Lucy is one of the most famous fossils of all time. The discovery of this species had a major impact on the science of human origins and evolution. Why? What was that impact? The symposium speakers—each a prominent scientist in their field—will address this question and specifically discuss the discovery’s impact through time, starting with the first few years after the discovery, the lasting impact, and the state of the art in that research area today. We're celebrating the 50th anniversary...

The discovery of a 3.2-million-year-old hominin skeleton named Lucy revolutionized human evolutionary studies. Her Linnean classification as Australopithecus afarensis sparked debates on taxonomy, highlighting the complexity of interpreting fossil evidence and shaping our understanding of hominin evolution. Lucy's systematics provide insights into the challenges of classifying early hominins, emphasizing how interpretations evolve with new evidence and knowledge. Comparing fossils with living...

How much do we really know about the quantum nature of space and time, the origins of the universe itself, and its most mysterious phenomena - black holes? In this program, Clifford Johnson, professor of physics at UC Santa Barbara, explains why understanding the laws of physics helps explain how the world around us works, and can fuel our imaginations to dream, invent, and create. Johnson works to engage the general public with scientific ideas, through many media outlets, including the...

Witness the resilience of Isleton, California, as they pioneer a groundbreaking, community-based flood insurance program aimed at fostering recovery and climate resilience. This initiative, led by UC Davis researchers, could revolutionize disaster preparedness, offering fast, flexible support post-flood and investing in long-term sustainability. Series: "UC Davis News" [Public Affairs] [Science] [Show ID: 40177]

Lucy, discovered in 1974, revolutionized paleoanthropology, sparking interest in Africa's fossil-rich regions. This led to significant discoveries, pushing human origins records beyond six million years. Lucy's find prompted the establishment of research facilities in Africa, aiding local scholars' training. As we mark her 50th anniversary, we celebrate scientific progress and African research infrastructure while recognizing the need for further support to advance paleosciences in Africa....

UC Davis researchers are exploring the effects of Klamath River dam removal on salmon populations and habitat restoration. Watch as we uncover the journey of salmon regaining access to 400 miles of historical spawning grounds. This study not only highlights the ecological benefits of river dam removal but also the cultural significance to Indigenous tribes. Series: "UC Davis News" [Science] [Show ID: 40179]

Lucy's 50-year legacy as a superstar in human evolution is undeniable. Yet, with newer, older fossils and a growing understanding of her ancient world, her status as our ancestor is questioned. This talk delves into how these discoveries reshape Lucy's narrative and our understanding of human evolution, likening her to a middle-aged celebrity facing new challengers. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 39827]

Catherine Yeung, Pharm.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., discusses groundbreaking advancements in kidney-on-a-chip technology, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize human health. She delves into the role of environmental toxins, such as okra toxin A, microplastics, and plasticizers, in contributing to chronic kidney disease, particularly in regions with specific dietary practices. Yeung also addresses the challenges of replicating adult kidney cells from stem cells, which often retain a fetal...

Curious about what happens to our cells as we age and how it affects our health? Shiri Gur-Cohen explores the role of tiny chemical tags on our DNA, like methylation, in influencing our healing and overall well-being. Gur-Cohen discusses how these tags might be shaped by our body's systems, such as the lymphatic system, and could even help repair or regenerate various parts of our body. Gur-Cohen proposes that uncovering these processes could lead to innovative ways to slow aging or boost our...

Learn about the California Transformative Climate Communities Program by taking a journey with UCLA into three communities - Fresno, Ontario and Watts - leading comprehensive, collaborative, equitable, and innovative climate action that changes lives. [Science] [Show ID: 40150]

Since Lucy's 1974 discovery, African heritage management and paleoscientific research have evolved significantly. Partnerships with international organizations have supported these efforts, leading to flourishing research and collaborations. However, foreign researchers' access restrictions have hindered efficiency, innovation, collaboration, and diversity. Balancing access restrictions with scientific openness and responsible stewardship is crucial. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic...

Michael Lane, Ph.D., shares his work investigating the effects of cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) on breathing and upper extremity function, focusing on the potential for spontaneous functional recovery, or "plasticity." Lane also discusses efforts to develop and test strategies to promote beneficial plasticity and recovery following cervical SCI, with a particular emphasis on improving respiratory function and activity in respiratory muscles. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and...

Humans are a spectacular outlier among the millions of species of life on planet earth, with incredibly unique biological success. Slowly, scientists have begun to understand the traits that interacted to make us unique, such as cumulative culture, unique scales of cooperation, cognitive abilities, language, and a unique life history and mating system. However, the sequence of evolutionary events that led to our unique species was very much a mystery until the discovery of early bipedal...

Human activities can increase levels of harmful microorganisms and pollutants in our water systems that have the potential to make us sick or threaten our food supply. Join microbial ecologist Dr. Sarah Allard as she presents emerging research from Scripps Oceanography that sheds light on seafood-related food borne illnesses. Series: "Jeffrey B. Graham Perspectives on Ocean Science Lecture Series" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 40082]

The connection between paleoanthropology and primatology began with Darwin's theory of human origins. Lucy's discovery challenged existing ideas, coinciding with observations of wild primates. This sparked a surge of research on primate behavior, enriching our understanding of human evolution. Despite behavior not fossilizing, studying living primates has deepened insights into ancestral lifestyles. By examining their social and ecological dynamics, researchers unravel the origins of complex...

Giorgia Quadrato, Ph.D., explores cerebral organoids as models for neural development and disease research. Using live calcium imaging, Quadrato observes increased neuronal coordination attributed to inhibitory neurons, validated through pharmacological and genetic methods. Quadrato contrasts their organoid generation protocol with previous methods, emphasizing complex patterning, long-term cultures, and co-culture with mouse brain cells for improved physiological relevance. Microfluidics are...

Lucy's 1974 discovery reshaped our understanding of early hominins. Geological studies dated her to 3.21 million years ago. Questions arose about her life and death, leading to investigations into her burial site and skeletal preservation. Found scattered on the surface, less than 40% of her skeleton was preserved. Some parts were articulated, indicating rapid burial, possibly by a river. Missing elements suggest scavenging and erosion. Debate surrounds her cause of death, with theories...

The AI revolution and other innovations are bolstering equitable, community-centered solutions to major societal issues from disease to wildfire, and technologies piloted at UC San Diego are laying the groundwork for a better future. UC San Diego’s experts are making the case for why public higher education institutions must be a driving force to ensure that ethical, people-centered technology is at the center of AI advancements, and why the U.S. must invest in infrastructure that ensures...

Lucy's discovery in eastern Africa reshaped human origins research, highlighting our ancestors' diverse habitats. Initially thought vegetarians like chimpanzees, Lucy's group were adaptable omnivores. Recent findings suggest they used tools and hunted, challenging notions of early human development. This raises questions about when humanity's defining traits emerged. Did Lucy's dietary flexibility pave the way for our intelligence and tool use? Ongoing research aims to unravel these...

The discovery of Lucy in 1974 gave insight into early hominin body form but lacked hand bones. Subsequent findings revealed Australopithecus afarensis hand morphology. New discoveries and research since then, including associated hand skeletons and archaeological evidence, have enhanced our understanding of hominin hand evolution and tool use. These advancements inform us about Lucy's tool-related abilities and dexterity, reshaping our interpretation of early human behavior. Series: "CARTA -...

Lucy is one of the most famous fossils of all time. The discovery of this species had a major impact on the science of human origins and evolution. Why? What was that impact? The symposium speakers—each a prominent scientist in their field—will address this question and specifically discuss the discovery’s impact through time, starting with the first few years after the discovery, the lasting impact, and the state of the art in that research area today. We're celebrating the 50th anniversary...

Benjamin Freedman, Ph.D., delves into the creation and functionality of kidney organoids. He discusses their focus on filtration over hormone functions, and answer intriguing questions about urine characterization and the necessity of organoid structures. Freedman explores the use of scaffolds for implants and ponder the philosophical implications of off-target cells in organoids, questioning whether these cells are a natural part of organ development. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and...

Paleoanthropology is booming with discoveries, reshaping our understanding of human evolution. Lucy's 1974 find stands as a milestone, providing crucial insights into early hominins. Her species, Australopithecus afarensis, remains a key reference, revealing bipedalism and dietary adaptations. Recent findings suggest bipedality evolved from arboreal upright apes, not chimpanzee-like ancestors. Earlier australopiths show bipedality predates dietary changes, indicating walking aided dietary...

Please join us for the annual Keeling lecture in honor of Scripps Professor Charles David Keeling’s life and invaluable contributions to climate science and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Tereza Cavazos's will present an overview of relevant climate drivers shared in the US-Mexico western border region, as well as their possible changes and impacts. From extreme weather to droughts, from the monsoon rains to the jet stream and El Niño events, these variations see no artificial...

The savanna hypothesis suggests that early human ancestors evolved in open grasslands. Raymond Dart's 1925 discovery of Australopithecus africanus at Taung supported this idea. Lucy's 1974 discovery confirmed bipedalism in Australopithecus species but raised questions about their tree-dwelling habits. Studies since then have refined our understanding of ancient habitats and climates, showing that human evolution involved interactions with various environments, not just savannas. This requires...