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Science Weekly

A fasting prime minister and a mind-reading billionaire: the week in science

Feb 1, 2024
16:35
Snipd AI
Neuralink implants its first chip in a human, Elon Musk's vision of telepathy, rare cases of Alzheimer's transmission, Rishi Sunak's unusual fasting routine, and the scientific benefits of fasting.
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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Elon Musk's Neuralink has implanted a brain chip in a human, opening up the potential for brain-computer interfaces to control devices with thoughts.
  • Research shows rare cases of Alzheimer's disease being transmitted through human growth hormone, shedding light on the disease mechanisms.

Deep dives

Elon Musk's Neuralink Implants Brain Chip in Human

Elon Musk's company Neuralink has successfully implanted a brain chip in a human for the first time. The chip is part of a brain-computer interface that aims to translate brain signals into movement or language. The implant consists of hair-like threads with over 1,000 electrodes, which pick up electrical signals from neurons and allow individuals to control movements through their thoughts. Musk envisions the potential for brain-computer interfaces to give people the ability to control devices like phones and computers by just thinking. However, ethical considerations are being raised regarding the broader implications of this technology.

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