MIT's Mark Bear presents a fascinating account of how understanding neural plasticity, or the ability to modify the function of neurons, led to a novel treatment for visual impairment in Amblyopia, and may reveal pathways to treat other neurological conditions.  Series: "Influence of Early Experience on Adult Brain Organization and Function - Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind Symposium" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 31765]

Using Neurobiology to Overcome Genetic and Environmental Adversity

University of California faculty present the latest findings in genetic research and discoveries.

Science & Medicine

Natural Sciences

Social Sciences

Medicine

Almost every child born in the United States undergoes state-mandated newborn screening within the first 48 hours of life. The blood collected from a "heel stick" helps test for 80 different serious but treatable genetic disorders. These disorders can be either genetic (passed down in families) or congenital (present at birth). But... what if we could go further? What if we could test a newborn's entire genetic sequence? Pediatric geneticist Ingrid Holm discusses the risks, benefits, costs and ethics of genomic sequencing in newborns. Series: "Exploring Ethics" [Health and Medicine] [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 39266]

Precision Pediatrics: The Case for Genomic Sequencing in Newborn Screening

We know Homo sapiens started in Africa, but we're uncertain about how they spread. Limited fossils and data have hindered our understanding. I'll discuss popular theories about our origins and how recent genetic data from Khoe-San people in southern Africa sheds light on this. Our research suggests a complex history, with population structures dating back to about 120,000-135,000 years ago. Early populations had connections, or gene flow, for hundreds of thousands of years. These "weakly structured stem" models explain genetic diversity that was once thought to come from other hominin species. Unlike previous ideas of interbreeding with archaic humans, our models predict that fossils from these populations should be genetically and physically similar. This variability in theories stems from not considering different possibilities, highlighting the importance of exploring various models to gain more accurate insights into our deep history. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 39269]

CARTA: Comparative Anthropogeny - A Weakly Structured Stem for our Origins in Africa with Brenna Henn

Are you curious about the future of medical treatments and how they might impact your health? Malcolm Moos, Jr., M.D., Ph.D., shares how cellular therapies are revolutionizing medical treatments. Explore how cells hold the potential to provide new hope for individuals facing various health challenges. Delve into the concept of personalized medicine, discover how regulatory agencies are safeguarding patients' well-being, learn the science behind cell behavior and genetics, and how these processes influence innovative medical treatments and so much more.
 Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 38330]

Translating Cell Therapies to Clinical Realities with Malcolm Moos Jr. - Breaking News in Stem Cells

UC Santa Cruz scientists, along with a consortium of researchers, have released a draft of the first human pangenome—a new, usable reference for genomics that combines the genetic material of 47 individuals from different ancestral backgrounds to allow for a deeper, more accurate understanding of worldwide genomic diversity. Series: "UC Santa Cruz News" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39252]

Genomics for Everyone: UCSC Researchers Release First Human Pangenome

Elsy Buitrago-Delgado, Ph.D., shares how spatial analysis of RNA distribution during early mouse embryogenesis suggests that the first cell fate choice is made at the 4-cell stage. She also discusses how notch signaling regulates cell fate choices during early human development. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Science] [Show ID: 38888]

Using Neurobiology to Overcome Genetic and Environmental Adversity

Download our free app to listen on your phone