Media Watch
An unexpected side effect of drought: Higher carbon emissions.
National Geographic -
Most of the time, the researchers found, the utilities fell back on carbon-emitting sources like natural gas and coal to fill their power needs. It’s not ideal, but it makes sense, says Amir AghaKouchak, a civil and environmental engineer at the University of California, Irvine. “Under drought conditions, the priority is to use water for people and cities, and managers might prefer to burn gas for energy,” he says. “Because you have alternatives for getting energy from different sources—but you don't have alternatives for water.”
Scientists Engineer a Better Way to Direct Evolution
LabRoots -
Earlier this year, three researchers shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for pioneering a process called directed evolution … The process was considered painstaking and laborious; however, scientists at the University of California, Irvine have now streamlined the process. … Arjun Ravikumar, a recent recipient of a biomedical engineering Ph.D. at UCI [said] "Our work has reduced evolution to be an extremely rapid, straightforward and scalable process."
New Cancer Immunotherapy Technique Can Specifically Target Tumor Cells
Inquisitr -
Researchers at the University of California at Irvine have developed a new immunotherapy screening technique that will allow doctors to target tumors without the side effects of standard cancer drugs, giving specialists the opportunity to create individualized cancer treatments. The tracking and screening system identifies T-cell receptors with 100 percent specificity for individual tumors, according to Lab On A Chip.
It’s time cellphone signal jammers were installed in people’s steering wheels
Los Angeles Times -
The trick, said A. Lee Swindlehurst, a professor of electrical engineering and computer science at UC Irvine, is “to find a sweet spot where only the driver’s device is jammed,” regardless of where he or she holds their phone. This is technically feasible, he said, “but it would be a challenging design.” [Subscription required, you can request an electronic copy of the article by sending an email to communications@uci.edu.]
Be ahead of the curve in our changing world: Pursue a career in IT
Study International -
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE (UCI) The Samueli School of Engineering faculty conducts ahead-of-the-curve interdisciplinary research in embedded systems, with a hands-on learning focus that attracts high-achieving students who want more than just a classroom experience. The school is highly ranked, landing 21st in US News & World Report‘s list of best public engineering graduate schools, whilst its undergraduate programme ranks 24th among US public schools.
Combined laser and X-ray tech promises big boost in resolution
Health Data Management -
The device, being installed at the University of California-Irvine’s Applied Innovation Center, uses laser technology that uses high-energy, short-duration laser pulses used to generate X-rays for imaging procedures. … “We see this as a pivotal moment in imaging,” says Bruce Tromberg, MD, professor of Biomedical Engineering and Surgery, and Director of the Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, co-located on the UCI campus. “There is little doubt that this represents a new frontier for medicine.”
Less Snow Could Be Coming To California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains
Capital Public Radio -
In a study released this week a UC Irvine team found that if winter temperatures increase by 1 degree Celsius, it will lead to a 20 percent jump in the likelihood of below-average snow accumulation in the high country. "Warmer winter temperatures tend to decrease the amount of water stored as snow,” said the report's lead author, Laurie Huning with UC Irvine. She says less snow makes it more likely for drought conditions, and could make the wildfire season longer.
Fuel cells combined with wind, solar are the next clean energy tech
Cleveland Plain Dealer -
Wind and solar farms are generating clean power at lower and lower prices, but not always when it is needed. Fuel cells, which generate electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen, could change that equation …. Jack Brouwer, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and director of the National Fuel Cell Research Center at University of California-Irvine, made the claim to a group of fuel cell manufacturers gathered … for the 18th annual Ohio Fuel Cell Symposium.
Fuel Cells Will Help Bring Balance to the Changing Grid, Researchers Say
Government Technology -
Fuel cells, which generate electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen, could change that equation, says a University of California researcher, eliminating the need for large coal and nuclear power plants and leading to a zero-emissions electric grid. Jack Brouwer, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and director of the National Fuel Cell Research Center at University of California-Irvine, made the claim…
This Company Says You Can Design Your Own Autonomous Vehicle
Forbes -
The company has a partnership with UC Irvine and will debut the DragonFly in November 2018.