Columbia University Receives $400 Million Donation, Hydrogel Learns Pong, Brain’s Multiple Memory Copies, and 17th Century Cocaine Use

Columbia University receives an unprecedented $400 million donation, reinforcing their leadership in biomedical science. Scientists discover a hydrogel that improves at playing Pong over time. A new study reveals that the brain stores at least 3 copies of every memory. Researchers uncover evidence of cocaine use in 17th-century Europe. Join us as we explore these groundbreaking stories that push the boundaries of science and challenge our understanding of the world.

Sources:
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240822/New-24400-million-donation-reinforces-Columbias-leadership-in-biomedical-science.aspx
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/article/2024/aug/22/scientists-enable-hydrogel-to-play-and-improve-at-pong-video-game
https://www.livescience.com/health/memory/the-brain-stores-at-least-3-copies-of-every-memory
https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/archaeology/a61928457/cocaine-brain-17th-century-milan/

Outline:
(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:00:42) New $400 million donation reinforces Columbia's leadership in biomedical science
(00:04:06) Scientists enable hydrogel to play and improve at Pong video game
(00:06:55) The brain stores at least 3 copies of every memory
(00:09:29) Scientists Uncovered a Blow From the Past: 17th Century Brains Contained Cocaine