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News Archive - Environment

Molecule Linked to Metabolism Found to Boost Plant Growth

Researchers have completed the first comprehensive exploration of itaconate, a natural compound involved in metabolism, in plants. The researchers found that itaconate helps plants grow, a finding that offers new possibilities for maximizing crop growth to support growing global populations.

Freshwater Fish in U.S. Carry Introduced Human-Infecting Parasites

More than 90% of popular freshwater game fish in Southern California contained an introduced parasite capable of infecting humans, according to a new study from researchers at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

Federal Funding Helps Support Atmospheric River Research

Jeri Wilcox, MAS ’23, a research data analyst at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, peers out the window of a February 2025 flight above an atmospheric river.

Silky Shark Population Study Offers Clues for Conservation

For the first time, researchers have mapped the population structure of silky sharks in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, offering new insights that could guide future conservation and management of this vulnerable species.

Pollution From the Tijuana River Affects Air Quality in San Diego

A new study from UC San Diego examines how pollutants from the Tijuana River travel and are transmitted in the atmosphere through coastal aerosols. The study found a mixture of drugs and chemicals from tires and beauty products aerosolize from wastewater and are detectable in both air and water.

“A Major Conceptual Advance” on El Niño

The east-west shift of a warm blob of water in the equatorial Pacific Ocean has been the main characteristic of El Niño, but 2023 flipped the script, says a team of researchers led by Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego.

Clean Power Surge Needed: China’s 2035 Climate Plan Must Aim High

China will need to generate more than half of its power from wind and solar by 2035 to align with global climate goals, according to new research led by the University of California San Diego. The study offers timely recommendations to meet the country’s forthcoming climate commitments.

New Gel Could Boost Coral Reef Restoration

Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a gel using nano-particles that slowly release some of coral larvae’s favorite “smells.” When applied to surfaces in lab experiments it increased coral larvae settlement by up to 20 times compared to untreated surfaces.

Engineered Bacterium Could Shield People from Mercury Toxicity

Researchers from UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography and UCLA announced the creation of an engineered bacterium that has the ability to convert the toxic form of mercury present in seafood — methylmercury — into less toxic forms that are more easily removed from the human body.

Report Details the Widespread Impacts of Dust on California

Researchers from several University of California campuses have collaborated to create a report on dust in California, which comes at a time of great need for the public to understand the issue. "We want to get our legislators to take the increase in dust pollution more seriously," said one.

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