Dr. Eric Topol discusses the promise of “opportunistic” AI, using medical scans for unintended diagnostic purposes. Also, a study in mice found that the brain tags new memories through a “sharp wave ripple” mechanism that then repeats during sleep.
How AI Could Predict Heart Disease From Chest X-RaysResearch on medical uses for artificial intelligence in medicine is exploding, with scientists exploring methods like using the retina to predict disease onset. That’s one example of a growing body of research on “opportunistic” AI, the practice of analyzing medical scans in unconventional ways and for unintended diagnostic purposes.
Now, there’s some evidence to suggest that AI can mine data from chest x-rays to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease and detect diabetes.
Ira talks with Dr. Eric Topol, founder and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute and professor of molecular medicine.
Neurons ‘Tag’ New Memories For Storage During SleepAll day long we’re taking in information and forming memories. Some stick around, others quickly fade away. But how does your brain push those memories into long term storage? And how does our brain recognize which memories should be kept and which should be discarded?
This topic has been debated for decades, and a recent study in mice may help scientists understand this process.
Researchers found that during the day, as the mice formed memories, cells in the hippocampus fired in a formation called “sharp wave ripples.” These are markers that tell the brain to keep those memories for later. Then, while the mice slept, those same sharp wave ripples activated again, and locked in those memories.
Ira talks with Dr. György Buzsáki, professor of neuroscience at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, about the findings of the study, which was published in the journal Science.
Transcripts for each segment will be available after the show airs on sciencefriday.com.
Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.
616: Radioactive Wildlife, Bus Stop Heat, Football Jersey Numbers. Sept 15, 2023, Part 1
615: Tree Soil, Rodent Biologist, Soundscape Artist. Sept 8, 2023, Part 2
614: Embryo Model, Sweat, Whale Vocal Fry. September 8, 2023, Part 1
613: An AI for Smell, Heat and Agricultural Workers, Golden Lion Tamarin, Y Chromosome. Sept 1, 2023, Part 2
612: US Surgeon General On Mental Health, Tracking Tick Bites. Sept 1, 2023, Part 1
611: Old Things Considered: La Brea, Megalodon, Dino Footprints, Surviving History. Aug 25, 2023, Part 2
610: Sea Otters, Alaskan Minerals, Salmon Restoration. Aug 25, 2023, Part 1
609: Women Athletes, Stem Cell Cornea Repair, Sand. August 18, 2023, Part 2
608: Covid Update, Brain Fog Research, Toilet to Tap. Aug 18, 2023, Part 1
Pod Pregnancy Movie, Increase In Deep-Sea Mining, Upcoming Astronomical Delights. August 11, 2023, Part 2
Hawai’i Wildfires, Blue-Fin Tuna Science, Maine’s New Lithium Deposit. August 11, 2023, Part 1
Answering Evolution Questions, Planetary Protection. Aug 4, 2023, Part 2
Artificial Sweetener Safety, Nuclear Weapons Tech. Aug 4, 2023, Part 1
The Cat’s Meow, Chumash Marine Sanctuary, EV Tires. July 28, 2023, Part 2
Kākāpō Conservation, NYC Parrots, One Year After the Dobbs Decision. July 28, 2023, Part 1
How Does The Brain Control Your Every Move? July 21, 2023, Part 1
What To Know Before You Go See ‘Oppenheimer’. July 21, 2023, Part 2
Lab-Grown Meat Approval, Underground Climate Change, Utahraptor. July 14, 2023, Part 2
Youth Mental Health Crisis, Repairing Sharks’ Bad Reputation. July 14, 2023, Part 1
Accessible Birding, Space Sounds, Wasps. July 7, 2023. Part 2
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Modern West
Just Dumb Enough Podcast
Voices of Misery Podcast
House of Whimsical Terror
Stuff You Should Know
Timcast IRL