Instant Genius

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is currently thought to affect around one in 20 of the world’s population, making it one of the most prevalent types of neurodivergence. Despite this, the condition is still surrounded by stigma, misunderstanding and significant challenges in diagnosis.

In this episode, we’re joined by Prof Ellie Dommett, a neuroscientist based at King’s College London, to talk about the latest thinking on this common neurodevelopmental condition.

She explains why, despite its prevalence, ADHD is still commonly misunderstood, why it’s frequently diagnosed later in life, and also tells us about her work on developing effective non-pharmaceutical treatments to help those living with the disorder.
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The vast majority of us take listening to and appreciating music for granted. But for those of us living with hearing loss, continuing to enjoy our favourite songs, symphonies or dance tracks can be something of a challenge. Maybe we find it difficult to distinguish one instrument from another, have a reduced ability to hear pitch, or struggle to make out a song’s lyrics.

As part of our Science of Sound miniseries, we’re joined by Prof Trevor Cox, an acoustic engineer based at the University of Salford, to talk about his work on the Cadenza Project – a multidisciplinary research group using the latest technology and thinking to help restore the enjoyment of music for those living with hearing loss.

He tells us how most hearing aids currently on the market are optimised for speech, not music, talks about the challenges researchers face in tackling this issue due to the hugely varied frequency and dynamic range of music, and explains the innovative approaches taken by the project to help us all get the most possible enjoyment out of the music we listen to.

https://cadenzachallenge.org/
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There’s so much we don’t know about Neanderthals. Our stocky, muscular relatives went extinct around 40,000 years ago, leaving a trail of mystery in their wake – about what they were like, how they lived, and why they disappeared. But, while Neanderthals themselves have gone, fragments of their DNA live on inside us.

In this episode, we speak to Prof Chris Stringer, scientific associate at London’s Natural History Museum, and author of several books, including Britain: one million years of the human story (with Rob Dinnis) and Our Human Story (with Louise Humphrey).

Chris tells us all about Neanderthals, from what they looked like, to where they lived, and how they might have interacted with Homo sapiens – that’s us. He also explains why so many of us have Neanderthal genes, and what that might be doing to our health.
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Would you like to hear about the fascinating new discoveries astronomers are making by listening to distant stars? Learn about the cutting edge tech scientists are using to help the hearing impaired listen to music or get up to date on what the latest research is saying about the nature and purpose of birdsong. 

If so, why not check out the four-part Science of Sound Miniseries starting Monday 4th May!
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For thousands of years, the evolution of the human race has been driven by natural selection and the passing on of genes that have helped us to thrive in the environments we live in. However, in current times, advances in technology and rapid societal change are shaping our lives like never before. So, what impact is this having on the way we think and act, and how can we best position ourselves to navigate the age of rapid change we find ourselves in?

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Hannah Critchlow, a neuroscientist and author based at Magdalene College, University of Cambridge, to talk about her latest book, The 21st Century Brain – Cutting-edge Neuroscience to Help Us Navigate the Future.

She tells us why developing emotional intelligence and connections with one another is vital if we are to succeed in a rapidly changing world, what happens in our brains in times of uncertainty, and talks us through some of the tactics we can all employ to help us succeed in the rapidly changing world we live in.
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