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Physical and Biological Sciences

December 17, 2015
Spread of algal toxin through marine food web broke records in 2015
Researchers found record levels of the algal toxin domoic acid in samples from a wide range of marine organisms in 2015.
December 15, 2015
Gamma rays from distant galaxy tell story of an escape
New observations from VERITAS and other telescopes advance our understanding of bright galaxies called "blazars"
December 14, 2015
Sea lions exposed to algal toxin show impaired spatial memory
Brain damage caused by the neurotoxin domoic acid may affect sea lions' ability to survive in the wild.
December 14, 2015
Exoplanet atmospheres range from clear to cloudy in survey of 'hot Jupiters'
A survey of Jupiter-sized exoplanets reveals why some of these worlds appear to have less water than expected.
December 09, 2015
UC Research Catalyst Award supports conservation genomics project
$1.76 million grant will fund collaborative research among UCSC and four other UCs
December 02, 2015
UC Santa Cruz will host third annual hackathon January 29 to 31
Hack UCSC 2016 will draw coders, designers, and entrepreneurs for a coding marathon
December 01, 2015
UC Santa Cruz hosts international summer program on exoplanetary atmospheres
The 2016 Kavli Summer Program in Astrophysics will focus on 'Exoplanetary Atmospheres.'
November 23, 2015
Earth scientist Paul Koch elected 2015 AAAS Fellow
Koch, dean of physical and biological sciences, was honored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
November 19, 2015
Campus fills eight UC Presidential chairs in support of research mission
The eight new chairs - in everything from screenwriting to open-source software - bring the campus total to 30.
November 18, 2015
Dancing biologist finds inspiration in both art and science
For Xochitl Clare it’s easy to see a link between a 4,000-pound pinniped and a boisterous form of Cuban dance — a very real relationship between art and science.
November 12, 2015
UCSC Arboretum appoints Martin Quigley as director of gardens and grounds
Quigley was previously a professor of botany and director of the Chester M. Alter Arboretum at the University of Denver.
November 10, 2015
Annual Gift and Wreath Sale at the Arboretum will be held Nov. 21 and 22
The UC Santa Cruz Arboretum's annual Gift and Wreath Sale will be held on Saturday and Sunday, November 21 and 22.
November 05, 2015
Biologist Susan Strome receives Outstanding Faculty Award
The annual award is the highest honor for faculty achievement in the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences.
November 02, 2015
Bat disease fungus found to be widespread in northeast China
Discovery greatly expands the known distribution of the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats.
October 26, 2015
Physicist Sue Carter named Faculty Climate Action Champion for 2015-16
Carter plans to establish a campus sustainability lab to support student-led research and training.
October 22, 2015
Astrophysicist Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz to participate in new research initiative
Fellows chosen for a "Time Domain Astrophysics" Scialog initiative include six with UC Santa Cruz connections.
October 22, 2015
Physicist Joel Primack honored by American Physical Society
Primack will receive the 2016 Leo Szilard Lectureship Award from the APS.
October 21, 2015
How a black hole swallows a star: new observations confirm theory
New details about what happens when a black hole tears apart a star have been gathered by x-ray telescopes.
October 20, 2015
Mosquitofish populations with more females have greater ecological impact
Scientists investigating the ecological consequences of sexual dimorphism and sex ratio variation found dramatic effects
October 20, 2015
Formation of coastal sea ice in North Pacific drives ocean circulation and climate
New understanding of changes in North Pacific ocean circulation could lead to better global climate models.
October 19, 2015
Bridging science and tradition
A dedicated group of scientists has launched One People One Reef, a five-year conservation effort on Ulithi Atoll in Micronesia aimed at sustaining the ecological health of the islands—and the islanders
October 19, 2015
Big ideas
From saving falcons to peering into the universe, sequencing the human genome, and putting organic food on American tables, UC Santa Cruz has become known as the small university where big things happen.
October 15, 2015
Rising to the challenge
Leaving behind an early life of poverty, student Layla Cervantes is defying the statistics and becoming 'a great scientist.'
October 15, 2015
Ecologist Kristy Kroeker wins prestigious Packard Fellowship
The Packard Fellowship supports Kroeker's research on environmental change in dynamic environments and complex ecosystems.
October 08, 2015
Ocean scientist Adina Paytan to receive inaugural Dansgaard Award
The Dansgaard Award from the American Geophysical Union recognizes contributions to paleoceanography and paleoclimatology.
October 07, 2015
A classroom without walls
Imagine studying California's richly diverse landscapes, from sea to Sierra, right in the thick of the actual habitat.
October 05, 2015
Study reveals key structure in telomerase enzyme, a target for cancer drugs
UC Santa Cruz researchers have determined the structure an enzyme active in most cancers.
October 01, 2015
Physicist Sue Carter elected fellow of American Physical Society
Election as an APS Fellow recognizes Carter for her outstanding contributions to physics.
September 30, 2015
Grants fund efforts by UC Santa Cruz scientists to fight deadly bat disease
Scientists will conduct field trials this winter of two strategies for protecting bats from white-nose syndrome.
September 29, 2015
Gift funds new Presidential Chair for the UC Santa Cruz Natural Reserves
Endowment established by Helen and Will Webster Foundation broadens opportunities to use natural reserves as living labs and outdoor classrooms.
September 24, 2015
New senate faculty members build campus strengths
From environmental sociology to game design, UC Santa Cruz professors are studying problems aimed at improving the world in which we live.
September 21, 2015
UC Santa Cruz Arboretum holds Fall Plant Sale on Saturday, October 10
Annual sale features beautiful, drought-tolerant plants from around the world.
September 21, 2015
No reason to retire
In their 70s and 80s, many pioneer faculty are still working on campus—for the chance to open students’ eyes, for the excitement of discovery, and for the love of teaching.
September 18, 2015
Local group funds cancer research at UC Santa Cruz
Four UCSC cancer researchers have received grants from the Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Group.
September 14, 2015
Biologist Susan Strome to give annual Faculty Research Lecture
Professor Strome will deliver the 50th annual UCSC Faculty Research Lecture on Friday, September 25.
September 10, 2015
Iron Will
As a veteran marathoner and Iron Man competitor, Mary Zavanelli is used to competition. Now she's facing down her most formidable opponent of all: an ALS diagnosis.
September 10, 2015
Study finds different ways for a black hole to swallow a star
When a star passes too close to a dormant supermassive black hole, it gets torn apart by tidal forces.
September 09, 2015
Pister Award winner rises from poverty, works to save lives
Khanh Nguyen is heading to UC Santa Cruz to study biochemistry. He hopes to become a doctor for the World Health Organization.
September 09, 2015
Long-running UC Santa Cruz program supports diversity in biomedical sciences
Renewal of NIH grant provides $4 million for program supporting underrepresented minority students in biomedical fields.
September 08, 2015
Gift to UC Santa Cruz funds new presidential chair for physics of information
Endowed chair established by Federico Faggin, a physicist who developed the first commercial microprocessor.
September 08, 2015
Astronomy alumni join Chancellor Blumenthal in panel discussion Sept. 26
Three distinguished alumni and a current grad student join Chancellor Blumenthal to discuss astronomy, space, and discovery
September 07, 2015
Molting elephant seals add mercury to coastal seawater
UC Santa Cruz researchers traced elevated mercury levels in coastal seawater to hair shed by elephant seals.
September 03, 2015
UC Santa Cruz Arboretum marks 50th Anniversary with Sept. 20 Jubilee
The Arboretum will celebrate its first 50 years and raise funds for the future at the 50th Anniversary Jubilee.
September 01, 2015
Dogs, cats, and big-wave surfers: Healthy heart lessons from animals and athletes
Heart rates of big-wave surfers are among the surprises from 30 years of studying exercise physiology in people and wild animals.
August 24, 2015
Astronomer Claire Max appointed director of UC Observatories
UC President Janet Napolitano has appointed UC Santa Cruz astronomer Claire Max as director of UC Observatories.
August 19, 2015
Dickson Emeriti Professorship awarded to chemist Phil Crews
The Edward A. Dickson Emeriti Professorships recognize research, teaching, and public service by emeriti professors.
August 17, 2015
Undergrads exhibit summer research projects at annual symposium
More than 80 undergraduate students presented their summer research projects at the 2015 Summer Research Symposium.
August 13, 2015
Astronomers use new instrument to discover young Jupiter-like planet
Five UC Santa Cruz astronomers were involved in the first planet discovery by the Gemini Planet Imager.
August 12, 2015
Male elephant seals use 'voice recognition' to identify rivals, study finds
Researchers from UC Santa Cruz have been studying the behavior of northern elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Reserve since the late 1960s.
August 07, 2015
'Doing something significant with my life'
Molecular, cell and developmental biology student Hector Navarro, who came from humble beginnings, now works in a genetics lab on campus with the goal of becoming a cancer researcher.
August 05, 2015
'Science Notes 2015' now available online
The annual magazine published by the UC Santa Cruz Science Communication Program offers feature stories and multimedia packages.
August 04, 2015
Astrophysicist Piero Madau awarded prestigious international research chair
Piero Madau, distinguished professor of astronomy and astrophysics, has been appointed to an International Blaise Pascal Research Chair.
July 30, 2015
Summertime, and the research is happening
Transfer student Guinevere Ashley, who is working this summer in a campus lab, has found meaning and purpose in biomedical sciences research.
July 27, 2015
Surfing the web of life
UC Santa Cruz faculty members who ride the waves say the sport is beautiful and spiritual—and allows their minds the space to wander.
July 23, 2015
Warhol Foundation grant goes to Institute of the Arts and Sciences project
The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts has awarded a $30,000 grant to support an innovative artist residency and exhibition developed by the Institute of the Arts and Sciences (IAS) at UC Santa Cruz and the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) in San Jose--in collaboration with the UC Lick Observatory.
July 23, 2015
Study identifies ways to reduce flood risk while protecting natural habitat
Scientists from UC Santa Cruz and The Nature Conservancy release a timely report as forecasts indicate El Niño could bring dangerous flooding to California.
July 22, 2015
Alumna Priya Ganguli wins GSA Outstanding Woman in Science Award
The Geological Society of America will award the 2015 Doris M. Curtis Outstanding Woman in Science Award to Ganguli, who earned M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Earth sciences at UC Santa Cruz.
July 13, 2015
Chancellor names professors Haney and Strome as UC Presidential Chairs
UC Santa Cruz Chancellor George Blumenthal has named professors Craig Haney and Susan Strome to three-year terms as UC Santa Cruz Presidential Chairs.
July 10, 2015
Study finds surprisingly high geothermal heating beneath West Antarctic Ice Sheet
UC Santa Cruz team reports first direct measurement of heat flow to the bottom of the West Antarctic ice sheet
July 09, 2015
Astronomer Douglas N.C. Lin receives prestigious Bruce Gold Medal
Lin will receive the 2015 Catherine Wolfe Bruce Gold Medal from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific.
July 06, 2015
UC Santa Cruz grad River Charles earns Sutter scholarship for medical school
River Charles will receive the Primary Care Physician Award from Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center and the Central California Alliance for Health.
July 06, 2015
Ion channel mechanics yield insights into optogenetics experiments
UCSC researchers have determined the molecular mechanism of proteins that make nerve cells respond to light.
July 02, 2015
Record-setting toxic algae bloom persists along U.S. West Coast
An extensive bloom of toxic algae along the West Coast has waxed and waned since it first appeared in early May, but it hasn't gone away.
July 01, 2015
UC Santa Cruz develops innovative online courses available to all UC students
UC Santa Cruz faculty are venturing into the brave new world of online education.
June 26, 2015
A 'hydrothermal siphon' drives water circulation through the seafloor
A new study explains previous observations of ocean water flowing through the seafloor from one seamount to another.
June 23, 2015
UC Santa Cruz partners with UC Merced in nanotechnology center
Nanotechnology researchers at UC Santa Cruz are partners in a new center for nanomaterials research funded by NASA and based at UC Merced.
June 15, 2015
Graduate to help urban teens find path to college
Brittany Alba is poised to help many other Californians follow her path to higher education by serving a two-year fellowship that will have her advising San Jose high school students.
June 08, 2015
Fish declines linked to effects of excess nutrients on coastal estuaries
Offshore fisheries that depend on the health of fish nurseries in coastal estuaries are adversely affected by excess nutrients in runoff from land
June 02, 2015
Large bloom of toxic algae under way in Monterey Bay and beyond
Researchers have detected large blooms of toxin-producing algae in Monterey Bay, raising concerns about potential effects on marine mammals and seabirds.
June 02, 2015
Scientists discover a protein that silences the biological clock
A protein associated with cancer cells is a powerful suppressor of the clock that drives the daily rhythms of cells throughout the body.
June 02, 2015
Sleuthing a killer shrub
Students like Jennifer Thompson—who researched why Scotch Broom is toxic to Douglas fir—take advantage of a unique opportunity at UC Santa Cruz: the ability to do research as an undergraduate.
June 01, 2015
Undergrads experience the rewards of research
Students such as Sanjin Mehic showcase one of UC Santa Cruz's most valuable opportunities—the chance to do original research as an undergraduate.
May 29, 2015
In Memoriam: Joseph F. Bunnett
Professor Emeritus Joseph F. Bunnett, a long-time member of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UC Santa Cruz, passed away on May 22.
May 28, 2015
Robert P. Kraft, eminent astronomer and former director of UC Observatories, dies at age 87
Kraft was a widely recognized researcher and a gifted administrator who helped guide astronomy into the modern era.
May 15, 2015
LASER talk to explore research in environmental art, recycling, ocean medicines, and film
UC Santa Cruz’s Institute of the Arts and Sciences will present its final LASER talk of the academic year on campus this spring on Tuesday, May 19, at 7 p.m. in the Digital Arts Research Center.
May 14, 2015
Against all odds: Astronomers baffled by discovery of rare quasar quartet
Astronomers discovered four quasars, each one a rare object in its own right, in close physical proximity to each other.
May 11, 2015
UC Santa Cruz Arboretum inspires young author's nature guide
Nature walk and book signing on May 17 celebrates the publication of 'The Budding Naturalist's Guide to the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum' by 15-year-old Kelly McCandless
May 08, 2015
Astrophysicist Piero Madau inducted into Johns Hopkins Society of Scholars
Piero Madau, distinguished professor of astronomy and astrophysics, was honored for achieving marked distinction in the physical sciences.
May 06, 2015
Spreading science education, one telescope at a time
UC Santa Cruz grad student Tuguldur Sukhbold is using grant money to bring telescopes to schools in Mongolia so that science-starved kids might be exposed to the wonders of the universe.
May 05, 2015
Astronomers set a new distance record for galaxies
Astronomers have pushed back the cosmic frontier of galaxy exploration to a time when the universe was only 5 percent of its present age.
April 30, 2015
UC Santa Cruz biomedical research facility wins $2 million NIH grant
Grant funds new instrument used to explore the structures and functions of complex molecules involved in human health and disease.
April 29, 2015
Cosmologist Robert Kirshner explores accelerating universe in public talk on May 13
Kirshner's talk, "The Accelerating Universe: Einstein's Blunder Undone," is free and open to the public.
April 28, 2015
Scientists find evidence for groundwater in Antarctica's Dry Valleys
A salty aquifer beneath Antarctica's Dry Valleys may support previously unknown microbial ecosystems.
April 27, 2015
Earth scientist Jim Gill to give Emeriti Lecture May 11
James Gill, professor emeritus of Earth and planetary sciences, will discuss "Volcanism as the Re-creation of Earth."
April 27, 2015
Graduate students present research projects at annual symposium
The 11th Annual Graduate Research Symposium on April 24 featured graduate student researchers from across the divisions.
April 22, 2015
Spread of pathogens between species is predictable, study finds
Scientists studied disease dynamics in a grassland on the UC Santa Cruz campus.
April 21, 2015
UC Santa Cruz part of NASA coalition leading search for life on distant worlds
Astrophysicist Jonathan Fortney is one of 15 principal investigators for a new NASA initiative searching for life on planets around other stars.
April 13, 2015
Solving ancient riddles: UCSC hosts archaeological genetics conference
The newly formed UC Santa Cruz Archaeological Research Center will hold its first public research conference on how the analysis of ancient DNA can unlock secrets from the past Tuesday afternoon (April 14) on the UC Santa Cruz campus.
April 13, 2015
Biologist Beth Shapiro explains the science of 'de-extinction' in new book
A leading expert on ancient DNA, Shapiro aims to separate science from science fiction in her new book 'How to Clone a Mammoth.'
April 08, 2015
Bacteria inhibit bat-killing fungus, could combat white-nose syndrome
UC Santa Cruz researchers are testing bacteria as a potential treatment to control white-nose syndrome, which is devastating bat populations.
April 07, 2015
UC Santa Cruz Arboretum holds Spring Plant Sale on Saturday, April 18
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the Arboretum offers colorful, drought-tolerant plants for California gardens.
April 01, 2015
Conservationist M. Sanjayan to receive Alumni Achievement Award
The host of the new PBS series EARTH A New Wild and executive vice president of Conservation International travels the globe to find "partnerships" between humans and the planet.
March 26, 2015
Evening concerts and rare telescope viewings draw visitors to UC’s Lick Observatory
For 35 years the Summer Series program at UC's Lick Observatory has drawn concert fans and astronomy devotees to the summit of Mt. Hamilton.
March 25, 2015
LASER talk to explore research in bio-acoustics, film, archaeology, and art
UC Santa Cruz’s Institute of the Arts and Sciences will continue its series of LASER talks on campus this spring on Tuesday, March 31, at 7 p.m. in the Digital Arts Research Center. Admission is free and open to the public.
March 23, 2015
Wandering Jupiter accounts for our unusual solar system
Jupiter swept clear the inner solar system, resulting in the formation of a planetary system unlike any other astronomers have yet found
March 23, 2015
Search for extraterrestrial intelligence expands at Lick Observatory
Astronomers are expanding the search for extraterrestrial intelligence into a new realm with detectors tuned to infrared light.
March 19, 2015
UC Santa Cruz to host UC Systemwide Bioengineering Symposium
The Bioengineering Symposium will bring together faculty, researchers, and students from all ten UC campuses.
March 16, 2015
Focus of climate change discussions shifts from mitigation to adaptation
UC Santa Cruz climate conference addresses coastal resilience and 'wicked tradeoffs.'
March 11, 2015
Physicists anticipate new discoveries with restart of Large Hadron Collider
UC Santa Cruz physicists have been at the forefront of U.S. participation in the LHC and contributed to a major upgrade
March 10, 2015
UC Santa Cruz professor aims to expand science internships for high school students
Astronomer Puragra GuhaThakurta will use a sabbatical at Google to expand and diversify the Science Internship Program.
March 09, 2015
Methane in Arctic lake traced to groundwater from seasonal thawing
Groundwater from seasonal melting may be an important contributor to emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, from Arctic lakes
March 02, 2015
Astrophysicist Ken Chen wins award for high impact scientific achievement
Postdoctoral researcher Ken Chen was honored in the early career category of the 2015 High Performance Computing Achievement Awards.
February 25, 2015
Two UC Santa Cruz professors elected Fellows of the American Academy of Microbiology
Newly elected fellows Karen Ottemann and Fitnat Yildiz are both professors of microbiology and environmental toxicology.
February 24, 2015
Top scientists, policymakers to speak at UCSC climate conference March 13-14
UC Santa Cruz will host a major national conference on climate change featuring top climate scientists and policy experts.
February 17, 2015
UC Santa Cruz Arboretum holds annual Hummingbird Days March 7-8
Tiny birds make a big impression with aerial acrobatics at this family-oriented event.
February 11, 2015
UC President Napolitano visits Año Nuevo Island Reserve
UC Santa Cruz scientists gave Napolitano a tour of the elephant seal colony at Año Nuevo.
February 10, 2015
Google gives Lick Observatory $1 million
Google Inc. has given $1 million to support the University of California's Lick Observatory.
February 05, 2015
Institute of Arts and Sciences to host first LASER talk of the year
UC Santa Cruz’s Institute of the Arts and Sciences will present its first “LASER” talk of 2015 on Tuesday, February 10, at the Digital Arts Research Center.
February 02, 2015
Shrinking range of pikas in California mountains linked to climate change
The American pika is disappearing from low-elevation sites in California mountains, and the cause appears to be climate change.
January 30, 2015
Friends of Long Marine Lab supports 17 student research projects
From sea otters to sea level rise, Student Research and Education Awards will support a wide range of student research projects.
January 29, 2015
Roses bloom in tide pools: warm water brings southern sea slug to Central Coast
Bright pink, inch-long sea slugs have shown up in the highest numbers and northernmost locations reported since the 1998 El Niño
January 28, 2015
Game designer Brenda Romero honored with Game Developers Choice Award
Romero, director of the UC Santa Cruz Games and Playable Media master's program, will receive the GDCA Ambassador Award
January 26, 2015
Report projects future wave and wind effects on Pacific islands
Climate changes during the 21st century are expected to alter the highest waves and strongest winds across U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands.
January 21, 2015
Scientists drill through half mile of Antarctic ice for data on ice sheet stability
A team including researchers from UC Santa Cruz has become the first ever to reach and sample the "grounding zone" of an Antarctic ice sheet.
January 19, 2015
Researchers find a novel signaling pathway involved in appetite control
UCSC scientists uncovered details of a molecular signaling system in the brain that is involved in the control of body weight and metabolism.
January 16, 2015
Heart arrhythmias detected in deep-diving marine mammals
Exercising while holding their breath remains a physiological challenge for marine mammals, despite remarkable adaptations to aquatic life.
January 16, 2015
UC Santa Cruz astronomer Claire Max recognized for astronomical instrumentation
The American Astronomical Society awarded the Joseph Weber Award for Astronomical Instrumentation to UC Observatories director Claire Max.
January 14, 2015
UC Santa Cruz hosts conference for undergraduate women in physics
The 10th annual Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics will take place at UC Santa Cruz January 16 to 18.
January 09, 2015
Karen McNally, noted seismologist and earthquake risk expert, dies at age 74
Karen McNally, professor emeritus of Earth sciences, died at her home in Davenport, CA, on December 20, 2014. She was 74.
January 08, 2015
Study of Andromeda's stellar disk indicates more violent history than Milky Way
Disordered stellar populations suggest bombardment of our neighboring galaxy Andromeda by smaller galaxies
January 08, 2015
‘Questions that Matter’: New public humanities series brings campus to community
The UC Santa Cruz Institute for Humanities Research (IHR) will present "Making the Cosmos Local"—the first event in a new series of public dialogues titled Questions That Matter—on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at Kuumbwa Jazz Center.
January 05, 2015
'Missing Microbes' author Dr. Martin Blaser to speak on overuse of antibiotics
Dr. Martin Blaser will give a public lecture on Thursday, January 15, at 7 p.m. at the Rio Theater in Santa Cruz.