Is Anyone Out There?
October 1, 2026
Curiosity drives almost all of us, and little sparks the imagination more than thinking about who might live among the stars.
News Archive
News Archive - Biological Sciences
Social Brains Allow Animal Groups to Escape Danger
September 23, 2026
A new study shows that fish swimming in schools can avoid danger just by seeing their neighbors escape. UC San Diego researchers studied how individuals identify their social partners’ actions by imaging the brain activity of translucent glassfish swimming in a virtual reality environment.
Virtual Cells Built from 4D AI Models and “Digital Twins” Could Speed Up Drug Discovery
September 17, 2026
UC SanDiego researchers are using AI and "virtual cells" based on 4D movies to predict how cells will respond to drugs, which could speed up drug discovery for cancer, Alzheimer’s and more.
Four Students Recognized for Research Excellence with the 2026 Undergraduate Library Research Prize
September 16, 2026
The annual Undergraduate Library Research Prize celebrates students across disciplines who demonstrate exceptional research skills through strategic use of Library resources.
Blood Protein Linked to Lower Risk of Depression and PTSD After Traumatic Brain Injury
September 15, 2026
A new UC San Diego and San Diego VA study has found that U.S. Marines with higher natural anti-NMDAR1 antibody levels had ~25% lower depression and 22% lower PTSD symptoms after traumatic brain injury — a possible built-in resilience marker.
Rules of the School
August 26, 2026
Scientists have developed a new understanding of how fish interact as they school in groups. Fish were found to copy their neighbors to align their movements within schools. The discovery opens a door to examining how the brains of individuals interact to produce group-level collective behavior.
Researchers Use AI to Decode Key DNA Sequence in Gene Activation
August 21, 2026
Scientists have revealed the DNA identity of the “initiator,” a crucial sequence that kickstarts gene activation. AI analysis of a half million data points deciphered the initiator’s identity. Researchers can use the new information to scan for mutations that may lead to diseases such as cancer.
Rewriting the Rules of Immunity
August 19, 2026
A UC San Diego alumnus and his Nobel Prize-winning rule in a game-changing discovery.
As New World Screwworm Returns to the U.S., UC San Diego and San Diego County Team Up to Track Risks
August 11, 2026
A new dashboard tracks New World screwworm risk levels county by county.
Flesh-eating Screwworms Have Returned. Which New Technologies Could Stop Them?
August 11, 2026
New World screwworm flies, highly destructive parasitic insects, have returned to parts of the U.S. and pose a significant danger. Professor Omar Akbari discusses how the insect was eliminated in the past and the ways new genetics technologies could help combat today’s threat.
