Science

November 24, 2021

Octopuses, Squid, Lobsters, and Crabs Now Recognized as Sentient Beings Under New UK Law

Though octopuses are highly intelligent beings, there is still much debate as to whether or not they qualify as sentient. But in the UK, the debate has been formally settled. Octopuses, squid, cuttlefish, and other organisms classified as cephalopod mollusks have officially been included as sentient beings under a new amendment to UK law. Also joining them under this new classification are decapod crustaceans, which include animals like crabs, lobsters, and crayfish.

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November 17, 2021

Clever Urban Planning May Protect the Cognitive Health of Aging Populations

Declining cognitive function is a serious concern facing aging populations. American demographics have been steadily aging—by 2050, 90 million American adults will be over 65, almost twice the current population of seniors. As Americans age, protecting cognitive function will become an even more important concern. A new study suggests that the neighborhoods seniors live in can help preserve functioning—a finding which could impact future urban planning and social policy.

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November 6, 2021

Scientists Discover a 17,000-Year-Old Woolly Mammoth Roamed Enough to Circle the Earth Twice

In the children's classic film Ice Age, a woolly mammoth and a sabertooth tiger trek far and wide to return a baby to its early human parents. While this interspecies friendship may be a bit far-fetched, a new study published in Science proves that mammoths were, in fact, prodigious walkers. Researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks tested the composition of a 17,000-year-old tusk.

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November 3, 2021

500 Ancient Olmec and Mayan Ceremonial Sites Discovered in Mexico

The dense jungles of Central America hide the remains of great ancient civilizations. Among these civilizations were the Olmec and Mayan peoples who built impressive pyramidal structures and engineered sophisticated water filtration systems. While some of these sites have been excavated, many others remain buried beneath lush greenery.

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