Fig. 1 by University of California |

How much sugar are you really eating?

In the near future, the Nutrition Facts label on the back of packaged foods will have a new look and more information. UC Davis' Kimber Stanhope explains how this will reveal the amount of sugar that is added to our foods.
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Why science needs art

UCSC's Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz gives us a glimpse of how he visualizes his research. Since much of what he studies is abstract calculations and theories, he shows us how important it is to have visuals to both explain and comprehend his work.
Science Today |

Do you live in a food desert?

Have you heard of food deserts? You may even live in one. The USDA defines a food desert as parts of the country that lack fresh fruit, vegetables and other healthy foods. They’re usually found in impoverished urban areas. Shashi Buluswar, the executive director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Institute for Globally Transformative Technologies, explains why healthy foods are often not available in low-income neighborhoods.
Fig. 1 by University of California |

How power makes people selfish

'Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely,' said the British historian Lord Acton. Unfortunately, this is not entirely a myth. UC Berkeley psychologist Dacher Keltner explains some of the ways in which power encourages individuals to act on their own whims, desires and impulses.
Fig. 1 by University of California |

Where does gold come from?

The iron in our blood or the oxygen that we breathe all formed during chemical reactions inside of a star. But when it comes to heavier elements such as gold, a different process might be at play. UC Santa Cruz's Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz has his own theory about where gold comes from in the universe — it may have to do with the spectacular explosions of supernovae.
Fig. 1 by University of California |

Is sugar in fruit different than sugar in soda?

How does the sugar in fruit compare to the sugar in processed foods like soda or cookies? Kimber Stanhope, a nutritional biologist at UC Davis, walks us through the science.
Fig. 1 by University of California |

Make the best pie ever using science

You may have Grandma’s recipe for the perfect crust, but do you really know what goes on at the molecular level? UCLA biophysicist Amy Rowat shares some of the scientific aspects of apple pie and explains how you can apply these insights in the kitchen.
Science Today |

Neural device designed to restore memory

Livermore Lab research engineers are working on the world's first implantable neural device to help the brain restore memory.
Fig. 1 by University of California |

We are built to be kind

Psychologist Dacher Keltner from UC Berkeley seeks to better understand why people evolved pro-social emotions like empathy, compassion and gratitude.
Science Today |

Citizen scientists help track space dust

Imagine if you could help identify space dust brought back from outside the solar system. It’s possible – and it’s been done – by volunteers in a citizen scientist project called Stardust@Home.
UC Berkeley |

Lessons from Loma Prieta

The devastating Loma Prieta quake was 25 years ago. Richard Allen, professor and director of the UC Berkeley Seismological Laboratory, discusses the lessons we've learned. (USGS photo)
UC Berkeley |

Human faces are so variable because we evolved to look unique

The amazing variety of human faces – far greater than that of most other animals – is the result of evolutionary pressure to make each of us easily recognizable.