Michael Taborsky, a behavioral ecologist at the University of Bern in Switzerland, has spent decades investigating and helpfulness in different animal species, including common brown rats. His studies, which take advantage of the natural sociality of rats, are revealing the communication mechanisms underlying reciprocal cooperation.

Read the whole story at my Animal Minds blog: How Does a Rat Ask for Help?

We know from biomedical research that oxidative stress can impact the brain. And we know from ecological research how important cognition is to the lives of wild animals. So how might oxidative stress affect the behavior of wild animals? And why is this especially important in our changing world?

Read my latest Animal Minds post: How Does Oxidative Stress Impact Cognition in Wild Animals?

My latest factsheet for the American Society of Human Genetics is all about different kinds of genetic tests and what we can learn from them.

Check it out at the Discover Genetics site: How Do Geneticists Analyze DNA?

Nationwide Children’s Hospital is leading the way when it comes to integrating behavioral health into primary care. A growing body of evidence suggests that integrating behavioral health services into pediatric primary care can reduce health disparities, improve outcomes and increase both patient and provider satisfaction.

Read the whole story: Integrating Behavioral Health and Primary Care Increases Access and Equity.

Researchers tested a non-verbal creativity task in preschoolers and bottlenose dolphins in which the subjects were positively reinforced when they performed a new (i.e., non-repeated) behavior in response to a hand gesture. It turns out that dolphins and children were more similar than different in demonstrating creativity.

Read the whole story at my Animal Minds blog: Measuring Creativity in Kids and Dolphins.