The podcast explores the future of brain implants and the potential risks and benefits they pose to privacy. They also discuss a study mapping the pathways of a small brain and the possibility of using tattoos to indicate health. Other topics include self-powered sensors, a correlation between smiling and losing in mixed martial arts fights, the nutritional benefits of fresh squeezed juice, and the history of animal spies.
Brain implants raise questions about privacy and the potential to read people's thoughts.
Meta materials can convert sound energy into electrical charge, enabling the development of self-powered sensors.
Deep dives
Freshly squeezed juice vs long-life juice
Freshly squeezed juice offers more benefits as it retains the bioactive components of the fruit before they have a chance to deteriorate. It contains higher levels of vitamins and other nutrients compared to long-life juice. However, long-life juice can still be a good source of nutrients if it is made from high-quality fruit picked at the peak of its season. The key is to consume freshly squeezed juice immediately to maximize its nutritional value.
Meta materials for sound-powered sensors
Meta materials can be designed to recognize specific sounds and convert the energy from those sounds into a small electrical charge. This technology can be used to develop sensors that can power themselves or charge tiny batteries by harnessing sound waves. By designating specific sounds, such as cracking in a bridge or gas leaks, these sensors can continuously monitor and detect potential problems in various environments.
Tattoos as biosensors
Researchers are developing biosensing tattoos that can be injected into the human body. These tattoos use specially designed inks that change color in response to specific biomarkers, such as pH levels or electrolytes. By integrating biosensing inks into the skin, these tattoos can provide real-time monitoring of bodily conditions and serve as personal medical devices. The potential applications range from monitoring glucose levels to alerting individuals about changes in bodily functions.
Pigeon espionage and the Indian detainment
A pigeon found near Mumbai with two rings tied to its leg and a message resembling Chinese characters was detained in suspicion of espionage, highlighting concerns over the use of animals for spying. However, investigations revealed that the pigeon was a Taiwanese racing pigeon that had escaped and made its way to India. While pigeon espionage incidents are rare, pigeons have been trained and used to carry covert messages in the past. Other instances include allegations of spying by animals such as beluga whales.
Brain implants have been sparking conversation about the future of humanity after Elon Musk's company Neuralink announced it has embedded a microchip in a human skull. It has fired up people's imaginations and led some to wonder whether these devices that connect to our brain could be a stepping stone towards the ideas more often found in sci-fi, and maybe even create a tool to read people's thoughts. Marnie Chesterton and the panel discuss whether our privacy is at risk or whether we are already an open book. They try to understand the concept of backing up our brains, and they meet Dr Michael Winding from the Francis Crick Institute in the UK to hear about a pioneering study to map the pathways of a brain, and you might be surprised how small that brain was.
Plus, Katie Tomsett looks at how tattoos could be used to indicate the health of our bodies. In Under the Radar we learn how batteries could one day charge through sound, we hear the story of an alleged spy pigeon caught in India, and we highlight the wonderful tale of a beluga whale.
Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Chhavi Sachdev and Kai Kupferschmidt
Producer: Tom Bonnett, with Alex Mansfield, Dan Welsh, Katie Tomsett and Jack Lee
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