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The Abstract

Science Podcasts

From the natural world to outer space, Inverse offers timely journalism and interesting points of view for people who want to know what's next. Health research, updates on SpaceX and NASA, sleep psychology, pseudo-science debunks, nightmarish robots, advancing A.I., shifting cultures, more sustainable energy, and those never-ending studies on caffeine and beer: The Abstract delivers weird facts straight to your brain, three times a week, two stories at a time.

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United States

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From the natural world to outer space, Inverse offers timely journalism and interesting points of view for people who want to know what's next. Health research, updates on SpaceX and NASA, sleep psychology, pseudo-science debunks, nightmarish robots, advancing A.I., shifting cultures, more sustainable energy, and those never-ending studies on caffeine and beer: The Abstract delivers weird facts straight to your brain, three times a week, two stories at a time.

Language:

English

Episodes

#95: The SpaceX Starship: Paving the way to Mars city

12/30/2020
With SpaceX CEO Elon Musk detailing his dreams to build a city on Mars, Inverse’s Mike Brown discusses what the latest Starship rocket test means for the future of space travel — and humanity itself. https://www.inverse.com/innovation/spacex-starship-watch-triple-engine-fire https://www.inverse.com/innovation/spacex-mars-city-test Read more at Inverse.com: Find links to all the stories discussed in today’s episode at inverse.com/the-abstract Subscribe to Inverse Daily, our free weekday...

Duration:00:17:09

#94: Neuralink: Meet your new robot brain

12/28/2020
As companies like Nueralink aim to revolutionize medical technology, Inverse’s Mike Brown and Sarah Wells discuss how breakthroughs in brain-machine interfaces can restore sensory and motor function and treat neurological disorders. Read more at Inverse.com: https://www.inverse.com/innovation/elon-musks-neuralink-demo https://www.inverse.com/innovation/computer-restores-sense-of-touch Find links to all the stories discussed in today’s episode at inverse.com/the-abstract Subscribe to...

Duration:00:18:43

#93: Hitting the mental reset button during Covid-19

12/25/2020
Amid a global “character crisis,” more people are going to therapy in the wake of Covid-19. Inverse’s Ali Pattillo and Sarah Sloat discuss building character and taking care of our mental health during the pandemic. Read more at Inverse.com https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/the-character-edge-why-competence-isnt-enough-for-great-leadership https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/therapy-during-covid-19 Find links to all the stories discussed in today’s episode at...

Duration:00:17:09

#92: Rebooting your health in 2021: A scientific guide

12/23/2020
With the list of so-called “science-backed diets“ ever-growing, Inverse’s Ali Pattillo explains why plant-based eating and “Pesco-Mediterranean” diets are sound strategies to improve health and longevity. Read more at Inverse.com: https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/pesco-mediterranean-diet https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/plant-based-diet-benefits Find links to all the stories discussed in today’s episode at inverse.com/the-abstract Subscribe to Inverse Daily, our free weekday email...

Duration:00:18:51

#91 Friends or enemies: Why social networks are the key to survival

12/21/2020
As social science reveals surprising overlap in the relationships of chimpanzees and humans, experts suggest friendliness may be the key to a species’ success. Inverse’s Sarah Sloat and Sarah Wells explain. Read more at Inverse.com: https://www.inverse.com/science/aging-chimp-friendships https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/survival-of-the-friendliest-brian-hare-intervew Find links to all the stories discussed in today’s episode at inverse.com/the-abstract Subscribe to Inverse Daily, our...

Duration:00:18:47

#90: The path to good health in 2021

12/18/2020
Ahead of the holiday season, avoiding high-risk hot spots and embracing essential soft health drivers could be the best path toward a stronger, healthier new year. Inverse’s Ali Pattillo explains. Read more at Inverse.com: https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/study-pinpoints-high-risk-covid-19-locations https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/soft-health-drivers-influence-longevity Find links to all the stories discussed in today’s episode at inverse.com/the-abstract Subscribe to Inverse Daily,...

Duration:00:20:41

#89: Killer cats: The surprising behavior of your favorite pet

12/16/2020
As the latest animal science upends common thinking about one of our favorite pets, Inverse’s Claire Cameron and Sarah Sloat explain the feral nature of house cats and their dangerous, mysterious ways. Read more at Inverse.com: https://www.inverse.com/science/should-you-let-your-cat-go-outside-gps-study-reveals-deadly-consequences https://www.inverse.com/science/are-cats-even-domesticated Find links to all the stories discussed in today’s episode at inverse.com/the-abstract Subscribe...

Duration:00:16:49

#88: Smart clock vs. body clock

12/14/2020
While sleeping during Covid-19 can be a nightmare, the latest science offers crucial new paths to a good night’s rest. Inverse’s Nick Lucchesi and Sarah Sloat explain how smart clock technology and body clock science can help. Read more at Inverse.com: https://www.inverse.com/innovation/lenovo-smart-clock-essential https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/body-clock-difference-between-men-and-women Find links to all the stories discussed in today’s episode at inverse.com/the-abstract Subscribe...

Duration:00:17:39

#87: Bringing robots to life

12/11/2020
Through telepresence technology and biomedical innovation, robotics are transforming how we take charge of our mental and physical health. Inverse’s Sarah Wells explains how social robots and mini drones could solve present and future problems. https://www.inverse.com/innovation/social-robots-could-save-social-distancing https://www.inverse.com/innovation/spray-robots-on-demand Find links to all the stories discussed in today’s episode at inverse.com/the-abstract Subscribe to Inverse...

Duration:00:14:51

#86 Musk, Herzog, and Mars City: Big ideas meet bold criticism

12/9/2020
Now that the SpaceX Crew Dragon has successfully launched into orbit, Inverse’s Mike Brown explains what the flight could mean for Elon Musk’s Mars City — and how critics are resisting the vision. Read more at Inverse.com: https://www.inverse.com/innovation/spacex-crew-dragon-historic-launch https://www.inverse.com/innovation/spacex-mars-city-musk-critics Find links to all the stories discussed in today’s episode at inverse.com/the-abstract Subscribe to Inverse Daily, our free weekday...

Duration:00:14:27

#85: Werner Herzog and Jason Blum on how 2020 changed movies forever

12/7/2020
As Covid-19 rocks the entertainment industry, Inverse’s Jake Kleinman discusses what his recent interviews with filmmakers Jason Blum and Werner Herzog reveal about the future of movies. Read more at Inverse.com: https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/werner-herzog-interview-fireball-star-wars https://www.inverse.com/innovation/spacex-mars-city-werner-herzog https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/blumhouse-jason-blum-interview Find links to all the stories discussed in today’s episode at...

Duration:00:18:10

#84: The hidden players shaking up the space race

12/4/2020
As the U.K quietly builds a powerful space empire, technology firms like Air Company aim to fuel a sustainable future beyond Earth. Inverse’s David Grossman and Mike Brown discuss the hidden players shaking up the race to outer space. Read more at Inverse.com: https://www.inverse.com/innovation/spacex-mars-city-fuel-station https://www.inverse.com/innovation/uk-disrupting-the-space-agency Find links to all the stories discussed in today’s episode at inverse.com/the-abstract Subscribe to...

Duration:00:17:28

#83: Amazons and Wonder Women: Mythbusting human history

12/2/2020
As new discoveries subvert prehistoric gender roles, Inverse’s Sarah Wells and Emma Betuel discuss how real-life Amazons and ancient female big game hunters are rewriting human history. Read more at Inverse.com: https://www.inverse.com/science/ancient-women-hunted-big-game https://www.inverse.com/science/real-life-amazons Find links to all the stories discussed in today’s episode at inverse.com/the-abstract Subscribe to Inverse Daily, our free weekday email with the latest science and...

Duration:00:18:23

#82: ENCORE: Elon Musk's SpaceX Starlink: Everything you wanted to know (but were afraid to ask)

11/30/2020
As Starlink, the SpaceX satellite constellation designed to deliver the internet to Earth, takes flight, Inverses’ Mike Brown offers a comprehensive look at everything you need to know about getting your internet from Elon Musk. SPACEX STARLINK: https://www.inverse.com/innovation/spacex-starlink-price-launch-date-how-to-see-elon-musks-constellation SPACEX VERSUS SPACE SCIENCE: https://www.inverse.com/science/elon-musks-starlink-is-having-a-pernicious-effect-on-astronomy Read more at...

Duration:00:19:22

#81: ENCORE: Vikings, Denosivans, and Neanderthals: Setting the genetic record straight

11/27/2020
With the latest research changing what we thought we knew about Vikings and Neanderthals, Inverse’s Sarah Wells and Sarah Sloat explain how humanity’s family tree is being rewritten by new discoveries. DNA VIKING STUDY: https://www.inverse.com/science/viking-dna-study Y CHROMOSOME STUDY https://www.inverse.com/science/neanderthal-denisovan-y-chromosome-study Read more at Inverse.com: Find links to all the stories discussed in today’s episode at inverse.com/the-abstract Subscribe to...

Duration:00:16:45

#80: ENCORE: How Psychedelic Science is Changing Life and Death

11/25/2020
With a renaissance of psychedelic research, Inverse’s Ali Pattillo and Emma Betuel discuss how magic mushrooms and LSD could transform the way we treat cancer patients’ crushing mental health symptoms and people’s chronic pain. Read more at Inverse.com: https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/lsd-pain-tolerance-microdosing-effects https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/cancer-patients-psilocybin-psychedelic-therapy Find links to all the stories discussed in today’s episode at...

Duration:00:19:41

#79: Covid-19 vaccines reach new milestones, but the race is far from over

11/23/2020
As the race to develop an effective coronavirus vaccine heats up, drugmakers Pfizer and Moderna shed new light at the end of the Covid-19 tunnel. However, many hurdles remain before either vaccine is available to the public. Inverse’s Emma Betuel explains. Read more at Inverse.com: Vaccine News: https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/moderna-vaccine-explained https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/pfizer-vaccine-results-explained Outbreak...

Duration:00:16:12

#78: Why music gives you chills (and other secrets of sound)

11/20/2020
As end-of-life research explains what really happens when you hear your last words, a brain study explores how music can literally give you the chills. Inverse’s Emma Betuel explains what the latest science says about the power of sound. Read more at Inverse.com: https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/last-words https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/why-music-gives-you-chills Find links to all the stories discussed in today’s episode at inverse.com/the-abstract Subscribe to Inverse Daily, our...

Duration:00:14:24

#77: Brain Food: The surprising new links between nutrition and health

11/18/2020
With the latest research on coffee and seasonal affective disorder, Inverse’s Sarah Sloat and Ali Pattillo discuss how what we eat and drink can keep our brains sane, and our bodies running optimally. Read more at Inverse.com: https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/food-mental-health-science-explained https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/science-reveals-the-perfect-time-to-drink-coffee-for-a-healthy-metabolism Find links to all the stories discussed in today’s episode at...

Duration:00:17:18

#76: The natural selection of Xbox

11/16/2020
With the release of the The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, Microsoft is surging ahead in the controversial console wars. Inverse’s Jen Glennon and Danny Paez explain how the latest video game tech is revolutionizing how people play them. Read more at Inverse.com: https://www.inverse.com/gaming/xbox-series-x-reviewhttps://www.inverse.com/gaming/xbox-series-s-review Find links to all the stories discussed in today’s episode at inverse.com/the-abstract Subscribe to Inverse Daily, our free...

Duration:00:17:01

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