Cephalopods such as squids, cuttlefish, and octopi have enough intelligence to analyze their surroundings and change their color, shape and texture to match, to solve complex problems, and even to exhibit signs of boredom. So, how do their brains develop to be capable of such complexity? Researchers at FAS Center For Systems Biology used a method to study neural stem cells in a cephalod embryo and discovered their brains form in a way that’s very similar to our own. Read full article here
Research
Improving media literacy could boost trust towards the news, IMPRESS report suggests
The UK media is regulated by the likes of IPSO and Ofcom. The report by press regulator IMPRESS highlights the link between low levels of media literacy and trust in the news. The study found that three quarters of those who did not know if journalists were regulated did not trust the news. It suggests that improving media literacy is one way to stem the erosion of trust, and shows that audiences have an appetite for information on news processes. Stakeholders need to collaborate in order to rebuild trust in the news, and independent media is well placed to do this. Read full article here