University of California Video Podcasts (Video)

Happiness is often described as being U-shaped over adulthood—starting high, declining to a midlife slump, then improving thereafter despite social losses and declines in health. Though some claim that this U-shape is a fundamental feature of human lives, happiness has mostly been studied in high-income countries. To provide a broader perspective, Michael Gurven, Professor of Anthropology at UC Santa Barbara, discusses age-profiles of subjective well-being among non-industrialized societies where people lack formal institutions that promote social welfare. Gurven says the average trajectory of happiness over adulthood differs among populations. Series: "GRIT Talks" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40085]

CONTRA-TIEMPO Activist Dance Theater’s ¡azúcar! is a courageous naming of, confrontation with, and intentional obliteration of the often unspoken undercurrent of anti-Blackness in latinidad. Questions are continuing to drive the process as we begin to understand the complicated history of sugar and the messages from our ancestors. What does it feel like to individually and collectively heal, what does it move like? Twenty brilliant artists and collaborators take audiences through a journey of Celia Cruz’s vibrations, unearthing history embedded in our bodies. Through ¡azúcar!, CONTRA-TIEMPO explores ancestral wisdoms about a plant that once aided in our healing, used as a way to sweeten medicinal concoctions, now extracted, refined, and used as weaponized poison. This courageous work is rooted in and inspired by the sacred feminine, personal narratives of food, labor, community, sabor, and explorations of “familying” and healing as practices. Series: "Arts Channel " [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 39926]

UC Davis researchers are using innovative techniques, including drone data collection, to battle an invasive species of weed that is threatening California's tomato industry.

Orobanche ramosa isn’t just menacing to tomatoes. It puts various other crops at risk too. With our commitment to sustainable agriculture and advanced agricultural practices, our esteemed faculty and devoted students are on a mission to find robust solutions, ensuring the thriving future of farming and preventing plant diseases.

Stay connected to unravel the profound impacts of our continuous research. By protecting crops, we are ensuring food security while also contributing to innovative, eco-friendly agricultural practices. Subscribe to keep learning how UC Davis’ research is improving our world. Series: "UC Davis News" [Science] [Agriculture] [Show ID: 40181]

Director and co-writer Erica Tremblay joins moderator Lisa Parks (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) for a discussion of her film, Fancy Dance. They discuss the development of the film and Tremblay’s three-year-long journey to study the Cayuga language in preparation. They also discuss Lily Gladstone’s central performance, the role of dance as a central motif, and the foregrounding of queer identity and culture in the film. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39971]

Joy of Flight captures the night view of the Gulf of Mexico from the International Space Station set to Bach’s Trio Sonata #5 and performed by organist Emily Amos. The organ is a majestic instrument, and a real challenge for musicians, with active hands and feet on multiple keyboards. Yet when it comes together it is beautiful. In 2023, Amos headed the Youth Council of the American Guild of Organists, and played this lovely floating music. The night view from Gulf of Mexico is equally majestic, sparkling below. Series: "Arts Channel " [Science] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 40097]

Curious about what happens to our cells as we age and how it affects our health? Shiri Gur-Cohen explores the role of tiny chemical tags on our DNA, like methylation, in influencing our healing and overall well-being. Gur-Cohen discusses how these tags might be shaped by our body's systems, such as the lymphatic system, and could even help repair or regenerate various parts of our body. Gur-Cohen proposes that uncovering these processes could lead to innovative ways to slow aging or boost our body’s natural healing capabilities. Series: "Women in Science" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 39979]

Learn about the California Transformative Climate Communities Program by taking a journey with UCLA into three communities - Fresno, Ontario and Watts - leading comprehensive, collaborative, equitable, and innovative climate action that changes lives. [Science] [Show ID: 40150]

On this Earth path from the International Space Station, we selected a flight starting with the Atlantic coast, passing over the Sahara, the Mediterranean Sea, Italy and on to Ukraine. Music is performed by Qingzhu Weng who won the International BachFest 2022 competition with this stunning performance of the Violin Partita #2 in D minor: Chaconne movement, by Johann Sebastian Bach. Considered one of the most challenging works for violin, the performance is superb.

Series: "Arts Channel " [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 40099]

Fungi play a crucial role in our natural ecosystem. Environmental scientist Danielle Stevenson discusses the great impact fungi can have on soil quality and a healthier food supply. Series: "Wellbeing " [Health and Medicine] [Agriculture] [Show ID: 40174]

Born in the rhythms of Burkina Faso and cradled by the tradition of the griots, Adama Bilorou knows how to transform his heritage into a melody of multiple nuances—a musical journey that crosses continents and cultures. Drawing inspiration from the sights and sounds of his childhood in the Ivory Coast and his later journeys to Italy, France, the United States and Burkina Faso—Adama Bilorou has creatively composed his uniquely beautiful score. Series: "Arts Channel " [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 40090]