Science & Technology

Jonathon Schofield Receives NSF CAREER Award

Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Jonathon Schofield has been recognized for his research with a National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development, or NSF CAREER Award — an accolade that supports early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department

Human brains are getting larger. That may be good news for dementia risk

(SACRAMENTO) A new study by researchers at UC Davis Health found human brains are getting larger. Study participants born in the 1970s had 6.6% larger brain volumes and almost 15% larger brain surface area than those born in the 1930s.

The researchers hypothesize the increased brain size may lead to an increased brain reserve, potentially reducing the overall risk of age-related dementias.

The findings were published in JAMA Neurology.

$900K NSF Grant to Help Researchers Probe the Cognitive Brain Mechanisms Behind Free Will

Picture this scenario: You and a friend are walking around your neighborhood when you stop at a crosswalk. As you wait, the noises of the world and your internal thoughts all vie for your attention. Pedestrians chatter as cars rumble by when suddenly, you see a motorist nearly hit a bicyclist.   

“Whoa, did you see that?” you say to your friend.  

“I sure did; that was a fully restored 1967 Ford Mustang,” your friend replies, referring to a car separate from the near-traffic collision you almost witnessed. 

UC Davis Health Offers First Comprehensive Robotic Neurosurgery Program in the Region

 

(SACRAMENTO) One day in early 2022, as Haytham Almunir got into his friend’s car to join him for lunch, he noticed the fingers on one of his hands suddenly stiffened and stuck together. He separated them with the other hand, but they immediately stuck back together.

As his friend drove, he asked Almunir questions. Almunir noticed he couldn’t find the words to respond.

“My friend was asking me questions, but I couldn’t answer. When no words were coming, I got really scared,” he said.