Happy to Help, but Please Ask First
February 22, 2012 by Michael Mountain
There’s more and more evidence that chimps have what scientists call a “theory of mind” – the ability to understand the minds of others. (It was once thought that only humans had this ability.)
Chimps Are Smart and Altruistic
February 22, 2012 by Michael Mountain
Ayumu, who lives at Kyoto University in Japan, is back in the news for his ability to remember the location and order of a set of numbers in less time than it take you to blink – 30 milliseconds, to be precise.
Humans Are, by Nature, Quite Nice
February 22, 2012 by Michael Mountain
Until just 12 years ago, the common view among scientists was that humans were “nasty” at the core but had developed a thin veneer of morality. But human children — and most higher animals — are “moral” in a scientific sense, because they need to cooperate with each other to reproduce and pass on their genes, he said.
Weather Extremes Now Clearly Due to Climate Change
February 22, 2012 by Michael Mountain
While scientists have been leery of attributing specific droughts, heat waves and other weather events to climate change, you can now definitely draw the connection. The big Texas and Oklahoma droughts, for example, are indeed a direct result of climate change.
Monkey Studies to be Stopped at Univ. of Toronto
February 21, 2012 by Michael Mountain
Graduate students Erica Tennenhouse, right, and Amber Walker-Bolton were pleading for the last two monkeys in research at the Univ. of Toronto be retired to a sanctuary.
Scientists ‘Cooking’ on Laboratory Meat
February 21, 2012 by Michael Mountain
You care about animals but still can’t quit eating meat? Help is at hand, according to a panel of scientists at the annual AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science) meeting in Vancouver.
Big Step Forward for Rights of Dolphins and Whales
February 21, 2012 by Michael Mountain
At the world’s largest science conference, scientists and ethicists presented the case for recognizing dolphins and whales as non-human persons.
The ‘Perfect’ Dog
February 15, 2012 by Michael Mountain
Right now, the entire Pekingese breed is in crisis. It is so plagued by health issues and inbreeding that many people say the breed may not even survive.
Is Fluffy Making You Loopy?
February 15, 2012 by Michael Mountain
Czech scientist Jarosalv Flegr is an unconventional yet meticulous scientist who has thought for years that parasites are messing with his mind and manipulating his personality.
The ASPCA’s Dangerous Bill
February 15, 2012 by Michael Mountain
Now enter a competing bill, sponsored by state Rep. Amy Paulin and backed by the ASPCA, that would that would, instead, allow New York State shelters to kill animals immediately if staff determine that the animals are in “psychological pain.”
