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Ranking Rise May Intimidate Opponents Nov 06, 2019

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In an analysis of chess and tennis matches, players rising in the rankings did better than expected against higher-ranked opponents and better than similarly ranked players who were not rising.

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Familiar Tunes Rapidly Jog the Brain Nov 05, 2019

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Within just a third of a second of hearing a snippet of a familiar refrain, our pupils dilate, and the brain shows signs of recognition. Christopher Intagliata reports.

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Science News Briefs from around the Globe Nov 01, 2019

Show notes

A few brief reports about international science and technology from Brazil to Hong Kong, including one about male elephants in India exhibiting unusual social behaviors.

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We Owe Our Pumpkins to Pooping Megafauna Oct 31, 2019

Show notes

The pumpkin’s ancestor was an incredibly bitter, tennis-ball-sized squash—but it was apparently a common snack for mastodons. Christopher Intagliata reports.

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Bird Egg Colors Are Influenced by Local Climate Oct 29, 2019

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In cold, northern climates, eggs tend to be darker and browner—heat-trapping colors that allow parents to spend a bit more time away from the nest. Christopher Intagliata reports.

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Crabs Do a Maze Oct 28, 2019

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Green crabs learned to navigate a maze without making a single wrong turn—and remembered the skill weeks later. Christopher Intagliata reports.

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Odd Bird Migrates Twice to Breed Oct 24, 2019

Show notes

The phainopepla migrates from southern California to the desert Southwest to breed in the spring before flying to California coastal woodlands to do so again in summer.

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Piranha-Proof Fish Gives Inspiration for Body Armor Oct 23, 2019

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A gigantic fish from the Amazon has incredibly tough scales—and materials scientists are looking to them for bulletproof inspiration. Christopher Intagliata reports.

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Galloping Ant Beats Saharan Heat Oct 22, 2019

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The Saharan silver ant feeds on other insects that have died on the hot sands, which it traverses at breakneck (for an ant) speeds.

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Some Mosquito Repellents Act like Invisibility Cloaks Oct 21, 2019

Show notes

Synthetic repellents such as DEET seem to mask the scent of our “human perfume”—making us less obvious targets for mosquitoes. Christopher Intagliata reports.

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