals

Eight years after her last major expedition to Antarctica, biologist Terrie Williams is back on the ice.

UCSC bioinformatics experts are partners in national cancer genetics project

UCSC researchers will establish a Cancer Genome Data Analysis Center as part of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), a $275 million collaborative project led by NIH.

AIDS vaccine expert encouraged by promising results from clinical trial

Phillip Berman said he is encouraged by promising results from a large clinical trial of an AIDS vaccine regimen.

Cooper joins UN group's discussion of Muslim youth in Europe

Psychology professor joins UN-sponsored symposium on Muslim youth in Europe.

$3.5 million NIH grant supports AIDS vaccine research

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has awarded a $3.5 million grant for AIDS vaccine research at UCSC.

Genome Sequencing Center offers state-of-the-art sequencing services

The UCSC Genome Sequencing Center is now available to accept samples from investigators at other academic institutions as well as regional biotechnology companies.

Lick Observatory celebrates 50th anniversary of Shane Telescope

For 50 years, the 3-meter Shane Telescope has helped keep Lick Observatory at the forefront of modern astronomy.

New poll by UCSC professor reveals declining support for the death penalty

In California, support for the death penalty has eroded significantly since 1989, according to a new public-opinion poll by psychology professor Craig Haney.

Computer scientist Michael Mateas named to MacArthur Foundation Chair

Computer scientist Michael Mateas, named to the MacArthur Foundation Chair at UCSC, aims to radically expand the expressive power of computer games.

Variability of type 1a supernovae has implications for dark energy studies

A new study reveals sources of variability in type 1a supernovae that could affect the precision of cosmic distance measurements.

UC astronomer cheers Mauna Kea selection as site for Thirty-Meter Telescope

A leading astronomer at UC Santa Cruz hailed the selection of Mauna Kea in Hawaii as the site for construction of the Thirty-Meter Telescope.

UC researchers awarded $2.3M to study vocabulary assessment tool

A team of UC researchers creates a new approach to assessing student vocabulary.

UCSC scores high in competition for UC multi-campus research funding

Four research programs headquartered at UC Santa Cruz have received awards in the 2009 UC Multi-Campus Research Programs and Initiatives Competition (MRPI).

U.S. research vessel enroute to Bering Sea for climate change investigations

Preparations are under way for an international marine research expedition to investigate the role of the Bering Sea in climate change.

NASA's Fermi Telescope reveals a population of radio-quiet gamma-ray pulsars

UCSC physicists have discovered a new class of pulsars using NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope.

UCSC anthropologist Adrienne Zihlman honored for pioneering research on human evolution

Adrienne Zihlman is honored for pioneering research on human evolution.

Integrated optical trap holds particles for on-chip analysis

A new type of optical particle trap can be used to manipulate bacteria, viruses and other particles on a chip as part of an integrated optofluidic platform.

Novel light-sensitive compounds show promise for cancer therapy

Novel compounds show promise for photodynamic cancer therapy, which uses light-activated drugs to kill tumor cells.

Top physicists gather at UCSC to honor Tom Banks and Willy Fischler

Top physicists will gather at UCSC on June 15 and 16 for a symposium in honor of Thomas Banks, professor of physics at UCSC, and Willy Fischler, professor of physics at the University of Texas, Austin.

New technique improves estimates of pulsar ages

Astronomers have developed a new technique to determine the ages of millisecond pulsars, the fastest-spinning stars in the universe.

Groundwater fingered as a source of methylmercury in coastal waters

For the first time, scientists have detected a highly toxic form of mercury in groundwater flows at two coastal sites in California.

Fifth annual Graduate Research Symposium presents impressive student work

Third grader's question about soccer fields leads to UCSC science lab

Third-grader Claire Dworsky is investigating her own questions about water quality in Adina Paytan's laboratory at UCSC.

Rajan to study management of environmental risks in India

With a new NSF grant, S. Ravi Rajan will explore the intersection of science and politics in India.

Scientists develop new technology for tracking algal toxins

A new tool for tracking algal toxins is under development at UCSC.

Racism expert Thomas F. Pettigrew receives top UC honor for emeriti faculty

For some, retirement means slowing down and shifting gears. Not so for Thomas F. Pettigrew.

Study points to disruption of copper regulation as key to prion diseases

An investigation of a rare, inherited form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease suggests that disrupted regulation of copper ions in the brain may be a key factor in this and other prion diseases.

Baskin School of Engineering and Cisco find mutual benefit in networking partnership

Students in the Baskin School of Engineering are getting real-world experience in computer networks through a partnership with San Jose-based Cisco Systems

UCSC grad students to present exhibition of digital art with social impact at Museum of Art and History

Ten graduate students from UCSC's Digital Arts and New Media (DANM) program will present a two-part exhibition at the Museum of Art and History in downtown Santa Cruz, running April 17 to June 24.

Bill Domhoff's new book documents the rise of progressive politics in Santa Cruz

A new book reveals the roots of progressive politics in Santa Cruz.

UCSC professor offers 'street smart' guide to making documentary films

Looking for a practical, step-by-step guide to creating a documentary film? You might look no further than a new compact handbook co-authored by UC Santa Cruz associate professor of film and digital media Gustavo Vazquez.

Cancer Genomics Browser gives cancer researchers a powerful new tool

The UCSC Cancer Genomics Browser provides a new way to visualize and analyze data from studies aimed at improving cancer treatment by unraveling the complex genetic roots of the disease.

Obama's regulatory plan doesn't go far enough, says author of new book Morals and Markets

In his new book, economist Dan Friedman identifies the systemic problems that underlie the economic crisis.

Hollow gold nanospheres show promise for biomedical and other applications

A new metal nanostructure has already shown promise in cancer therapy studies and could be used for chemical and biological sensors and other applications as well.

Universities, NASA unveil plans to build new campus at Ames

UCSC and Foothill-De Anza Community College District today announced a new partnership with NASA Ames Research Center to establish a sustainable community for education and research at the NASA Research Park.

Exhibition by Elliot Anderson at Gallery 16 in San Francisco through March 27

<i>Equivalents</i>, a new body of work by assistant professor of art and electronic media Elliot Anderson, will be on display at Gallery 16 in San Francisco through March 27.

Dust deposited in oceans may carry elements toxic to marine algae

New findings show that some sources of dust deposited in the oceans carry toxic elements that can kill marine phytoplankton.

Stem cell symposium showcases new facilities and research

The UCSC Stem Cell Symposium showcased a variety of stem cell research projects now underway on campus and celebrated the opening last year of the Shared Stem Cell Facility.

Study links seabird deaths to soap-like foam produced by red-tide algae

A "red tide" bloom of marine algae in 2007 produced a soap-like substance that stripped the natural waterproofing from birds' feathers.

Four arrested for threats and violence against UC researchers

The FBI announced on February 20 that law-enforcement officers have arrested four people who are suspected of terrorizing University of California researchers.

Sloan Research Fellowships awarded to two UCSC profs

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has awarded Sloan Research Fellowships to Samit Dasgupta, assistant professor of mathematics, and Mark Krumholz, assistant professor of astronomy and astrophysics.

Astronomer Sandra Faber to receive Franklin Institute's prestigious Bower Award

Astronomer Sandra Faber has been chosen to receive the 2009 Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science from the historic Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

New data suggest "jumping genes" play a significant role in gene regulatory networks

Research suggests that mobile repetitive elements affect the evolution of gene regulatory networks.

Synthetic biology yields clues to evolution and the origin of life

The efforts of researchers in the field of synthetic biology are yielding clues to the mystery of how life began on Earth.

New monitoring stations detect "silent earthquakes" in Costa Rica

After installing a network of monitoring stations in Costa Rica, researchers have detected slow slip events ("silent earthquakes") along a major fault zone beneath the Nicoya Peninsula.

Literary Studies book series co-founded at UCSC to benefit from $1.16 million Mellon Foundation grant

A UC Press book series in literary studies--founded by UC Santa Cruz literature professor Richard Terdiman in collaboration with his colleague Susan Gillman and faculty from UC Berkeley and Irvine-will share a $1.16 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon

Haney praises court decision on prison overcrowding

Psychology professor Craig Haney was one of the main expert witnesses who testified in the case before the three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

TOPP program gets 'seal' of approval from comedian Stephen Colbert

UCSC elephant seal researchers caught the attention of Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert, making the February 5 episode of his show, the Colbert Report.

Water industry taps UCSC to prepare for 'silver tsunami' of retirements

UCSC students will be poised to benefit from a wave of retirements in the water industry.

I am elephant seals (and so can you!)

Want to know the truthiness about northern elephant seals? Become a Facebook friend of Stelephant Colbert.

In Ms. magazine, Zavella challenges Congress to reform immigration law

Patricia Zavella highlights the "feminization" of immigration in an article in Ms. magazine.

Astronomers get a sizzling weather report from a distant planet

Astronomers have observed the intense heating of a distant planet as it swung close to its parent star, providing important clues to the atmospheric properties of the planet.

Jack Baskin School of Engineering to establish Keck Center for Nanoscale Optofluidics

UCSC has received a $1.5 million grant from the W. M. Keck Foundation to establish the W. M. Keck Center for Nanoscale Optofluidics.

Food is the "front line of healing," says author

Anthropologist Nancy Chen has a simple message for Americans who are obsessed with fad diets: Skip the gimmicks and listen to your grandmother.

UCSC alumnus wins 2009 Sundance directing award for first feature film

First-time director and UC Santa Cruz alumnus Cary Joji Fukunaga received the award for "Best Director, U.S. Drama," at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival for his film Sin Nombre.

New study resolves mystery of how massive stars form

A study led by astrophysicist Mark Krumholz shows how massive stars can form without blowing away the clouds of gas and dust that feed their growth.

Medical robotics expert explores the human-machine interface

Jacob Rosen is developing a wearable robotic "exoskeleton" that could enable a person to lift heavy objects with little effort.

Study of disease risk suggests ways to avoid slaughter of Yellowstone bison

Last winter, government agencies killed one third of Yellowstone National Park's bison herd, but such measures may be unnecessary according to researchers who have assessed the risk of disease transmission from Yellowstone bison to cattle.

Astronomers use gamma-ray burst to probe star formation in the early universe

The brilliant afterglow of a powerful gamma-ray burst (GRB) has enabled astronomers to probe the star-forming environment of a distant galaxy, resulting in the first detection of molecular gas in a GRB host galaxy.