Science & Tech

March 31, 2026

Opinion: Why do we care about Punch the monkey?

By Preksha Koushik

Internet fame is a double-edged sword for one juvenile monkey and his orange orangutan stuffed-toy.

March 5, 2026

Seeing and believing: How AI content is dominating social media

By Roxanna Reid

As the proportion of AI-generated content on social media grows to 90% this year, the unreal feels alarmingly human.

March 2, 2026

Simply Stated: The benefits of saving sunscreen for a rainy day

By Ceora Tan

Ceora debunks common misconceptions about UV exposure, sunscreen, and the recent downpours on our campus.

March 2, 2026

From Liftoff to Touchdown: UCSB Gaucho Rocket Project sets its sights on landable rockets

By Rebecca Raymond

Launching rockets may seem like a lofty goal achieved only at major companies like NASA and SpaceX, yet UC Santa Barbara students in the Gaucho Rocket Project turn their passion for rocketry into a reality by designing, ...

February 12, 2026

Simply Stated: How attachment styles direct your dating life

By Ceora Tan

Romance has always been a hot topic of conversation: it seems you can’t go one family dinner without a relative asking, “So are you seeing anybody yet?” But with the rise of social media, the psychology behind rela...

February 12, 2026

Opinion: Love or addiction? The science behind dating apps

By Aria Khaitan

When algorithms drive our dopamine networks, the line between love and obsession is very thin.

January 31, 2026

The R.E.E.F. petitions for a lock-in fee

By Yumiko Florando

After federal funding changes to UC Santa Barbara, a lock-in fee measure is necessary to support the Marine Science Institute's hub for research, education, and community.

January 30, 2026

PMS pisses me off

By Preksha Koushik

I’ll never forget what my ninth-grade history teacher said when I raised my voice mid-debate: “Is it that time of the month?” Not only was he wrong, but he also didn’t even have the decency to say the word “pe...

January 30, 2026

Upside Down physics – The science behind “Stranger Things”

By Aria Khaitan

Foundations in science and physics exist at the very core of the Netflix's hit show “Stranger Things," demonstrating to audiences for over a decade that our universe may be "stranger" than we care to admit. That is, if...

January 15, 2026

Accelerating into the new year: UCSB Sherwin Group’s groundbreaking physics research

By Rebecca Raymond

The physics department at UC Santa Barbara houses its own powerful particle accelerator that accelerates electrons to 99.4% of the speed of light: The Sherwin Group’s ability to produce short and powerful pulses in the...

January 8, 2026

Research in Review: UCSB’s December advancements

By Saanvi Tiwary

Jump into 2026 with a recap of UCSB's most recent research innovations.

November 21, 2025

Sable Offshore is just one battle in a larger fight for environmental justice

By Anusha Singh

The cause to stop Sable is a pursuit of sustainability — if restarted, the pipeline could double Santa Barbara County’s greenhouse gas emissions and likely result in an oil spill every two years. However, the questio...

November 20, 2025

Why UCSB students feel seasonal depression differently: The science of sunshine, coastline and campus culture

By Aria Khaitan

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can be especially overwhelming for collegiate students, but the neurological benefits of sunshine, ocean and community can help combat stress hormones at UCSB.

November 13, 2025

Matter of Opinion: My weekend tide pooling in Isla Vista

By Makena Eggiman

Nature is all around us; from the mountains to the oceans, Santa Barbara offers a vast array of wildlife that invites exploration. Down the wooden stairs on the outskirts of Isla Vista, Devereux Beach is a popular destin...

November 6, 2025

American AI: Speed over safety in Trump’s second term

By Robyn Gargan

Artificial intelligence is set to change the world as we know it across all aspects of society, and this evolution is being framed by the Trump administration as a race between global superpowers. Trump’s key stance is...