Atoms From Nuclear Explosions Are Embedded in Your Brain, But You’re Fine

Scientists are using past atomic explosions to learn about our brains, and it’s completely changed how we think about aging.

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Sorry, Adults, No New Neurons For Your Aging Brains
“The finding challenges decades of research suggesting that new neurons continue to appear in the hippocampus, an area of the brain involved in memory and emotion. It also calls into question claims that both exercise and some anti-depressant drugs could boost the production of new neurons in the hippocampus.”

Can you grow new brain cells?
"The dogma for the longest time was that adult brains couldn't generate any new brain cells. You just use what you were born with," says Dr. Amar Sahay, a neuroscientist with Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. "But the reality is that everyone has the capacity to develop new cells that can help enhance cognitive functions."

Nuclear Bombs Made It Possible to Carbon Date Human Tissue
“By measuring how much carbon-14 someone has in various tissues of the body, researchers can actually get an understanding of when those tissues were formed. They know how much extra carbon-14 was in the atmosphere each year and can compare the amount in a tissue with that number to find a pretty precise date.”
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Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure.

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This episode of Seeker was hosted by Trace Dominguez

Special thanks to Julian Huguet for writing this episode of Seeker!

[Master_Therion]

Nuclear explosions are helping us study the brain?!?! Mind blown.

[cupofkoa]

"I guess even mushroom clouds have silver linings." - That's it! I'm subscribing!

[TeaRex]

So... I can call myself *Radioactive Man* ?

[warhawkme]

Damn Trace your presentation has come a long way in just a few years. Keep up the good work!

[tombarker]

Not too worry. My father was only 20 miles from 2 tests including the first hydrogen bomb. He ran a Marathon at 58 and lived just 3 months short of 90, and enjoyed good health until his death.

[joes]

Love your videos! Always leave feeling that much smarter each time 😀

[nickl]

Trace great job keep up the good work.

[mehranramiz]

You guys bring in some really astonishing contents. Go Seeker! :D

[Esoeso]

We just learned some of this stuff in science class xD

[white_shadow_]

This is really amazing. Such a small detail, that most of us probably never thought about. Who knows in how many more ways nuclear bomb detonations changed our planet, for better or for worse..

[xavi]

This is so exciting thanks for sharing this!

[Tundra]

The math that lead us there is what is amazing, The bombs themselves should not be set off outside of a well controlled environment.

Imagine the kind of energy you could obtain if you knew how to control that like we do gasoline, or the alternating current.

[eptskay]

gives a whole new meaning to "war inside my head"

[thalmoragent]

I guess you could say they
*Puts on Sunglasses:*

*ATOMIZED!*
Yyyeeeeaaaahhhh 😎

[malek]

Perhaps that's where people draw aspired energy from and do unbelievable feats

[KingAwesomeOutputs]

I burnt too many brain cells down, good thing they grow back(kina?)

[GenJotsu]

I am a broccoli cloud, and I am TRIGGERED

[Semibiased]

So we need more atmospheric nuclear testing??? Got it.

[KeelanGT]

This video became more intense after watching ‘Annihilation’.

[Huntron.]

Was the quote at 4:07 an Owl City reference? Or did you guys just happen to think of the same phrase? It was neat either way.