That's Interesting
-
Longitudinal evidence that infants develop their imitation abilities by being imitated
30th October, 2023Theoretical advances in social sciences over the last century purport imitation as a central mechanism for the emergence of humans’ unique social-cognitive abilities. Uncovering the ontogeny of imitation is therefore paramount for understanding human cultural evolution.
Read More -
5 things serious coffee fans should know
22nd October, 2023A look at the science behind the beverage that 63% of Americans drink daily (more than tap water), according to the National Coffee Association.
Read More -
Pointless: the climate impact of frequent flyer status
09th October, 2023Frequent flyer programs (FFPs) are a key part of the business model of ‘full-service’ airlines, driving not just ticket sales, but increased flight provision. FFPs increase air travel emissions by incentivising the most carbon-intensive seating options and encouraging additional flights. This article assesses the emissions associated with gaining different levels of membership in the frequent flyer programmes offered by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
Read More -
Frequent Flying’s Dirtiest Habit: Mileage Runs
02nd October, 2023Imagine taking a flight you don’t want or need, to stretch your legs in the destination airport before heading straight back. For years, frequent flyers have been taking mileage runs – also sometimes referred to as segment runs or tier point runs – solely to maximize the airline points or reward status they accrue. On message boards and social media, they trade nerdily specific details of flight routes, airline promotions, and reward tiers, calculating the exact itineraries that will bring them to a certain status or keep them there.
Read More -
The tamer the cow, the smaller the brain
14th December, 2022The first large-sale study of brain sizes across cattle breeds reveals that docile dairy and beef cows have smaller brains than aggressive bullfighting breeds
Read More -
The Real Magic of Rituals
08th December, 2022We might call them superstitions or spells, but they genuinely drum anxiety away.
Read More -
Here are the winners of the 2022 Ig Nobel Prizes
17th October, 2022Would you give yourself an alcohol enema for science? Test the running speed of constipated scorpions in the lab? Build your very own moose crash test dummy? Or maybe you’d like to tackle the thorny question of why legal documents are so relentlessly incomprehensible. These and other unusual research endeavors were honored in the 2022 annual Ig Nobel Prizes.
Read More -
Found: a controversial painting hidden inside a painting by Vermeer
11th October, 2022When restoring a painting by Vermeer, conservators discovered an image of Cupid covered up by an additional layer of paint. The paint was removed, revealing the painting as the Dutch master had originally intended it. While this discovery settles old debates about the work, it also raises some new questions — like: who covered it up?
Read More -
The Gambler Who Cracked the Horse-Racing Code
26th August, 2022Bill Benter did the impossible: He wrote an algorithm that couldn’t lose at the track. Close to a billion dollars later, he tells his story for the first time.
Read More