University of California Video Podcasts (Video)

Dr. Theofanopoulou studies neural circuits behind sensory-motor behaviors like speech and dance, aiming to develop drug- and arts-based therapies for brain disorders. Her brain imaging research reveals overlapping motor cortex regions controlling muscles for speech and dance, while transcriptomic studies show upregulation of the oxytocin gene pathway in key areas like the motor cortex and brainstem. Using zebra finches, Bengalese finches, white-rumped munias, and humans, she demonstrates oxytocin's role in vocal production. She also developed genomic tools to apply these findings across vertebrates. Her future work explores oxytocin-based drugs and dance therapies to treat speech and motor deficits in brain disorders. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40384]

A look at the iconic symbol at UC Merced. Series: "UC Landmarks" [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 40499]

Under the direction of Arian Khaefi, "Holy Radiant Light" highlights Sergei Rachmaninoff's All-Night Vigil, a masterpiece of the a cappella repertoire.

Series: "La Jolla Symphony & Chorus" [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 39117]

A soaring look at the beautiful campus of UCLA. Series: "UC Landmarks" [Education] [Show ID: 40501]

Humans are an intensely social species. We experience social interactions as rewarding from infancy, and the social cognitive skills that we develop in the context of our earliest interpersonal attachments are critical for our survival and personal well being. Lack of social connection is common in many psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. In some disorders, like autism spectrum disorder, social cognition and social interaction impairments are the defining, core feature. Yet, despite the importance of social functioning in humans, our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms that regulate social behavior is limited. This lecture will describe the roles of two neuropeptides, oxytocin and vasopressin, in the regulation of social behavior in animals, and how findings from this research are providing fundamental insights into human social disorders, with a particular focus on vasopressin and autism spectrum disorder. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40381]

This flight path perfectly aligns with South America’s Pacific Coast. The whole coast is dry, revealing a beautiful range of colors of the land below. Clouds tell the story, as the moist wind comes in over the Pacific, then the clouds dissipate as the air rises over the Andes Mountains, and clouds reform over the land beyond. Steve Thomas wonderful Guitarscapes, with soulful electric guitar enhanced with digital magic, provides the perfect mindset to gracefully watch the Earth below. The images were captured by astronaut Megan McArthur aboard ISS Expedition 66 on October 31, 2021. Series: "Arts Channel " [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 40514]

Oxytocin is a peptide molecule with a multitude of physiological and behavioral functions. Based on its association with reproduction, including social bonding, sexual behavior, birth and maternal behavior, oxytocin also has been called “the love hormone.” This presentation will examine parallels between the healing power of oxytocin and love. As described here, many myths and gaps in knowledge remain concerning oxytocin and love. A few of these are described and we hypothesize that the potential benefits of both love and oxytocin may be better understood in light of interactions with more ancient systems, including the autonomic nervous system, vasopressin and the immune system. The shared functions of oxytocin, love and sociostasis have profound implications for health and longevity, including the prevention and treatment of excess inflammation and related disorders, especially those occurring in early life and during periods of chronic threat or disease. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40379]

Human beings show a range of emotional attachment, affection, and infatuation often referred to as “love”. Love promotes long-lasting and secure relationships that involve nurturing and support. Biological mechanisms underlying such behavior involve ancient neuropeptides and their receptors in the brain. These systems are also involved in reproduction, ranging from mating and pair-bonding, to giving birth and lactation. They shape the earliest experiences of all mammals and their mothers. The concept of love and how we experience it are affected by culture and its diverse societal norms. This symposium will explore the evolutionary roots of human love, compare human love to corresponding emotions in other animals, consider human conditions that prevent the expression of such feelings, and examine the key role of love and affection for our development and daily lives.  Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40505]

Karen Christman, Sheila Chari, Stella Hurtley, and Robert Stephenson

explore academic publishing in stem cell research, focusing on reproducibility, collaboration, and public communication. Editors from top journals discuss curating impactful research, sharing clinical trial data, and addressing challenges in scaling and standardizing therapies. They emphasize bridging silos, advancing precision regenerative medicine, and navigating open access publishing to responsibly propel the field forward. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 39940]

Led by Sameer Patel, Nexus features a symphonic and choral journey with Lili Boulanger's D’un matin de printemps. Series: "La Jolla Symphony & Chorus" [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 39115]