Prolonged exposure to microgravity experienced by astronauts in space is known to cause low back pain and a heightened risk of intervertebral disc herniations following space flight. Jeff Lotz, Professor, Vice Chair for Research, UCSF Orthopaedic Surgery, discusses what has been learned about back pain and spinal degeneration. Series: "Osher WISE: Well-being and Integrative Science for Everyone" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 37079]

The environment of long-duration spaceflight causes major disruption to all aspects of human functioning, including the musculoskeletal system. But astronauts are not the only ones that worry about bone loss. All those who suffer from osteoporosis have issues with bone density and strength. Researchers hope that looking at the problem of bone loss in space will help the disease on Earth. Series: "Osher WISE: Well-being and Integrative Science for Everyone" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 36867]

Dr. Jonathan Clark explores enabling technologies and how they've been used in advancing humans in space while also having impacts on terrestrial applications. Clark worked at NASA from 1997 to 2005 and was a Space Shuttle Crew Surgeon on six shuttle missions and was Chief of the Medical Operations Branch. Series: "Osher WISE: Well-being and Integrative Science for Everyone" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 37005]

Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR) penetrate the hull of spacecraft and cause physiological changes to those within. Susanna Rosi, UCSF Professor and Director of Neurocognitive Research, explains the effects. Series: "Osher WISE: Well-being and Integrative Science for Everyone" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 36866]

Microgravity has profound effects on physical and living systems which makes the International Space Station an important place for scientific research. Liz Warren, Senior Program Director for the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory, talks about the groundbreaking science, technology and innovation not possible on Earth. Series: "Osher WISE: Well-being and Integrative Science for Everyone" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 36865]

Stephen Robinson, Former Astronaut and Director of UC Davis Center for Spaceflight Research, talks about what's it's like to work in space and his experience as a NASA astronaut. Series: "Osher WISE: Well-being and Integrative Science for Everyone" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 36864]

Alison Coil of UC San Diego's Center for Astrophysics and Space Sciences and Professor of Physics hosts a rare, candid conversation with James Gunn, considered the father of the unprecedented Sloan Digital Sky Survey, which to date has observed some 300 million objects, creating the most comprehensive 3D map of the universe. They discuss his experiences starting the SDSS and his future exploits in deep-sky observations. Includes his Kyoto Prize acceptance address delivered in Kyoto on the occasion of his being honored with the prestigious award. Series: "Kyoto Prize Symposium" [Science] [Show ID: 36809]

Dr. Tammy Chang, UCSF Division of Surgery, explores tissue engineering in space and how it may be able to help meet the need. Series: "Osher WISE: Well-being and Integrative Science for Everyone" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 36863]

Human space exploration, extreme sports, remote environments, and pandemics all require medical care outside of the norm, often non-contact care. The UC Space Health Program seeks to understand human health risk in space and advance remote health ad medical capacities to further distributes but not diluted health care. Series: "Osher WISE: Well-being and Integrative Science for Everyone" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 36862]

Launched in 2018, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe spacecraft, with instruments developed and built by UC Berkeley, has now traveled closer to the sun than any other mission in history, actually penetrating the sun’s atmosphere, to investigate highly charged magnetic field. Now, that data has allowed solar physicists to map the source of a major component of the solar wind that continually peppers Earth’s atmosphere, while revealing strange magnetic field reversals that could be accelerating these particles toward our planet. These accelerated particles interact with Earth’s magnetic field, generating the colorful northern and southern lights but also potentially damaging the electrical grid and telecommunications networks on the surface, threatening orbiting satellites and perhaps endangering astronauts in space. Series: "UC Berkeley News" [Science] [Show ID: 36760]