University News

This Single Mother Must Learn Quickly — Or Her Colony Won’t Survive

Andy Fell — Fri, 15 May 2026 12:28:53 PDT

Being a single mother of 20 is no joke, especially if the survival of a whole species depends on it.

A queen bumblebee faces this very challenge when she lays her first eggs in the spring: She is utterly alone, with no worker bees to help.

She flies miles each day, collecting nectar to feed her young. She builds a protective nursery from wax. When she’s not out foraging, she climbs atop her larvae and buzzes to warm them.

Bear Reported on Campus

Andy Fell — Fri, 15 May 2026 00:07:35 PDT

Updated 5:25 a.m.

An Aggie Alert was issued early this morning after a bear was spotted on the main campus. The alert was lifted just after 5 a.m.

A bear sighting was initially reported about 10:40 p.m. in the West Village area. It was later seen on the main campus in the Segundo and Primero residence areas and near the Activities and Recreation Center. The last confirmed sighting was about 12:10 a.m., when the animal was leaving campus through the Student Farm.

A Fresh Approach to Peppermint

Andy Fell — Thu, 14 May 2026 11:37:15 PDT

The genomics of peppermint are not as fresh as their flavor but scientists from the University of California, Davis, have found a way to breathe new genetic variation into the species.

Memorial Day Ceremony to Honor Gold Star Aggies

Cody Kitaura — Tue, 12 May 2026 13:30:00 PDT

As the nation prepares to mark its 250th anniversary, UC Davis’ annual Memorial Day Ceremony on May 21 will honor the Aggies who have given their lives in service of their country.

LAURELS: Time100, International Academy of Food Science and Technology, More

Kat Arthur — Tue, 12 May 2026 12:00:00 PDT

In this Laurels column, a professor is listed to the Time’s list of 100 most influential people, a faculty member receives an international fellowship and professors are awarded for their additions to research. Additional honors will be announced in a forthcoming edition of Dateline UC Davis.

Dateline UC Davis welcomes news of faculty and staff awards for publication in Laurels. Send information to dateline@ucdavis.edu.

Scientists Dispute Hypothesis That Climate Change Will Unleash Massive Ag Pest Populations

Andy Fell — Tue, 12 May 2026 10:27:49 PDT

The widespread hypothesis that climate warming will result in unprecedented agricultural pest populations and cause food insecurity worldwide is oversimplified, according to a new study by a team led by Mia Lippey, an entomologist at the University of California, Davis. But the study does indicate that pests fare better in warmer temperatures than their natural enemies, which researchers identified as a cause for concern.

Could Cultured Chocolate Unlock the Next Food Revolution?

Andy Fell — Mon, 11 May 2026 13:12:10 PDT

Researchers at the University of California, Davis, are working with California Cultured, a Sacramento based food-tech company, to keep chocolate affordable and sustainable by growing everyone’s favorite treat directly from plant cells.

A Baby Bird’s Wishlist: Mild Weather, Attentive Parents, Not Being the Smallest Sibling

Andy Fell — Mon, 11 May 2026 10:28:01 PDT

Experiences in the first days and weeks of life can have a profound impact on humans — and birds. A new study led by Sage Madden, a graduate student in evolution and ecology at the University of California, Davis, shows how weather conditions and family dynamics affect the growth of barn swallow (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster) chicks.

Canvas Access Restored

James Michael Nash — Fri, 08 May 2026 19:04:41 PDT

May 9, 2026, 10 p.m.

Dear UC Davis community:

UC Davis Canvas is once again available. Our technology teams completed additional security reviews after Canvas was brought back online.

Some features will not be available immediately, as they were disabled to protect the security of Canvas and your data during this incident, and will take additional time to restore.

Children with Rare, Debilitating Brain Diseases Suffer From Mutations in a Little-Known Protein Complex

Andy Fell — Fri, 08 May 2026 09:40:41 PDT

Thousands of times per year, a family’s moment of joy turns to unexpected grief. A seemingly healthy infant stops smiling or making eye contact. Their limbs grow weak. The tiny child suffers seizures and breathing problems.

Jawdat Al-Bassam, an associate professor of molecular and cellular biology at the University of California, Davis, often hears from these families. “I’ve gotten emails from folks all over the world,” he said.

Forest Fuel Treatments Reduce Wildfire Spread, Prevent $2.8 Billion in Damage

Amy M Quinton — Thu, 07 May 2026 11:00:00 PDT

A UC Davis study finds every dollar spent on forest fuel treatments saves $3.75 in wildfire damages.

Study Projects Plant Extinction Rates Through 2100

Katherine E Kerlin — Thu, 07 May 2026 11:00:00 PDT

A UC Davis study in Science found that 7% to 16% of global plant species studied face high risk of extinction by 2100 under current climate change projections.

Appellate Justice, Doctor Who Educates With Social Media To Speak at First UC Davis Commencements

Julia Ann Easley — Tue, 05 May 2026 13:02:44 PDT

An appellate justice and a doctor who uses social media to empower medical learners will be the first guest speakers for the 2026 graduation season at UC Davis.

Donate in May to Food Drive for Staff and Retirees

Cody Kitaura — Tue, 05 May 2026 10:30:00 PDT

Several organization at UC Davis are teaming up for a staff and retiree food drive in May.

Donations are being accepted through May 31 at several locations on the Davis and Sacramento campuses:

ORG CHART: Associate Deans, Rosenfeld Chair

Kat Arthur — Tue, 05 May 2026 09:00:00 PDT

In this week's Org Chart, Dateline UC Davis announces two new associate deans and the Arthur H. Rosenfeld Chair in Energy Efficiency.

Plants Walk a Fine Line Between Growth and Defense

Andy Fell — Mon, 04 May 2026 16:23:01 PDT

Salicylic acid, the active molecule in aspirin and some acne medications, is a hormone in plants that is essential for immunity, but it’s a double-edged sword: Too much can cause autoimmunity and stunt growth. In a new study published April 20 in Nature Communications, University of California, Davis, researchers discovered that plants use a surprising multi-layered system to regulate salicylic acid levels and keep their immune system in check.

Teaching Students AI Literacy

Jocelyn C Anderson — Mon, 04 May 2026 15:35:51 PDT

Professionals and students alike are contending with a rapidly shifting work environment brought on by the rise of artificial intelligence, or AI. In our modern, technological world, AI literacy is no longer an option; it’s foundational.

Non-Rotating Early Galaxy Is a Surprise to Astronomers

Andy Fell — Mon, 04 May 2026 15:06:55 PDT

Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have made a surprising discovery about a galaxy long, long ago and far, far away: It isn’t rotating.

CHANCELL-ING: Growing Our Agricultural Partnerships

Cody Kitaura — Mon, 04 May 2026 14:25:12 PDT

Finding better ways to feed a growing planet has been a core part of UC Davis for more than a century. What began as the University Farm is now a global powerhouse in agricultural science and forestry, home to programs ranked first in the nation and second worldwide. This legacy continues today through the groundbreaking partnerships and innovation taking place here in Yolo County.

YoloBerry Yogurt Opens in Silo

Cody Kitaura — Mon, 04 May 2026 13:30:00 PDT

YoloBerry Yogurt is now open in the Silo, serving frozen yogurt, açaí bowls, smoothies and more in the corner location previously occupied by Crêpe Bistro.

The new eatery is operated by Lee Pflugrath and his wife, Laura Winton. Pflugrath and a business partner opened the original YoloBerry, on C Street across from Central Park, in 2008; that location is now operated by Pflugrath and Winton. They also own Açaí Fresh on G Street in Davis.