According To A Study On A Famously Intelligent Species Of Crow, It Has Been Revealed That Obtaining Food

According to a study on a famously intelligent species of crow, it has been revealed that obtaining food is certainly a pleasant experience. However, the study also highlights the notion that the satisfaction derived from obtaining food is significantly enhanced when the crows employ clever tool use strategies. This intriguing discovery suggests that the pleasure derived from puzzles, games, and challenges is not exclusive to humans, as other animals too seem to derive enjoyment from such activities for their own intrinsic value.

(via Using Tools Puts Crows in a Good Mood | Inside Science)

Herwebenkhet, Chantress of Amun, prostrates herself before the god Geb in the form of a crocodile and drinks from the waters that will unite her with the gods and assure safe passage to the afterlife.

The strongly built shape of the body of the deceased exemplifies a new image for the female figure in this period. It contrasts with the slender images that were in vogue earlier.

Third Intermediate Period, 21st Dynasty, c. 1069-945 BC. Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. SR 19325 Read more

Not every tear is created alike, a fact well understood by biologists. Chemically speaking, the tears produced when slicing onions or encountering a speck of dust in your eye differ significantly from those shed in response to intense emotions such as empathy, compassion, pain, or overwhelming feelings. Termed "emotional tears," the latter contain higher levels of stress hormones and natural painkillers, contributing to the cathartic sensation experienced during a heartfelt cry.

Now researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, have shown the story is even more dramatic. They found in experiments with rodents that female tears contain chemicals that block aggression in men. 

(via Sniffing Women's Tears May Reduce Aggression in Men, Study Finds | Smart News)

Oh Good, Hurricanes Are Now Made of Microplastics

When Hurricane Larry made landfall two years ago, it dropped over 100,000 microplastics per square meter of land per day. It’s another ominous sign of how plasticized the environment has become.

Have you ever heard of a shell-less turtle that can grow up to 6 ft (1.8 m) long? Meet the Asian giant softshell turtle (Pelochelys cantorii). Unlike many of its relatives, it has no exterior shell—just a layer of thick rubbery skin covering wide-spanning, fused ribs that protect its internal organs. Its frog-like face adds to its unusual appearance. This reptile can be found in freshwater habitats where it burrows beneath the sand with only its snout poking out. Unfortunately, the species is threatened by loss of its riverine and coastal habitats, as well as by being hunted for its meat and eggs.

Photo: Dementia, CC BY-SA 2.0, flickr

Photo by Wedding Dreamz on Unsplash

Gamophobia, a term derived from the Greek words "gamos" (meaning marriage) and "phobos" (meaning fear), encapsulates the psychological condition characterized by an overwhelming and often irrational fear of entering into committed relationships or marriage.

Individuals afflicted by gamophobia may experience heightened levels of anxiety, stress, or even panic when confronted with the prospect of establishing enduring emotional bonds or making long-term romantic commitments.

This fear extends beyond the legal institution of marriage, encompassing a broader range of committed relationships that involve emotional intimacy and mutual dedication.

The origins of gamophobia can be diverse, arising from past traumas, a fear of losing personal independence, apprehensions about vulnerability, or negative experiences in previous romantic entanglements.