We know humans have the capacity to cultivate more positive outlooks, and it turns out we may share that beneficial ability with a much smaller, feathered species. According to a recent peer-reviewed paper, when Cornish cross chickens are given access to learning opportunities, their “optimism” increases. Previous research (as well as anecdotal evidence from anyone […]
It’s long been known that the way memories are organized in the brain is similar to how movies are organized: scene by scene. But given there are no directors, editors, or screenwriters in our heads deciding when one scene starts and another begins, how exactly these boundaries are delineated has proven more of a mystery. […]
Even in their most straightforward states, emotions are complicated. So it’s no surprise that experiencing multiple feelings at once is an even more complex state of affairs. A bittersweet goodbye party can bring about both pain and joy, for example, while a misbehaving yet adorable child can evoke both frustration and amusement. A recent study from […]
Google “cats in hats” and you’ll be met with a surfeit of long-suffering kitties donning baseball caps, bonnets, bowlers, tiaras, you name it. And now, adorable woolen beanies that can measure the animals’ brain waves are also in the mix. A first-of-its-kind study out of the University of Montreal fitted cats with a specially crocheted, […]
Where is love? Turns out Oliver Twist isn’t the only one asking — the question has been on scientists’ minds as well (though they likely don’t express it in quite as pretty a soprano). Now, a new study out of Finland’s Aalto University has identified where six types of love reside in the brain. The […]
Canine communication devices have been around for decades (check out this one from 1997), but in the last few years, updated versions of the tech have gained popularity. Videos of pups pressing colorful tiles or buttons to ask for a “walk” or “treat” — and sometimes even seeming to string together words into the semblance […]
In addition to their fame, Babe Ruth, Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga, and David Bowie have something else in common: left-handedness. The characteristic is quite a rare one, as only about 10% of the population are southpaws, according to one meta-analysis. Left-handedness lore abounds, and if you know (or are) a lefty, you’re likely familiar with […]
Progressive retinal atrophy, or PRA, is a group of inherited diseases that lead to blindness in dogs, affecting over 100 different breeds. The progressive condition causes canines to lose their vision by age 4 or 5 and currently has no cure, but a new genetic test may be a step forward in eliminating it entirely. […]
We’ve all experienced it: Faced with an infant’s chubby cheeks or a puppy’s wagging tail, we feel the powerful urge to pinch, squish, or even bite the adorable subject. “Cute aggression” is a seemingly bizarre phenomenon, but one that science suggests serves a very real purpose. According to research published within the last decade, the […]
Are you the type to lie in bed at night dwelling on conversations from the day — perhaps reliving an awkward moment at a dinner party or wondering if you said the right thing during a Zoom call with a colleague? It’s a common practice, and unfortunately, it can lead to the common conclusion that people […]
Science has long shown that play is beneficial to humans: In children, the behavior aids in emotional and cognitive development, and in adults, playfulness has been linked to an increased ability to cope with stress. Now, a recent study has added to that body of research by investigating which neural circuits are involved in play […]
Anyone who listens to music — which is around 90% of the population — has likely experienced its power to soothe, stir up emotion, connect, and jog memories. Whatever the mood or moment, the soundtrack possibilities are endless. But the power of music stretches far beyond merely comforting or entertaining its listener — studies show […]