It has long been common scientific knowledge that monkeys don’t realize that the reflection they see in the mirror is their own. But, according to new research by the Chinese Academy Sciences, monkeys can learn to recognize their reflections. “Mirror self-recognition is an indication of self-awareness, which is a hallmark of higher intelligence in humans, … Read more
As part of a larger body of work to explore “the Science of Intellectual Humility,” a joint-research team has investigated the differences between two types of humility. The two types are each characterized by a cluster of traits: general humility by social traits, and intellectual humility by a composite of traits that add up to … Read more
The complete genome for the bowhead whale has been mapped and the results have been presented by University of Liverpool researchers. The researchers expect that the research help build an understanding of “tricks of biology” that the species–which lives up to 200 years with low incidence of age-related diseases–have developed to increase their lifespans. “My … Read more
In a first-of-its-kind study undertaken by University of California researchers, elite bargainers–those responsible for making today’s most important policy and business decisions–were examined to find out if they, like other people, reject low offers even when those offers involve benefits. The research is expected to offer increased understanding of some of the problems faced in global … Read more
In an effort to understand why the Mayan civilization of Central America met its sudden demise, a new study at the underwater caves of the Great Blue Hole, located some 40 miles off the coast of Belize, has revealed that minerals found at the site indicate an extreme drought in the region between 800 and 900 … Read more
Light has been shed on the longstanding question of how cells regulate size and how they know when to divide. According to recent research at UC San Diego, some cells–billions of years divergent from each other–use a unique, robust and simple method that had not been observed by scientists. The research has ruled out both of … Read more
According to new psychology research, personality is at least as important as intelligence when it comes to school. Some personality traits are more important than others, according to the findings, and the study has led researcher Dr. Arthur Poropat of Griffith’s School of Applied Psychology to suggest that educators may do better to target the fluid, teachable capacities … Read more
How small are Dr. Pedro A. Quinto-Su’s steam engines? Smaller than red blood cells and most bacteria–between one and three millionths of a meter. The significantly strong pistons are powered by a combined process of optical manipulation which bypasses microfabrication and draws strength from simplicity, taking scientists one step closer to the “lab on a … Read more
Does the entire library of memories stored throughout our lifetime remain dormant within our minds, and can these memories be restored? New research has led UCLA neurobiologists to conclude that the storage mechanism for memories is actually independent of synaptic change–the mechanism that mediates the expression of memories. Rather, memories are stored in persistent epigenetic … Read more
How do cells control their size? What causes them to divide? Contrary to what many biologists have expected, evidence supporting an answer to one of the most fundamental and longstanding problems of biology has been accomplished by UC San Diego researchers. The study surprised even the researchers: a simple quantitative principle explains the phenomena without … Read more
The share of farmland tended by small farmers is shrinking. The land is changing hands. Although small farms are more productive than large farms and tend to grow food products–they produce 80 percent of the world’s food–they are being swallowed up by large corporate farms that grow high-profit crops for export markets. The land left … Read more
Language facilitates the global flow of ideas, and elite languages in global communications are those that are both literate and online, according to new research that has mapped information flows across languages. Certain languages have been found to be much more powerful than others, because they are more and better connected within the communications networks of the … Read more