Science & Environment

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The Latest

Scientists Show Ancient Village Adapted to Drought, Rising Seas

Researchers from UC San Diego and abroad have unveiled evidence for ancient human resilience to climate change in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Two divers examine the remains of a stone wall on the seabed.

Biodegradable ‘Living Plastic’ Houses Bacterial Spores That Help It Break Down

A new type of bioplastic could help reduce the plastic industry’s environmental footprint. Researchers have developed a biodegradable form of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) filled with bacterial spores that, when exposed to nutrients present in compost, germinate and break down the material at the end of its life cycle.

Pile of clear plastic pellets next to a pile of light brown powder.

Impacts of 2020 Red Tide Event Highlighted in New Study

In the spring of 2020, a historic red tide event occurred in waters off Southern California. Marine scientists from UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography, NOAA, and other organizations seized the opportunity to study the unprecedented event and its impacts on marine life, both in the wild and in aquariums. In a recent study, this multi-institutional team identified deteriorating water quality — notably prolonged low oxygen conditions — as a significant factor in the mass mortality of fish and other marine organisms.

A surfer rides a wave off in reddish-brown water.

AI Algorithms Can Determine How Well Newborns Nurse, Study Shows

A modified pacifier and AI algorithms to analyze the data it produces could determine if newborns are learning the proper mechanics of nursing, a recent study shows. Specifically, the researchers from the University of California San Diego measured if babies are generating enough suckling strength to breastfeed and whether they are suckling in a regular pattern based on eight independent parameters.

Innovative Microscopy Demystifies Metabolism of Alzheimer’s

Using state-of-the-art microscopy techniques developed on campus, researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine have shed new light on the underlying mechanisms driving Alzheimer’s disease.

Serving Up Sustainability and Eliminating Food Waste in Hospital Cafeterias

UC San Diego Health has launched a new program as part of its sustainability efforts that diverts unused food from the landfill and instead helps those in need.