Fig. 1

Explore groundbreaking ideas

Fig. 1 is a video series that investigates big ideas and the brilliant UC minds behind them.

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The most dangerous type of concussion

We dive deep into the science behind brain injuries, from the effects of minor hits to the devastating consequences of major trauma. Discover which type of hit will really damage your brain cells.

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Episodes

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Psychology

An illustration of a person with scales on their head. One side has a heart and another has a frown

September 12, 2019

Why negative campaigning works — and how to fight it

An illustration of a brain with a hand point to specific areas of it

March 25, 2020

The evolutionary advantage of the teenage brain

Illustration of a stressed out person with researchers observing them

March 24, 2020

How to live well with stress — even in the coronavirus era

Illustration of two people playing video games. One is stressed out, the other looks relaxed.

March 21, 2024

Can’t stop worrying? Why video games help

Health & wellness

A photo collage showing the inside of a microwave with a plastic takeout container outlined in yellow with label reading "Don't do this!"

July 11, 2024

Stop microwaving plastic — here’s why

An image of a face with acne. Next to it is a microscopic view of Cutibacterium acnes. Below it are the words "acne vaccine"

April 16, 2024

A vaccine for acne? UC discovery shows promise

Harold Lloyd dangling from a clock in the film Safety Last

March 16, 2022

Why Congress is moving forward from turning the clocks forward

An illustration of a vaccine vial with the word "new!" above it on a sign

May 19, 2021

The COVID vaccine came out super quickly. Here’s why it’s safe.

Aminta Kouyate, a UC Prime medical student, smiling outside UCSF

February 15, 2022

A doctor who’s trying to fix what’s broken

Climate & the environment

A highway along a cliff with a big section washed out. The washout is labeled "Washed away in 2 days"

October 30, 2024

Should California give up on Highway 1?

Peregrine falcon, Annie, flies toward a hand holding up an iPhone. Photo of Annie by Bridget Ahern

April 23, 2024

From near-extinction to global celebrity: the story of Annie and California’s peregrine falcons

A container ship with a humpback breaching in front of it, outlined in orange

April 17, 2023

The world’s largest-ever animals need our help. A new tool will help keep them safe

A person standing next to a cultural burn with the text 'Good Fire' over the fire

April 6, 2022

How the Indigenous practice of ‘good fire’ can help our forests thrive

A weatherman in front of a heat wave map with an emoji of a grimace for a face

August 18, 2022

Heat waves aren’t going away. Here’s how we can prepare

Innovation & Science

An illustration of an asteroid heading towards Earth

February 11, 2021

What Hollywood gets wrong (and right!) about protecting the Earth from asteroids

Two green, flowing jelllyfish swimming and tubes of GFP in a variety of colors next to it

April 24, 2020

How glow-in-the-dark jellyfish inspired a scientific revolution

An image of a hummingbird flying with text that says "Flight hacks"

March 15, 2024

Hummingbirds' unique sideways flutter gets them through small apertures

Society & culture

A tv with Sansa Stark saying, "You're spoiling everything!"

May 24, 2016

Spoiler alert: spoilers make you enjoy stories more

An illustration of a crowd of people carrying a "Gay Pride" banner

June 26, 2020

Five years ago, love won. Here's how research helps make progress possible

The words "Latino", "Latinx", and "Hispanic" on a blue background

October 6, 2021

What’s the difference between Hispanic, Latino and Latinx?