Science & Technology

The Shabek Laboratory focuses on researching plant signaling pathways and molecular responses to light UC Davis researcher and professor Nitzan Shabek and his laboratory were examining cryptochrome-2, a blue-light receptor, from the plant Arabidopsis thaliana when they determined part of its crystal structure, according to a study published in the journal Nature Communication Biology. The […]

UC Davis Health Novavax vaccine trials prioritize high-risk populations including minority groups  As UC Davis Health begins phase three of testing the Novavax vaccine, researchers are prioritizing participants from communities that have been severely affected by COVID-19 for their clinical trial, including Latino, African American and Native American populations, according to a recent press release. […]

One recent study indicated that fruits and spices from Asia arrived in the Mediterranean during the Bronze Age In the emerging field of paleoproteomics, researchers have discovered evidence that fruits and spices from Asia arrived in the Mediterranean earlier than originally speculated, according to the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich. This research implies that in […]

This compound reduces neuroinflammation characteristic in many neurodegenerative disorders Although there are currently no cures for most neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), recent advancements in the field have shown promising results. In a study led by Bruce Hammock, a professor in the department of entomology and nematology, in collaboration […]

Killer whales face a variety of mortal threats, with many of them caused by humans A study analyzing pathology reports of 50 killer whales over the past decade has compiled a list of various causes of killer whale deaths, including threats from humans. The effort was led by Dr. Joe Gaydos, a senior wildlife veterinarian […]

Researchers synthesize compound from ibogaine without hallucinogenic effects Psychedelic drugs often carry the stigma of only being used recreationally to experience extravagant hallucinations and achieve heightened sensory awareness. Yet the Olson Laboratory, led by David Olson, an assistant professor in the department of chemistry at UC Davis, found that one of these compounds could be […]

During the rare event, Jupiter and Saturn appeared in the sky as the closest they have been in 400 years The “Great Conjunction” of Jupiter and Saturn occurred on Dec. 21, 2020 when viewers in California and across the globe eagerly watched for the appearance of the two planets. Approximately once every 20 years the […]

Mass killings of animals historically used to protect humans from diseases The Danish government ordered the culling of all farmed mink in early November after a mutation of COVID-19 had been discovered in mink populations. Authorities were concerned that the mutation could threaten the efficacy of a vaccine for humans since there have been some […]

The pandemic may aggravate mental health conditions, but there are ways to cope As the weather grows colder, the season of “winter blues” has drawn upon us. With COVID-19 fatigue already dampening people’s moods, this winter may be particularly difficult for people coping with pandemic-induced stressors and mental health issues, especially for those with seasonal […]

Although risk of Salmonella and generic E. coli is low, researchers still emphasize good food safety practices A recent study published by UC Davis researchers in the Journal of Food Protection found low food safety risk at Northern California farmers markets in terms of exposure to harmful bacteria. The study looked at the prevalence of […]

UC Davis Health begins administering shots to employees based on exposure risk for COVID-19, with plans to eventually distribute to general public Employees at the UC Davis Medical Center were some of the first individuals nationwide to receive the coronavirus vaccine on the morning of Dec. 15. The long-awaited vaccine, developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, […]

Community members weigh in on this step toward a secure digital world UC Davis has joined the Cybersecurity Manufacturing Innovation Institute (CyManII) through a partnership started by the University of Texas at San Antonio, an institution that is known for securing automation and the supply chain network, and creating a national program for education and […]