Health and Medicine (Audio)

Millions of Americans have difficulties with their physical functioning. Dr. Karunesh Ganguly explores the Brain-Computer Interface (BCI). The concept of bio-interactive neural interfaces sates to the early 20th century with successes like cochlear implants, deep brain stimulation and responsive stimulation. He is now working on neural interfaces for communication and movement by working to translate neural engineering based approaches into treatments for those with impaired function. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Show ID: 35242]

Ticks are vectors for human disease, including Lyme disease. Semay Chou studies the vector–pathogen relationships at UCSF. Here she discusses strategies for blocking tick-borne diseases and what we can learn from ticks. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Show ID: 35241]

A world leader in efforts to untangle the contributions of genes and environment in the expression of common diseases, much of Dr. Esteban Burchard's work centers on childhood asthma, for which he runs the worlds largest cohort of diverse patients in an effort to better understand the risk factors for the disease and the predictors of outcomes and responses to therapy. He has also made major contributions in the areas of health disparities, precision medicine, and the promotion of underrepresented populations in the health professions. As the child of a single mother growing up in one of San Francisco's poorest neighborhoods, Dr. Burchard's unique background makes him particularly sensitive to issues surrounding health equity. Esteban Burchard is Professor of Pharmacy and Medicine at UCSF and director of the UCSF Center on Genes, Environment and Health. Series: "A Life in Medicine: People Shaping Healthcare Today" [Show ID: 35380]

Microbiome expands the genetic and functional capacity of its human host. Susan Lynch explains that human microbiome develops early in life and that gut microbes shape immune function and relate to disease outcomes in childhood. She also explores next-generation microbiome therapeutics and research. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Show ID: 35240]

E-cigarettes have become popular and widely used so fast that the safety testing on them is practically non-existent. While researchers rush to define the toxicities and potential health effects of e-cigarettes, should we be advising everyone against these nicotine delivery devices? Or should we try to be positive and hopeful, in case e-cigarettes have fewer adverse health effects relative to conventional tobacco cigarettes, and thus advise current smokers to switch to e-cigs as a harm reduction strategy? Beyond that, what are the risks of the different e-cig flavors and types of devices? Is vaping caffeine and THC more or less dangerous than vaping nicotine? What are the specific dangers of e-cig use for children, teenagers and young adults? Laura E. Crotty Alexander, MD examines the evolution of e-cigarettes and and shares a physician's view. Series: "Exploring Ethics" [Show ID: 34999]

Contextualizing the fight for healthcare reform, honoring the connection between nurses and patients, and personalizing the struggles with the US healthcare system all arise in this conversation between activist Ady Barkan, Uncovered: Healthcare Conversations with Ady Barkan series creator Liz Jaff, director Nick Bruckman, and Carsey-Wolf Center Associate Director Emily Zinn. This powerful discussion explores the complex challenges of navigating healthcare in the US and the urgency of political reform. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Show ID: 35393]

Interactive immune systems are at the center of cancer and other diseases. Dr. Matthew Krummel explores how the immune system can regulate cancer progression. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Show ID: 35239]

Dr. Aimee Kao looks at recent news in Alzheimer's Disease therapeutics including drugs in development and the potential of stem cells and genome editing. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Show ID: 35238]

As societal stresses have increased, loneliness and social isolation have become silent killers. Dilip Jeste, MD, a geriatric neuropsychiatrist who specializes in successful aging, explains how loneliness has become an epidemic, the risk factors, helpful interventions, and how we can harness wisdom for compassion, self regulation, and more. Series: "Stein Institute for Research on Aging" [Show ID: 35226]

Worldwide there are 550,000 new cases of head and neck cancer a year. Dr. Jennifer Grandis explores prevention and an opportunity for chemo prevention, substances to stop cancer from developing. In particular, she looks at aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Show ID: 35237]

In the United States, privacy is considered a fundamental right. Yet today our activities are followed to a degree unfathomable not long ago by way of cell phones, online behaviors, and more. As genomic technologies continue to expand, another avenue now exists by which we may potentially be scrutinized: DNA sequence. Our genetic information contains our most private details, but we leave it everywhere and share the sequence closely with dozens or even hundreds of relatives. Laura Rivard, PhD, professor of biology at the University of San Diego, discusses ways in which our DNA may "escape" from our control, what can actually be done with the sequence, and whether there is cause for concern. Series: "Exploring Ethics" [Show ID: 34998]

Natural Killer - or NK - cells are one of our immune systems most potent defenses, able to attack viral infections and destroy cells that exhibit tumorigenic characteristics. UC San Diego physician Dr. Dan Kaufman, who has specialized in treating blood cancers for over 20 years now leads a research group at the UC San Diego Stem Cell program that is using induced pluripotent stem cells to generate NK cells that are targeted to destroy cancer cells. With the goal of providing safer, more effective, off-the-shelf cancer immunotherapies, the methods his lab has developed are being employed in a first-of-its-kind clinical trial anywhere in the world being conducted at the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Science] [Show ID: 34875]

Leading voices in philosophy and neuroscience wrap up a conference on the ethics of research using brain organoids with questions from the audience. Panelists: Christof Koch, Chief Scientist and President of the Allen Institute for Brain Science; Patricia Churchland, Emerita Professor, UC San Diego; Evan Thompson, Professor of Philosophy, University of British Columbia; and Alysson Muotri, Director of the UC San Diego Stem Cell program. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Show ID: 35249]

What defines consciousness? Can it develop in a petri dish? Patricia Churchland reviews the current state of brain organoid research and shares her views on how conciseness and physical structures within the brain intersect. She also cautions the media on the tendency to "over hype" new research advances. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Show ID: 35247]

Recently, some scientists have asked whether neural organoids will ever be conscious, and have wondered about the ethical implications of this possibility. Meanwhile, some philosophers have argued that neural organoids are miniature versions of “brains in vats.” Evan Thompson feels that both scientist and philosophers should shift their thinking. He argues that the minimal instantiation of sentience is organismic - not just neuronal, and that conscious processes of moral interest require embodiment and the capacity to suffer. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Show ID: 35248]