Science & Technology

UC Davis evolutionary ecologist Andrew Forbes may have made a discovery that will add another chapter to high school biology books everywhere. Published in Science, his findings suggest that a major cause for biodiversity in the ecosystem may be diversity itself.

Much like how common sense guides us to huddle for a private conversation, animals use innate strategies to adapt their vocal displays to fit the social situation at hand.

Global warming doubles Arctic coastal erosion

In addition to the melting polar ice caps and thawing permafrost, climate change is claiming another victim in the Arctic - the coastline.

Henry McHenry has a passion for paleoanthropology and teaching. His research has taken him around the world and he has seen the field evolve over the last 40 years.

UC Davis researchers have discovered that a new class of drugs that lowers blood pressure in experimental animal models also reduces heart enlargement, a leading cause of heart failure. Similar drugs developed at UC Davis are now being tested in humans to treat high blood pressure.

Today

Patterns of Diversity in Southern California Beetles

Mike Caterino - UC Irvine

12:10 to 1 p.m., 122 Briggs

Sponsored by entomology

Women's brains note sexual arousal in male sweat

The odor of men's sweat varies when sexually aroused - and women can subconsciously tell the difference, a new study finds.

A report published in January's issue of The Journal of Neuroscience, proposes that women differentiate sexual sweat odor from neutral sweat odor by processing such odors in different parts of the brain.

A recent study from the UC Davis Children's Hospital found that children who take vitamins are actually the ones who don't need them. It's the kids in socioeconomic classes who don't take them that could benefit most.

Areas that fall below the poverty line experience much higher incidence of malnutrition and have an inability to purchase these supplements.

Today

The Development of Science in Mexico: Some Remarks

Jesus de Loera, professor of mathematics - UC Davis

5214 Social Sciences and Humanities, HIA Conference Room, noon to 1 p.m.

Sponsored by Hemispheric Institute on the Americas

Too much TV could lead to depression

A study out of the University of Pittsburgh reports that watching television during one's adolescence could lead to depression down the road.

If you ever wondered what made Cuties, the box of mandarin oranges found at Safeway and Costco, so delicious, it could depend on what time of the year you buy them.

Free ride over for carbon dioxide absorption in oceans, scientists say

The world's oceans have long been helping to cushion the effects of climate change by absorbing massive amounts of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. This buffering process, however, is taking its toll on the oceans, which are experiencing a dangerous rise in acidity due to the dissolving gas.

Octuplets born in SoCal

A Southern California woman gave birth to six boys and two girls in five minutes.

The second-known set of octuplets born in the United States arrived on Monday at Kaiser Permanente in Bellflower, Calif., a Los Angeles suburb. The babies were born between 10:43 and 10:48 a.m., and their weights range from 1 pound and 15 ounces to 3 pounds and 4 ounces.

You can thank intestinal bugs for the change in a weaning baby's diaper contents. Research shows that beneficial or "healthy" bacteria living in babies' guts thrive on unique sugars found in breast milk, then wane once the diet switches to solid food.

According to a recent UC Davis study, the genetic sequence of one of these bugs provides clues for understanding how breast milk nurtures the win-win relationship between healthy bacteria and babies.

Ever think that the brain can play tricks? Assistant Professor Karen Zito of the UC Davis neuroscience department knows that it can.