Category: Science

  • Aicardi-Goutieres: A Rare Disorder, A Unique Look into the Brain

    Using brains-in-a-dish (cortical organoids), the Muotri Lab at UC San Diego has developed a new treatment for Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome. This study not only identified the underlying mechanisms that drive AGS but has also led to surprising revelations about neuroinflammation. Learn how they repurposed HIV antiretroviral drugs to rescue mutated cells and what this research means…

  • Confronting Climate Change

    Rosina Bierbaum, formerly of President Obama’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) and an Adaptation Fellow at the World Bank, shows how climate change will affect all regions and sectors of the economy, and disproportionately affect the poorest people on the planet. Therefore, improving the resilience, adaptation, and preparedness of communities must be…

  • Extraordinary Variations of the Human Mind

    Experts who have addressed cases of extraordinary human cognitive abilities, from memory to music to language, explore what understanding cognitive anomalies can tell us about the development and evolution of uniquely human mental characteristics. Enjoy these fascinating explorations with the series Extraordinary Variations of the Human Mind: Lessons for Anthropogeny. This series is co-sponsored by…

  • Neurotransmitter Switching

    If a neuron has sustained activity over a long period of time (visual stimulus, stress, etc.) it can change the type of neurotransmitter that it makes. This gives our neurons many languages to communicate with and makes our brain more adaptable. Nick Spitzer explains this neurotransmitter switching and how that process impacts our physical abilities,…

  • Self-driving Cars

    As self-driving cars get closer to being part of everyday life on the road, what are the broader social, legal, and even ethical questions they present? Such issues will become more urgent and important as collisions and accidents involving self-driving or semi-autonomous vehicles occur more often. Mohan Trivedi, Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering,…

  • Join us on Science Field Trips to Lawrence Livermore National Lab!

    Join a group of science teachers and middle and high school students on a field trip to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) for the annual Science on Saturday (SOS) lecture series. Presented by leading LLNL researchers and supported by master high school science teachers, each topic highlights cutting-edge science occurring at the lab. Check out…

  • Unlocking the Science Behind Atmospheric Rivers

    This year, California’s winter weather has been wet and wild. Join Scripps scientist Marty Ralph, Director of the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E) as he describes the phenomena of atmospheric rivers, their impact on our weather, and the essential role modeling and prediction play in managing California’s precious water resources. Watch Unlocking…

  • Death and Mortality: New Programs from CARTA

    Certain warm-blooded social animals and birds appear to react selectively and specifically to the death of other members of their group. Humans seem to be very unusual in the quality and extent of our responses – and in our ability to translate these experiences into an understanding of our personal mortality. When during childhood do…

  • Scientists Tackle Big Questions at Lawrence Berkeley Lab

    Every discovery and invention starts with a question. Find out how scientists dive into the big questions that drive their research in two video presentations from Lawrence Berkeley Lab’s Science at the Theater. “Questions drive science. Questions that provoke other questions keep science fresh and alive,” explains host Jeff Miller. “In fact, if you think…

  • Get the Latest on Climate Change Research and Solutions

    New programs on The UC Climate Solutions Channel explore what climate change is, the science behind what we know, and what we can do about it. The Natural Climate Solutions Symposium, from UC Davis Enjoy highlights from this lively and informative symposium on natural climate solutions hosted by the Policy Institute for Energy, Environment and…