Asian American voters remain largely ignored by political parties, according to new survey

Karthick Ramarkrishnan, dean of the UC Riverside School of Public Policy, said the major political parties and candidates are still waking up to the potential of the Asian American electorate. 
ABC 7 News | July 26, 2022

Jupiter's rings may be so puny because of the planet's massive moons

Astrophysicist Stephen Kane and his graduate student Zhexing Li conducted a study to learn why Jupiter's rings are so faint and if the gas giant once had thicker rings and somehow lost them.
Space | July 25, 2022

Scientists identify hair loss regulator protein, could be reversible

Mathematician Qixuan Wang helped identify a single protein that seems to control when hair follicles die. Armed with this new information, it might eventually be possible to reverse the process and stimulate hair regrowth.
New Atlas | July 25, 2022

Corpse flower blooms for first time at UC Riverside

“Little Miss Stinky,” the rare corpse flower on display at the UC Riverside Botanic Gardens, has bloomed. The endangered tropical flower blooms only once every seven to nine years, sometimes as long as a decade.
The Press Enterprise | July 24, 2022

How Plants Produce their Own 'Aspirin' to Protect themselves From Climate Change

A study from the laboratory of Katayoon Dehesh, distinguished professor of molecular biochemistry, shows how plants produce salicylic acid to help them withstand stress. The acid is essentially aspirin, and increasing plants' ability to produce it could help ensure continued food supply as the climate changes.
CNN NEWS18 | July 21, 2022

Jupiter's Huge Moons Prevent It From Developing Beautiful Rings Like Saturn

Astrophysicist Stephen Kane and his doctoral student Zhexing Li determined that Jupiter's gigantic Galilean moons prevent ice from forming big, bright rings.
CNET | July 21, 2022

Plants Produce Aspirin To Self-Medicate When Stressed, Study Shows

Molecular biologists Katayoon Dehesh, Jin-Zheng Wang, and Wilhelmina van de Ven studied the stress response in plants and could use their findings to boost crop response to adversity.

No indoor mask mandate planned in Riverside, San Bernardino counties

Richard Carpiano, professor of public policy, believes Inland officials should confront the latest surge by stressing the advantages of masking up, but stopped short of recommending an Inland Empire mask mandate like the one planned for LA County.
The Press Enterprise | July 14, 2022

There’s a Citrus Pandemic Lurking in California Backyards

Plant geneticist Hailing Jin discusses the peptide she identified that can protect citrus from greening disease. "Normally, a peptide either has antibacterial activity or they can prime the host to be more immune against a pathogen. Ours is unique that it has both activities," said Jin.
Slate | July 11, 2022

STEAM: Insect neuroscientist Anandasankar Ray

Show highlights Professor Anandasankar Ray, a neuroscientist who studies how insects can detect smells in their environment using different scents that react with their brain.
CBS Los Angeles | July 6, 2022

How the Yankees' Chewing Gum Game Could Impact the Environment

Environmental scientist Win Cowger discusses the environmental impact of chewing gum, particularly when it lands outside the trash can.
NBC Universal | June 30, 2022

Ancient bacteria could help astronomers find alien life, scientists say

UC Riverside astrobiologist Eddie Schwieterman helped reconstruct the biological processes in some of the Earth’s earliest life forms, an advance that could help find alien life on other planets with atmospheres similar to those on early Earth.
The Independent UK | June 29, 2022

Bad news for Paxlovid? Coronavirus can find multiple ways to evade COVID-19 drug

Adam Godzik, a UCR bioinformatics expert, has co-authored a study showing that drug-resistant coronavirus is already circulating in the general population.
Science | June 29, 2022

How to Improve Your Happiness, According to Science

Deliberately performing random acts of kindness can make you feel happier and less depressed and anxious, according to a series of studies from psychology professor Sonja Lyubomirsky. 
CNET | June 28, 2022

Scientists Claim Studying Evolution Of Ancient Microbes Could Help Search For Alien Life

UCR astrobiologist Edward Schweiterman co-authored a study that used machine learning to reconstruct the lives of ancient bacteria. The study could provide clues for finding evidence of bacterial life on other planets whose atmospheres more closely resemble Earth from billions of years ago.
Slashgear | June 27, 2022

These Plants Grew in the Dark Without Sunlight. Here's How.

Robert Jinkerson, chemical and environmental engineer, Elizabeth Hann, botany doctoral student, and others at UCR helped create an artificial method of photosynthesis that allows plants to grow entirely in the dark. For some plants, the process is 18 times more efficient than normal photosynthesis.
The Daily Beast | June 27, 2022

Energy vortices attract visitors around the world. Could the same happen in Desert Hot Springs?

Geophysics professor David Oglesby says that though places like the city of Desert Hot Springs are awe inspiring and fascinating from a tectonic and geophysical standpoint, the idea that it might be considered an 'energy vortex' isn't rooted in mainstream science.
Desert Sun | June 26, 2022

Survey of California bumble bees fails to detect 8 species historically found in the state

Hollis Woodard's laboratory led the first census of native California bumble bees in decades, and didn't find as many as they'd hoped to.
KPBS | June 20, 2022

Once-Common California Bumble Bees Have Gone Missing

A UC Riverside-led census of California bumble bees failed to locate several once-common species, including the formerly abundant Western bumble bee, a key pollinator for many wild plants and crops.
Yale Environment 360 | June 17, 2022

UC Riverside professors preparing for World Refugee Day commemoration at UN

Professors Begona Echeverria, Bella Merlin, and Annika Speer performed at the United Nations for #WorldRefugeeDay2022 on June 20. 
The Press Enterprise | June 17, 2022