News Archive - Mario Aguilera

New Gene Drive Reverses Insecticide Resistance in Pests… Then Disappears

UC San Diego geneticists have developed a gene drive-based solution to the widespread problem of insecticide resistance. In an effort to protect valuable crops, the researchers created an “e-Drive” that reverses insecticide resistance and then disappears from the insect population.

Researchers Uncover Achilles Heel of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

To stem the surging antibiotic resistance public health crisis, scientists seek solutions inside the mechanics of bacterial infection. A new study has found a vulnerability related to magnesium availability. This limitation potentially could be exploited to stop the spread of antibiotic resistance.

Sleep is No Light Matter for Bees

Disrupted sleep cycles are a well known problem for human health and function, and now researchers have found similar impacts on insects. A new study has found that artificial light disrupts the circadian rhythms of honey bees and poses a threat to their essential role as pollinators.

The Brains Behind Today’s AI Revolution

Professor Terry Sejnowski helped pioneer a foundation that set the stage for the current surge of AI advancements. In this interview he discusses the path of brain research that led to today’s AI revolution, how systems such as ChatGPT are evolving and the future of AI.

Neurobiologist Yishi Jin Elected to the National Academy of Medicine

Biological Sciences Professor Yishi Jin, who investigates the roots of the nervous system, has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine, one of the highest honors in health and medicine.

UC San Diego Receives National Designation as a Bee Campus

There’s a big buzz on campus: UC San Diego has been named a Bee Campus USA member, part of a national program created to support all types of pollinators, including birds, bats, bees and multiple insect pollinators, such as butterflies and moths.

Cognitive Deficits from Meth and PCP Use Are Generated By a Common Neurotransmitter Switch

The effects of sustained drug abuse can manifest in many ways. Loss of memory and reduced cognitive functions are some of the effects that can persist for years. Scientists in Neurobiology have now identified a mechanism in the brain that generates drug-induced cognitive impairments.

Unique Technology Hub Set to Revolutionize Science, Education and Innovation

UC San Diego and its partners officially opened the Goeddel Family Technology Sandbox, a hub that brings together cutting-edge instruments for science and education. The facility is one of the world’s most pioneering centers for technology across the biological, physical and health sciences.

Autism Spectrum Disorders Linked to Neurotransmitter Switching in the Brain

Neurobiologists studying the emergence of autism spectrum disorders have found evidence of altered early development of the nervous system. They linked environmentally induced forms of ASD to changes in neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers that allow neurons to communicate with each other.