News and Notes from the Field

Any dog owner will tell you that their pet understands them – recognizes words, follows commands, and somehow knows when they need a sympathetic snuggle. Scientists call this communicative skill and intelligence “social cognition.” It’s the set of knowledge ... Read More  

So I watched Sharknado (voluntarily, unlike Snakes on a Plane, which I was dragged to with eyes in full-on roll mode). I could put on my scientist hat and talk about how almost everything about this movie is impossible, ... Read More  

According to a buddy of mine who works for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, there are seven major food allergens: wheat/gluten, dairy, soy, eggs, nuts, sesame, and shellfish. I’m allergic to the first five, plus a random assortment of ... Read More  

Have you ever noticed that domestic animals share physical characteristics with each other, but not with their wild ancestors? Floppy ears, for instance. Elephants are the only wild species with floppy ears, but they occur in breeds of dog, ... Read More