College of Letters and Science Content

Weekender: Meet the Percussionist; Go 'Into the Woods' in Woodland

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — September 04, 2025 - 8:56am

While some 51�ԹϺ�� Davis art and music is on hold, the Arts Blog provides other features of interest in the area.

51�ԹϺ�� Davis percussionist Chris Froh shares how he got here

A professional percussionist, 51�ԹϺ�� Davis lecturer in music and advocate of music education, Chris Froh has built a career fostering the talent of musicians while helping students discover new ways of listening and connecting through music.

Babies Pay Attention Longest When Parents Combine Words and Gestures, 51�ԹϺ�� Davis Study Suggests

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — September 03, 2025 - 9:32am

A baby’s focus may seem brief, but some words and gestures do a better job of keeping their attention on their surroundings even before they say their first word.

A new study from the University of California, Davis, finds that combining words that label objects, such as “bear,” with spatial words such as “here” or “there” captures infants’ attention for longer than using those types of words alone or using other words that are neither labels nor spatial. Adding gestures, such as pointing, holds babies’ attention the longest.

Weekender: See Vet Med's Newest 'Horse'; Find an Art Book; Poetry

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — August 21, 2025 - 11:05am

While music and other art events are not yet happening on campus, you can still do some arty things. Go see horses (the sculptured kind) at Vet Med or read a book, or just read stories about books, below. Also, don't miss the 51�ԹϺ�� Davis Arts Blog's ongoing art synopsis for some air-conditioned options to view art on campus. Exhibits are on view at both the Manetti Shrem Museum and the Gorman Museum right now.

Nowcasting and the Kamchatka Earthquake

Andy Fell — August 07, 2025 - 9:54am

The July 29 earthquake on Russia's Kamchatka peninsula was among the most powerful recorded by modern instruments, setting off tsunami warnings around the Pacific rim. The magnitude 8.8 earthquake caused part of the peninsula to sink by about six feet and set off volcanic eruptions, according to the Unified Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Fortunately, there do not appear to have been any fatalities or major damage.

Tariffs Can Improve U.S. Economy, But Global Trade Realities, Retaliation, Could Offset Gains

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — August 07, 2025 - 9:20am

The United States could achieve modest economic benefits by applying uniform tariffs on all trade partners, according to new research led by a University of California, Davis, economist. However, the complicated realities of supply chains, global trade and its downstream effects on people and businesses could offset economic gains and even lead to significant losses.

Psychedelics and Non-hallucinogenic Analogs Work Through the Same Receptor, Up to a Point

Andy Fell — August 04, 2025 - 2:00am

Understanding exactly how psychedelics promote new connections in the brain is critical to developing targeted, non-hallucinogenic therapeutics that can treat neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases. To achieve this, researchers are mapping the biochemical pathways involved in both neuroplasticity and hallucinations.

Rainy Tropics Could Face Unprecedented Droughts as an Atlantic Current Slows

Andy Fell — July 30, 2025 - 8:00am

New research warns that global rainfall patterns could shift dramatically as a result of climate change

Does Following News on Social Media Help People Tell Fact from Fiction?

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — July 28, 2025 - 10:17am

In social media’s flood of information, all facts appear equal. Except they’re not. According to new research, having the news in your feed makes you better at telling the difference.

How do you Analyze Past Climates?

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — July 28, 2025 - 9:54am

The key to unlocking climates of the ancient past, including weather seasonality and rainfall, may lie in an unexpected place: primate teeth.

Molecular Simulations Show Graphite ‘Hijacks’ Diamond Formation Through Unexpected Crystallization Pathways

Andy Fell — July 09, 2025 - 10:31am

The graphite found in your favorite pencil could have instead been the diamond your mother always wears. What made the difference? Researchers are finding out.

How molten carbon crystallizes into either graphite or diamond is relevant to planetary science, materials manufacturing and nuclear fusion research. However, this moment of crystallization is difficult to study experimentally because it happens very rapidly and under extreme conditions.