Scientists reveal that humans can develop extraordinary abilities through genetics or training, making superpowers a reality.
From the genetic adaptations of the Sherpa people to the mental conditioning of fearless climbers like Alex Honnold, scientists are discovering that our bodies and minds hold untapped potential. Whether it's the Bajau people's ability to stay underwater for extended periods or the mental athletes who can memorize entire decks of cards, these superpowers are within our reach.
Standup Comedian's Take on Superpowers You know, I tried to develop a superpower once. I thought, "Maybe I can train myself to never lose my keys." But then I realized, that's not a superpower—that's just being organized. I guess I'll stick to my day job. 😂
Genetic mutations can provide certain advantages, such as the Sherpa people's ability to thrive at high altitudes. These mutations
abilities can provide insights into human potential and help develop new methods for improving health and performance. For example, understanding how Sherpas adapt to low oxygen levels could lead to better treatments for respiratory diseases.
Studying people with extraordinary abilities can provide insights into human potential and help develop new methods for improving health and performance. For example, understanding how Sherpas adapt to low oxygen levels could lead to better treatments for respiratory diseases.
The Sherpa people of the Himalaya, for instance, have adapted to high altitude with genes that supercharge their strength and endurance.
Even fear itself might be conquered with the right conditioning, as seen in the story of climber Alex Honnold, who has been compared to Spider-Man for scaling sheer rock walls without ropes.
Sherpa people of Nepal are a perfect example of evolving a superpower, she says. Members of this ethnic group have lived for more than 6,000 years at an average 14,000 feet (4,200 meters) above sea level, where there’s about 40 percent less oxygen than at sea level.
Normally, as oxygen levels drop, the human body pumps out more oxygen-carrying red blood cells, but this thickens the blood and can lead to altitude sickness or even death. Sherpas, on the other hand, have developed several genetic mutations that allow them to maintain low levels of red blood cells while the mitochondria in their cells use oxygen more efficiently.
The Bajau people of the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia are particularly renowned for staying underwater for as long as 13 minutes at depths up to 230 feet (70 meters).
the Bajau have developed a speedier mechanism. Over time, natural selection has favored a larger spleen, which holds oxygenated red blood cells. While diving, their spleens contract and spurt this reserve into the bloodstream.
Super memory: Mental athletes Imagine memorizing the order of a deck of cards in 20 seconds. Or the names and faces of a couple hundred strangers in a matter of minutes. For some of the mental athletes who compete in the annual USA Memory Championship, such feats are a breeze. Yet there’s nothing special about memory champs except that they’ve put in the practice, says Anthony Dottino, the founder of the championship event. Dottino and his son Michael run memory training programs, and they say that anyone can improve their memory—at any age.
Already, research is revealing how memory techniques work, by forming networks in the brain that anchor new memories to old ones. What’s more, a study in the journal Neuron found that average people can dramatically improve their memories with just six weeks of training. Now that’s a superpower within reach for all of us.
Scientists reveal that humans can develop extraordinary abilities through genetics or training, making superpowers a reality.
From the genetic adaptations of the Sherpa people to the mental conditioning of fearless climbers like Alex Honnold, scientists are discovering that our bodies and minds hold untapped potential. Whether it's the Bajau people's ability to stay underwater for extended periods or the mental athletes who can memorize entire decks of cards, these superpowers are within our reach.
Standup Comedian's Take on Superpowers You know, I tried to develop a superpower once. I thought, "Maybe I can train myself to never lose my keys." But then I realized, that's not a superpower—that's just being organized. I guess I'll stick to my day job. 😂
Genetic mutations can provide certain advantages, such as the Sherpa people's ability to thrive at high altitudes. These mutations
abilities can provide insights into human potential and help develop new methods for improving health and performance. For example, understanding how Sherpas adapt to low oxygen levels could lead to better treatments for respiratory diseases.
Studying people with extraordinary abilities can provide insights into human potential and help develop new methods for improving health and performance. For example, understanding how Sherpas adapt to low oxygen levels could lead to better treatments for respiratory diseases.
The Sherpa people of the Himalaya, for instance, have adapted to high altitude with genes that supercharge their strength and endurance.
Even fear itself might be conquered with the right conditioning, as seen in the story of climber Alex Honnold, who has been compared to Spider-Man for scaling sheer rock walls without ropes.
Sherpa people of Nepal are a perfect example of evolving a superpower, she says. Members of this ethnic group have lived for more than 6,000 years at an average 14,000 feet (4,200 meters) above sea level, where there’s about 40 percent less oxygen than at sea level.
Normally, as oxygen levels drop, the human body pumps out more oxygen-carrying red blood cells, but this thickens the blood and can lead to altitude sickness or even death. Sherpas, on the other hand, have developed several genetic mutations that allow them to maintain low levels of red blood cells while the mitochondria in their cells use oxygen more efficiently.
The Bajau people of the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia are particularly renowned for staying underwater for as long as 13 minutes at depths up to 230 feet (70 meters).
the Bajau have developed a speedier mechanism. Over time, natural selection has favored a larger spleen, which holds oxygenated red blood cells. While diving, their spleens contract and spurt this reserve into the bloodstream.
Super memory: Mental athletes Imagine memorizing the order of a deck of cards in 20 seconds. Or the names and faces of a couple hundred strangers in a matter of minutes. For some of the mental athletes who compete in the annual USA Memory Championship, such feats are a breeze. Yet there’s nothing special about memory champs except that they’ve put in the practice, says Anthony Dottino, the founder of the championship event. Dottino and his son Michael run memory training programs, and they say that anyone can improve their memory—at any age.
Already, research is revealing how memory techniques work, by forming networks in the brain that anchor new memories to old ones. What’s more, a study in the journal Neuron found that average people can dramatically improve their memories with just six weeks of training. Now that’s a superpower within reach for all of us.
