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News Archive - Environment

Stealth Genetic Switch in Mosquitoes Halts Malaria Spread

Researchers have developed a system that blocks malaria transmission in mosquitoes, which continue to be the deadliest animals on Earth. The CRISPR-based gene-editing system changes a single molecule within mosquitoes, a tiny but effective change that stops the malaria-parasite transmission process.

Don’t Feed the Animals: Researchers Warn of Risks Tied to Wildlife Interactions

A study led by a UC San Diego scientist offers new warnings on the dangers of human interactions with wildlife. The new report, which focuses on elephants, indicates that human feeding of wild animals can lead to a range of problems and even result in the deaths of humans and animals.

Voracious Honey Bees Threaten the Food Supply of Native Pollinators

A study led by UC San Diego biologists is calling attention to the availability of food for bees in the Southwestern U.S. Non-native honey bees, the study found, extract an overwhelming majority of pollen from regional flowers, posing a significant ecological threat to native bee species.

Diver-Operated Microscope Brings Hidden Coral Biology into Focus

The intricate, hidden processes that sustain coral life are being revealed through a new microscope developed by scientists at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The NSF-funded microscope will help scientists uncover precisely why corals bleach, informing remediation efforts.

Underwater Microphones Capture 15 Years of Ocean Change

Scientists from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego were able to ‘hear’ the impacts of a marine heatwave and even economic slowdowns by analyzing 15 years of ocean sounds recorded off the coast of Southern California.

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.

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