Holly Ober
@sciwri.bsky.social
Media relations for physical and life sciences at UCLA. https://ucla.in/45FA7Oe
UCLA-led research found what caused Myanmar’s 2025 supershear earthquake: A straight, smooth fault, stress accumulation since the last major quake, and contrasting rock properties all created an ideal setting for the rupture to accelerate over hundreds of kilometers. ucla.in/4hyws8Z 🧪
October 30, 2025 at 7:00 PM
UCLA-led research found what caused Myanmar’s 2025 supershear earthquake: A straight, smooth fault, stress accumulation since the last major quake, and contrasting rock properties all created an ideal setting for the rupture to accelerate over hundreds of kilometers. ucla.in/4hyws8Z 🧪
A photonic lantern used for the first time on a telescope has helped UCLA-led astronomers achieve the sharpest-ever measurement of a star’s surrounding disk, revealing that is is-- surprisingly-- lopsided. ucla.in/43wGO3k 🧪
October 22, 2025 at 4:29 PM
A photonic lantern used for the first time on a telescope has helped UCLA-led astronomers achieve the sharpest-ever measurement of a star’s surrounding disk, revealing that is is-- surprisingly-- lopsided. ucla.in/43wGO3k 🧪
A blood stem cell gene therapy co-developed by UCLA’s Dr. Donald Kohn restored immune function in 59 of 62 children with ADA-SCID, a rare and fatal immune disorder, with no serious complications reported. Long-term follow-up shows 95% success rate in largest study to date. ucla.in/4ojUZke 🧪
October 15, 2025 at 9:07 PM
A blood stem cell gene therapy co-developed by UCLA’s Dr. Donald Kohn restored immune function in 59 of 62 children with ADA-SCID, a rare and fatal immune disorder, with no serious complications reported. Long-term follow-up shows 95% success rate in largest study to date. ucla.in/4ojUZke 🧪
#UCLA neuroscientists discovered brain cells in rats that are wired for #uncertainty. The neurons, most active when a #decision outcome is unknown, appear to help with decision making and flexibility. ucla.in/3Wumo7g 🧪
October 8, 2025 at 3:26 PM
#UCLA neuroscientists discovered brain cells in rats that are wired for #uncertainty. The neurons, most active when a #decision outcome is unknown, appear to help with decision making and flexibility. ucla.in/3Wumo7g 🧪
Funded entirely by taxpayer dollars and developed exclusively at UCLA, a first-of-its-kind drug targets cellular metabolism to promote tissue repair of multiple organs and is ready for clinical trials. ucla.in/46DzOUx 🧪
October 6, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Funded entirely by taxpayer dollars and developed exclusively at UCLA, a first-of-its-kind drug targets cellular metabolism to promote tissue repair of multiple organs and is ready for clinical trials. ucla.in/46DzOUx 🧪
#UCLA @ioes.ucla.edu geographers Emelly Ortiz-Villa and Kyle Cavanaugh told Spectrum News reporter Nathalie Basha how marine protected areas help #kelp forests recover after marine heatwaves. Learn more: ucla.in/4fRcC8a #climate #environment 🧪
September 10, 2025 at 3:30 PM
#UCLA @ioes.ucla.edu geographers Emelly Ortiz-Villa and Kyle Cavanaugh told Spectrum News reporter Nathalie Basha how marine protected areas help #kelp forests recover after marine heatwaves. Learn more: ucla.in/4fRcC8a #climate #environment 🧪
UCLA biologists have discovered that genes linked to some autoimmune diseases are also linked to #mRNA stability. This matters because if mRNA degrades before it can deliver protein-making instructions, enough protein might not get made. There may be a connection to disease risk. ucla.in/4noFIOU 🧪
September 8, 2025 at 3:15 PM
UCLA biologists have discovered that genes linked to some autoimmune diseases are also linked to #mRNA stability. This matters because if mRNA degrades before it can deliver protein-making instructions, enough protein might not get made. There may be a connection to disease risk. ucla.in/4noFIOU 🧪
Meet Joseph Curti, a #UCLA #bat scientist. 11 of California's 25 bat 🦇 species have been detected in the Santa Monica Mountains. By controlling insect 🦟populations, dispersing seeds 🌱and pollinating plants 🌺, #bats provide ecosystem services that humans depend on more than we realize. 🧪
August 28, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Mind-blowing UCLA research shows that ebony trees used in guitar frets, piano keys, and other musical instruments depends on elephants. Specifically: Elephant dung.💩Beautiful article by my colleague @ahewitt.bsky.social also shows importance of continued federal funding. ucla.in/4lPSGUD 🧪
August 27, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Mind-blowing UCLA research shows that ebony trees used in guitar frets, piano keys, and other musical instruments depends on elephants. Specifically: Elephant dung.💩Beautiful article by my colleague @ahewitt.bsky.social also shows importance of continued federal funding. ucla.in/4lPSGUD 🧪
Human ovaries contain a lifetime supply of eggs at birth. Scientists finally have a complete map of how this ovarian reserve forms in primates, which will help them improve treatments for infertility and hormonal disorders. ucla.in/41pjSCp 🧪
August 26, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Human ovaries contain a lifetime supply of eggs at birth. Scientists finally have a complete map of how this ovarian reserve forms in primates, which will help them improve treatments for infertility and hormonal disorders. ucla.in/41pjSCp 🧪
UCLA geographers have learned that kelp in marine protected areas bounces back more quickly from marine heatwaves. The reason? Fish that eat kelp grazers help kelp re-establish itself after a die off. ucla.in/4fRcC8a 🧪
August 26, 2025 at 4:22 PM
UCLA geographers have learned that kelp in marine protected areas bounces back more quickly from marine heatwaves. The reason? Fish that eat kelp grazers help kelp re-establish itself after a die off. ucla.in/4fRcC8a 🧪
UCLA research shows that cells use a secret weapon to starve pathogens and weaken infections. Cells detect proteins produced by invading T. gondii and ramp up mitochondrial metabolism. This uses up so much folate that the parasite cannot grow properly. ucla.in/4fU2YS7 🧪
August 25, 2025 at 8:03 PM
UCLA research shows that cells use a secret weapon to starve pathogens and weaken infections. Cells detect proteins produced by invading T. gondii and ramp up mitochondrial metabolism. This uses up so much folate that the parasite cannot grow properly. ucla.in/4fU2YS7 🧪
New research by UCLA neuroscientists shows that listening to music after an experience or activity can make it more memorable if you have just the right amount of emotional response while listening to it. ucla.in/4mpp0ie 🧪
August 18, 2025 at 5:24 PM
New research by UCLA neuroscientists shows that listening to music after an experience or activity can make it more memorable if you have just the right amount of emotional response while listening to it. ucla.in/4mpp0ie 🧪
Heavy use of copper antimicrobials leads to the evolution of copper-resistant E. coli bacteria that can also resist antibiotic drugs. Fortunately, when the use of copper is stopped, bacteria quickly revert to a less-resistant state. newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/cop... 🧪
August 7, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Heavy use of copper antimicrobials leads to the evolution of copper-resistant E. coli bacteria that can also resist antibiotic drugs. Fortunately, when the use of copper is stopped, bacteria quickly revert to a less-resistant state. newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/cop... 🧪
Are you curious? It might help you stay sharp as you age
New research shows questions you ask and interest in lifelong learning might protect against Alzheimer’s disease newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/bra... 🧪
New research shows questions you ask and interest in lifelong learning might protect against Alzheimer’s disease newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/bra... 🧪
August 6, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Are you curious? It might help you stay sharp as you age
New research shows questions you ask and interest in lifelong learning might protect against Alzheimer’s disease newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/bra... 🧪
New research shows questions you ask and interest in lifelong learning might protect against Alzheimer’s disease newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/bra... 🧪
Asthma drug doesn't work to treat alcoholism, except on some people. Further research will show why. newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/ast... 🧪
August 6, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Asthma drug doesn't work to treat alcoholism, except on some people. Further research will show why. newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/ast... 🧪
UCLA-led research has found that genetic rescue has reduced inbreeding in Florida panthers, which is good news for their survival. But their small population size means the problem could happen again without continued conservation efforts. newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/flo... 🧪
August 6, 2025 at 7:57 PM
UCLA-led research has found that genetic rescue has reduced inbreeding in Florida panthers, which is good news for their survival. But their small population size means the problem could happen again without continued conservation efforts. newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/flo... 🧪
Astrophysicist Alexander Kusenko: When J.J. Thompson received the 1906 Nobel Prize in physics for the discovery of electrons, he said this was probably the most useless discovery in history. newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/squ... 🧪🔭
August 6, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Astrophysicist Alexander Kusenko: When J.J. Thompson received the 1906 Nobel Prize in physics for the discovery of electrons, he said this was probably the most useless discovery in history. newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/squ... 🧪🔭
All quiet on the Westwood front.
June 10, 2025 at 9:43 PM
All quiet on the Westwood front.
Older adults who want to learn new things may be able to offset or prevent #Alzheimer’s disease. Conversely, those with muted curiosity and disinterest may be at risk for dementia. The finding contradicts prior research that showed that curiosity decreases with age. newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/cur...
May 7, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Older adults who want to learn new things may be able to offset or prevent #Alzheimer’s disease. Conversely, those with muted curiosity and disinterest may be at risk for dementia. The finding contradicts prior research that showed that curiosity decreases with age. newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/cur...
UCLA and UCSD scientists inserted DNA-encoding methylmercury detoxification enzymes into the genome of an abundant human gut bacterium. The engineered bacterium detoxified methylmercury in the gut of mice and reduced the amount that reached other tissues. newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/red...
May 1, 2025 at 10:28 PM
UCLA and UCSD scientists inserted DNA-encoding methylmercury detoxification enzymes into the genome of an abundant human gut bacterium. The engineered bacterium detoxified methylmercury in the gut of mice and reduced the amount that reached other tissues. newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/red...