Among the hundreds of podcasts on the National Public Radio (NPR) docket, there is one that stands out from the crowd. It's the name for a podcast that covers a broad range of topics including biology and psychology as well as medicine in a somewhat unconventional manner. This podcast aims to give the public a peek into the mind and research of an outstanding subject matter expert.
Shankar Vedantam a scientist and entrepreneur is the producer. This audio program is also available on many public radio stations throughout the United States. Vedantam, a former reporter for The Washington Post was recently promoted to start his own production company. He is able to explore topics otherwise unexplored as a freelancer, which is one of the many perks to his new gig.
The show was produced with a modest budget, but it certainly did not skimp on the science, and the resulting show is a must-listen for discerning listeners. It is not surprising that Hidden Brain has been included on NPR’s Top 25 podcasts. Hidden Brain is a popular podcast that has been downloaded nearly 3 million times. After a three-year break, Hidden Brain is now back as a regular program. The podcast's return should be welcomed. The biggest challenge for the podcast is finding new material. Luckily for the listeners of The Hidden Brain, Vedantam is a jack of all trades, and the show's content is as eclectic as its subject matter.
Vedantam is also a science lover and has been featured on the podcast. He has co-founded an independent production firm, written books on neuroscience, and published a few research papers. As the title suggests, Vedantam is a true believer in science. The show's greatest accomplishment was establishing a standard quality in public broadcasting's otherwise murky waters. The show's best days may yet come, we can only hope.
Like many NPR programs that have been successful, the best days of the show may be behind us. But you can bet Shankar Vedantam will continue to work in other areas. This podcast will remain the brainchild of a highly-informed journalist. If you find yourself stuck in an office environment, it might be worth grabbing a few listeners and enjoying a drink with them. You'll hopefully discover your hidden brain and learn something along the way. Until next time, happy podcasting! We wish you all the best. This program's success is down to a simple idea: Make the most of what you have. We all need a little help from time to time. Although the hidden brain is a long-awaited project, it will be a huge success with the support of its new occupants.
FAQ
How does the brain control the functions of your body?
The brain relays messages to other parts of the body to ensure their functionality. Your brain controls all that happens in your body. It tells you your stomach to digest food; your lungs to inhale air; and it tells you your arms and legs how to move.
Your brain is made of billions, or neurons, of nerve cells. Neurons communicate by sending electrical signals, called action potentials, on axons. Each neuron has its own cell membrane around its nucleus. Inside the membrane are channels that allow ions such as sodium and potassium to enter and leave the cell. The neuron is lit by an electric charge created by the movement of ions.
When a neuron is activated, neurotransmitters release chemicals into the space between it and the next neuron. Neurotransmitters bind with receptors on the second nerve cell, opening ion channel channels to allow ions in and out. As a result, the second neuron fires too.
When another neuron sends an impulse to the presynaptic neural cell, neurotransmitter is released. The impulse travels along the synapse connecting the two neurons. The transmitter binds to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, triggering the firing of the postsynaptic neuron.
For communication within the nervous systems, neurotransmitters are essential. They also help coordinate activity between different parts of the brain.
Is there a more mysterious place than the Earth itself?
Antarctica is one of the most mysterious places on Earth.
This is why we find it so captivating. Because it is unlike any other spot on Earth.
It is difficult to access because it is remote and extremely isolated. However, there's more to this location than meets the eye.
These wild animals are also found in this natural wonder.
Let's now see how this amazing destination came to be so well-known for its mystery.
Antarctica: The South Pole
Antarctica is named for no one. Others believe it means "land with ice". Others think it comes from Greek mythology.
In ancient Greece, Antarktis was the name given to the island where Zeus' twin brothers were born. According to some legends, one of these twins was born in winter. Therefore, the name antarctic.
Others believe the name was derived from the Greek words tropos, which means turn, and anti, meaning against. This would mean that the land was turned away by the sun.
Whatever the reason Antarctica has always been a fascination for people.
It is also the lowest, windiest continent, driest, and highest. It is too cold to support trees, plants, and animals.
Yet, life is abundant in this frozen wilderness.
It houses approximately 90% of all Earth's living organisms. About 50% of the world's plant and animal species can be found here.
And what makes Antarctica such a unique environment? Here, water freezes and becomes ice instead of evaporated into the air.
This causes large masses to form of ice which float high above the ground.
These floating glaciers cover over 80%. They're getting bigger every year.
The Antarctic Ice Sheet has grown 60 feet in the past 60 years.
If the melting continues, sea level could rise up to 200ft. This could lead to massive flooding across the globe.
But not everyone thinks this is bad news. Some scientists believe that global warming can be beneficial. They say that as temperatures rise, the ice sheets might melt faster, causing floods that flush out tons of toxic chemicals from our soil and bodies.
Others cautioned that this theory sounds too science fiction.
Is there an Hollywood blacklist?
There is a Hollywood blacklist.
But, the list has not been made public. We don't know the names. But here's why it matters.
The secret reason is that directors and actors who are on the blacklist would not be able to find employment. Thus, they would leave the industry and studios will lose money. That would result in a reduction in spending on movies. The blacklisted filmmakers would have fewer chances. They would then go bankrupt.
This could result in even more victims.
When someone tries making an Oscar winning movie they might be asked for a contract. This means that they can't publicly criticize their employer. This applies to any producer or director who wishes to be nominated.
That's why you hear stories about how producers pressure directors to remove scenes from their films. Directors threaten to abandon projects that don’t conform to their vision.
This is why Hollywood keeps a blacklist. Negative comments about your employer will most likely lead to you being unemployed. That's bad for everyone.
Many people have been wrongly accused. They have had to fight for their freedom.
This is unacceptable behavior and must be stopped. Everyone should have the right to speak freely.
Also, we must take down the Hollywood blacklist.
What is the most secretive town in the world?
The answer may shock you. It might even make you uncomfortable because it challenges our perception of reality and how we live. But there is a reason that this place exists. It isn't what you would expect.
It was called the City of God by ancient Greeks. According to the Bible, it was called the City of Destruction.
It's known in India as Kashi (Kashmir). In Russia, it's called Novgorod.
Here in America, however, it is called The Village That Disappeared.
One small New York State town with just 1,200 people vanished. A road sign pointing to the former location of the town was all that was left, except for a few bodies and cars.
This little town disappeared, leaving no clues about where it went or when. Some believe it was swallowed by the earth. Some claim it was destroyed by a meteorite impact. Others claim it was taken away by aliens.
The residents of this once prosperous community believe that whatever happened, their town is not gone forever. They had just moved to a new town.
You can even track the disappearance of Zugspitz on a dedicated website.
So, where exactly did this town go? It's actually in Switzerland!
You can find Zugspitze at the border of Austria and Germany. Lake Zugspitze lies just above the summit of the mountain.
It has always fascinated my that so many towns have disappeared but others still exist. Is it possible that some towns disappear and others are preserved? I decided to investigate.
I was curious about the disappearing towns. What makes a town disappear? How can one place become extinct?
There are many theories to explain the phenomenon of disappearing towns. One theory says that a town disappears when all the buildings are demolished. Another theory holds that the town simply relocates to another location. Another theory suggests that the town has never existed.
No matter what theories you may have, there is no doubt that many towns across the globe were swallowed by the ground. This video examines both the history and current status.
Statistics
- According to a 2018 study published in Free Radical Biology & Medicine, this is because blood pressure is regulated by our innate circadian rhythm and internal clock. (romper.com)
- The average human adult male heart rate is between 70 and 72 beats per minute, while the average for adult women is between 78 and 82 beats, which is significantly faster, according to 2014 published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. (romper.com)
- "It is estimated that 75% of people have at least mild gum disease, with the most common symptoms being bleeding when brushing, bad breath, and dark and swollen gums," Dr. Ron Baise, a London-based dentist, tells Romper. (romper.com)
- Your mouth makes a lot of saliva every day It might seem like way too much, but your salivary glands typically produce anywhere from 0.5 and 1.5 liters a day, according to a 2009 study published in the Journal of Medicine and Life. (romper.com)
- In fact, nearly 24% of U.S. women are affected with one or more pelvic floor disorders, according to research funded by the National Institutes of Health. (romper.com)
External Links
How To
Declassified secrets of the United States
The United States is a land of opportunity where anyone can achieve success. But there are also a lot of secrets that have been kept hidden for years that could change how we live our lives.
These secrets include:
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More than 5 million secret documents held by the US government haven't been released to the public. These documents contain information about UFO sightings, alien life forms, human cloning, and even assassination attempts against world leaders.
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President Harry Truman created the Central Intelligence Agency in 1947. This agency was created to assist the president in wartime decisions and protect America from foreign threats.
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The CIA used mind control experiments on American citizens to gain their consent. Project MKUltra, one of the most well-known examples, was an example.
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During World War II U.S. Military conducted thousands of tests on civilians. Some of these experiments involved the exposure of soldiers to mustard gas as well as biological weapons.
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In 1992, Guantanamo bay prisoners were subject to germ warfare testing by the Pentagon.
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The CIA has secretly established prisons in countries around the globe that it uses to kidnap terror suspects and transport them to countries like Thailand or Poland.
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Death squads have been funded by the CIA to kill dissidents in Latin America.
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The US Air Force continues to engage in chemical warfare tests that violate multiple international treaties.
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The Department of Defense often violates its own rules concerning human experimentation using animals.
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The Coast Guard routinely breaks federal law by arresting protestors along coast waterways.
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The Transportation Security Administration performs illegal searches at airports in the country.
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Through armed drones and "assassination groups", the CIA conducts targeted killings programs that are not on recognized battlefields.
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The CIA operates under the auspices of the Office of Public Affairs (OPA). Its employees still write alternative media articles, which are distributed to intelligence agencies and contractors. OPA writers claim the national security forces are trying to conceal information about aliens, UFOs or climate change.
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The US Air Force has obtained and maintains files on nearly 7 million Americans they consider subversive.
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Undercover agents provocateurs have been used by the US Army to organize violent protests or race riots.
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The NSA stores credit card numbers and phone records, and shares them with corporations to help them sell advertising.
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Most people won’t know that the FBI has been stockpiling firearms and ammunition since the 1980s. The FBI has more than 10 million ammo, and over 1.5 billion rounds of ammunition!
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Homeland Security department has created concentration camps where prisoners can be held, tortured, or killed. Members of Congress cannot visit these detention centres.
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The NSA uses domestic spying to target journalists and activists. Journalists are only guilty of criticizing government officials, or speaking out against abuses.
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The NSA has massive computer surveillance of innocent citizens. Some are completely unrelated with terrorism.
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The NSA oversees the mass surveillance of cell phones, email accounts, celebrities, members, judges, and the president of the United States.
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The NSA intercepts financial transactions, and tracks movements of private individuals.
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The NSA spy on stock exchanges around the world and monitors energy production facilities.
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Without obtaining search warrants the NSA hacks into computer networks, installing keystroke loggers and other software on computers.
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The NSA employs cyber warfare techniques in order to disable communications systems of enemies.
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The NSA monitors social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter YouTube and Flickr.
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The NSA uses fake identities online to create hackers' identities and spread propaganda.
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The NSA infiltrates chat rooms and message boards to obtain personal data.
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To manipulate online forums and discussion groups, the NSA uses false identities to create fake people.
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The NSA employs homeless people to install spyware onto smart devices.