Science (Audio)

Hunting is considered a key human adaptation and is thought to have influenced our anatomy, physiology and behavior over time. This symposium explores the evidence pertaining to the origins of hominin hunting. Variation exists within and among chimpanzee populations in the social importance of hunting and meat eating. David Watts, Yale University. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Science] [Show ID: 33573]

Khalid Shah, MS, PhD discusses translating biological therapies into clinical care. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Education] [Professional Medical Education] [Show ID: 34912]

The atmosphere is composed of gases such as oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. Other gases are present at much lower concentrations and include ozone, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides and formaldehyde just to name a few. But there is something else in the air we breathe: microscopic particles called aerosols. Vicki Grassian discusses aerosols, their many sources, and how they impact the Earth’s climate and human health in ways we are just starting to understand. Series: "Exploring Ethics" [Health and Medicine] [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 33719]

The human brain contains approximately 86 billion neurons, and 100 trillion connections between those neurons. Despite our inability to image each neuron and determine their exact connective patterns, several approaches for noninvasive imaging of the living brain have been developed and utilized to great benefit. LLNL scientist Alan Kaplan explores the immense landscape of the human brain and quantifies the brain in terms of data flow. Then describes engineering applications of recorded electrophysiological data and explores methods for analyzing such data to determine the pattern of signals that arise during various activities and mood states. Series: "Field Trip at the Lab: Science on Saturday" [Science] [Show ID: 34465]

Ecologist Rudo Sanyanga and filmmakers R. Lane Clark and Stephan Miescher join moderator Janet Walker (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) for a post-screening discussion of Clark and Miescher’s documentary film Ghana’s Electric Dreams. The film concerns the history of Ghana’s Akosombo Dam, and its complex legacy as a strategic modernization project launched during the presidency of Kwame Nkrumah. The panel conversation highlights the impetus for the film and its multi-stage development, the importance of the availability of archival footage and the filmmakers’ personal familiarity with this region of Ghana, and the far-reaching human and ecological impacts of large hydroelectric infrastructure projects. This event was hosted by the Carsey-Wolf Center in collaboration with the Mellon-Sawyer Seminar for Energy Justice in Global Perspective. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 34883]

Alysson Muotri, Director of the UC San Diego Stem Cell program explores the many ways his and other labs are using brain organoids to understand neurodevelopment. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 34285]

The human brain is composed of billions of cells that communicate through chemical and electrical signals. LLNL microelectrodes can interface directly with the brain to allow us to monitor and manipulate the dynamics of these brain signals. LLNL microelectrodes are flexible and microfabricated in dense arrays that allow them to collect large amounts of information over long periods of time in the body. Scientists Anna Belle and Allison Yorita go over how these arrays are microfabricated and their diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Series: "Field Trip at the Lab: Science on Saturday" [Science] [Show ID: 34464]

The science of stem cells allows us to understand our genome by comparing our own genome to that of our ancient cousins – the Neanderthal. The motion picture William is a story about a Neanderthal living among modern humans. The director of the UC San Diego Stem Cell Program Alysson Muotri was able to visit with the creator and director, Tim Disney, to discuss the real issues explored by this fantasy. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Science] [Show ID: 34804]

La ciencia de las células madre nos permite entender nuestro genoma comparando nuestro propio genoma con el de nuestros primos antiguos, el Neandertal. La película William es una historia sobre un Neandertal que vive entre los humanos modernos. El Director del Programa de Células Madre de la UC San Diego, Alysson Muotri, pudo visitar al creador y director, Tim Disney, para hablar sobre los problemas reales que explora esta fantasía. Series: "El Canal de Células Madre" [Science] [Spanish Language] [Show ID: 34859]

A ciência das células-tronco nos permite entender nosso genoma, comparando nosso próprio genoma com o de nossos primos antigos - os neandertais. O filme William é uma história sobre um neandertal vivendo entre os humanos modernos, e o diretor do programa de células-tronco da Universidade de San Diego, Alysson Muotri, pôde conversar com o criador e diretor Tim Disney para discutir os problemas reais explorados por essa fantasia. Series: "O Canal de Células-Tronco" [Science] [Spanish Language] [Show ID: 34861]

Can scientists genetically engineer mosquitos to eliminate malaria? Professor Ethan Bier from UC San Diego believes they can. In this talk at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, he discusses various ways in which self-copying—or active—genetic elements can be used to bias inheritance of beneficial characteristics. Such active genetic elements can be used to confer resistance to transmission of pathogens, re-sensitize pesticide-resistant insect pests and disease-vector populations to insecticides, restore natural ecosystems, or combine multiple favorable traits to create animal models for human disease or optimized agricultural strains of plants. Series: "Osher UC San Diego Distinguished Lecture Series" [Science] [Show ID: 34753]

CARTA celebrates its 10th anniversary with a whirlwind tour of anthropogeny, the study of the origin of humans, by addressing these questions across multiple disciplines: What do we know for certain? What do we think we know? What do we need to know? How do we proceed? Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Science] [Show ID: 34692]

Pascal Gagneux summarizes the CARTA 10th Anniversary symposium. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Science] [Show ID: 34714]

What makes us human is a question that not only science asks, but all disciplines of mind from philosophy to religion to sociology and ethics, and even to storytelling and the arts. Tim Disney's new movie "William", about a Neanderthal living in the modern world forces us to ask that and many other questions. Director of the UC San Diego Stem Cell Program Alysson Muotri brought together a panel of experts from across a spectrum of disciplines to discuss those issues in a lively and engaging forum with the movie's creator. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 34803]

CARTA celebrates its 10th anniversary with a whirlwind tour of anthropogeny, the study of the origin of humans, by addressing these questions across multiple disciplines: What do we know for certain? What do we think we know? What do we need to know? How do we proceed? Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Science] [Show ID: 34704]