University of California Audio Podcasts (Audio)

Across the tree of life, we can trace cancer vulnerabilities back to the origins of multicellularity. Cancer is observed in almost all multicellular phyla, including lineages leading to plants, fungi, and animals. However, species vary remarkably in their susceptibility to cancer. Amy Boddy (UCSB Integrated Anthropological Sciences Unit) discusses how this variation in cancer susceptibility is characterized by life history trade-offs, as cancer defense mechanisms are a major component of a body's maintenance. She also looks at how understanding these trade-offs in the context of evolution may help explain the variability we see in cancer susceptibility across human populations. Series: "GRIT Talks" [Show ID: 34028]

Embryos are the most complex self-assembling machines known in the universe. Joel Rothman, Professor of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at UCSB, explores the instructions for self-assembly using a tiny animal -- the humble C. elegans worm. Find out what he has discovered and the research into life-support systems that may allow these creatures to become the first interstellar astronauts, departing the solar system at near-light speeds. Series: "GRIT Talks" [Show ID: 33848]

It has been a long-standing challenge to create new technologies that can match the perceptual and movement abilities of the human hand and its sense of touch in robots. Yon Visell describes the work in his lab on haptics, the science and engineering for the sense of touch, and explains how the results are guiding the development of new technologies for wearable computing, and robotics.

Series: "GRIT Talks" [Show ID: 33939]

High school students from around the country spent part of their summer learning and living at UC San Diego. During the COSMOS program, they learn from professors in the Computer Science and Engineering department. Students get to create apps, robots and lifelong memories. Some even turned bananas into a piano. Series: "UCTV Prime" [Show ID: 33917]

Polymers, known colloquially as plastics, abound in the world around us due to a host of useful properties. In this talk, Christopher Bates (UCSB Materials and Chemical Engineering Departments) discusses a fascinating subset of these materials known as block copolymers, which naturally self-assemble into intricate, nanometer-sized patterns. Bates' lab provides a look into the natural universe through the lens of chemistry and materials science. Series: "GRIT Talks" [Show ID: 34029]

With the vast amount of data available in digital form, the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is evolving rapidly. In this talk, William Wang (UCSB Computer Science) summarizes the stunning achievements of Artificial Intelligence for the past decade, especially in the subareas of Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, and Computer Vision. He also looks at big resarch challenges ahead. Series: "GRIT Talks" [Show ID: 34034]

Karen Ross, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, discusses the future of food and public policy in California and around the world at the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley. Secretary Ross covers everything from the challenges of water management in the face of climate change, to reforming United States immigration policy to benefit farmers, farm workers, and the country as a whole. Series: "The UC Public Policy Channel" [Show ID: 34017]

Surrogates are involved in nearly half of major medical decisions for hospitalized older adults. Dr. Eric Widera, UCSF Geriatric Medicine, and lawyer Sarah Hopper discuss why it is important to plan for the future and what happens if you don't. They also go over important components of future planning for health care, finances, and other decisions and provide resources to help plan for the future. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Show ID: 33748]

Globalization, fast-paced technological changes, and competition define today's world of work. How can companies, workers, and cities adapt and succeed? Mary Walshok, PhD, Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Programs and Dean of Extension at UC San Diego dives into the complications and opportunities felt by all facets of the economy. Hear how developing talent across the spectrum, project-based learning, effectively bundling skills, adaptability and more can be leveraged stay relevant and in demand. Series: "The Career Channel" [Show ID: 33869]

UC Berkeley undergraduates can immerse themselves in hands-on research work in a wide ranges of fields. Watch and hear students share stories about the their research projects, and how the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarships supports these transformative experiences. Series: "UC Berkeley News" [Show ID: 34024]