November 1, 2013
1 min read
Add Us On GoogleAdd SciAmNovember/December Scientific American MIND News Ticker
Lab-grown brains, the ethics of whistle-blowing and irrational pigeons recently made the news.
The Head Lines section of Scientific American MIND's November/December issue mentioned the following articles in brief. Click on the links to learn more about them.
When a wolf leaves its pack, its closest lupine pals are the ones most likely to howl.
Biologists have grown mini brains, akin to that of a nine-week-old fetus, out of stem cells derived from skin.
A computer scientist's interest in stylometry, the study of writing style, helped to unveil J. K. Rowling as the true author of a recent crime novel.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder may have shaped many figures in American history, who in turn shaped the country.
Different brainwide networks of neurons give rise to distinct stages of the creative process.
When a peacock unfurls his tail, peahens look longest at the male's legs and the base of his tail, hardly glancing at the majestic fan of feathers.
People sleep more poorly during a full moon--even when slumbering in a windowless room.
Are whistle-blowers ethical? In one study, baseball fans viewed a player-turned-whistle-blower as more ethical if he was on a rival team--but not the home team.
Even a simple ritual before an activity heightens our enjoyment of the subsequent experience.
Dolphins have signature whistles that may serve as names. They appear to recognize these whistles even after decades of separation.
Pigeons, like humans, can behave irrationally.
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