Playing with Rats for Science
Animals, Psychology maryb Animals, Psychology maryb

Playing with Rats for Science

In a new study illuminating playful behavior in animals, scientists taught rats to play a simplified, rat-versus-human version of hide-and-seek.

Rats picked up the game within a week or two and learned how to alternate between hiding and seeking roles. Rather than offering food, the researchers rewarded successful hiding and seeking behaviors with playful social interactions, such as tickling and petting.

Read more about playful rats at my Animal Minds blog: Rats and Researchers Play Hide-and-Seek.

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Robotic Pets: A Senior's Best Friend?
Medicine, Psychology maryb Medicine, Psychology maryb

Robotic Pets: A Senior's Best Friend?

We are in the midst of a demographic phenomenon known as the graying of society. In more affluent countries, the population is aging. This demographic shift, along with a shortage of health care personnel, has led to increasing demand for new technologies that can assist the elderly in their daily lives. One result is a growing menagerie of robotic pets designed to address the companionship needs of older adults. Who are robotic pets for and what can they do?

Read my latest story for IEEE Pulse magazine: Robotic Pets: A Senior's Best Friend?

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Elephants Smell Out Differences in Quantity

Elephants Smell Out Differences in Quantity

A new study finds that elephants can discriminate between two quantities of food using only their sense of smell. The study is an example of the move towards more species-specific, ecologically valid cognition tests and could have applications in conservation.

Read more at my Animal Minds blog: Elephants Smell Out Differences in Quantity.

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