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Neuroscience & Mind

lab mouse
Photo credit: Rama, CC BY-SA 2.0 FR <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/fr/deed.en>, via Wikimedia Commons.

How Brains Use Data Compression to Get Things Right

A recent experiment with mice showed data compression at work when the mice were making decisions about how to get a reward. Read More ›
leafcutter ants
Photo: Leafcutter ants, by Pjt56, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons.

Yes, Ants Think — Like Computers

Computer programmers have adapted some ant problem-solving methods to software programs (but without the need for complex chemical scents). Read More ›
Large_brown_mantid_close_up_nohair
Photo: A large brown mantis, via Wikimedia Commons.

Do Invertebrates Have Feelings?

Just as vertebrates differ greatly in intelligence and sentience, invertebrates may differ greatly too. Read More ›
black garden ants
Photo: Black garden ants, by Katja Schulz from Washington, DC, USA, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons.

Animal Algorithms: Ant Foraging Is a “Rational” Behavior

Of course, ants and other animals do not make decisions in a “conscious” manner as humans would. Instead they rely on algorithms. Read More ›
dolphins
Photo: Dolphins, by Gregory “Slobirdr” Smith [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons.

These Animals Know How to Self-Medicate

The “animals’ pharmacy” mainly aims at treating parasites and wounds using plants and insects. Read More ›
octopus
Photo credit: Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons.

Can Largely Rearranged Genomes Explain Why Octopuses Are So Smart?

Even compared to each other, the genomes of three cephalopods studied had been broken up and extensively reorganized. Read More ›
honeybees
Photo credit: Brad Weaver via Unsplash.

Claim: Honeybees, “Like Humans,” Can Tell Odd Vs. Even Numbers

Ants, fruit flies, and even plants can also calculate but it does not follow that they are conscious of what they are doing. Read More ›
free will
Photo credit: Vladislav Babienko via Unsplash.

Philosopher Looks for a Way to Redefine Free Will

Julian Baggini’s proposed new approach assumes the existence of the very qualities that only a traditional view of the mind offers. Read More ›
brain
Photo credit: U.S. Air Force/Senior Airman Jason Couillard.

Can a Human Be Gifted Despite Missing Lots of Brain?

Most of what is going on in the human mind is not as dependent on the brain as some approaches to neuroscience would require. Read More ›

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