Fossil teeth reveal how brains developed in utero over millions of years of human evolution – new research

Using a new equation based on today’s primates, scientists can take a few molar teeth from an extinct fossil species and reconstruct exactly how fast their offspring grew during gestation.

Tesla Monson, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Western Washington University • conversation
Jan. 25, 2023 • ~9 min

Pandemic may affect babies’ brain development

For babies born during this pandemic, a study published in JAMA Pediatrics suggests their brains may not fully develop.

Claire McCarthy • harvard
Jan. 21, 2022 • ~2 min

Why we dispute 'Dunbar's number' – the claim humans can only maintain 150 friendships

New research calls into question the validity of 'Dunbar's number'.

Patrik Lindenfors, Researcher, Zoological Ecology, Stockholm University • conversation
June 23, 2021 • ~8 min

Dunbar’s number: why my theory that humans can only maintain 150 friendships has withstood 30 years of scrutiny

The claim that our brain size limits us to 150 meaningful friendships has been challenged by a recent paper.

Robin Dunbar, Professor of Evolutionary Psychology, Department of Experimental Psycology, University of Oxford • conversation
May 12, 2021 • ~8 min

Dunbar’s number: has the claim that humans can only maintain 150 friendships withstood 30 years of scrutiny?

The claim that our brain size limits us to 150 meaningful friendships has been challenged by a recent paper.

Robin Dunbar, Professor of Evolutionary Psychology, Department of Experimental Psycology, University of Oxford • conversation
May 12, 2021 • ~8 min

You don't have a male or female brain – the more brains scientists study, the weaker the evidence for sex differences

Rather than distinctly male or female, the human brain is much more like the heart, kidneys and lungs – basically the same no matter the sex of the body it's in.

Lise Eliot, Professor of Neuroscience, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science • conversation
April 22, 2021 • ~8 min

Brain scientists haven't been able to find major differences between women's and men's brains, despite over a century of searching

Attempts to find brain structures responsible for supposed cognitive sex differences have not succeeded.

Ari Berkowitz, Presidential Professor of Biology; Director, Cellular & Behavioral Neurobiology Graduate Program, University of Oklahoma • conversation
Aug. 6, 2020 • ~8 min

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