The Naked Scientists Podcast Decoding our inner voice, and hunting for life on Mars
Aug 15, 2025
Join Solomon Hirsch, a PhD student at Imperial College London, who is pioneering methods to hunt for life on Mars using existing rover tools. He explains how identifying intact polar lipids can distinguish between living and dead organisms. The podcast also dives into fascinating research decoding our inner voice, which could empower those with speech limitations to communicate through brain signals. Additionally, explore the impact of ultra-processed foods on weight loss and the intersection of technology with dietary choices.
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Decoding The Inner Voice
- Stanford decoded inner speech from speech motor cortex with up to 74% accuracy on a 125,000-word vocabulary.
- The system used microelectrode arrays and phoneme-based decoding to reconstruct imagined speech into words.
Use Wake Words For Privacy
- Protect thought-interfaces with user-controlled triggers like wake words or passwords to prevent unwanted decoding.
- Implement explicit controls so the decoder only runs after a deliberate command from the user.
Processing Influences Weight Beyond Nutrition
- A trial showed minimally processed diets produced twice the weight loss of ultra-processed diets matched to guidance.
- The effect persisted even when ultra-processed meals met nutritional guidelines, implying processing affects intake and weight.