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Latest episodes from UC San Diego (Audio)

Stem Cells and Next Generation Regenerative Medicine Therapies - Medicine Informing Novel Discoveries (MIND)

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2025 59:31


Hear about cutting-edge advances in regenerative medicine, from lab breakthroughs to patient impact. Catriona Jamieson, MD, PhD, introduces efforts at the Sanford Stem Cell Institute to develop therapies that enhance the body's ability to heal itself. Dan Kaufman, MD, PhD, shares progress in cancer immunotherapy using engineered natural killer cells derived from pluripotent stem cells. Karen Christman, PhD, explains how her team creates injectable hydrogels from pig heart tissue to support heart repair and regeneration after a heart attack. Tiffani Manolis highlights industry support for making cell and gene therapies more accessible. Patient advocate Justin Graves describes his life-changing experience receiving a stem cell-based therapy for epilepsy, underscoring the real-world promise of these innovations. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 40705]

Reproductive Immunology

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2025 5:56


Ina Stelzer, Ph.D., explores how the maternal immune system adapts to support a healthy pregnancy and how disruptions can lead to complications like preterm birth. Her lab identifies early immune changes linked to spontaneous preterm birth and investigates the role of the maternal brain in regulating immune responses. Stelzer uses advanced technologies like mass cytometry and spatial proteomics to map immune and molecular changes in pregnancy, integrating these data with transcriptomics and mouse models. Her team studies how antidepressants affect immune signaling during pregnancy and examines the impact of social and behavioral factors. These insights may reveal biomarkers and therapeutic targets for improving maternal and fetal health. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40773]

Intermittent Fasting: A Strategy To Prevent Cardiometabolic Diseases And Promote Healthy Aging

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2025 54:24


Michael J. Wilkinson, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.N.L.A., explores the science and clinical evidence behind intermittent fasting and its role in promoting cardiometabolic health. He explains how aligning eating patterns with the body's natural circadian rhythms can improve weight, blood pressure, glucose regulation, and other risk factors, especially in individuals with metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes. Wilkinson highlights promising results from time-restricted eating studies conducted in collaboration with UC San Diego and the Salk Institute, where narrowing the daily eating window led to improved metabolic markers and potential benefits beyond weight loss. He also outlines practical tips for safely adopting this lifestyle approach and stresses the importance of ongoing research. Series: "Stein Institute for Research on Aging" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40319]

A Closer Look at…Genetic Medicine and Artificial Intelligence

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2025 57:59


AI and genetic medicine are converging to transform how we diagnose, treat, and prevent disease. Gene Yeo, Ph.D., unites RNA biology with artificial intelligence to speed the path from genome sequencing to personalized RNA therapeutics. Advances in sequencing have reduced costs dramatically, making interpretation and translation into treatments the real challenge. Using deep learning and large datasets of RNA-binding proteins, Yeo predicts disease vulnerabilities and identifies therapeutic targets, including in neurodegeneration and muscular diseases. Alexis Komor, Ph.D., focuses on DNA, explaining human genetic variation—particularly single-nucleotide variants—and how genome editing technologies like CRISPR can target them. She highlights strategies to correct harmful mutations and explores precise, programmable interventions. Together, their research drives discovery and enables more effective, personalized therapies. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 40459]

Alzheimer's Disease in Women: Why Sex Differences Matter

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2025 5:14


Sarah Banks, Ph.D. explores why Alzheimer's disease affects women differently than men, emphasizing distinct patterns in tau pathology, cognitive testing bias, and treatment response. She explains how women tend to show a rapid buildup of tau during early cognitive decline, which may contribute to their higher prevalence of Alzheimer's. Banks also highlights how common diagnostic tools may overlook symptoms in women and how approved treatments may offer less benefit for them. Her research at UC San Diego investigates key sex-based differences in risk factors, including sleep apnea, diabetes, and exercise. One study reveals that over 70% of participating women had undiagnosed sleep apnea. Another focuses on Black women, using blood biomarkers to identify overlooked risks and improve care. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40768]

Single-Cell and Spatial Multi-Omic Insights into the Human Placenta (HUBMAP)

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2025 19:36


Louise Laurent, M.D., Ph.D., presents new insights into placental biology using cutting-edge molecular and imaging technologies. As part of the NIH-funded Human Biomolecular Atlas Program, her research focuses on mapping the structure and function of the placenta across gestation. By combining bulk RNA sequencing, single-cell analysis, spatial transcriptomics, and imaging mass cytometry, Laurent and collaborators identify key differences in cell types and gene expression associated with pregnancy stages and labor. Her team highlights how specific cells like syncytiotrophoblasts and extravillous trophoblasts evolve over time and interact with maternal tissue. This integrated approach offers an unprecedented view of placental development and lays the groundwork for understanding reproductive health and disease. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40670]

Human Milk Institute (HMI)

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2025 6:29


Lars Bode, Ph.D., presents the Human Milk Institute at UC San Diego, the world's first research center dedicated entirely to human milk. Established in 2022, the institute connects molecular research with clinical practice, community outreach, and public health. It unites multiple programs under one umbrella, including a milk bank for preterm infants, a biorepository, lactation education, and a rapid response team that helped inform WHO breastfeeding guidelines during COVID-19. The institute promotes collaboration across disciplines such as biology, engineering, social science, and public health. Through initiatives like the Human Milk Analytics Core, it advances maternal and infant health while highlighting the broader public health importance of breastfeeding. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40770]

The Art of Scientific Storytelling

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2025 71:34


Science communication expert Lisa Warshaw and scientist Rob Signer, Ph.D., offer a practical guide to turning complex research into clear, memorable stories. They explain why strong openings, simple messages, vivid analogies, and visual storytelling are essential to making science resonate. The talk includes tips on avoiding jargon, using soundbites effectively, and preparing for high-stakes moments like media interviews and conference Q&As. Warshaw draws on her experience in global biotech and healthcare communications, while Signer shares real-world lessons from academic science and public engagement. Together, they highlight how clarity and creativity can elevate a researcher's voice, build trust with diverse audiences, and drive impact across fields. The session is filled with actionable insights for scientists aiming to connect their work with the world. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40460]

Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome in Reproductive Age Women

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2025 4:46


Jennifer Anger, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D. investigates interstitial cystitis (IC), also known as painful bladder syndrome, with a focus on improving care through research on sex, gender, and health disparities. Using Veterans Affairs (VA) data, Anger challenges the outdated belief that IC predominantly affects women. She explores how comorbidities such as PTSD and depression, common among veterans, influence bladder pain, and examines how factors like exercisJennifer Anger, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D. uses VA data to study interstitial cystitis.. She examines links between bladder pain, PTSD, depression, diet, and disparities to improve care across all gender identities.e, diet, and neighborhood deprivation impact symptoms. By including both cis and trans women as well as men, Anger seeks to advance more inclusive, data-driven understanding and treatment of IC across all populations. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40675]

Maternal and Infant Health: Clinical Landscape and OGRS Opportunities

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2025 6:50


Gladys (Sandy) Ramos, M.D. outlines the comprehensive maternal care services at UC San Diego, emphasizing clinical excellence, innovation, and community impact. She highlights programs in diabetes and pregnancy, high-risk obstetrics, postpartum and HIV care, and maternal mental health. Ramos describes cutting-edge capabilities in fetal and placental imaging, including expertise in placenta accreta and genetic counseling. A fetal surgery program is launching soon, expanding access to specialized care and research. The department's patient population closely reflects San Diego County's demographics, which informs both clinical care and research priorities. Ramos also details a collaborative structure with multidisciplinary conferences and welcomes partnerships in research related to maternal, placental, and fetal health. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40669]

Bottom-Up Midbrain-Subthalamic Control of Feeding

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2025 58:38


UCLA's Avishek Adhikari, PhD, presents new research on the role of GABAergic neurons in the brain's periaqueductal gray (PAG) region. Previously studied for their involvement in fear and defensive behaviors, these neurons were found to promote food-seeking behavior when activated—even in fully fed mice. Using calcium imaging and optogenetics, Adhikari's team discovered that these neurons are active during food approach but suppressed during eating. The effect is stronger for high-value foods like chocolate or crickets and depends on the mouse's prior experience with that food. A key finding is that these neurons influence behavior through a specific projection to the zona incerta, a subthalamic region. Rather than signaling hunger, this pathway appears to drive food seeking based on reward value, highlighting a new motivational circuit in the brain. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 40444]

Silverseq and Liquid Biopsy

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2025 4:29


Sheng Zhong, Ph.D. pioneers technologies that advance women's reproductive health. Zhong develops a minimally invasive method to analyze extracellular RNA secreted by embryos during IVF. By sequencing tiny samples of spent culture media, they generate comprehensive RNA profiles and use machine learning to identify biomarkers that predict embryo quality with accuracy comparable to traditional imaging. This breakthrough offers a gentler, data-driven alternative for assessing embryo viability, with the potential to improve live birth rates and support families navigating infertility. Zhong's research highlights the power of molecular innovation to transform fertility care and address critical challenges in women's health. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40676]

REI: Fertility Infertility and So Much More

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2025 5:37


Antoni J. Duleba, M.D. outlines the broad scope of reproductive endocrinology and infertility, emphasizing care across a woman's lifespan—from adolescence through menopause. He explains common endocrine conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and menstrual disorders, all of which can affect fertility and overall health. Duleba highlights advances in fertility preservation, especially for patients undergoing cancer treatment, and notes the rising need for such services as more women delay childbearing. He also addresses efforts to improve hormonal therapies, IVF outcomes, and treatments that target inflammation and the microbiome. In addition to medical innovation, he points to social and financial barriers that continue to limit access to reproductive care. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40672]

A Guided Meditation Exercise with Fadel Zeidan

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2025 9:26


Join Fadel Zeidan, Ph.D. for a guided meditation. Follow along as he teaches simple breathing techniques and short practices designed to build focus and calm the nervous system. Series: "Stein Institute for Research on Aging" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40783]

Healthy Aging and Longevity in Women

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2025 16:30


Andrea Z. LaCroix, Ph.D. presents major public health trends affecting women across the lifespan, from rising maternal mortality and chronic disease risks linked to pregnancy complications to the ongoing need for improved menopause care. She highlights innovative research, including digital tools for menopause education, studies on cancer survivorship, and efforts to predict healthy aging using epigenetic clocks and physical activity data. LaCroix shows how decades of research continue to shape strategies for aging with preserved cognitive and physical function, aiming to help more women thrive into their 90s and beyond. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40766]

Advancing Pelvic Floor Disorder Research: NIDDK and NICHD Networks

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2025 4:11


Emily Lukacz, M.D., M.A.S. presents research from two national networks focused on female pelvic floor disorders. One project studies bladder health in over 3,000 women to identify factors that support wellness rather than disease. Another conducts large-scale clinical trials, including a randomized study comparing two minimally invasive treatments for stress urinary incontinence. Additional trials include the TULIP study, which evaluates postpartum urinary symptom treatments using an app-based device, physical therapy, or educational materials, and a new study testing prescribed physical activity after pelvic surgery. These studies emphasize patient-centered outcomes and generate data available for further research and analysis. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40769]

MotherToBaby

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2025 4:22


Gretchen Bandoli, Ph.D., highlights four major research initiatives within her division focused on maternal and child health. The Center for Better Beginnings studies medication and vaccine safety during pregnancy and lactation through ongoing cohort studies. The Mommy's Milk Human Milk Research Biorepository collects breast milk samples to investigate postnatal exposures. The SOMI study links medical records and geolocated data for over 7 million California births to examine maternal-child health outcomes. Bandoli also leads a site for the Healthy Brain and Child Development Study, a national project following 7,500 mother-child pairs over the first ten years of life with neurodevelopmental assessments and biological sampling. All projects welcome collaboration and emphasize long-term outcomes. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40772]

Discovering the Arts of Japan

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2025 57:45


In this Osher lecture, Kuiyi Shen, Professor or Art History, Theory and Criticism at UC San Diego, gives a historical overview of Japanese art during the zenith of court culture. Series: "Osher UC San Diego Distinguished Lecture Series" [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 40870]

CARTA: Mismatch: Human Origins and Modern Disease - Questions Answers and Closing Remarks

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2025 75:35


The human body has traits that evolved at different times, from 1.5 billion to 2 million years ago, each bringing health benefits and risks. Multicellularity enabled organs and cancer. The immune system defends us but can cause inflammation. Breastfeeding supports infant health but relates to breast cancer risk. Menstruation and invasive placentas improved reproduction but led to pain and cancer risks. Human-specific traits like bipedalism and aging brought new issues like back pain and childbirth problems. Hair loss and sweat glands helped us stay cool but increased skin cancer risk. Our hunter-gatherer past shaped our microbiome and health, but also made us prone to modern diseases from lifestyle changes. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40702]

CARTA: Three Smokes in the Evolution of the Human Exposome with Caleb Finch

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2025 17:35


Humans have long been exposed to three main types of smoke: from early domestic fires, modern wildfires, and more recently, tobacco and fossil fuel pollution. All release tiny particles from partly burned plants, containing harmful chemicals like nitrogen oxides and carcinogens. These particles raise risks for lung cancer, dementia, and even childhood obesity. Studies show that air pollution can disrupt brain chemistry, increase Alzheimer's-related proteins, and activate stress-related genes (NFkB, Nrf2). A new drug (GSM-15606) shows promise in reducing brain damage from pollution in mice. People with the ApoE4 gene may be more vulnerable, while the ApoE3 gene, possibly evolved 200,000 years ago, may offer some protection. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40700]

Rain of Ash: Roma Jews and the Holocaust

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2025 66:22


What paradoxes arise when victims of related persecution tell their stories next to, and after, each other? This question is at the heart of Ari Joskowicz's highly acclaimed book “Rain of Ash,” which examines the unlikely entanglement of the histories of Jews and Romani people—the only two racialized groups the Nazis targeted for wholesale extermination. Joskowicz, professor of Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt University, explores the encounters between Jews and Romani people on the killing fields of Europe and seeks to understand how survivors and historians have discussed Romani and Jewish suffering during World War II in relational terms. Series: "Library Channel" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40533]

CARTA: The Industrialized Gut Microbiome with Justin and Erica Sonnenberg

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2025 19:43


The human gut microbiome is tightly linked our health. Our analyses of diverse human populations from around the globe, ranging from hunter-gatherer to industrialized, show that the gut microbiome is profoundly influenced by lifestyle. With a large collaborative team, we conducted deep metagenomic sequencing of the gut microbiomes of Tsimane horticulturalists from Bolivia and compared them to those of Hadza hunter-gatherers from Tanzania. We are also investigating whether diet and microbial therapies can address deficiencies in the industrialized gut community. Molecular mechanisms of host-microbial interaction are pursued using an array of technologies and experimental approaches including gnotobiotic and conventional mouse models, quantitative imaging, and a metabolomics pipeline focused on investigating microbiota-dependent metabolites. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40698]

CARTA: The Industrialized Gut Microbiome with Justin and Erica Sonnenburg

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2025 19:43


The human gut microbiome is tightly linked our health. Our analyses of diverse human populations from around the globe, ranging from hunter-gatherer to industrialized, show that the gut microbiome is profoundly influenced by lifestyle. With a large collaborative team, we conducted deep metagenomic sequencing of the gut microbiomes of Tsimane horticulturalists from Bolivia and compared them to those of Hadza hunter-gatherers from Tanzania. We are also investigating whether diet and microbial therapies can address deficiencies in the industrialized gut community. Molecular mechanisms of host-microbial interaction are pursued using an array of technologies and experimental approaches including gnotobiotic and conventional mouse models, quantitative imaging, and a metabolomics pipeline focused on investigating microbiota-dependent metabolites. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40698]

The Writer and Educator: Eduardo Corvera

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2025 38:14


Frank Silva talks with writer and educator Eduardo Corvera about the power of reading, writing, and the humanities. They explore how stories help us understand ourselves and the world around us. Corvera shares insights on teaching, the writing process, and why being honest and curious is essential for young writers. It's a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about creativity, literature, and finding your own voice. Series: "Education Channel" [Humanities] [Education] [Show ID: 40620]

CARTA: Biocultural Reproduction: The Human Style of Hyper-cooperation with Barry Bogin

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2025 17:57


The essence of Being Human is the practice of Biocultural Reproduction (BCR). BCR is defined as the set of marriage and kinship based rules for extra-maternal cooperation in the production, feeding, and care of offspring. Human evolution theory needs to explain how people successfully combined a vastly extended period of offspring dependency and delayed reproduction with helpless newborns — with large heads and much body fat (even with problems giving birth) -- a short duration of breast-feeding, an adolescent growth spurt, and vigorous post-menopause valuable grandmothers. Are these characteristics a package or a mosaic? Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40697]

A Community Conversation with Dr. Laura Rendón

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2025 66:40


In this thoughtful presentation, Professor Emerita Laura Rendón, Ph.D., of the University of Texas - San Antonio, talks about her advocacy work in student preparation, access, and success. Her research has been published in education research journals and informed policies and practices within higher education that have transformed the lives of students. As the creator of the Validation Theory, she has helped redefine how we support and uplift students. Rendón is joined by Carolyn Sandoval, Ph.D., Senior Director of Instruction, UC San Diego, for a further discussion on how to advance student learning. [Education] [Show ID: 40679]

CARTA: Osteoarthritis Back Problems Difficult Birth - Scars of Our Evolution? with Martin Häusler

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2025 20:03


Musculoskeletal disorders are one of the most important challenges of modern medicine worldwide. They are often attributed to maladaptations of our body to our peculiar form of locomotion, upright bipedalism. This lecture will explore the evolutionary origin of major musculoskeletal disorders such as back problems and hip joint osteoarthritis. I will show that these problems represent a relatively recent phenomenon, occurring only during the last few decades, and thus are unrelated to our skeletal adaptations. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40696]

CARTA: Primate Skeletal Gene Regulation: Risks of Human Skeletal Disease Specifically Osteoarthritis with Genevieve Housman

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2025 22:17


Phenotypic variation within the skeleton has biological, behavioral, and biomedical functional implications for individuals and species. Thus, it is critical to understand how genomic, environmental, and mediating regulatory factors combine and interact to drive skeletal trait development and evolution. One way to do this is by studying skeletal diseases that disrupt skeletal function — like osteoarthritis (OA) which is a chronic disorder characterized by the degradation of cartilage and underlying bone in joints and can lead to severe pain and mobility limitations. This talk will discuss what is known about OA in humans and other primates, as well as recent advances that are further informing these topics. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40695]

CARTA: Does the Placenta Drive the Evolution of Cancer Malignancy with Günter Wagner

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2025 19:38


The rate of cancer and cancer malignancy differ greatly among mammalian species. The placental – maternal interface is also highly variable between placental mammals. This lecture will discuss recent advances that suggest that there is a causal connection between the evolution of placental biology and the biology and rate of cancer malignancy. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40694]

Maternal and Infant Health

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2025 49:22


Experts discuss recent advances in how maternal health and immune function during pregnancy affect infant development and long-term outcomes. Research focuses on immune adaptations, complications like preterm birth, and neuroimmune pathways, using techniques such as mass cytometry, spatial proteomics, and chemogenetics to identify biomarkers and mechanisms that guide prevention and treatment strategies. Sandy Ramos, M.D. Clinical Landscape and OGRS Opportunities Louise Laurent, M.D.,Ph.D. Single-Cell and Spatial Multi-Omic Insights into the Human Placenta (HUBMAP) Marni Jacobs, Ph.D. The MOM-Health Study and the MOHD Consortium Lars Bode, Ph.D. Human Milk Institute (HMI) Gretchen Bandoli, Ph.D. MotherToBaby Ina Stelzer, Ph.D. Reproductive Immunology Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40666]

Aging and Menopause

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2025 46:08


Explore key aspects of aging and menopause, focusing on women's health and how biological changes impact overall well-being. Experts discuss current research on healthy aging, including the role of physical activity, brain health, and hormone changes during menopause. They highlight how sex differences affect diseases like Alzheimer's and emphasize the importance of personalized approaches to treatment and prevention. The presentation also underscores ongoing studies and resources aimed at improving the quality of life for aging women through better understanding and support Linda Brubaker, M.D.,M.S. Clinical Landscape and OGRS Opportunities Amanda Lewis, Ph.D. Glycobiology (GLOW) Andrea LaCroix, Ph.D. Healthy Aging After Menopause Anthony Molina, Ph.D. Stein Institute for Research on Aging Sarah Banks, Ph.D. Alzheimer in Women Emily Lukacz, M.D.,M.A.S. Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium and Pelvic Floor Disorders Network (PFDN) Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40668]

CARTA: Is There a Point to Periods? The Evolutionary History of Menstruation and Implications of Women's Health with Deena Emera

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2025 24:17


Menstruation is the cyclical shedding of the endometrium triggered by falling progesterone levels. Menstruation is a rare trait found in less than 2% of mammals and likely evolved independently at least 4 times. Why do some mammals menstruate while most do not? The leading hypothesis is that menstruation occurs as a nonadaptive consequence of spontaneous decidualization of the endometrium, which evolved to increase biosensoring of embryo quality. While the trait of spontaneous decidualization (and as a byproduct, menstruation) was likely shaped by natural selection, menstruation also disposes women to conditions such as endometriosis, pre-menstrual syndrome, and bleeding disorders, especially in the contemporary context. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40693]

Defining the Limits of Metabolic Flexibility of Squamous Cell Carcinoma with William Lowry - Sanford Stem Cell Symposium 2023

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2025 42:31


William Lowry, Ph.D., discusses manipulating metabolic pathways in hair follicle stem cells to inhibit tumorigenesis. By blocking glycolysis and glutamine lysis simultaneously, they observed tumor regression, highlighting the complex interplay between metabolism and cancer. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 39256]

Fertility and Infertility

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2025 27:39


Experts highlight innovative research and clinical advances in fertility and infertility. Speakers share new ways to improve IVF outcomes using liquid biopsy and RNA analysis, aiming to predict embryo quality without invasive tests. They also explore how imaging technologies can better detect and monitor reproductive cancers, helping tailor treatments for conditions like ovarian and cervical cancer. Throughout, there's a focus on addressing health disparities, improving care for all genders, and using big data and AI to personalize reproductive health solutions. Antoni Duleba, M.D. Clinical Landscape and OGRS Opportunities Rebecca Rakow Penner, M.D.,Ph.D. Imaging in Gynecologic Disorders Jennifer Anger, M.D.,M.P.H. Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome in Reproductive Age Women Sheng Zhong, Ph.D. Silverseq and Liquid Biopsy Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40667]

CARTA: The Evolution of Powerful Yet Perilous Immune Systems with Andrea Graham

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2025 18:58


Pressures of life on Earth experienced by our ancestors – as multicellular beings, as hosts to parasites, and as home to microbes – shaped the evolved structure and function of our immune systems.  Some of the traits favored by natural selection have conferred resistance against infections while opening vulnerabilities to autoimmune diseases.  I will illustrate why analysis of the deep-time origins of mammalian immune systems reveals general principles of optimal defense and helps to explain why hosts are so profoundly variable in their susceptibility to infectious and inflammatory diseases. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40692]

The Fountain of Youth: Proteins and Stem Cells

Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2025 8:07


Curious about the secret to staying young? Rob Signer shares insights into how our bodies age, focusing on the role of stem cells and a critical protein called HSF1 that helps them cope with stress. Signer explores the delicate balance of keeping these cells healthy without increasing cancer risk and highlighted some promising progress in enhancing the cells' ability to manage waste. Series: "Excerpts" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40775]

CARTA: Cancer is Normal Development Spun Out of Control with Steve Frank

Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 16:47


Cancer is normal development spun out of control. It is the great plasticity and power of development, without the overarching controls that guide normal development toward an integrated adult form. Instead, whenever a newly developed kind of tissue acquires the ability to survive, grow, and resist control, there is nothing to stop it. That may be why normal adult cells are often terminally differentiated into a restricted cellular program. And it may be why wound healing, which releases the restricted cellular program and powerfully plastic tissue remodeling, is so tightly regulated and, when dysregulated, so often associates with cancer. With regard to evolutionary history, humans develop differently from their ape ancestors, and their lifestyle causes them to suffer different kinds of tissue damage. Those differences in development and wound healing likely led to new aspects of cancer disease over human history. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40691]

CARTA: Mismatch: Human Origins and Modern Disease - Welcome and Opening Remarks

Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 7:52


The human body has traits that evolved at different times, from 1.5 billion to 2 million years ago, each bringing health benefits and risks. Multicellularity enabled organs and cancer. The immune system defends us but can cause inflammation. Breastfeeding supports infant health but relates to breast cancer risk. Menstruation and invasive placentas improved reproduction but led to pain and cancer risks. Human-specific traits like bipedalism and aging brought new issues like back pain and childbirth problems. Hair loss and sweat glands helped us stay cool but increased skin cancer risk. Our hunter-gatherer past shaped our microbiome and health, but also made us prone to modern diseases from lifestyle changes. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40701]

Mindfulness-Based Mental Training to Enhance Well-Being and Healthy Aging

Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2025 53:48


Fadel Zeidan, Ph.D., discusses the science of mindfulness and how meditation can change the brain. He explains what happens in the brain during stress, how mindfulness helps us become more self-aware, and why it's important to pay attention on purpose. Zeidan shares easy ways to bring mindfulness into daily life, even in small moments. The video includes guided meditations led by Zeidan. Viewers can follow along as he teaches simple breathing techniques and short practices designed to build focus and calm the nervous system. Whether you're new to meditation or looking to deepen your practice, this program offers useful tools backed by science. Series: "Stein Institute for Research on Aging" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40267]

Artificial Intelligence and Security: A Conversation with Yaron Singer

Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 43:10


Yaron Singer, Vice President of AI and Security at Cisco, co-founded a company specializing in artificial intelligence solutions, which was acquired by Cisco in 2024. They developed a firewall for artificial intelligence, a tool designed to protect AI from making critical mistakes. No matter how sophisticated AI is, errors can still happen, and these errors can have far-reaching consequences. The product is designed to detect and fix such mistakes. This technology was developed long before ChatGPT and its competitors burst onto the scene, making it the hottest industry in tech investment. Join Singer as he sits down with UC San Diego professor Mikhail Belkin to discuss his work and the continued effort to make artificial intelligence secure. Series: "Data Science Channel" [Science] [Show ID: 40265]

The History of Metamaterials

Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2025 59:06


Metamaterials are special structures made of tiny components that give them unique electromagnetic properties not found in nature. One key feature is a negative refractive index, which enables technologies like "superlenses" for ultra-detailed imaging and "invisibility cloaks." The concept began when Sir John Pendry theorized special rings (SRRs) that could manipulate electromagnetic waves. Later, Sheldon Schultz and David Smith proved this idea with real experiments. Since then, research on metamaterials has rapidly expanded, covering everything from microwaves to visible light. In this talk, Professors Pendry and Smith will share their experiences and discuss how metamaterials have shaped science and technology over the past 25 years. Series: "Kyoto Prize Symposium" [Science] [Show ID: 40534]

3rd Annual Global Astrobiotechnology Hub

Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 86:58


The 3rd Annual Global Astrobiotechnology Hub focuses on advancing the intersection of space exploration, biotechnology, and innovation. The program brings together scientists, researchers, and space professionals to discuss how space technologies can accelerate scientific breakthroughs, particularly in fields like personalized medicine and bioengineering. Key themes include the challenges of conducting real-time research in space, the need for specialized astronaut-scientists, and the potential of space for groundbreaking experiments, such as organoid growth and in-space manufacturing. Experts underscore the importance of public access to scientific data and highlight the role of new media in engaging the public with space research. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 40389]

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