Despite their simplicity, lack of a brain, or sense of sight and smell, slime moulds seem to be much smarter than they let on. They can learn new information and pass it down to future generations, and can be as efficient as human architects. For example, the species Physarum polycephalum, recreated the layout of the Tokyo rail system — famous for its intuitiveness — when scientists used oatmeal, one of its favoured foods, as markers of population centres.
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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
Merv
February 1, 2023
