Science and Climate Content

Deep-Water Sediments Reveal Patterns of Extraterrestrial Influence on Earth’s Ancient Climate

Andy Fell — October 31, 2025 - 10:42am

Roughly 34 million years ago, the Earth started transitioning from a greenhouse to an icehouse state — defined by long-term cooling trends that resulted in ice sheets in the planet’s polar regions. During this time, continental carbon reservoirs expanded as carbon dioxide decreased in the atmosphere.

But that trend has reversed. Fossil fuel consumption, among other sources of pollution, have resulted in increasing atmospheric and oceanic temperatures, leading to ice sheet melt and unprecedented shifts in our environments.

New Species of Spider Discovered, Just in Time for Halloween

Amy M Quinton — October 29, 2025 - 9:24am

UC Davis scientists have discovered a new species of trapdoor spider in California's coastal sand dunes.

California Schools Are Losing Tree Canopy

Katherine E Kerlin — October 27, 2025 - 8:55pm

About 85% of elementary schools studied in California experienced some loss of trees between 2018 and 2022, found a UC Davis study.

These Songbirds Learn More From Siblings Than From Parents

Katherine E Kerlin — October 09, 2025 - 11:00am

The powerful role of siblings is highlighted in this UC Davis study of a songbird species with limited parental care.

UC Davis Artist, Sociologist, Ph.D. Student Reflect on ‘Breathe' Exhibition at Manetti Shrem Museum

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — October 08, 2025 - 10:21am

The transparent, glass gallery doors of the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art at UC Davis act as a portal to another world where an echoing, ambient sound can be heard in the distance.

This world is dimly lit and guarded by two large human-like figures, their long hair made of gray and black fibers, dressed in what might be space suits of the future or the casualwear of an alien species, fused together with colorful yarn.

Lake Tahoe Algae Experiment Suggests Seasonal Shifts Ahead

Katherine E Kerlin — October 06, 2025 - 9:06am

As the climate warms and nutrient inputs shift, algal communities in cool, clear mountain lakes like Lake Tahoe will likely experience seasonal changes, according to a study from the University of California, Davis.

Periphyton, that fuzzy layer of attached algae covering the rocks as you step into the water, is a healthy and critical part of a lake’s food web. Periphyton blooms, however, signal changes that can degrade both water quality and a shoreline’s natural beauty.

Pulling the E-Brake on Methane Emissions

Katherine E Kerlin — September 25, 2025 - 12:53pm

As global emissions continue to climb, there is a growing call for rapidly reducing methane.

Among the Academies: A World Living Beneath Our Feet

Jose Antonio Vadi — September 23, 2025 - 8:29am

There is a whole world inside soil, shaping our everyday existence.

“Soil is fundamental to the functioning of Earth,” explained Kate Scow, who described soil as “alive” and “among the most biodiverse environments on the planet.”

How Improving Shade at California Public Schools Can Benefit Children and Communities

Katherine E Kerlin — September 05, 2025 - 10:02am

An interdisciplinary team of public health and environmental science researchers from across the University of California have found that despite efforts by the state and local school districts, many public schools fall short of providing sufficient shade, much less natural playing surfaces, for the 5.8 million children they serve — especially in an era of extreme temperatures.

Maternal Exposure to Crude Oil, Flame Retardants Can Affect Later Generations

Katherine E Kerlin — August 27, 2025 - 11:53am

A tiny fish with transparent embryos is helping University of California, Davis, researchers shed light on how exposure to crude oil and flame retardants can affect behavior, skeletal growth, cardiac health and other internal functions in offspring and subsequent generations.

The research on multiple generations of Atlantic killifish (mummichogs) was published across three papers in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.