Molecules that fight infection also act on the brain
(news.mit.edu)
New research on a cytokine called IL-17 adds to growing evidence that immune molecules can influence behavior during illness.
New research on a cytokine called IL-17 adds to growing evidence that immune molecules can influence behavior during illness.
Jumping Spiders Can Think Ahead, Plan Detours (2016)
(nationalgeographic.com)
With brains the size of a sesame seed, jumping spiders may seem like mental lightweights.
With brains the size of a sesame seed, jumping spiders may seem like mental lightweights.
Study of cockatoo Snowball suggests humans aren't the only ones who can dance
(news.harvard.edu)
New research starring YouTube sensation Snowball the dancing cockatoo spotlights the surprising variety and creativity of his moves and suggests that he, and some other vocal-learning animals, may be capable of some of the kind of sophisticated brain function thought to be exclusively human.
New research starring YouTube sensation Snowball the dancing cockatoo spotlights the surprising variety and creativity of his moves and suggests that he, and some other vocal-learning animals, may be capable of some of the kind of sophisticated brain function thought to be exclusively human.
Good readers have distinct brain anatomy, research reveals
(psypost.org)
The number of people who read for fun appears to be steadily dropping. Fifty percent of UK adults say they don’t read regularly (up from 42% in 2015) and almost one in four young people aged 16-24 say they’ve never been readers, according to research by The Reading Agency.
The number of people who read for fun appears to be steadily dropping. Fifty percent of UK adults say they don’t read regularly (up from 42% in 2015) and almost one in four young people aged 16-24 say they’ve never been readers, according to research by The Reading Agency.
An artist who trained rats to trade in foreign-exchange markets (2014)
(theatlantic.com)
Mr. Lehman could predict the prices of foreign-exchange futures more accurately than he could call a coin flip. But, being a rat, he needed the right bonus package to do so: a food pellet for when he was right, and a small shock when he was wrong. (Also, being a rat, he was not very good at flipping coins.)
Mr. Lehman could predict the prices of foreign-exchange futures more accurately than he could call a coin flip. But, being a rat, he needed the right bonus package to do so: a food pellet for when he was right, and a small shock when he was wrong. (Also, being a rat, he was not very good at flipping coins.)
Askers vs. Guessers
(swizec.com)
Here's a culture clash that comes up every few weeks in various contexts: People who Just Ask and people who Guess Before Asking.
Here's a culture clash that comes up every few weeks in various contexts: People who Just Ask and people who Guess Before Asking.
Scientists baffled as orcas seem to revive an 80s trend: dead salmon hats
(theguardian.com)
Researchers suspect that orcas may be reviving a peculiar fashion statement of sorts not seen since the 1980s.
Researchers suspect that orcas may be reviving a peculiar fashion statement of sorts not seen since the 1980s.
If You Think You Can Hold a Grudge, Consider the Crow
(nytimes.com)
The brainy birds carry big chips on their shoulders, scientists say. And some people who become subjects of their ire may be victims of mistaken identity.
The brainy birds carry big chips on their shoulders, scientists say. And some people who become subjects of their ire may be victims of mistaken identity.
Gibbons move with rhythm and intention. Dare we say style?
(nytimes.com)
It’s not twerking. It’s not salsa or breaking. You might put it somewhere between vogueing and the robot. Whatever you want to call it, the distinctive performance style of a female gibbon is a dance, researchers say.
It’s not twerking. It’s not salsa or breaking. You might put it somewhere between vogueing and the robot. Whatever you want to call it, the distinctive performance style of a female gibbon is a dance, researchers say.