Birdbrain Breakthrough
Source: Smithsonian Magazine
It was once thought that we developed all of the brain cells we would ever have in the womb. However, that belief has been upended, in part through the study of birds.
Science & Nature
The look of love: How humans and dogs bond
Source: Cesar's Way
If you feel like you and your dog love each other, it isn’t just your imagination. Research shows that levels of a bonding hormone spike in both dogs and their humans when they’re together.
Nature Matters
Source: The Nature Conservancy
Of course humans need nature, but here is a collection of people’s personal stories about why nature matters in their lives. Click the links to find out more.
Citizen scientists contribute to dog research
Source: Science Daily
What if you could advance scientific knowledge just by playing with your dog?
Experiments show how quickly we adjust to seeing everything upside-down
Source: The Guardian
Imagine spending every minute of every day seeing everything upside down. Simple tasks like pouring a glass of juice would be far from automatic, but only at first.
What Can Magicians Teach Us about the Brain?
Source: Scientific American
Neuroscience informs magicians’ techniques or magicians’ knowledge informs neuroscience. Well, it can work both ways according to this article. Scientists could have a lot to learn about cognitive processes…if magicians are willing to let them in on their secrets!
The Path to Mars: Deep Space Mission
Source: Boeing
When this video was produced it was thought that the person who will become the very first person to set foot on Mars is probably sitting in a classroom right now. The SLS spacecraft is due to make an unmanned flight in November 2018 but more recently NASA are investigating the risks and feasibility of sending a crew at this time instead of holding off for 2030.
21 Reasons Why Forests Are Important
Source: Mother Nature Network
March 21 was marked as the International Day of Forests in 2012, a day for local communities and organizations to raise awareness and celebrate the importance of forests. The theme for this year is Forests and Energy. Here’s a reminder (or 21 reminders . . .) of why forests are so important to our daily lives and why we should maintain them for future generations.
Navigating Without the Crutch of Technology
Source: Wired
You are lost! How do you find your way? Reach for your cellphone and turn on GPS! John Huth, author of The Lost Art of Finding Our Way thinks we should allow ourselves to get lost once in a while to create a better connection with our environment. Click on the link within this article to watch a video clip of John Huth’s view on navigation without maps.
China Places We Protect: The Yangtze River
Source: The Nature Conservancy
The Yangtze River in China is the third-longest river in the world, sustaining life for about 400 million people. But, the aquatic life in China’s principal waterway is under serious threat of extinction from pollution and development.