University of California Video Podcasts (Video)

If the sight of a skittering bug makes you squirm, you may want to look away a new insect-sized robot created by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, can scurry across the floor at nearly the speed of a darting cockroach. Small-scale robots like these could be advantageous in search and rescue missions, squeezing and squishing into places where dogs or humans can't fit, or where it may be too dangerous for them to go, said Yichuan Wu, first author of the paper, who completed the work as a graduate student in mechanical engineering at UC Berkeley through the Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute partnership Series: "UC Berkeley News" [Show ID: 35134]

A detailed overview of a study conducted by Alysson Muotri's lab at the UC San Diego Stem Cell Program which found complex network signaling developing in human cortical organoids that appear to recapitulate fetal brain development, offering an in-vitro model to study functional development of human neuronal networks. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Science] [Show ID: 34267]

Dr. Dan Lowenstein is UCSF's Vice Chancellor and Provost. In this interview, he describes his circuitous path to a career in medicine, his passion for social justice, and the importance of authenticity for leaders. Lowenstein is an accomplished physician-scientist in the area of epilepsy, an award-winning medical educator, and an innovative and forward-thinking leader. In prior roles, he helped launch UCSF's Academy of Medical Educators, led UCSF's Physician-Scientist training programs, and served as Dean for Education of Harvard Medical School. As UCSF's provost, he oversees the university's academic programs and is taking a leading role in issues ranging from the modernization of the Parnassus Heights campus to the future of big data in healthcare. Series: "A Life in Medicine: People Shaping Healthcare Today" [Show ID: 35135]

There are modifiable behaviors that may reduce the risk factor of Alzheimer's: vascular disease, sedentary lifestyle, depression/stress, diet factors and alcohol. Kaitlin Casaletto talks about the benefits of an active lifestyle and proper nutrition. Then Dr. Joanna Hellmuth looks at how to decode direct-to-consumer interventions - dietary supplements - and the rise of pseudo-medicine for dementia. She explains that supplements may or may not be safe and that manufacturers can make broad claims without supporting evidence. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Show ID: 35136]

Isabelle Peretz examines what congenital amusia - the condition where one is amusical, lacking such abilities as pitch or rhythm recognition - can tell us about the neurobiological origins of musical ability in humans. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Science] [Show ID: 32445]

This CARTA symposium focuses on the contributions of scientists and scholars of anthropogeny who live and work in Africa. Closing remarks from Ajit Varki, CARTA Co-Director, UC San Diego, Lyn Wadley, University of the Witwatersrand, and Berhane Asfaw, Rift Valley Research Service.

Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Science] [Show ID: 34991]

This CARTA symposium focuses on the contributions of scientists and scholars of anthropogeny who live and work in Africa. Likius Andossa, University of NDjamena, explores paleontological research in Chad. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Science] [Show ID: 34987]

A new 3-D printing technique shines light rays onto this yellow liquid, creating solid, 3-D objects. The syrupy liquid is light sensitive and hardens when exposed to a certain amount of light. Nicknamed the Replicator, the printer custom-makes objects like a model of a jaw, a mini-screwdriver, or even The Thinker. Series: "UC Berkeley News" [Show ID: 35129]

This CARTA symposium focuses on the contributions of scientists and scholars of anthropogeny who live and work in Africa. Job Kibii, National Museums of Kenya, explores Australopithecus in East and South Africa.

Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Science] [Show ID: 34983]

This CARTA symposium focuses on the contributions of scientists and scholars of anthropogeny who live and work in Africa. Sarah Wurz, University of the Witwatersrand, discusses the Klasies River site which was a favored home base for southern Cape humans between 120,000 and 2300 years ago.

Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Science] [Show ID: 34989]