Science & Technology

Iron consumption in infants and youth shapes early development. As infants grow up, they take in nutrients to build the foundation for their social, motor and cognitive development. Formula milk and weaning foods, among other nutrient sources, are fortified with micronutrients to support this process. Iron, among other micronutrients, is critical for neural development, a […]

Alarming decrease of the sunflower sea star population associated with ocean warming A recent study led by UC Davis and Cornell University on the correlation between warmer ocean temperatures and the increased effects of an epidemic serves as a reminder that climate change is an increasingly dangerous issue. In investigating the relationship between these raised […]

The California Aggie explores some of the various museums and collections UC Davis will host the 8th annual Biodiversity Museum Day on Feb. 16 to showcase 13 biodiversity-related museums and collections. Organizers hope to celebrate the great variety of species that inhabit the earth and highlight the threat human actions pose to biodiversity. Many of […]

Researchers have found a drug that can help prevent cancer from returning after chemotherapy Chemotherapy is a paradox. It kills cancer cells but once the treatment is completed, it makes it easier for tumors to re-grow. Researchers at Harvard and UC Davis demonstrated in a paper published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of […]

UC Davis researchers use tiny transponders and urban feeders to study hummingbird behavior Researchers at UC Davis studied the habits and visits of Anna’s hummingbirds and Allen’s hummingbirds to urban feeders in an effort to further understand their behavior and health. The feeders were equipped to beep every time a hummingbird visited, giving researchers information […]

Gender-inclusive, agricultural and nutrition extension programs lead to healthier international farming communities. Nutrition is not the same across all farming communities. Some farming communities encounter mixed nutritional messages, which challenges their health and agricultural development. Extension programs, funded by the United States Agency for International Development, find solutions that match country and culture-specific realities for […]

Research reveals how increasing minimum wages can improve public health When the topic of income is raised, the issue is conventionally associated with the field of economics. Current research, however, suggests that a correlation exists between income and public health, specifically between minimum wages and smoking addiction. According to a recent study entitled “Minimum Wages […]

A team of UC Davis students wins the $500,000 prize for its chatbot Gunrock After nearly a year of hard work, the UC Davis student team that participated in the Amazon Alexa Prize 2018 competition won the $500,000 prize for their chatbot, Gunrock. Gunrock was assessed on its ability to hold a conversation on a […]

A new plastic developed by UC Davis could prevent the spread of dangerous microorganisms. When someone walks into a supermarket and buys an apple, the purchase is the final step in a complex supply chain that brought the apple to the shopping bag. Every time the apple touched a surface during its journey, the fruit […]

UC Davis Medical Center partners with local schools to promote early mental health detection services and treatment strategies. Some people hear a phone ring only to realize that the phone never even made a sound. Others notice sudden shifts of movement when walking around a dark, unfamiliar setting. These experiences point to brief moments of […]

Research gives rise to evidence suggestive of early cnidarian history Jellyfish have a more complicated life cycle compared to their relatives, some of which include sea anemones and corals, so one may assume that they have a more complex genetic composition as well. Recent research, however, suggests that this may not be the case. The […]

The undergraduate-run organization aims to provide all students with laboratory experience From developing a vegan cheese to finding a lower cost alternative for assaying plant disease, BioInnovation Group offers undergraduate students a myriad of opportunities to obtain hands-on research experience. Initially called the Synthetic Biology Club, members such as Lisa Illes, a fourth-year biosystems engineering […]