Science (Video)

Skyelark Ranch, owned an operated by UC Davis graduate Alexis Robertson and her husband Gillies, uses rotational grazing while raising sheep, which can benefit plant growth, drought resistance, and the climate. The grazing encourages plant growth, which through photosynthesis, captures carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it in the soil, where it can create healthier soils and stay out of our atmosphere. Series: "UCTV Prime" [Show ID: 34110]

From hyperdimensional computing to developing recommender systems, UC San Diego Computer Science and Engineering faculty reach out to bring students from computer science programs at Mexican Universities to UC San Diego for a summer of study. Series: "UCTV Prime" [Show ID: 33933]

Exploration of our oceans continues to reveal strange new animals. Come along as Scripps Oceanography's Greg Rouse reviews some of the more famous discoveries dating back over the last century, and documents some of the more recent amazing discoveries focusing on California and the eastern Pacific Ocean. This will include the bizarre bone-eating worms known as Osedax, the green bomber worm Swima, the enigmatic Xenoturbella, and recent work on the extraordinary Ruby Seadragon. Series: "Jeffrey B. Graham Perspectives on Ocean Science Lecture Series" [Show ID: 33839]

Researchers from UC Davis, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Mars, Incorporated have made a remarkable discovery: an indigenous variety of Mexican corn that can also fix nitrogen from the atmosphere, instead of requiring synthetic fertilizers. Series: "UCTV Prime" [Show ID: 34104]

UC Natural Reserve System lands are home to dozens of vulnerable animal and plant species. These range from some of the state's rarest amphibians to endemic plants to icons of the West such as bighorn sheep. Studies conducted at the 39 reserves of the NRS informs how these species are managed, which helps preserve the Golden State's extraordinary biological diversity.

Scientists "can work in protected areas that allow them to follow the biology and the ecosystem dynamics of these rare and endangered species. We're really proud of that," says Peggy Fiedler, executive director of the NRS. Series: "UC Natural Reserve System" [Show ID: 33949]

A global shift to driverless vehicles could create a dream scenario in which traffic congestion and emissions contributing to climate change plummet by 50 percent or more by 2050. Dan Sperling, Director of the Institute of Transportation Studies at UC Davis, talks about the change on the horizon, with comments from Emily Castor Warren, Senior Director of Transportation Policy at Lyft, and Sacramento Mayor, Darrell Steinberg. Series: "UCTV Prime" [Show ID: 34113]

Undoubtedly solar energy will be part of the solution in regards to the affects of climate change, but is siting solar energy installations on public lands, such as in the Mojave Desert, the best place to do so? UC Davis researchers are looking at the effects of human development in the Mojave Desert and where other locations may be to site solar energy other than undisturbed landscapes and agriculture fields. Series: "UCTV Prime" [Show ID: 34099]

Thanks to technology the farm of the future produces more food with less water and less impact on the environment and climate. And it also provides skilled careers for a new generation of farmworkers. Thats the vision behind the Smart Farm Initiative at the University of California, Davis, one of the Big Ideas that the campus hopes will capture the attention of collaborators, donors and supporters. Series: "UCTV Prime" [Show ID: 34102]

Laurie A. Boyer, PhD, Associate Professor of Biology and Biological Engineering at MIT, discusses her work studying cell fate and cardiac regeneration. She shares how her lab is dissecting the gene regulatory mechanisms that control lineage commitment during heart development and congenital heart defects and applying this knowledge toward engineering cardiac tissues. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Professional Medical Education] [Show ID: 33775]

Grand initiatives such as the National Parks program, begun in the late 1800s, are for many people a hallmark of land conservation. However, the majority of land nationally (~60% overall; ranging from <5% to >95% on a state-by-state basis) is privately owned. These private lands can have conservation value too. Join Rangeland Manager Billy Freeman and UC Merced Management Professor Catherine Keske as they explore McKenzie Ranch, in the Sierra Nevada foothills of California to discover land conservation strategies that ensure public access and enjoyment of some of the nations otherwise hidden wonders, while also providing returns from the land to the private land owners. In a period of rapid global change, species range-shifts, and altering resource availability and risk, a diversified portfolio of lands and management practices may become increasingly important in conservation. Series: "Sustainable California" [Show ID: 33986]