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Can Aging Be Reversed? See How Stem Cells May Hold a Key to Longevity
Aging—it’s the one thing none of us can escape. But what if the solution to slowing it down or even reversing it lies within our own bodies? Recent scientific discoveries about stem cells offer a promising glimpse into the future of aging, and it all starts with understanding how these incredible cells work. Shiri Gur-Cohen,…
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What Do the Beatles Have to Do With the Fossil Lucy?
The story starts on November 24, 1974, following a long, hot morning of mapping and surveying fossils at the site of Hadar in Ethiopia. Before leaving to head back to camp, paleoanthropologist Donald Johanson and graduate student Tom Gray decided to investigate a small gully that had previously been checked twice before by other workers.…
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Spinal Cord Injury: Pioneering New Approaches to Healing and Recovery
In a recent seminar from the Southern California Stem Cell Seminar Series, Dr. Michael Lane, a leader in spinal cord injury research, shed light on groundbreaking strategies that may change how we think about nerve repair and recovery. If you or a loved one has been affected by spinal cord injuries, these insights offer a…
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Fighting Climate Change Along the U.S.-Mexico Border
San Diego shares nearly 60 miles of border with its neighbors to the south, stretching from the Pacific Ocean in Imperial Beach to the eastern part of the county near the Otay Mountain Wilderness. While many news stories have highlighted the raw sewage issue affecting the Tijuana River Valley, where runoff pollutes the waters and…
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Rain from a River in the Sky
Have you ever heard your local weather forecaster mention terms like “pineapple express” or “atmospheric river”? These intriguing phenomena might sound whimsical, but they play a crucial role in our weather patterns. So, what exactly are they, and is global warming to blame? What is an Atmospheric River? An atmospheric river is like a giant,…
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California Against the Sea: Communicating Sea Level Rise
Join Los Angeles Times environment reporter Rosanna Xia and Scripps Institution of Oceanography coastal resilience specialist Laura Engeman as they discuss the science and impacts of sea-level rise in California. Xia, a Pulitzer Prize finalist, reads from her book “California Against the Sea,” which recently won the Golden Poppy Award for nonfiction. Engeman explains how…
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Navigating the Future: Trust and Transparency in Healthcare AI
In the digital era, the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and trust is increasingly becoming a focal point in discussions around technology and ethics. Specifically, many people are asking, How will artificial intelligence impact healthcare? In a recent talk, Dr. Ida Sim, Professor of Medicine and Computational Precision Health at UCSF, and Cora Han, attorney…
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Art and Science: Understanding the Effects of Climate Change on Kelp Forests
Southern California’s giant kelp forests, composed of rapidly growing large brown algae, are among the most productive ecosystems on the planet. These underwater forests support a diverse array of life, forming a vibrant community that thrives within them. Kelp forests anchor themselves atop rocky reefs, a place where few other plants can establish, thanks to…
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The Secret of the Red Tide
Why does the stunning bioluminescence in the ocean, often described as ‘sea sparkle’ or ‘milky seas’ and known for its beautiful blue-green glow at night, appear so different during the day? Commonly referred to as red tide, the ocean water appears murky, often with a brown or red tone. In some parts of the Pacific…
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The Promises and Pitfalls of the Artificial Intelligence Revolution
Artificial intelligence brings forth a wave of transformative possibilities capturing the minds and curiosities of people and industries around the world. But this evolving technology also poses challenges that demand careful consideration. At the forefront of this intersection, AI plays a pivotal role in accelerating research, unlocking insights, and propelling advancements in various biological domains.…