May Highlights: Cats' Preference for Silver Vine and Prehistoric Mining Discoveries
Why cats prefer silver vine to catnip and other May highlights
Ars Technica
Image: Ars Technica
In May, notable scientific discoveries included why cats prefer silver vine over catnip and the identification of a prehistoric mining site in the Pyrenees. Other highlights featured the singing mice of Costa Rica and their unique communication methods.
- 01A prehistoric cave in the eastern Pyrenees may have been an ancient copper smelting site, with artifacts suggesting frequent human occupation.
- 02The excavation revealed 23 hearths containing green mineral fragments, likely malachite, which is significant for copper production.
- 03Singing mice in Costa Rica exhibit call-and-response duets, with research showing their communication relies on minor changes in existing brain wiring, not major evolutionary developments.
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May brought several intriguing scientific discoveries, including insights into why cats prefer silver vine over catnip. A significant find was a prehistoric mining site in the eastern Pyrenees, excavated between 2021 and 2023. Spanish archaeologists believe it served as an ancient copper smelting location, evidenced by 23 hearths filled with burned green mineral fragments resembling malachite, which is crucial for copper production. The hearths date back 4,000 to 5,500 years and additional artifacts, such as prehistoric pendants and human remains, were also discovered. Another highlight involved singing mice in Costa Rica, which engage in unique chirping duets. Research from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory revealed that their communication relies on slight adjustments in existing brain circuitry rather than significant evolutionary changes. These findings contribute to our understanding of both animal behavior and prehistoric human activities.
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