Why Is Your Pet Rabbit Of European Descent? Researchers Have A Possible Explanation.

Research from anthropologist Nawa Sugiyama suggests that rabbits were kept in captivity for food in the Americas, but were never fully domesticated. "Every single rabbit you see that is domesticated, including your fluffy pet... are all of the European species," Sugiyama said.
Forbes | July 28, 2021

Staying calm and appearing happy helps leaders seem more effective, study finds

Thomas Sy, associate psychology professor, published research showing that a happy, calm disposition is likely to make for an effective leader -- especially for women in positions of power. 
Consumer Affairs | July 28, 2021

Plans to change incentives for rooftop solar draw backlash

Research engineer Sadrul Ula weighs in on proposals to reduce incentives for new solar panel users.
Orange County Register | July 23, 2021

In Light Of UC Vaccine Requirement, LA County Indoor Mask Mandate, Exploring The Potential For Vaccine Verification

Richard Carpiano, professor of public policy, discusses what a future COVID verification system might look like.
KPCC | July 22, 2021

In California, a new strategy to fight grapevine-killing bacteria

Entomologist Matt Daugherty studies Pierce's disease, a sickness that has destroyed tens of thousands of acres of grapevines. He said populations of an insect that spreads the disease remained low until the insects developed a resistance to pesticide.
Salon | July 21, 2021

Blue Origin record-breaking rocket launch just brought Jeff Bezos to space and back

Sociologist Ellen Reese and physicist Flip Tanedo weigh in on the implications of private space flights for billionaires.
LiveScience | July 20, 2021

Soft robot can play piano thanks to 'air-powered' memory

Soft robots still tend to rely on hard electronics to function, but a new invention from engineers Will Grover, Philip Brisk, and Kostas Karydis might reduce that need for unyielding chips.
Engadget | July 18, 2021

California’s jobs recovery is starting to lose steam. Here are the numbers

Taner Osman, manager at the UCR School of Business Center for Economic Forecasting and Development, says the state cannot afford any economic slowdown associated with a surge in new COVID cases.
The Los Angeles Times | July 16, 2021

Can Playing Brain Games Really Keep Your Mind Fit? Brain Experts Set the Record Straight

Brain health is similar to the other muscles in your body: If you don't use it, you'll lose it. However, Aaron Seitz, psychology professor and director of UCR's Brain Game Center, says figuring out how best to promote cognitive health is challenging.
Real Simple | July 15, 2021

Phosphine In Venus’ Atmosphere Points To Volcanics, Not Life, Says Paper

Planetary astrophysicist Stephen Kane tells Forbes it has long been suspected that Venus is volcanically active. However, there remains a great deal of mystery regarding the atmospheric chemistry in the planet's middle and deep atmosphere, where products of volcanic outgassing would play a major role.
Forbes | July 14, 2021

Do vaccines protect against the COVID Delta variant, are booster shots needed, and can vaccinated people get symptoms?

Brandon Brown, an associate professor in the School of Medicine, says fully vaccinated people can still transmit the Delta variant to others due to how transmissible the strain is. 
Ladders | July 13, 2021

Vacuuming carbon from the sky no joke for rapidly warming world

Electrical and computer engineering professor Mihri Ozkan estimates that capturing one ton of carbon from the air using solar and energy storage could run between $430 and $690, the most expensive renewable option.

Vaccines are terrific, but where are the COVID-19 treatments?

Microbiologist Juliet Morrison says it’s important to know that it’s not the virus itself that puts people in the ICU, but rather the immune system’s response to the virus. That means the most effective treatment for those infected would stop the coronavirus before it makes the immune system go haywire.
The Los Angeles Times | July 9, 2021

How to Manage Depression Triggers

Jeannie Lochhead, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry, and Kate Sweeny, professor of psychology, offer practical tips for staying positive, like looking for silver linings when something upsetting happens.
WebMD | July 9, 2021

Robert Jinkerson Discusses Urban Agriculture

Robert Jinkerson, assistant professor of chemical and environmental engineering, shares the benefits of urban agriculture and how he’s working to meet future global food needs by growing tiny tomatoes.
KVCR | July 7, 2021

Opinion: Normal may be a long way off for about 10 million immunocompromised Americans

Andrea Polonijo, assistant professor of sociology, co-authored a piece warning that for 10 million immunocompromised Americans, vaccines may not signal the end of the pandemic. 
San Diego Union Tribune | July 6, 2021

The COVID-19 Delta Variant Is In Northern California. Here’s What You Need To Know.

David Lo, UC Riverside immunologist, says the biggest concern with the Delta variant of COVID-19 is that it will infect the unvaccinated. 
Capital Public Radio | July 2, 2021

Focusing on Asian giant hornets distorts the view of invasive species

Entomologist Doug Yanega does not feel the Asian giant hornet is particularly newsworthy, given that there are many invasive insect species present in the U.S., some who have the potential to cause much more harm.
Science News | July 1, 2021

UC Riverside will help with slavery database co-created by new dean

New CHASS Dean Daryle Williams will involve UCR students and faculty in the collection of data about the lives of enslaved people for the online database Enslaved.org.
The Press Enterprise | July 1, 2021

Promising technology arises in fight against potentially devastating citrus disease

Work by citrus pathology specialist Georgios Vidalakis and plant virologist Kiran Gadhave could allow farmers to treat their orchards for diseases and help them fight the insects carrying them.
Yahoo News | July 1, 2021