Science (Audio)

Sharks have long fascinated the public. While popular media has often promoted images of large, aggressive predators, most sharks are not dangerous to people and moreover are a vital part of many healthy ocean ecosystems. Join Scripps Institution of Oceanography's Dovi Kacev for an illuminating journey into the Southern California Bight to learn about the sharks that make our offshore region their home. Series: "Jeffrey B. Graham Perspectives on Ocean Science Lecture Series" [Show ID: 35350]

In the fight against climate change, those with the least resources have been left behind. In the case of solar power, the vast majority of investment in the United States has gone to majority-white communities. This means not only are people of color losing out on the benefit of solar power, but society as a whole is losing out on potential advocates for clean energy. Dan Kammen, a professor at UC Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy is researching how we can reverse this trend and leapfrog toward clean energy for all. Series: "UC Public Policy Channel" [Show ID: 35619]

A major ambition of artificial intelligence lies in translating patient data to successful therapies. Machine learning models face particular challenges in biomedicine, however, including handling of extreme data heterogeneity and lack of mechanistic insight into predictions. Trey Ideker, PhD argues for “visible” approaches that guide model structure with experimental biology. Series: "Exploring Ethics" [Show ID: 35459]

Members of the group of student computer scientists who created the widely used and influential UCSD Pascal programming language in the 70's gathered to discuss their exploits under the tutelage of the late Kenneth Bowles, UC San Diego professor of computer science. Series: "Computer Science Channel" [Show ID: 35183]

The ocean plays a major role in regulating Earth’s temperature through exchange of chemicals and microbes with the atmosphere. When waves break, ocean-derived biological species including viruses and bacteria are transferred into the atmosphere. These species can ultimately form clouds, altering precipitation and climate. Highlights will be presented of novel experiments being conducted in a unique ocean-atmosphere simulator developed by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Center for Aerosol Impacts on Chemistry of the Environment (CAICE). Kimberly Prather, Professor of Climate, Atmospheric Science, and Physical Oceanography at UC San Diego will focus on recent CAICE studies aimed at advancing our understanding of how the oceans influence human and planetary health. New insights will be discussed as well as future studies designed to unravel human versus microbial impacts on the changing Earth’s system. Series: "Exploring Ethics" [Show ID: 35000]

Biological anthropologist Katerina Semendeferi describes how the human brain's extraordinary powers of social cognition may predispose only humans to conditions like autism and how she aids the search for the neurophysiology underlying these conditions. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 34330]

Primo Levi was deeply interested in the fascinating mystery of the origin of life. Starting from Primo Levi’s writings, Scripps Research Institute's Luca Legnani discusses some answers that modern chemists are giving to the questions raised by Levi. Series: "STEAM Channel" [Show ID: 35082]

The blood-brain-barrier (BBB) is a special structure in the body that helps to protect the brain from unwanted toxins and germs. Unfortunately, this barrier can also make it extremely difficult for therapeutics to reach their intended target within brain. Lawrence Livermore Lab scientists describe how combining experimental techniques with computational methods, making use of some of the fastest supercomputers in the world, can speed up the process of optimizing therapeutics to cross the BBB. Series: "Lawrence Livermore National Lab Science on Saturday" [Science] [Show ID: 34467]

Harald Hess discusses using the fly brain is helping to understand the circuitry of the brain. Series: "Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind" [Science] [Show ID: 33287]

Scientific drill ships allow scientists access to some of Earth's most challenging environments, collecting data and samples of sediment, rock, fluids and living organisms from below the seafloor. Join Scripps paleontologist Dick Norris to learn about the long running international collaboration in scientific ocean drilling that has transformed human understanding of our planet. Series: "Jeffrey B. Graham Perspectives on Ocean Science Lecture Series" [Show ID: 35178]

Opening remarks to a symposium that addresses the influences of environment and culture on the emergence of the human mind based on available evidence, ranging from experiments by ancient monarchs to the follow-up of Romanian orphans, while addressing comparative and neurobiological issues. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Show ID: 35279]

Experience is the engine that drives much of postnatal brain development. When children are deprived of key (i.e., experience-expected) experiences, particularly during critical periods of development, brain and behavioral development can be derailed. There is perhaps no more egregious form of deprivation than being raised in large, state-run institutions. Charles Nelson (Harvard Medical School) discusses the Bucharest Early Intervention Project, a long-term study that includes infants abandoned to institutions. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Show ID: 35285]

In 2017 alone, an estimated 674,000 children were victims of abuse and neglect in the United States and over 1,000 of these children died from maltreatment. Mothers were the perpetrators in 69% of these cases. How does dysfunction in the maternal brain arise? Danielle Stolzenberg (UC Davis) describes new research that has shed some light on how the brain regulates maternal and neglectful responses to infants with a particular emphasis on how the brain might change as mothers transition between these two behavioral states. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Show ID: 35289]

Adequate vitamins and minerals are essential for normal cognitive development. Marcus Pembrey (University College London) uses iodine as an example. Severe iodine deficiency is a known cause of learning difficulties, but even suboptimal maternal iodine in early pregnancy can reduce the childs verbal IQ. Early humans thrived on the coast with a rich iodine diet. Bonobos dive for iodine-rich aquatic plants. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Show ID: 35290]

Ann Masten (University of Minnesota) discusses the meaning of resilience from a developmental perspective, highlighting the significance of findings from studies of extreme adversity in childhood for our understanding of processes that nurture or disrupt human capacity for adapting to challenges over the life course. Caregivers play a critical role both in protecting early wellbeing and nurturing the future resilience of children and their societies. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Show ID: 35292]