University of California Audio Podcasts (Audio)

How do visions and norms of scientific progress inform, encourage or constrain democratic governance of science? How do questions of warrant, purpose, and benefit get asked and answered? Andy Murray, Ph.D., sits down with Carrie Wolinetz, Ph.D., National Institutes of Health (NIH), Maria Millan, M.D, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM, Derek Thompson, The Atlantic, and Sheila Jasanoff, J.D., Ph.D., Harvard University, to explore these questions and more. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Science] [Show ID: 38731]

In the past few years, America’s democracy has faced formidable challenges, just as it has at other critical junctures of our history.  But our democracy has so far proven resilient, with one of the key sources of resilience being the officials who administer elections in states and counties across our nation.  As part of our Democracy Talks series, Thad Kousser, professor of political science at UC San Diego and the co-director of the Yankelovich Center, talks about the challenges we face with Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way and Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer. Series: "Democracy Talks" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 38637]

Data science is relevant now, because of the large amounts being generated by smart phones, tablets and computers. With all the information out there, who has access to it? UC San Diego professor Brad Voytek discusses how data scientists are using the huge amounts of structured and unstructured data available to them and how that research is changing the world around us. Voytek also dives into how data is being used to bridge the gap in neuroscience and helping understand how the brain works. Series: "Data Science Channel" [Science] [Show ID: 37837]

The identity of somatic and pluripotent cells can be epigenetically reprogrammed and forced to adapt a new functional cell state by different methods and distinct combinations of exogenous factors. The aspiration to utilize such in vitro reprogrammed pluripotent and somatic cells for therapeutic purposes necessitates understanding of the mechanisms of reprogramming and differentiation and elucidating the extent of equivalence of the in vitro derived cells to their in vivo counterparts. Jacob (Yaqub) Hanna, M.D., Ph.D., presents his group’s recent advances toward understanding these fundamental questions and further details ongoing efforts to generate developmentally unrestricted human naive pluripotent cells with embryonic and extra-embryonic developmental potential. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 38323]

Why is the ocean — and this team of researchers — looking pretty in pink? For science! Scientists at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography have launched the PiNC (Plumes in Nearshore Conditions) experiment to study the coastal zone where a river meets the ocean. Using a non-toxic, environmentally safe pink dye and a suite of instruments, researchers released the dye in the mouth of the Los Peñasquitos Lagoon at Torrey Pines State Beach near San Diego, California in the winter of 2023. Rivers and estuaries play an important role in delivering freshwater and materials such as sediments and contaminants to the coastal ocean, but little is known about how these plumes of more buoyant, fresher water interact with the denser, saltier and often colder nearshore ocean environment, particularly as the plumes encounter breaking waves. This experiment enables scientists to track the processes that take place when small-scale plumes of freshwater meet the surfzone. Series: "Scripps Institution of Oceanography" [Science] [Show ID: 38739]

Aging research has come a long way in the past few decades, and scientists are now starting to understand the biology of aging. Anthony J.A. Molina, Ph.D. shares the latest findings in the field of geroscience, or the study of how to delay the onset of age-related diseases and extend healthy lifespan. Series: "Stein Institute for Research on Aging" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 38634]

When not teaching at computer science at the UC San Diego, Barna Saha serves as the director of The Institute for Emerging Core Methods in Data Science (EnCORE). EnCORE is a National Science Foundation (NSF) Transdisciplinary Research in Principles of Data Science Phase II (TRIPODS) program housed at UC San Diego's Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute. She talks with Saura Naderi about her early interest in data science and some of the amazing work being done with EnCORE. She also talks about the importance of getting more young women interested in STEM fields like data science. Series: "Science Like Me" [Science] [Show ID: 38550]

How do Japan and South Korea view the geodynamics of the Indo-Pacific region? What are their needs, wants and fears regarding their alliance with the U.S., and how do they view China? How do they view the situation in North Korea, and how do they assess the larger ongoing, dynamic shifts in global security? While these questions are often discussed for either Japan or South Korea separately, in this conversation UC San Diego's Stephan Haggard puts them side by side to bring out similarities and differences in how both countries are repositioning in security, trade and geopolitics for 2023. [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 38663]

Prenatal care in a group setting offers many advantages - deeper connection to your care team, friendships with other expectant parents, empowerment through education - hand in hand with individualized medical care for you and your baby. Vanessa Wright, CNM, WHNP-BC, sits down with a group of new moms who share their experiences with the Centering Pregnancy program at UC San Diego. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 38607]

Alzheimer’s disease is a major health crisis that is projected to become an even larger threat in the coming decades. According to the National Institute on Aging, the number of Americans 65 and older with Alzheimer’s could rise from 5.8 million in 2020 to 13.8 million by 2050. Given the severity of this health crisis and the toll it takes on patients, their families and society, we must be prepared today to address the needs of tomorrow. Dean Frank LaFerla of UC Irvine's School of Biological Sciences presents an overview of the state of Alzheimer’s disease research. Following his presentation, the panel discusses emerging trends in research, care and the upcoming challenges we will face and how we might mitigate them. [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 38660]