UC Berkeley Chancellor Dirks: There are signs on the higher-ed landscape that research remains a fundamental feature of the university, not one that can be dispensed with on the road to mass delivery of education.

California institutions have in many ways been in the vanguard of progressive policies to promote energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint. Now, in the grip of a severe drought and facing mandatory water restrictions, the state's colleges are under intensified pressure to reduce consumption and ramp up other conservation measures.

The Road Ecology Center tracks the unfortunate end for many animals and birds on California's roads. The center's California Roadkill Observation System produces an interactive map of roadkill around the state.

Pioneering UC research connects the dots between health and exposure to agricultural chemicals.

Since 1975, UCSF Fresno has been a life-saver for San Joaquin Valley residents, particularly those living in rural communities.

Napolitano: State budget cuts are the culprit.

Research suggests that pre-kindergarten may be too late to start trying to close persistent academic achievement gaps between Latino and white students.

Avoiding technical terms and keeping things simple is the goal for UCLA graduate students who are participating in Grad Slam, a contest that rewards students for speaking more like ordinary people.