Watch the original episode on YouTube.
Today’s Pulse rundown
Native Title Win
Transcript: What if a community won back their land after a decades-long fight? The Federal Court of Australia formally recognized the native title rights of the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people over 217,884 hectares of Cape York Peninsula. More than 600 traditional owners attended the hearing in Wujal Wujal. Elder Frances Walker said it was a proud day for families from over 100 ancestral lines. Chief Justice Debra Mortimer said it was a privilege to recognize a legal tradition that has existed for thousands of years. This determination helps the community manage their country and secure opportunities for younger generations.
Elephant Adaptations
Transcript: How do elephants survive when their homes are changing? For World Elephant Day, researchers are highlighting how these giants show resilience by diversifying their diets. In Malaysia, Asian elephants are eating a wider variety of plants when their preferred food is hard to find. However, this flexibility can bring them into human-dominated areas, which increases the risk of conflict. Meanwhile, in Central Africa, forest elephants gather in mineral-rich clearings to feed and interact. Scientists say the future success of these mammals depends on healthy, connected habitats. Next time you see a wild animal, remember how they adapt to their environment.
Growing Human Organs
Transcript: Can we grow tiny organs in a lab to test new medicines? Scientists in the UK are growing miniature human organs, called organoids, from patient cells. These tiny clumps of tissue mirror key features of full-scale organs, including how they respond to disease and drugs. Researchers believe this will lead to more accurate tests and reduce the number of animals used in drug development. Historically, many drugs that pass animal tests fail in human trials because animal biology is different. By using human tissues, scientists hope to deliver truly personalized medicine for individual patients. How do you think this will change the future of health?
MIT Met Warehouse
Transcript: What if a century-old storage warehouse became a vibrant school hub? MIT just opened its new home for the School of Architecture and Planning inside the historic Metropolitan Storage Warehouse. The project is a feat of adaptive reuse, turning a fortress-like building into a light-filled center for teaching and research. It features glass walls, double-height studios, and common areas designed to encourage collaboration. Dean Hashim Sarkis says the new space sends a message that the future of design lives in reusing the structures we already have. If you could renovate an old building, what would you turn it into?
Twitch AI Opt-Out
Transcript: Do you want your videos used to train artificial intelligence? Twitch streamers can now opt out of allowing their content to be used to train Amazon's generative AI models. The new setting is found under the Security and Privacy tab in Twitch settings. If streamers toggle this off, their streams, chats, and clips will not be used for future training of models that generate text, audio, or video. Other AI-supported features like safety tools and captions will still work normally. It gives users more control over how their creative work is used. Would you want your digital creations used to train AI?
Voyager 2 Fix
Transcript: How do you fix a space probe that is 13 billion miles away? NASA recently performed a daring fix on Voyager 2 to keep it studying interstellar space. The team turned off some heaters and turned on substitutes that require less energy. This maneuver, dubbed the big bang, extended the life of the probe by at least two years. Because the probe is so far away, the team had to wait 40 hours to know if their commands worked. The Voyagers launched in 1977 and are the farthest-flung human-made objects. Next time you look at the night sky, remember how far our technology has traveled!
Health Prize
Transcript: Can a small health startup change global health? Dr. Raj Panjabi founded Last Mile Health to bring healthcare to people living in remote areas. The group is the 2026 recipient of the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize, which comes with a 3 million dollar award. The organization focuses on training community health workers to provide care where it is needed most. This prize recognizes their work in expanding access to medical services. It is an inspiring example of how a dedicated team can make a real difference in people's lives. If you could solve one global problem, what would it be?
Combolands Game
Transcript: What if city building was like a card game? A new game called Combolands combines the strategic placement of city builders with the combo-chaining thrills of roguelike games. You start with a procedurally generated island and must reach population milestones by placing buildings strategically. Adjacency bonuses are everything in this game, and you have to plan your layout carefully to clear each round. The game launches on August 24 for Windows PC. It is a fun way to think about how different parts of a system work together to create a bigger result. What is your favorite strategy game to play?
Vanessa Williams Hit
Transcript: Did you know a massive hit song was almost passed on by two music legends? Vanessa Williams revealed that her signature hit, Save the Best for Last, was first offered to Bette Midler and Barbra Streisand. Both declined, and Williams was the third artist to get the chance. She recorded it for her 1991 album, and it spent five weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It became a career-defining moment and one of the biggest hits of 1992. It shows that sometimes the best opportunities come when you least expect them. What is your favorite song to sing along to?
Trading Platform Review
Transcript: Why should you be careful when using online trading platforms? A review by the Australian watchdog ASIC found that some platforms are offering cash vouchers to encourage users to engage in high-risk investments. These complex products can be easy to lose money in quickly. Commissioner Simone Constant urges investors to be hypercritical of the agreements they enter into. She says you should only invest in things you understand, not just because it is easy or because there is a reward. It is a good reminder to always research before you spend. What is the most important thing to learn about money?