Headline Content

This Snail’s Eyes Grow Back: Could They Help Humans do the Same?

Andy Fell — August 06, 2025 - 12:30pm

Human eyes are complex and irreparable, yet they are structurally like those of the freshwater apple snail, which can completely regenerate its eyes. Alice Accorsi, assistant professor of molecular and cellular biology at the University of California, ��ԭ��, studies how these snails regrow their eyes — with the goal of eventually helping to restore vision in people with eye injuries.

UC ��ԭ�� Sees Jump in Records of Invention, Driven by Health Innovation

James Michael Nash — July 29, 2025 - 12:01pm

UC ��ԭ�� has experienced a surge in records of invention (ROIs), marking a strong rebound in research innovation. The university filed 191 ROIs in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2025, up from 140 the prior year, a 36% increase that reverses a multiyear decline dating back to fiscal 2021.

An ROI is a confidential university document used to formally capture an invention, its details and inventors, serving as the initial step in evaluating the potential for patentability and commercialization. On average, anywhere from 10% to 25% of ROIs eventually become patents.

Tahoe State of the Lake Report Released for 2024

Katherine E Kerlin — July 17, 2025 - 9:00am

The UC ��ԭ�� Tahoe Environmental Research Center today released its “Tahoe: State of the Lake Report ,” which presents data from 2024 in the context of the long-term record.

First Students Move Into Aggie Square

Cody Kitaura — July 15, 2025 - 2:10pm

UC ��ԭ�� celebrated a milestone on June 27 with the grand opening of Anova Aggie Square, a six-story smart residential complex that brings on-campus student housing to its Sacramento campus for the first time.

Molecular Simulations Show Graphite ‘Hijacks’ Diamond Formation Through Unexpected Crystallization Pathways

Andy Fell — July 09, 2025 - 10:31am

The graphite found in your favorite pencil could have instead been the diamond your mother always wears. What made the difference? Researchers are finding out.

How molten carbon crystallizes into either graphite or diamond is relevant to planetary science, materials manufacturing and nuclear fusion research. However, this moment of crystallization is difficult to study experimentally because it happens very rapidly and under extreme conditions.

Plants Seek Friendly Environments Rather Than Adapt

Andy Fell — July 01, 2025 - 9:33am

As jewelflowers spread into California from the desert Southwest over the past couple of million years, they settled in places that felt like home, according to a new study from the University of California, ��ԭ��. The work, published July 1 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows that the ability of plants and animals to adapt to changing climates might be more limited than it appears.

Disposable E-Cigarettes More Toxic Than Traditional Cigarettes

Katherine E Kerlin — June 25, 2025 - 5:00am

They may look like travel shampoo bottles and smell like bubblegum, but after a few hundred puffs, some disposable, electronic cigarettes and vape pods release higher amounts of toxic metals than older e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes, according to a study from the University of California, ��ԭ��. For example, one of the disposable e-cigarettes studied released more lead during a day’s use than nearly 20 packs of traditional cigarettes.

Lake Tahoe Clarity Report: Trend Stable, Not Improving

Katherine E Kerlin — June 16, 2025 - 5:35pm

UC ��ԭ�� Tahoe Environmental Research Center releases its annual Tahoe Clarity Report.

UC ��ԭ�� Launches Small-Batch Wine Label

Amy M Quinton — June 11, 2025 - 11:00am

UC ��ԭ�� is selling wines to the public made by students, staff and faculty from Napa Valley and Yolo County grapes.

Student Speakers at UC ��ԭ�� Commencements To Reflect on Journeys, Look Forward

Julia Ann Easley — June 09, 2025 - 5:18pm

Editor’s note: Commencements require tickets for admission. To attend, contact Julia Ann Easley in advance at jaeasley@ucdavis.edu.

Shanlea “Sen” Tabofunda of Cupertino, California, set a goal for their first year at the University of California, ��ԭ��: learning to ride a bike without using their hands.