Egghead Content

Evolution of New Physical Traits in Mollusks has Declined and Grown More Predictable Over Time

Andy Fell — March 04, 2026 - 12:11pm

Paleobiologist Geerat Vermeij is enthralled with mollusks. Their shells line the surfaces and fill the cabinets and drawers in his office on the second floor of the Earth and Planetary Sciences Building at �鶹��ý. But Vermeij’s deep study of these organisms isn’t just about the animals themselves, it’s an avenue for deeper insights about the principles governing evolution and history.

Introducing the ‘Bloom’ Cycle, or Why Plants Are Not Stupid

Andy Fell — March 02, 2026 - 10:47am

For decades, the basics of plant growth have been taught in grade-school: Plants make their food out of water from the soil, light from the sun and carbon dioxide from the air in a process called photosynthesis.

Egghead’s Weekend Basket for February 27

Andy Fell — February 27, 2026 - 3:55pm

Busy week? Here's a round up of research stories from �鶹��ý to get you caught up.

Short Films Explore Quantum Physics

Andy Fell — February 26, 2026 - 11:51am

The Department of Physics and Astronomy will hold a screening March 13 of “What is Real? Six Short Films About Quantum Physics.” The screening will take place at 7 p.m. in 1002 Cruess Hall, followed by a Q&A.

Can a Simple Calcium Spray Protect Grapes from Wildfire Smoke?

Andy Fell — February 24, 2026 - 3:39pm

Smoke from wildfires can alter grapes and affect the taste and sensory experience of wine, threatening California’s $88 billion industry as it faces an increase in fires on the horizon. Researchers from the University of California, Davis, and U.S. Department of Agriculture spent last summer applying a calcium spray to grapes to see if the treatment can protect the fruit from smoke exposure.

Egghead's Weekend Basket

Andy Fell — February 20, 2026 - 4:16pm

So you didn't have time to read all the awesome science stories out of �鶹��ý this week? Here's a roundup for your weekend enjoyment.

A Gene Editor That’s a Better Fit for Plants

Andy Fell — February 20, 2026 - 12:09pm

Gene editing has enormous potential to help feed the world’s growing population, but it’s currently difficult, time-consuming, and only works in some plant species. A big part of the problem is CRISPR/Cas9’s size: it’s too large to be delivered into plant cells.

Incredibubbles: Researchers Cracking the Code of Body's Message System

Andy Fell — February 20, 2026 - 11:45am

Biomedical engineers at the University of California, Davis, are cracking the code of the body’s message system.

Enemy at the Stomatal Gate: How Bacteria Trick Plants Into Letting Them Pass

Andy Fell — February 17, 2026 - 4:45pm

Plants have resources, and bacteria want them. Plants have gates on their leaves to keep the thieves out. But a nasty bug called Salmonella has figured out how to trick plants into opening up their safety gates so it can sneak in and live happily inside.

When people eat those contaminated leaves, they can get sick, sometimes severely. Because the bacteria are actually inside the leaves, they cannot be removed by washing.

Smartphone App Could Change How Stroke Recovery is Assessed

Andy Fell — February 11, 2026 - 3:32pm

What if a smartphone could see what the human eye misses? A new �鶹��ý-designed app uses machine learning to track subtle hand movements during stroke rehabilitation, giving clinicians more specific data to assess recovery and tailor patient care.