Science and Climate Content

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

Andy Fell — May 12, 2026 - 10:27am

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.

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

Andy Fell — May 11, 2026 - 10:28am

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.

Study Projects Plant Extinction Rates Through 2100

Katherine E Kerlin — May 07, 2026 - 11:00am

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.

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

Amy M Quinton — May 07, 2026 - 11:00am

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

Climate Change Increases Spillover Risk of Rodent-Borne Arenaviruses

Katherine E Kerlin — May 04, 2026 - 9:00am

Climate change is likely to drive rodent-borne arenaviruses into parts of South America that have never faced these diseases, putting new communities of people at risk, finds a study from the University of California, Davis.

For the study, published in the journal npj Viruses, scientists incorporated climate projections, shifting rodent populations and the risks of human infection into a model to offer an early risk projection for arenaviruses and other diseases in the next 20 to 40 years.

National Academy of Sciences Elects UC Davis Maize Geneticist Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra

Andy Fell — April 29, 2026 - 8:45am

The National Academy of Sciences has elected Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra, professor in the Department of Evolution and Ecology at University of California, Davis, as a member. His election was announced April 28.

Ross-Ibarra is one of 120 members and 25 international members elected this year in recognition of distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Membership in the academy is considered one of the highest honors a scientist can achieve.

Stop-and-Go Science: Researchers Pivot to Try to Salvage Important Work

Jocelyn C Anderson — April 27, 2026 - 9:00am

When climate change is faster than the speed of science and unstable funding threatens discovery, UC Davis scientists pivot to try to save important research.

Wildfire-Driven Deforestation Rates in California Among Highest in World

Katherine E Kerlin — April 22, 2026 - 9:00am

California has one of the highest rates of wildfire-driven deforestation in the world, and the trend has accelerated over the past three decades, according to a UC Davis study.

Would You Let Your Utility Control When You Charge Your EV?

Katherine E Kerlin — April 20, 2026 - 9:15am

Electric vehicles are one important way for America to use less fossil fuels — driving down emissions that cause climate change and reducing exposure to oil price shocks that threaten economic growth. But as more households buy electric cars, they must also charge those cars, which typically happens at night. So many EVs charging at once can put a strain on local electric grids. Some utilities are trying to lessen this burden by scheduling EV charging themselves, spreading charging out so that fewer vehicles need power all at once.

New Visual Analysis Tool Calms the Climate Data Storm

Andy Fell — April 10, 2026 - 11:28am

Climate models generate billions of data points, but traditional analysis methods can't keep up. UC Davis Ph.D. student Yuya Kawakami developed ClimateSOM, an interactive visualization tool that helps scientists explore thousands of climate futures and uncover patterns that current methods can miss.