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The Story of Alice McGrath’s Fight for Justice
In 1942, the Sleepy Lagoon case became one of the most racially charged trials in U.S. history. Twenty-two Mexican American youths—mostly teenagers, many just 17—were tried together for the death of José Díaz, even though no witness placed them at the scene and the cause of death was never proven. A biased judge and jury…
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Rescuing Japan’s 1930s Paper Films: A Hidden Home-Cinema History Preserved
Japanese paper films are a rare, little-known home-cinema format made in the 1930s by three main manufacturers—two in Tokyo and one in Osaka. The films are short (often one to four minutes), and typically come in a 27mm gauge with perforations at the top and bottom of each frame. Unlike standard film, the back surface…
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AI and Genetic Medicine: Transforming How We Understand Disease
Artificial intelligence is reshaping how we understand the human body by making sense of vast amounts of biological data. In medicine, AI’s real promise lies in uncovering patterns hidden within the complexity of cells, genes, and proteins. This ability helps researchers move beyond treating symptoms and toward addressing the root causes of disease. At the…
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From Fire to Freezers: The History of Eating
From mammoth hunters drying meat over open fires to today’s industrial food systems, the story of what we eat is deeply tied to human innovation. In this Osher UC San Diego Distinguished Lecture, Stanley Chodorow, Emeritus Professor of History at UC San Diego, traces this history by showing how food preservation began out of necessity.…
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Righting Wrongs and Offering Refuge: Lessons from Faith and History
How do we repair the damage of past injustices? And can sacred spaces still serve as places of protection and resistance today? Two thought-provoking talks from UCSB’s Walter H. Capps Center tackle these urgent questions, exploring the responsibilities societies hold toward communities that have endured harm and the creative ways faith traditions shape public life.…
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Who Gets to Tell the Story? Lessons from the 1950s CBS Blacklist
In the 1950s, fear and suspicion gripped the airwaves. Anti-communist fervor swept across the United States, and the entertainment industry found itself caught in the crossfire. At the center of it all was CBS, pressured by the FBI and swayed by public accusations, quietly compiling a list of artists, writers, and intellectuals accused of having…
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How Diet and Exercise Can Help Manage Prostate Cancer
When it comes to managing prostate cancer, lifestyle matters. UCSF researchers June Chan and Stacey Kenfield present key takeaways that emphasize the benefits of diet and exercise for men living with prostate cancer. Drawing on growing scientific evidence, they explain how regular physical activity—including resistance training and high-intensity interval workouts—can significantly reduce the risk of…



