Wednesday, 8 February, 2012

Mice can tell the sex, mating status and identity of another mouse — all from sniffing urine. A new study of how mice read pheromones also gives insight into the human sensory apparatus…

Migration of songbirds, butterflies, turtles and seals. Where does the natural urge to move originate?

A toddler suddenly begins to learn 10 words a day. Does this reflect some innate genius for language, or could it have a less dramatic explanation? New research de-glamorizes the vocab explosion.

Are humans the only animals that will help another animal without any expectation of reward? Not according to a recent study, which shows they’re willing to help unrelated apes.

It’s a wonder of the human brain: When we pay attention to something, it becomes brighter, more distinct, more memorable.

Like doing two things at once? Then why can’t you draw a circle and a square at the same time? New insight into how the brain controls movement — except when it can’t.

Surprise: Crabs prefer fish fresh, just like you and me! Study shows that odor of rotten fish repels stone crabs; shows evolutionary reason why decay organisms make foul stench.

After boy and girl mosquitoes meet, they synchronize their wingbeats. What does this tell us about how insects use sound?

The gawky walk of a bird: The head is still, then it lunges forward. A new study tells why. (Hint: It’s not just to look funny.)

Birds musta gotten a lesson from fighter planes: Bird wings get lift from a leading edge vortex, just like fighter planes.