How do you navigate a nonlinear, “squiggly line” career in science and public health? Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, an epidemiologist and scientific communicator, explores challenges of science communication within academia—from cultural resistance to misaligned incentives—and why so much vital research never reaches the public. Joined by Dr. John Schwartzberg, Professor Emeritus, School of Public Health, they discuss the growing opportunities for scientists both within and beyond academia, and what needs to change to better support public impact across all career paths. Series: "UC Berkeley Graduate Lectures" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Education] [Show ID: 41067]

The Kazakh and Mongolian Steppes span 5,000 kilometers west to east along the northern latitude of Asia. This unique ecozone allowed rapid movements of people, animals, goods, and ideas across Eurasia since prehistory and harbored numerous polities of pastoralists that made tremendous impacts on human history. However, the region’s dynamic genetic history has been emerging only recently from archaeogenomic studies. Choongwon Jeong of Seoul National University discusses the current understanding of the region’s genetic history, including the divergent genetic history of the Kazakh and Mongolian Steppe populations, the genetic interaction between the steppe pastoralists and their neighbors, and a comparison between the genetic history of human and domesticated animal populations. The emerging genetic view illuminates the poorly recorded history of the Kazakh and Mongolian Steppes and provides an interconnected perspective on the history of Eurasia. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Science] [Show ID: 41197]

Humans have a deep and complex relationship with microbes. Beyond disease, microbes also profoundly shape human health and behavior through their activity in the microbiome and their diverse roles in food and cuisine. And yet we know very little about the origin, evolution, or ecology of the trillions of microorganisms that call us home. Christina Warinner of Harvard University discusses recent advances in genomic and proteomic technologies that are opening up dramatic new opportunities to investigate the complex and diverse microbial communities that have long inhabited our human bodies and our food systems - both in sickness and in health. From infectious disease to the microbiome, microbes are the invisible and often overlooked figures that have profoundly shaped human culture and influenced the course of human history. Warinner focuses on the long arc of human-microbial relationships preserved by ancient DNA over the past 100,000 years, and explores how emerging research on pathogen evolution and the recent loss of commensal microbes is changing how we understand human health – both today and in the past. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Science] [Show ID: 41196]

David Gokhman of the Weizmann Institute of Science explores how changes in gene regulation shaped recent human evolution. His team used massively parallel reporter assays in skeletal and neural cells to test 71,443 genetic variants that distinguish Neanderthals and Denisovans from modern humans, building a catalog that reveals hundreds of noncoding variants that alter gene expression. The work uncovers evolutionary trends and examples of convergent evolution, including an enhancer of KDM8, a gene involved in tumor progression, that was completely silenced in both archaic and modern human lineages through different mechanisms: motif disruption in Neanderthals and Denisovans, and hypermethylation in modern humans. Gokhman also introduces a way to reconstruct anatomical profiles from DNA sequence and methylation, using it to model Denisovan anatomy and scan the fossil record. The results suggest that the Harbin and Dali fossils were likely Denisovans, while Kabwe may have been related to the ancestor of Neanderthals and Denisovans, helping to clarify the regulatory changes underlying human evolution. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Science] [Show ID: 41195]

Peter Godfrey-Smith, Professor of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Sydney, explores the evolutionary roots of consciousness by surveying animal evolution and the emergence of felt experience in several lineages. He examines two central philosophical questions: how such experience might arise gradually, existing in partial forms, and whether it represents a single unified feature with variations or instead a cluster of distinct traits. Author of "Darwinian Populations and Natural Selection," and "Living on Earth: Forests, Corals, Consciousness and the Making of the World," Godfrey-Smith brings his expertise in philosophy of biology and mind to illuminate how consciousness may have emerged and why its origins remain a profound puzzle. Series: "UC Berkeley Graduate Lectures" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 41065]

The sequencing of genomes from archaic humans, such as Neanderthals and Denisovans, has transformed our understanding of human evolutionary history. These ancient genomes reveal that modern humans did not evolve in isolation but interbred with now-extinct groups, leaving lasting genetic legacies. To date, genomic sequences from 31 archaic human individuals, including four sequenced to high coverage, have provided unprecedented insights into the population structure, social organization, and adaptation of this now-extinct lineages, allowing us to reconstruct our own evolutionary history and the mechanisms that led to modern human success. Diyendo Massilani of Yale University School of Medicine reviews nearly three decades of research on archaic human DNA and what we have learned about how these groups lived, as well as how admixture between different lineages may have contributed both to the extinction of archaic humans and the thriving of modern humans. Ultimately, ancient genomes show that the success of our species was not predetermined but forged through encounters, exchanges, and adaptations, and that the legacies of archaic humans live on in our biology today, continuing to influence what it means to be human. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Science] [Show ID: 41193]

Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado, Ph.D., argues that real progress in understanding regeneration comes from studying whole organisms rather than cells grown under artificial conditions. Sánchez Alvarado shows how observations from intact animals reveal organizing rules that narrow laboratory systems can miss. He presents evidence that stem cells in a studied animal lack detectable junctions with neighboring cells and instead respond to signals that travel across tissues. Sánchez Alvarado links this communication to extracellular vesicles that carry RNA and to metabolic support involving creatine, highlighting how distant tissues influence repair. Using imaging and molecular analyses, he tracks how signals move through the body and how specific cell populations change state during recovery. Sánchez Alvarado concludes that broad, comparative research is essential for uncovering general principles that govern how adult tissues restore form and function. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 40454]

Climate investor and philanthropist Tom Steyer, recipient of the 2025 Charles David Keeling Memorial Lecture, talks about the current and future state of energy. In a conversation with Scott Lewis of Voice of San Diego, Steyer argues that capitalism and policy must work together at scale, and highlights the marketplace rise of renewables like solar and EVs alongside challenges like slow fossil-plant retirement, grid constraints, and the need for longer-duration storage. He also discusses emerging options such as advanced geothermal and nuclear. The Keeling Memorial Lecure is given by a prominent member of the global change community able to speak on topics that reflect the legacy of Keeling's work. [Science] [Business] [Show ID: 41034]

The genome sequences of Neandertals and Denisovans have provided a wealth of new information about the origins, migrations, and interactions of ancient humans. These genomes have revealed that mixture between hominin groups was common: all modern humans outside Africa carry around 2% Neandertal DNA from a single major episode of Neandertal gene flow, while the ancestors of present-day Asians and Oceanians also met and mixed with multiple, genetically distinct Denisovan populations. Archaeological evidence suggests multiple dispersals of modern humans out of Africa, with early fossils identified in East and Southeast Asia over 50 thousand years ago. In contrast, genomic studies indicate that all present-day non-African populations descend primarily from a single dispersal after ~50 ka, though the migration routes of ancestral populations across Eurasia and Oceania remain unclear. Janet Kelso, professor at Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, shows how using the distribution of Neandertal and Denisovan ancestry in ancient and present-day modern humans can determine when, where and how often modern and archaic humans met and mixed. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Science] [Show ID: 41192]

An in vivo brain organoid platform reveals how human neurons and glia interact across development, aging, and disease. Fred H. Gage, Ph.D., generates three dimensional organoids from induced pluripotent stem cells and examines their maturation, synapses, and network activity with two-photon imaging and single-cell profiling. Gage integrates human microglia and astrocytes to study immune signaling, injury responses, and support functions that shape circuit behavior. Transplantation enables vascularization, reduces cell death, and yields features consistent with a blood brain barrier. Analyses identify diverse astrocyte types and trajectories, while patterns of tau expression inform Alzheimer’s disease modeling. Gage also converts adult fibroblasts into age retaining neurons that assemble into 3D spheroids, creating complementary models to connect genes, cells, and circuits with pathology and to guide strategies for prevention and therapy. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 41160]

Clinical trials turn scientific discoveries into real options for patients and volunteers, advancing care while safeguarding participants. Sheldon Morris, M.D., M.P.H., explains how independent oversight, core ethical principles, and stepwise phases evaluate safety and benefit, and clarifies participants’ rights and responsibilities. Sandip Patel, M.D., F.A.S.C.O., highlights how carefully designed studies open access to promising cell and gene-based approaches while balancing risks and benefits. Robert A.J. Signer, Ph.D., underscores why participation—including consenting to share samples and data—helps researchers understand disease and accelerate better treatments. Morris, Patel, and Signer point audiences to practical ways to locate studies through registries and national databases, discuss what costs are typically covered, and advise asking questions about study design and safety. They also caution against unproven “stem cell tourism” and emphasize informed decisions. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 40438]

What does it really mean to go zero waste? At UC Davis, the answer is both innovative and inspiring. Episode 4 of ‘Sustainably UC Davis’ explores how the university is moving toward a zero-waste future—from converting campus food scraps into renewable energy, to phasing out single-use plastics in food service. Featured in the episode are Joseph Yonkoski, Facilities Management superintendent of thermal infrastructure and former READ facility supervisor, Kelli O’Day, UC Davis Sustainability Assessment Program Manager, and Zero Waste Student Coordinators Grae Mordhorst and Sophie Fayet-Faber. Series: "UC Davis News" [Public Affairs] [Science] [Show ID: 41059]

Wine down with Chancellor May as he meets up with some of the students, staff and faculty from the Department of Viticulture and Enology — recognized as one of the best programs in the world. Chancellor May tours the winery and vineyard, learns about the winery's cutting-edge technology and sustainability practices, and even helps crush grapes before sampling the final product with his "partner in wine." Series: "UC Davis News" [Public Affairs] [Science] [Show ID: 41062]

Marisa Korody, Ph.D., leads groundbreaking work at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s Beckman Center for Conservation Research, where scientists use advanced genetic and stem cell technologies to protect endangered species. Korody highlights efforts to save the critically endangered northern white rhino by developing induced pluripotent stem cells that can be transformed into egg and sperm precursors, offering a potential path to revive the species. This research is part of a broader conservation mission that includes global projects in genetics, reintroduction, and community engagement. By combining cutting-edge science with wildlife management, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance works to preserve biodiversity and ensure the survival of species threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and climate change, demonstrating the critical role of innovation in conservation. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 40451]

Advances in precision medicine and patient advocacy are transforming the way cancer is understood and treated. Nikoo McGoldrick shares her personal journey with metastatic breast cancer, emphasizing the importance of patients having a voice in their care. Sheldon Morris, M.D., M.P.H., explains how regenerative medicine progresses through stem cell therapies, gene therapies, CAR-T cell treatments, and small molecules, with clinical trials addressing cancer, autoimmune disorders, and neurological diseases. Sandip Patel, M.D., F.A.S.C.O., highlights cancer stem cells as key drivers of relapse and resistance, describing precision medicine approaches, novel CAR-T therapies, and the role of artificial intelligence in cancer detection and treatment. Rebecca Shatsky, M.D., focuses on breast cancer as a systemic disease linked to dormant cancer stem cells, underscoring the need for genomic and immune-based therapies, including innovative antibody treatments and targeted clinical trials. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 40910]

Scott A. Armstrong, M.D., Ph.D., of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, studies how certain aggressive forms of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) develop and survive. His work centers on a protein called menin, which helps leukemia cells keep cancer-promoting genes switched on. Armstrong’s team has found that blocking menin with specially designed drugs can shut down these gene programs, push leukemia cells to mature, and slow or stop the disease in lab models and patients. While some leukemias adapt by developing mutations in menin or finding other ways to survive, his research is revealing why certain genes are especially dependent on menin and how to target them more effectively. These discoveries are now shaping new treatments, drug combinations, and potential strategies for other cancers that rely on similar mechanisms. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 40875]

For many people, a personal connection to the ocean ties into bigger issues like conservation and climate change. As the biodiversity of marine life along the coast at La Jolla Shores has declined, divers and researchers discuss why simply knowing about environmental problems isn’t enough. They emphasize the importance of conservation psychology, storytelling, and inspiration to encourage action. This video was created by graduate students in Marine Biodiversity & Conservation at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego. [Science] [Show ID: 41072]

At the UC Davis Student Farm, students bring sustainable food systems to life. In Episode 2 of 'Sustainably UC Davis', we explore student-led efforts in sustainable agriculture. Environmental and social sustainability remain central to the Student Farm’s mission, from organic practices to food justice. Hear about these topics and more from Colin Dixon, Director of the Student Farm, as well as staff and student leads from the Market Garden, Fresh Focus, and Green Fellowship programs. Series: "UC Davis News" [Public Affairs] [Science] [Agriculture] [Show ID: 41057]

Why does amber light ease stress and anxiety? One theory is that it’s similar to the natural orange light experienced in nature, like sunsets and campfires. Thanks to interest and funding in color psychology research, discoveries like this will improve emotional and mental health for everyone, especially those who need it most like hospital patients and those in elder care housing. Series: "UC Davis News" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 41054]

UC Davis students from multiple disciplines are learning to design enzymes that address challenges in food, energy and health. Through the Design2Data program, they gain hands-on experience in enzyme engineering, preparing for careers in science and research that make a real-world impact. See how our students contribute to solving important human needs. Series: "UC Davis News" [Science] [Show ID: 41052]