College of Letters and Science Content

Asthma May Place Children at Risk of Memory Difficulties, New Research Finds

Andy Fell — November 12, 2024 - 2:41pm

Asthma is associated with memory difficulties in children, and early onset of asthma may exacerbate memory deficits, according to a new study from the University of California, Davis. The study, the first of its kind to connect asthma to memory deficits in children, was published in Nov. 5 in JAMA Network Open.

Weekender: Halloween, Sheepmowers, Jazz, and More!

Jamie Sara Gelfond — October 31, 2024 - 10:42am

Walks, talks, treats and sheep. And check out ongoing arts exhibitions. All yours this weekend.

Buried Alive: Carbon Dioxide Release From Magma Deep Beneath Ancient Volcanoes a Hidden Driver of Earth’s Past Climate

Andy Fell — October 30, 2024 - 2:34pm

An international team of geoscientists led by a volcanologist at Rutgers University-New Brunswick and including Maxwell Rudolph, associate professor in the �ٺ��Ƶ Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, has discovered that, contrary to present scientific understanding, ancient volcanoes continued to spew carbon dioxide into the atmosphere from deep within the Earth long past their period of eruptions.

The Roots of Fear: Understanding the Amygdala

Andy Fell — October 30, 2024 - 10:50am

Treating anxiety, depression and other disorders may depend on the amygdala, a part of the brain that controls strong emotional reactions, especially fear. But a deep understanding of this structure has been lacking. Now scientists at the University of California, Davis have identified new clusters of cells with differing patterns of gene expression in the amygdala of humans and non-human primates. The work could lead to more targeted treatments for disorders such as anxiety that affect tens of millions of people.

�ٺ��Ƶ Sources on Electricity; Utilities Policy

Karen Michele Nikos — October 28, 2024 - 3:52pm

These �ٺ��Ƶ researchers can provide expertise on tenergy management, public policy for utility companies, and the environment.

Ongoing Art Exhibits at �ٺ��Ƶ

Jamie Sara Gelfond — October 24, 2024 - 9:41am

See Sonic Horizons at the �ٺ��Ƶ Design Museum

From Friday, Nov. 1 at noon through Friday, Nov. 22 at 4 p.m., Cruess Hall

Devised and curated by graduate student Maral Salehian, this multi-screen installation showcases nature videos centered around landscape themes. This sensory-rich immersive experience aims to promote well-being and inspire a deeper connection to nature.

Weekender: Sonic Horizons Immersive Experience Debuts; Día de los Muertos Art at Artery

Jamie Sara Gelfond — October 24, 2024 - 9:39am

Weekender: Sonic Horizons Debuts at Design Museum

Jan Shrem, Who Provided Legacy of Art to �ٺ��Ƶ, Remembered

Karen Michele Nikos — October 24, 2024 - 9:24am

Jan Shrem (J Henry Fair/Photography)

Jan Isaac Shrem, whose passions spanned publishi

New Study Finds Partner’s Happiness Linked to Lower Stress Hormone Levels in Older Couples

Karen Michele Nikos — October 22, 2024 - 9:29am

Having happy intimate partners might not only lift our moods, but it also helps us manage stress, especially as we age, according to new University of California, Davis, research.

Exploring the Psychedelics Within Us

Andy Fell — October 21, 2024 - 3:00pm

Our bodies are pharmaceutical factories. From the hormones that regulate our blood sugar to the neurotransmitters that act as the body’s natural painkillers, these endogenous — produced within the body — chemicals ensure our functionality and survival.

But did you know that our bodies also naturally produce psychedelics?

In the 1950s, researchers found chemical signatures of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in mammalian bodies, including in humans.