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News Archive - Mario Aguilera

Mayer Hall Recognized for Historical Contributions to Physics

July 2, 2021

The American Physical Society has designated UC San Diego’s Mayer Hall as a historic site in recognition of the groundbreaking accomplishments of UC San Diego physicists Walter Kohn and Lu Sham and their development of the “Kohn-Sham equation.”

Diamonds Are a Physicist’s Best Friend

June 17, 2021

Physics condensed matter experimentalist Chunhui Rita Du leverages imperfections in diamonds to investigate materials needed for a new era of computing and storage. New quantum materials are exotic substances that are allowing scientists to create novel technologies at previously unseen scales.

Trained Viruses Prove More Effective at Fighting Antibiotic Resistance

June 7, 2021

Research reveals that phage viruses that undergo special evolutionary training increase their capacity to subdue bacteria. The results provide hope for the antibiotic resistance crisis, a rising threat as deadly bacteria continue to evolve to render many modern drugs ineffective.

Synthetic SPECIES Developed for Use as a Confinable Gene Drive

June 2, 2021

Scientists have developed a gene drive with a built-in genetic barrier that is designed to keep the drive under control. The researchers engineered synthetic fly species that, upon release in sufficient numbers, act as gene drives that can spread locally and be reversed if desired.

Researchers Create New CRISPR Tools to Help Contain Mosquito Disease Transmission

May 28, 2021

Scientists have developed a toolkit that helps pave the way to a gene drive designed to stop Culex mosquitoes from spreading disease. Culex mosquitoes spread devastating afflictions stemming from West Nile virus, Japanese encephalitis virus and the pathogen causing avian malaria.

Research Uncovers How ‘Non-professional’ Cells Can Trigger Immune Response

May 26, 2021

Researchers are finding new details on the complex dynamics involved in how organisms sense an infection from pathogens. The researchers found that worms can sense changes in their metabolism in order to unleash protective defenses, even if they don’t directly sense an incursion from pathogens.

A Textbook Case for Heeding Planetary Limits

May 20, 2021

What on Earth is an astrophysicist doing in the field of planetary conservation? At first glance, UC San Diego Physics Professor Tom Murphy seems like he is far afield when it comes to discussions of sustainability and conserving the planet’s resources.

Plant Consumers Play Unexpectedly Large Role in the Evolution of Seedling Success

May 17, 2021

Scientists have found that herbivores have a lot to say about plant evolution and determining the success of seedlings. The influence of birds, rabbits, mice and other herbivores likely counteracts early plant emergence due to climate change, the researchers found.

A Push to Inoculate Vaccination Disparity

May 13, 2021

New UC San Diego biologist Fabian Rivera-Chávez joined the university in the midst of a global pandemic as the world struggled to work its way out of COVID-19 devastation. He’s now working to communicate the safety and life-saving importance of COVID-19 vaccination in underserved communities.
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