The Abstract

The Abstract

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.

Episodes

December 30, 2020 16 mins

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:


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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


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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.  


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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


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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



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December 18, 2020 19 mins

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:




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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


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December 14, 2020 17 mins

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


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December 11, 2020 14 mins

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


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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


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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-...

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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.


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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:




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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/scienc...

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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


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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


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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-...

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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. 


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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:


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November 16, 2020 17 mins

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:


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