It’s been about a year since the phrase “social distancing” quickly entered our collective vocabulary. But it’s not a new concept. In a recent review, researchers examined various forms of social distancing practiced in the animal kingdom. It turns out that infection can change social behavior in a range of species. Understanding these social dynamics can shed light on processes like how diseases spread, as well as model ways to prevent disease transmission.

Read more at my Animal Minds blog: Social Distancing in Nature.

If you’ve caught any “Shark Week” documentaries over the last few years, you’ve probably seen footage of massive great white sharks leaping out of the water to ambush prey. But great whites aren’t the only giant fish to show off in this way. It turns out that another shark species engages in just-as-impressive breaching behavior — and it is likely for very different reasons.

Read my latest Animal Minds post: Why Do These Giant Sharks Leap Out of the Water?

Brain–computer interface (BCI) technology holds promise for providing functional support systems for people with neurological disorders and other disabilities. In experimental laboratory settings, BCIs have allowed patients to communicate with researchers and control external devices—all by simply imagining the actions of different body parts.

Now, a new and improved non-invasive BCI holds promise - for enriching the lives of disabled patients and maybe beyond. The inventor of the device envisions a future in which everyone can use BCIs as assistive devices, much like smartphones.

Read my article at IEEE Pulse: A Step Closer to Mind Control for Everyday Life.

In a new study, pigs demonstrated remarkable mental and behavioral flexibility on a task that wasn’t designed for their species. Researchers taught four pigs to play a video game by manipulating a joystick with their snouts. The pigs’ performance, though it did not rival that of dexterous primates, shows they possessed a conceptual understanding of the task.

Read the whole story at my Animal Minds blog: Thinking Like a Pig.

Communication is vital for frogs. But in certain environments, such as loud streams and waterfalls, vocalizations may not be enough to get noticed. A handful of frog species have arrived upon the same solution to this problem, producing higher pitched calls and adding dance moves to communicate in loud environments. Now, another species can be added to the list of frogs that use visual communication in response to a loud environment.

Read more at my latest Animal Minds blog: Frogs Living Near Loud Waterfalls Dance to Attract Attention.