A fruit fly brain map took years to make. Then the internet turned it into videos of a fly playing Doom and solving a Rubik’s Cube. Dr. Samantha Yammine helps you see the achievement behind the joke, and what those videos actually show.

Researchers mapped 167,000 neurons in a male fruit fly brain, with AI helping to trace connections and 29 people checking its work over three years. That painstaking map is the discovery. The games came afterward, and it was the best of the internet, when others used the map in simulations.

So does knowing every connection tell us what a fly will do? Samantha gets into the gap between mapping a brain and understanding behaviour, and why closing that gap could eventually matter for questions about our own memories.

Topics: fruit fly brain, brain wiring, neuroscience, game simulations, memory

GUEST: Dr. Samantha Yammine | http://samanthayammine.com | @‌sciencesam

Originally aired on2026-10-02

A fruit fly brain map took years to make. Then the internet turned it into videos of a fly playing Doom and solving a Rubik&rsquo;s Cube. Dr. Samantha Yammine helps you see the achievement behind the joke, and what those videos actually show.
Researchers mapped 167,000 neurons in a male fruit fly brain, with AI helping to trace connections and 29 people checking its work over three years. That painstaking map is the discovery. The games came afterward, and it was the best of the internet, when others used the map in simulations.
So does knowing every connection tell us what a fly will do? Samantha gets into the gap between mapping a brain and understanding behaviour, and why closing that gap could eventually matter for questions about our own memories.
Topics: fruit fly brain, brain wiring, neuroscience, game simulations, memory
GUEST: Dr. Samantha Yammine |<a href="http://samanthayammine.com"> http://samanthayammine.com</a> | @&zwnj;sciencesam
Originally aired on 2026-10-02

Shane Hewitt & The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world—always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.

From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane’s signature style—thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.

If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt &amp; The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world&mdash;always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.
From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane&rsquo;s signature style&mdash;thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.
If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt and The Nightshift

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.