Have you ever held a pet up to a mirror and wondered why they don’t seem to recognize themselves? Humans usually figure it out very young, but most animals never do. Yet a surprising handful of species appear capable of recognizing their own reflection—a clue that scientists use to explore one of the most fascinating questions in biology: self-awareness. ⁠https://www.livescience.com/4272-elephant-awareness-mirrors-humans.html⁠ (more…)

Every medication has an expiration date—but what exactly happens when that date passes? Does the medicine suddenly stop working? Does it become dangerous? The answer is more complicated than most people realize and depends greatly on the medication itself. ⁠https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-legal-regulatory-and-policy-framework/expiration-dating-extension⁠ (more…)

Most people think they’re good listeners. After all, they stay quiet, make eye contact, and let the other person finish speaking. But truly connecting with someone requires more than simply hearing their words.

One of the most powerful—and overlooked—communication skills is validation. (more…)

That little white folded box Chinese takeout comes in may be one of the cleverest pieces of food packaging ever invented. What’s funny is—it isn’t Chinese at all. It was never originally designed to hold noodles or fried rice, and its origin story is far stranger and more American than most people realize. ⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oyster_pail⁠ (more…)

Most people think of romantic music as background noise for dates, movies, or weddings. But researchers have found that music can actually influence romantic behavior and attraction in measurable ways. Listen to discover how love songs may be doing more than simply setting the mood. ⁠https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100618112139.htm⁠ (more…)