Science (Audio)

Using brain organoids to understand neural development, learning computer science and engineering by building remotely controlled quadcopters, understanding geysers, high-tech approaches to sustainable agriculture, the work of the Berkeley Laboratories, and a very smart puppy, all on this edition of On Beyond. Series: "On Beyond" [Science] [Show ID: 35682]

Computer Industry experts, including UC San Diego alumni share their insights about research opportunities and partnerships in the tech Industry at the CSE Winter 2020 Research Open House. Series: "Computer Science Channel" [Science] [Show ID: 35738]

Sharks have long fascinated the public. While popular media has often promoted images of large, aggressive predators, most sharks are not dangerous to people and moreover are a vital part of many healthy ocean ecosystems. Join Scripps Institution of Oceanography's Dovi Kacev for an illuminating journey into the Southern California Bight to learn about the sharks that make our offshore region their home. Series: "Jeffrey B. Graham Perspectives on Ocean Science Lecture Series" [Science] [Show ID: 35350]

In the fight against climate change, those with the least resources have been left behind. In the case of solar power, the vast majority of investment in the United States has gone to majority-white communities. This means not only are people of color losing out on the benefit of solar power, but society as a whole is losing out on potential advocates for clean energy.

Dan Kammen, a professor at UC Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy is researching how we can reverse this trend and leapfrog toward clean energy for all. Series: "UC Public Policy Channel" [Public Affairs] [Science] [Show ID: 35619]

A major ambition of artificial intelligence lies in translating patient data to successful therapies. Machine learning models face particular challenges in biomedicine, however, including handling of extreme data heterogeneity and lack of mechanistic insight into predictions. Trey Ideker, PhD argues for “visible” approaches that guide model structure with experimental biology. Series: "Exploring Ethics" [Health and Medicine] [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 35459]

The ocean plays a major role in regulating Earth’s temperature through exchange of chemicals and microbes with the atmosphere. When waves break, ocean-derived biological species including viruses and bacteria are transferred into the atmosphere. These species can ultimately form clouds, altering precipitation and climate. Highlights will be presented of novel experiments being conducted in a unique ocean-atmosphere simulator developed by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Center for Aerosol Impacts on Chemistry of the Environment (CAICE). Kimberly Prather, Professor of Climate, Atmospheric Science, and Physical Oceanography at UC San Diego will focus on recent CAICE studies aimed at advancing our understanding of how the oceans influence human and planetary health. New insights will be discussed as well as future studies designed to unravel human versus microbial impacts on the changing Earth’s system. Series: "Exploring Ethics" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 35000]

Biological anthropologist Katerina Semendeferi describes how the human brain's extraordinary powers of social cognition may predispose only humans to conditions like autism and how she aids the search for the neurophysiology underlying these conditions. Series: "Women in Science" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 34330]

Primo Levi was deeply interested in the fascinating mystery of the origin of life. Starting from Primo Levi’s writings, Scripps Research Institute's Luca Legnani discusses some answers that modern chemists are giving to the questions raised by Levi. Series: "STEAM: Adding Arts to STEM Education" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 35082]

Harald Hess discusses using the fly brain is helping to understand the circuitry of the brain. Series: "Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind" [Science] [Show ID: 33287]

The blood-brain-barrier (BBB) is a special structure in the body that helps to protect the brain from unwanted toxins and germs. Unfortunately, this barrier can also make it extremely difficult for therapeutics to reach their intended target within brain. Lawrence Livermore Lab scientists describe how combining experimental techniques with computational methods, making use of some of the fastest supercomputers in the world, can speed up the process of optimizing therapeutics to cross the BBB. Series: "Lawrence Livermore National Lab Science on Saturday" [Science] [Show ID: 34467]