Could you ever think of a mushroom as intelligent? Fungi have been observed to retain memories a full 24 hours after being exposed to stimuli, which they use in everyday survival. For example, they’re able to develop defence mechanisms that allow them to recover quickly and more efficiently after being exposed to mild temperature stress. Instead of forming small colonies when heated up rapidly, those primed maintained normal progress after temperatures returned back to normal. 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