Episode 319

Scientists have created the first complete activity map of a mouse’s brain. Combining brain images from multiple mice, researchers recorded more than 650,000 neurons while these mice manipulated little Lego steering wheels in a driving game. This complex behaviour has allowed scientists to examine the interplay between various parts of the brain - and could help us better understand consciousness.

This might be the weirdest discovery about ants ever. Some eggs laid by Queen Iberian harvester ants (Messor ibericus) contain males of another species - that of the builder harvest ant (Messor structor). They are somehow cloning these males to create workers for the colony - a highly unusual form of reproduction. Find out how they’re doing it - and let us know what your favourite ant is.

Do you scroll on your phone when you’re on the toilet? Well, you might want to stop doing that. For a long time we’ve thought straining on the loo increased your risk of developing haemorrhoids, also known as piles. But a new study shows it might be more to do with how long you’re spending on the loo. Find out how scrolling through addictive apps could increase your risk of haemorrhoids by 50 per cent.

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(00:21) First map of mammalian brain activity

(14:21) Queen ant lays eggs of another species

(23:53) The perils of scrolling while on the toilet

Hosted by Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet, with guests Alexandra Thompson, Sam Wong, Michael Le Page, Alexandre Pouget, Anne Churchland, Matteo Carandini and Jessica Purcell

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Interview with Katie Belle