Science & Tech

October 23, 2025

UCSB physics department celebrates two of its faculty members receiving the 2025 Nobel Prize

By Rebecca Raymond

Students and faculty of UC Santa Barbara’s physics department gathered in Corwin Pavilion for the department’s annual Nobel Prize-focused colloquium on Oct. 14. This year’s event was particularly special as the dep...

October 16, 2025

Why your weather app can’t figure out UCSB

By Saanvi Tiwary

Saanvi explains how computer science, ocean currents, and the marine layer collaborate to form Isla Vista's elusive and unpredictable microclimate.

October 9, 2025

Simply Stated: The landscape ecology of UCSB’s beaches

By Roxanna Reid

Examining the science behind our campus landscape, from the "ooh" to "ew."

October 2, 2025

Science-based ways to start off the school year

By Saanvi Tiwary

With Week 1 of fall quarter nearly behind us, science editor Saanvi Tiwary shares three scientifically-backed strategies for Gaucho success in the classroom and beyond.

September 18, 2025

Ginormous misunderstanding – the complexities of GMOs

By Science Editor, Ben Wollack

In this scientific opinion article, Ben Wollack examines the promises and risks of GMOs in America's agricultural and social landscapes.

September 15, 2025

PSL PSA: science and sentiment of the fall flavor phenomenon

By Roxanna Reid

The chemistry, neuroscience, and psychology of how pumpkin spice seasonal products captivate customers across America.

September 4, 2025

Research in Review: August’s advancements on campus

By Saanvi Tiwary

From the links between skull shapes and immunity to funding towards AI and robotics integration, dive deeper into three current scientific developments on campus.

August 23, 2025

In defense of bike helmets

By Yumiko Florando

Numerous studies have shown the effectiveness of a bike helmet. A 2023 study found that wearing a helmet reduces head injury by 60%, and fatal injuries by 73%. Various lawmakers also seem to agree on their importance. In...

August 11, 2025

Rooted in place: How traditional ecological knowledge is transforming environmental studies at UCSB

By Olivia Lohrer

Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) is defined by the Indigenous Climate Hub as the “cumulative body of knowledge, practices, and beliefs about the relationship between living beings and their environment. Passed do...

July 31, 2025

Simply Stated: 4 psychologist-approved methods to savor your summer

By Roxanna Reid

Summer is a season of competing priorities: a narrow window to rest, recharge, and hustle, resulting in feelings of perpetual business and "time pressure" that make the months feel even faster. But by understanding the n...

July 24, 2025

Research in Review: Dead Sea Fluid Mechanics, Digital Equity, and River Channel Patterns

By Saanvi Tiwary

New UCSB research on the dead sea, how device type influences digital access and equity, and river channel patterns

July 21, 2025

Simply Stated: Do brain organoids show signs of human consciousness?

By Samantha Krause

Scientists have discovered that organoids possess both the molecular and cellular characteristics of a developing brain. These experiments pose questions about what it means to be aware, feel and exist. Could these brain...

July 11, 2025

Simply Stated: The health implications of soaking up the summer sun

By Yumiko Florando

Outdoor activities in the sun paired with longer days, less protective clothing and an increase in the ultraviolet index can all contribute to greater amounts of sun exposure, causing both costs and benefits to human hea...

July 6, 2025

Recent studies of the Cosmos field

By Rebecca Raymond

Dr. Caitlin Casey, an observational astronomer, has recently joined the physics department at UC Santa Barbara. She co-leads the C.O.S.M.O.S. collaboration — a project distinguished by its deep exploration of the C.O.S...

June 26, 2025

Simply Stated: Green growth vs. degrowth?

By Olivia Lohrer

Can our economies grow even as natural resources dwindle? Or will we need to reimagine prosperity itself by prioritizing life over profits? These questions have laid the foundation for a debate on potential courses for ...

June 5, 2025

Matter of Opinion: My visit to the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

By Jesse Chamberlain

Located in Mission Canyon, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is the perfect way to spend a day outside with yourself, friends or anyone else who might want to tag along. The best part of the whole deal is that they offer ...