Science & Technology

Several strains seem to be infecting people more efficiently and rapidly Imagine walking through campus and seeing a single white crow among a flock of black ones. The next day, you see 10 white crows. On the following day, you see 500. This is how Jonathan Eisen, a professor in the department of medical microbiology […]

Many UC Davis researchers are studying transportation methods to reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere According to a NASA analysis, 2020 is tied with 2016 as one of the hottest years on record. The average temperature of 2020 was 1.84 degrees Fahrenheit higher than the mean between 1951-1980. As many climate science studies have shown, […]

Low-income families and families of color are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 The spread of COVID-19 has unexpectedly impacted the lives of many individuals, but it has especially affected low-income families in the U.S. A study led by Leah Hibel, an associate professor of human development and family studies at UC Davis, asked Latina mothers in […]

Bohart museum remembers former entomology professor’s legacy In the midst of a chaotic start to 2021, Charlie Nicholson, a postdoctoral researcher in the department of entomology and nematology, found peace in going out on sunny days to observe bumble bees. After carrying out this routine every day at 3:00 p.m., he finally found one on […]

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 […]