Cells In Eye Could Help Control Sleep:
A set of nerve cells in the eye control our levels of sleepiness according to the brightness of our surroundings, Oxford University researchers have discovered. The cells directly regulate the activity of sleep centres in the brain, providing a new target for the development of drugs to control sleep and alertness.
New Evidence Debunks 'Stupid' Neanderthal Myth:
Research by UK and American scientists has struck another blow to the theory that Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) became extinct because they were less intelligent than our ancestors (Homo sapiens). The research team has shown that early stone tool technologies developed by our species, Homo sapiens, were no more efficient than those used by Neanderthals.
Monkeys Enjoy Giving To Others, Study Finds:
Researchers at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, have shown capuchin monkeys, just like humans, find giving to be a satisfying experience. This finding comes on the coattails of a recent imaging study in humans that documented activity in reward centers of the brain after humans gave to charity.
Polar Bears Found Swimming Miles From Alaskan Coast:
An aerial survey by government scientists in Alaska's Chukchi Sea has recently found at least nine polar bears swimming in open water - with one at least 60 miles from shore - raising concern among wildlife experts about their survival.
It is red, it burns and itches: a sunburn on our skin. However, too much sun is not only bad for humans. Many plants react sensitively to an increased dose of ultraviolet radiation, too. Yet they are dependent on sunlight. With the help of pigments absorbing solar energy and light, plants produce their vitally important building blocks by means of photosynthesis.
Life Science
Brain & Behavior
Comments
I can add some anecdotal evidence to the monkey story. When I was living in the rainforest in South America, an orphaned brown capuchin monkey adopted me. Jerry, was just a few weeks old when he came to live with me, and he was never tied down. He sat on my head, or my shoulder, or he wrapped himself around my arm. I took him to work with me every day. After about a year, another orphaned grey capuchin monkey joined us. Grey capuchins are more rare than the brown ones, slightly bigger, and more shy. She would sort of keep to herself, and Jerry would pick cherries from the nearby tree, wash then in his waterbowl, and then bring them to Mikey. He made her feel at home, by stroking her, bringing her clean fresh cherries. Afterwards, Jerry was visibly proud of what he had done, and happy.
Posted by: makita | August 26, 2008 10:57 AM