Latest news with #UCSD
The Guardian
10 hours ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Air pollution linked to lung cancer-driving DNA mutations, study finds
Air pollution has been linked to a swathe of lung cancer-driving DNA mutations, in a study of people diagnosed with the disease despite never having smoked tobacco. The findings from an investigation into cancer patients around the world helps explain why those who have never smoked make up a rising proportion of people developing the cancer, a trend the researchers called an 'urgent and growing global problem'. Prof Ludmil Alexandrov, a senior author on the study at the University of California in San Diego, said researchers had observed the 'problematic trend' but had not understood the cause. 'Our research shows that air pollution is strongly associated with the same types of DNA mutations we typically associate with smoking,' he said. The scientists analysed the entire genetic code of lung tumours removed from 871 never-smokers in Europe, North America, Africa and Asia as part of the Sherlock-Lung study. They found that the higher the levels of air pollution in a region, the more cancer-driving and cancer-promoting mutations were present in residents' tumours. Fine-particulate air pollution was in particular linked to mutations in the TP53 gene. These have previously been associated with tobacco smoking. People exposed to greater air pollution also had shorter telomeres, protective strands of DNA found at the ends of chromosomes, which are often compared with the caps on shoelaces. Premature shortening of telomeres is a sign of more rapid cell division, a hallmark of cancer. 'This is an urgent and growing global problem that we are working to understand,' said Dr Maria Teresa Landi, an epidemiologist on the study at the US National Cancer Institute in Maryland. With smoking in decline in many parts of the world, including the UK and the US, people who have never smoked are making up a larger proportion of lung cancer patients. Current estimates suggest that 10-25% of lung cancers are now diagnosed in this group. Almost all such cancers are a form known as adenocarcinoma. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. About 2.5m new cases are diagnosed globally each year. More than a million of the deaths occur in China, where smoking, air pollution and other environmental contaminants are factors. Recent research found that the highest rates of adenocarcinoma attributable to air pollution were in east Asia. While cases in the UK were much lower, they still amounted to more than 1,100 new diagnoses a year, scientists found. The latest work, published in Nature, identified only a slight rise in cancer-causing mutations in people exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke. But the study highlighted a significant risk from certain Chinese herbal medicines that contain aristolochic acid. Signature mutations linked to the herbal medicines were seen almost exclusively in never-smokers from Taiwan. Another mysterious mutational signature was seen in people who had never smoked but not those who did, and was now the focus of 'intense investigation', Landi said.
The Guardian
11 hours ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Air pollution linked to lung cancer-driving DNA mutations, study finds
Air pollution has been linked to a swathe of lung cancer-driving DNA mutations, in a landmark study of people diagnosed with the disease despite never having smoked tobacco. The findings from an investigation into cancer patients around the world helps explain why never-smokers make up a rising proportion of people developing the cancer, a trend the researchers called an 'urgent and growing global problem'. Prof Ludmil Alexandrov, a senior author on the study at the University of California in San Diego, said researchers had observed the 'problematic trend' but had not understood the cause. 'Our research shows that air pollution is strongly associated with the same types of DNA mutations we typically associate with smoking,' he said. The scientists analysed the entire genetic code of lung tumours removed from 871 never-smokers in Europe, North America, Africa and Asia as part of the Sherlock-Lung study. They found that the higher the levels of air pollution in a region, the more cancer-driving and cancer-promoting mutations were present in residents' tumours. Fine-particulate air pollution was particularly linked to mutations in the TP53 gene. These have previously been associated with tobacco smoking. People exposed to greater air pollution also had shorter telomeres, protective strands of DNA found at the ends of chromosomes, which are often compared with the caps on shoelaces. Telomeres tend to shorten with age, so premature telomere shortening is interpreted as a sign of rapid ageing. 'This is an urgent and growing global problem that we are working to understand,' said Dr Maria Teresa Landi, an epidemiologist on the study at the US National Cancer Institute in Maryland. With smoking in decline in many parts of the world, including the UK and the US, never-smokers are making up a larger proportion of lung cancer patients. Current estimates suggest that 10-25% of lung cancers are now diagnosed in never-smokers. Almost all are a form of cancer known as adenocarcinoma. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. About 2.5m new cases are diagnosed globally each year. More than a million of the deaths occur in China, where smoking, air pollution and other environmental contaminants are factors. Recent research found that the highest rates of adenocarcinoma attributable to air pollution were in east Asia. While cases in the UK were much lower, they still amounted to more than 1,100 new diagnoses a year, scientists found. The latest work, published in Nature, identified only a slight rise in cancer-causing mutations in people exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke. But the study highlighted a significant risk from certain Chinese herbal medicines that contain aristolochic acid. Signature mutations linked to the herbal medicines were seen almost exclusively in never-smokers from Taiwan. Another mysterious mutational signature was seen in never-smokers but not smokers. 'This is something entirely different,' Alexandrov said.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Carlos Alcaraz vs. Oliver Tarvet: How to watch Wimbledon today, full TV schedule and more
If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Pricing and availability are subject to change. Carlos Alcaraz of Spain will face England's Oliver Tarvet in the second round at Wimbledon today, here's how to watch (Geoff Burke-Imagn Images) (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect / Reuters) Men's No. 2 seed Carlos Alcaraz of Spain heads into the second round at the 2025 Championships at Wimbledon today where he'll face England's Oliver Tarvet on Center Court at approximately 9:40 a.m. ET. Tarvet, a UC San Diego college student, is an amateur who's currently ranked No. 733 in the world. He earned one of 16 spots held for competitors who participate in the qualifying tournament the week prior to Wimbledon's main event. Tarvet has won four matches in a row on the grass at Wimbledon and regardless of what happens when he faces Alcaraz, he plans to continue as an amateur so he can return to San Diego and play there during his final year of college. Advertisement Here's what you need to know to watch Alcaraz vs. Tarvet today at Wimbledon 2025. How to watch Carlos Alcaraz vs. Oliver Tarvet at Wimbledon 2025: Date: July 2 Time: 9:40 a.m. ET Location: All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club TV channel: ESPN Streaming: ESPN+, DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV When is the Carlos Alcaraz vs. Oliver Tarvet match at Wimbledon 2025? Carlos Alcaraz plays Oliver Tarvet today at Wimbledon starting at approximately 9:40 a.m. ET. What channel is Carlos Alcaraz vs. Oliver Tarvet on? The Alcaraz vs. Tarvet match at Wimbledon today will air on ESPN. Every match of the tournament will also be available to stream on ESPN+. How to watch Carlos Alcaraz vs. Oliver Tarvet at Wimbledon without cable: Stream Wimbledon 2025 ESPN+ Wimbledon coverage will stream on ESPN+ this year. So if you're a tennis fan without cable, an ESPN+ subscription will have you covered throughout the Championships. ESPN+ grants you access to exclusive ESPN+ content, including live events, fantasy sports tools and premium ESPN+ articles. You can stream ESPN+ through an app on your smart TV, phone, tablet, computer and on $11.99/month at ESPN Watch ESPN, ABC and more DirecTV DirecTV offers multiple live TV packages geared toward sports fans, with access to ESPN's suite of channels, ABC and more starting at $69.99/month. You can try it for free for five days before committing. Try free at DirecTV How to watch Wimbledon with a VPN: If you want to catch every match of Wimbledon and don't currently subscribe to ESPN+, cable or a live TV streaming service, in the U.K. the tournament will air free on BBC iPlayer, and in Australia a majority of the action is streaming free with ads on 9Now. Advertisement Don't live in either of those places? Don't worry, you can still stream like you do with the help of a VPN. A VPN (virtual private network) helps protect your data, can mask your IP address and is perhaps most popular for being especially useful in the age of streaming. Whether you're looking to watch Friends on Netflix (which left the U.S. version of the streamer back in 2019) or tune in to the next F1 race without a cable package, a VPN can help you out. Looking to try a VPN for the first time? This guide breaks down the best VPN options for every kind of user. Stream Wimbledon coverage ExpressVPN ExpressVPN offers 'internet without borders,' meaning you can catch free coverage of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships without a cable package. All you'll need to do is sign up for ExpressVPN, change your server location to the UK or Australia and then find free livestream coverage via the BBC or 9Now. ExpressVPN's added protection, speed and range of location options make it an excellent choice for first-time VPN users looking to stretch their streaming abilities, plus, it's Engadget's top pick for the best streaming VPN. New users can save 49% when they sign up for ExpressVPN's 12-month subscription. Plus, the service offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, in case you're nervous about trying a VPN. $4.99/month at ExpressVPN Wimbledon 2025 TV schedule: All times Eastern. Tuesday, July 1 First Round: 6 a.m.-4 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN+) Advertisement Wimbledon Match Point: 4-5 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN+) First Round (Spanish): 6 a.m.-4 p.m. (ESPN Deportes) Wednesday, July 2 Second Round: 6 a.m.-4 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN+) Wimbledon Match Point: 4-5 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN+) Second Round (Spanish): 6 a.m.-4 p.m. (ESPN Deportes) Thursday, July 3 Second Round: 6 a.m.-4 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN+) Wimbledon Match Point: 4-5 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN+) Second Round (Spanish): 6 a.m.-4 p.m. (ESPN Deportes) Friday, July 4 Third Round: 6 a.m.-4 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN+) Wimbledon Match Point: 4-5 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN+) Third Round (Spanish): 6 a.m.-4 p.m. (ESPN Deportes) Saturday, July 5 Third Round: 6 a.m.- p.m. (ESPN, ESPN+) Advertisement Third Round: 1-4 p.m. (ABC, ESPN+) Third Round (Spanish): 6-9:55 a.m., 11:15 a.m.-4 p.m. (ESPN Deportes) Sunday, July 6 Round of 16: 6 a.m.-1 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN+) Round of 16: 1 p.m.-4 p.m. (ABC, ESPN+) Round of 16 (Spanish): 6-9 a.m., Noon-4 p.m. (ESPN Deportes) Monday, July 7 Round of 16 (No. 1 Court and Outer courts): 6 a.m.-4 p.m. (ESPN2, ESPN+) Round of 16 (Centre Court): 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN+) Round of 16 (Spanish): 6 a.m.-4 p.m. (ESPN Deportes) Tuesday, July 8 Quarterfinals (Centre Court): 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN+) Quarterfinals (No. 1 Court): 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (ESPN2, ESPN+) Quarterfinals (Centre Court – Spanish): 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. (ESPN Deportes) Advertisement Wednesday, July 9 Quarterfinals (Centre Court): 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN+) Quarterfinals (No.1 Court): 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (ESPN2, ESPN+) Quarterfinals (Center Court -Spanish): 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. (ESPN Deportes) Thursday, July 10 Breakfast at Wimbledon: 7-8 a.m. (ESPN, ESPN+) Ladies' Semifinals: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN+) Mixed Doubles Championship: 1-2:30 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN+) Ladies Semifinals (Spanish): 8:30 a.m.-Noon (ESPN Deportes) Friday, July 11 Breakfast at Wimbledon: 7-8 a.m. (ESPN, ESPN+) Gentlemen's Semifinals: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN+) Gentlemen's Semifinals (Spanish): 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (ESPN Deportes) Advertisement Saturday, July 12 Gentlemen's Doubles Championship: 8-10 a.m. (ESPN, ESPN+) Breakfast at Wimbledon: 10-11 a.m. (ESPN, ESPN+) Ladies' Championship: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN+) Encore Presentation – Ladies' Championship: 3-6 p.m. (ABC, ESPN+) Ladies' Championship Pre-Show (Spanish): 10:30-11 a.m. (ESPN Deportes) Ladies' Championship (Spanish): 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (ESPN Deportes) Sunday, July 13 Ladies' Doubles Championship: 8-10 a.m. (ESPN, ESPN+) Breakfast at Wimbledon: 10-11 a.m. (ESPN, ESPN+) Gentlemen's Championship: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN+) Encore Presentation – Gentlemen's Championship: 3-6 p.m. (ABC, ESPN+) Advertisement Gentlemen's Championship Pre-Show (Spanish): 10:30-11 a.m. (ESPN Deportes) Gentlemen's Championship (Spanish): 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (ESPN Deportes) Who is playing in Wimbledon 2025? There are plenty of big names to watch for during the 2025 grass-court Major, including Carlos Alcaraz, World. No. 1 Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Jack Draper, Lorenzo Musetti and Tommy Paul on the men's side. In the women's tournament, all eyes will be on recent French Open champion Coco Gauff, alongside Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, Zheng Qinwen, Jasmine Paolini, Madison Keys and Mirra Andreeva. Wimbledon 2025 men's seeds: Jannik Sinner Carlos Alcaraz Alexander Zverev Jack Draper Taylor Fritz Novak Djokovic Lorenzo Musetti Holger Rune Daniil Medvedev Ben Shelton Alex de Minaur Frances Tiafoe Tommy Paul Andrey Rublev Jakub Menšík Francisco Cerúndolo Karen Khachanov Ugo Humbert Grigor Dimitrov Alexei Popyrin Tomáš Macháč Flavio Cobolli Jiří Lehečka Stefanos Tsitsipas Félix Auger-Aliassime Alejandro Davidovich Fokina Denis Shapovalov Alexander Bublik Brandon Nakashima Alex Michelsen Tallon Griekspoor Matteo Berrettini Wimbledon 2025 women's seeds: Aryna Sabalenka Coco Gauff Jessica Pegula Jasmine Paolini Zheng Qinwen Madison Keys Mirra Andreeva Iga Swiatek Paula Badosa Emma Navarro Elena Rybakina Diana Shnaider Amanda Anisimova Elina Svitolina Karolina Muchova Daria Kasatkina Barbora Krejcikova Ekaterina Alexandrova Liudmila Samsonova Jelena Ostapenko Beatriz Haddad Maia Donna Vekic Clara Tauson Elise Mertens Magdalena Frech Marta Kostyuk Magda Linette Sofia Kenin Leylah Fernandez Linda Noskova Ashlyn Krueger McCartney Kessler More ways to watch Wimbledon:
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
WATCH: UCSD puts 10-story building through earthquake simulation
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Researchers at UC San Diego on Monday put a 10-story, cold-formed steel building to the test, simulating how the structure would move in the midst of a major earthquake. The experiment, dubbed 'CFS10,' is the latest to utilize the university's so-called 'shake table,' one of the largest earthquake simulators in the world and the only one of its kind in an outdoor setting. Engineers have used the simulator for more than two decades to understand the ways buildings are impacted by seismic activity, guiding the development of new construction techniques and design particulars that improve their earthquake resiliency. UCSD students protest Trump cuts to science research funding 'These large-scale shake table tests are very important because they are the ultimate level of validation of new earthquake protective systems, new types of buildings and how to make them resist earthquakes,' Joel Conte, professor of structural engineering at UCSD, said at Monday's test. According to UCSD, researchers were interested in putting a cold-formed steel structure through the trial to determine whether current height limits for these kinds of buildings could be increased. Current building codes in the U.S. cap these structures at six stories. Over the past 40 years, cold-formed steel, which is made from recycled steel, has increasingly become a more popular building material, serving as a substitute for timber. UCSD researchers say this is due in large part to its low cost, adaptability and fire resilience. 'We are able to test new ideas and push the boundaries of what we're doing in structural design,' Tara Hutchinson, a professor in the UCSD Department of Structural Engineering and one of the project's leaders, said in a May release announcing the test. 'Cold-formed steel is a great example of a promising light-weight, sustainable, and highly durable material, ideal for use in regions of high seismic hazard and for construction of tall buildings,' she continued. To replicate one of these buildings on the shake table, UCSD engineers in partnership with Johns Hopkins University used a variety of methods, including the stacking of pre-fabricated floors on top of each other — almost like stacking Lego blocks. Above: FOX 5/KUSI report on April 15, 2025 behind the scenes of the UCSD shake table. 'Non-structural' components like fire sprinkler systems and stairs are also placed throughout the building to evaluate how these elements would be impacted by the movement of an earthquake. Per UCSD, the movement of the shake table mirrors motions recorded from prior earthquakes in California's history, like the 1994 Northridge earthquake and the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Study: Eating strawberries could prevent dementia, researchers say Once researchers finish collecting data from this part of the experiment, the building will be put through a series of additional tests to monitor how the building structure would fare if an earthquake sparks a fire. Hutchinson said before the simulation that the researchers were anticipating the building to remain structurally sound through each scenario despite sustaining some damage, mostly in the highest magnitude earthquake they planned to simulate. While this appeared to have played out, researchers said any data they collected from the experiment would be invaluable towards bettering design engineering — from addressing weaknesses in computer modeling to vulnerabilities in the building itself. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Sustainability Times
21-06-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'Elusive Plasma Voids Found': US Scientists Crack Tokamak Confinement Mystery After Decades of Global Fusion Frustration
IN A NUTSHELL 🔥 UC San Diego researchers have introduced a new theoretical model that may resolve the plasma boundary discrepancies in fusion reactors. have introduced a new theoretical model that may resolve the plasma boundary discrepancies in fusion reactors. 🌊 The study highlights the role of previously overlooked structures called 'voids' , which contribute to turbulence at the plasma edge. , which contribute to turbulence at the plasma edge. 🔍 This research addresses the 'shortfall problem' , where simulations fail to predict the observed turbulent behavior in tokamaks. , where simulations fail to predict the observed turbulent behavior in tokamaks. 🔧 If validated, the model could enhance the design and efficiency of future fusion reactors, advancing the quest for sustainable nuclear fusion energy. Recent advancements in nuclear fusion research have brought focus to the enigmatic plasma boundary, a critical component in sustaining fusion reactions. Researchers from the University of California, San Diego, have developed a groundbreaking theoretical model that sheds light on previously misunderstood structures known as 'voids.' These insights could be pivotal in resolving discrepancies in fusion energy research, particularly in the context of tokamaks—advanced devices designed for controlled nuclear fusion. As the scientific community explores these new findings, the potential for achieving a sustainable fusion reaction seems closer than ever. Understanding the Plasma Boundary The plasma boundary is a key area of interest in nuclear fusion research, particularly in the operation of tokamaks. These advanced devices use powerful magnetic fields to confine plasma at temperatures reaching millions of degrees Fahrenheit. The plasma boundary, however, presents a complex layer of turbulence that has historically puzzled scientists. Known as the 'shortfall problem,' this issue arises when computer simulations fail to accurately predict the behavior of the turbulent layer at the plasma's edge. Maintaining the right conditions at this boundary is crucial for sustaining nuclear fusion reactions and protecting reactor components from extreme heat. The inability to account for this turbulence has been a significant obstacle in the development of reliable fusion reactors. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the plasma boundary's physics is essential for advancing fusion technology. 'Pentagon Goes Nuclear Again': U.S. Deploys Microreactor Test Beds to Secretly Power Remote Military Bases Without the Grid The Role of 'Voids' The recent research conducted at UC San Diego has redirected attention to the processes occurring at the plasma's outer boundary. This region undergoes dynamic changes, characterized by gradient relaxation events that produce distinct structures. While past research primarily focused on outward-moving 'blobs,' the inward-moving 'voids' had remained largely unexplored. These voids, which move inward from the plasma boundary, play a crucial role in the dynamics of edge-core coupling. The study by physicists Mingyun Cao and Patrick Diamond proposes that voids function as coherent, particle-like entities. By treating voids in this manner, the researchers could analyze their impact on plasma behavior, offering new insights into the mechanisms driving turbulence. 'China Leaves West in the Dust': Its Small Nuclear Reactor Leap Puts Beijing Years Ahead in the Future of Clean Energy A New Model for Turbulence Generation The groundbreaking model developed by Cao and Diamond highlights a previously overlooked mechanism for turbulence generation. According to their findings, as a void moves from the cooler plasma edge toward the hotter core, it traverses steep temperature and density gradients. This movement generates plasma drift waves, which facilitate the transfer of energy and momentum, ultimately creating additional local turbulence. This novel mechanism could explain the extra turbulence observed in experiments, which earlier models failed to account for. If validated, this model could significantly enhance the accuracy of predictive simulations, aiding in the design of future reactors and improving plasma control techniques. The study underscores the importance of understanding void dynamics for optimizing fusion reactions. China Caught Off Guard as U.S. Unleashes Liquid Uranium Rocket to Conquer Mars with Unmatched Nuclear Speed Implications for Future Research The model proposed by the UC San Diego researchers remains theoretical, but it holds significant promise for the future of nuclear fusion research. By offering a potential solution to the shortfall problem, this model could lead to more reliable predictions of plasma behavior. Such advancements are crucial for the development of efficient fusion reactors capable of providing a sustainable energy source. If further experiments validate the model, it could revolutionize the approach to plasma control and reactor design. As the scientific community continues to explore these findings, the potential for achieving controlled nuclear fusion becomes increasingly tangible. This research not only addresses longstanding questions but also paves the way for innovative techniques in fusion technology. As researchers delve deeper into the mysteries of the plasma boundary, the quest for sustainable nuclear fusion energy continues to evolve. With the potential solutions offered by this new model, the future of fusion research looks promising. What other breakthroughs lie ahead in the pursuit of harnessing the power of the stars? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.4/5 (29)
