University of California Audio Podcasts (Audio)

Clive Svendsen, Ph.D., leads groundbreaking experiments using stem cell transplants, uncovering unexpected findings. These trials aimed at improving ALS treatments, revealed higher success with upper motor neuron transplants compared to spinal cord methods. Svendsen's exploration of cortical transplants hints at a potential breakthrough. Moreover, his study of stem cell behavior in space opens doors to exciting medical advancements. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 39068]

Lisa Eyler, Ph.D., Colin Depp, Ph.D., Joe Garbanzos, M.B.A., and Irving Tragen, J.D., address various aspects of resilience, ageism, and healthy aging. They emphasize the need to challenge ageist stereotypes and create inclusive communities that support people of all ages. The importance of storytelling, community initiatives, and a commitment to creating possibilities for those aged 50+ is highlighted. Tragen, a centenarian, shares his unique perspective on aging with anecdotes and advice that everyone can apply to their daily lives. Series: "Stein Institute for Research on Aging" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39130]

Since humans split from their primate ancestors, their brains evolved with a larger mass relative to body weight, more cortical neurons, and distinct connectivity patterns. Human neurons mature more slowly, a trait known as neoteny, likely influencing these differences. Gene regulation, not new genes, may underlie species differences, particularly in the primate lineage. The role of these regulatory mechanisms in human neuron development remains poorly understood. This lecture explores the molecular factors affecting prolonged human neuron maturation and its implications for human development and neurodevelopmental diseases. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 39270]

Daniel Geschwind, M.D., Ph.D., explains autism's genetic roots using a polygenic model, where multiple genes, including common variations, contribute to the risk. Geschwind stresses a continuum in social behavior, showcasing features like synesthesia and exceptional talents as part of human variation. Geschwind,emphasizes the complexity of autism, urging recognition of strengths and vulnerabilities in the spectrum of human cognition and behavior. Series: "Autism Tree Project Annual Neuroscience Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 39166]

Effective management of thermal-fluids transport has become a critical challenge in many energy, water, and electronic applications due to the increasing power density and shrinking length scales. In this talk, I will first describe our effort to manipulate multi-phase fluid motion using light-responsive surfactants. Upon illuminating droplets and bubbles with light, the surfactants at the fluid-fluid interfaces go through photo-isomerization, which changes the local interfacial tension and introduces a Marangoni flow. The resulting interfacial shear stress generates a net force on the bubble or the droplets, causing them to depart or slide along the surface. We demonstrate real-time manipulation of multi-phase fluidic systems using low intensity light which can potentially enhance phase change heat transfer. I will also describe our effort to achieve passive salt-rejecting solar thermal desalination by thin-film condensation in microporous membrane which utilizes ample three-phase contact area, salt diffusion and a low vapor transport resistance. With our design, we demonstrate continuous desalination of seawater for 7-days in one Sun with no salt precipitation. These examples demonstrate the potential of combining fundamental thermo-fluid science and advanced micro/nano engineering approaches to address many of the pressing thermal challenges in energy and water systems. Series: "GRIT Talks" [Science] [Show ID: 39330]

Artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) have been extremely successful in predicting, optimizing, and controlling the behavior of complex interacting systems. Robustness and explainability of existing AI/ML methods, however, remain big challenges, and clearly new approaches are needed. In this program, Ambuj K. Singh, Distinguished Professor of Computer Science at the UC, Santa Barbara, explains that the human brain motivated the early development of the field of deep learning, and neuroscientific concepts have contributed to the profound success of deep learning algorithms across many areas. The next leap in AI/ML may again come from a deeper understanding of modularity, robustness, and adaptability of brain architectures. Series: "GRIT Talks" [Science] [Show ID: 39331]

Explore ways to keep your brain and body in good shape as you get older.Alison Moore, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.P., Steve Cummings, M.D., Steve Hornberger, M.S.W., and Judy Pa, Ph.D. discuss the impacts of exercise, eating well, staying socially active, taking vitamins, and even trying new activities like learning a new language or playing music. Series: "Stein Institute for Research on Aging" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39129]

Rob Knight, Ph.D., delves into the incredible world of our gut microbiome and its potential impact on our health, particularly its role in conditions like autism. By examining various dietary strategies and their effects on the gut, Knight reveals the remarkable potential of tailored diets in managing health conditions, offering hope for new, more accessible treatments. Moreover, Knight discusses the complex relationship between probiotics, their benefits, and potential risks, highlighting the importance of evidence-based choices. Knight underlines the crucial link between our diet, our gut, and our overall health, shedding light on the exciting future of microbiome-focused interventions in medicine. For parents, caregivers, and anyone interested in improving their health, this lecture provides valuable insights into how the foods we eat can be harnessed to nurture a healthier gut and, in turn, a healthier life. Series: "Autism Tree Project Annual Neuroscience Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 39165]

Hans Clevers, M.D., Ph.D., shares his research at the intersection of medicine and biology. Clevers discusses revolutionary advances in personalized medicine, where patient-specific treatments can be developed by studying small samples of patients' tissues. He explores the role of specialized cells known as "best for cells" in gastrointestinal health, shedding light on how they may help fight infections. Additionally, he highlights how mini-organs, or organoids, grown in the lab help us understand complex cellular functions and diseases. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 39066]

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]