Science & Technology

The drug commonly used for enjoyment and coping purposes may lead to cognitive, sleep and other somatic issues   By KATIE HELLMAN — science@theaggie.org Cannabis, also frequently referred to as marijuana, weed or pot, is the most commonly used federally illegal drug in the United States. Marijuana affects parts of the brain that control movement, […]

The scaffold utilizes a special molecule that interacts with endothelial cells, accelerating the healing process and reducing complications   By KATIE HELLMAN — science@theaggie.org    UC Davis researchers have bioengineered a scaffold, a structure that provides support for cellular attachment and tissue development, to accelerate the healing time of deep burn wounds.  “Since large deep […]

Testosterone, a hormone present in larger quantities in males, plays a vital role in stress regulation   By KATIE HELLMAN — science@theaggie.org Anxiety disorders are diagnosed in women twice as often as they are diagnosed in men. As children, however, girls and boys have an equal likelihood of developing an anxiety disorder. These differences between […]

Positron emission tomography is allowing scientists to study how viral infections affect T cells   By KATIE HELLMAN — science@theaggie.org  Positron emission tomography (PET) is a technique used by scientists and medical professionals to better understand various body systems. It utilizes a tracer, which is a radioactive drug, to get a clearer image of metabolic […]

Girls Who Code hosts beginner-friendly hackathon focused on sustainability and student life   By SONORA SLATER — science@theaggie.org    “This is my first hackathon,” first-year data science major Varshini Peddinti said with an excited smile, sitting in California Hall on a rainy Friday night waiting to participate in the HerHacks hackathon. She wasn’t alone in […]

A gene variant in the breed has a significant association with cancer occurrences   By KATIE HELLMAN — science@theaggie.org  Golden retrievers are known for being playful, affectionate and gentle, making them one of the most popular dog breeds around the world. Unfortunately, these beloved pets are also known for one more key characteristic: they are […]

The CD95 receptor can be used alongside immunotherapy to kill cancer cells   By KATIE HELLMAN — science@theaggie.org  Researchers from the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center have identified a way to trigger the death of cancer cells. This new advancement could pave the way for the development of more effective cancer treatments.  The findings were […]

This emerging technology will improve medical diagnoses and anatomical knowledge   By KATIE HELLMAN — science@theaggie.org  A recent study published in the British Journal of Radiology has shown that a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system can capture the live motion of wrists. These new systems can lead to a better understanding of the anatomy […]

Learn about this rapidly expanding profession and how it compares to other jobs in healthcare   By KATIE HELLMAN — science@theaggie.org  Physician assistants, also known as physician associates or PAs, are not as well-known as other healthcare workers like physicians, nurses and pharmacists. The profession, however, is rapidly expanding. “​​Physician assistant (PA) and similar health-care […]

The whales are thought to exhibit this behavior as a sign of social play, hunting practices and mismothering behavior   By KATIE HELLMAN — science@theaggie.org  A recent study published in Marine Mammal Science investigates why killer whales have been showing aggressive behavior towards porpoises without intending to eat them.  “We considered several hypotheses for this […]

A UC Davis study determined a close relationship between sunlight and the reproductive health of these plants   By ARYAMAN BHATIA — science@theaggie.org    Earlier in the year, researchers at UC Davis published a paper in New Phytologist explaining why sunflowers face east. They have found that sunflowers face the rising sun because increased morning […]

The Canine Tumor Genome Atlas can store hundreds of gene samples that contain mutations in tumor gene expressions   By KATIE HELLMAN — science@theaggie.org  Through comparative oncology, which is the study of translating animal cancer research into human models, scientists are working on developing innovative cancer treatments.  “Canines are excellent models for comparative oncology since […]