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

Where coronavirus variants emerge, surges follow – new research suggests how genomic surveillance can be an early warning system

By merging genomics with classical epidemiology, researchers are able to predict new disease outbreaks based on which viral variants are on the rise.

Darwin Bandoy, Ph.D. Student in Integrative Pathobiology, University of California, Davis • conversation
May 5, 2021 ~8 min

Numbers can trip you up during the pandemic – here are 4 tips to help you figure out tricky stats

Understanding numbers in the news or social media can empower you to figure out risks and make good choices. Here's what to look out for to make sure you aren't misled by COVID-19 coverage.

Ellen Peters, Director, Center for Science Communication Research, University of Oregon • conversation
April 27, 2021 ~9 min

DNA synthesis method generates ‘true random numbers’

From slot machines to data encryption, many fields need true random numbers. Now researchers have generated them using DNA synthesis for the first time.

Fabio Bergamin-ETH Zurich • futurity
Nov. 20, 2020 ~5 min

COVID-19 will probably become endemic – here's what that means

Even if some places reach herd immunity, the virus is unlikely to disappear.

Hans Heesterbeek, Professor of Theoretical Epidemiology, Utrecht University • conversation
Oct. 12, 2020 ~7 min

Coronavirus: England's R number is creeping up – does that mean a second wave is on the way?

The R number fluctuates more as case numbers fall.

Jasmina Panovska-Griffiths, Senior Research Fellow and Lecturer in Mathematical Modelling, UCL • conversation
July 15, 2020 ~6 min


A few superspreaders transmit the majority of coronavirus cases

Epidemiological data suggests that 80% of COVID-19 cases can be traced to just 20% of those infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Elizabeth McGraw, Professor of Entomology and Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Pennsylvania State University • conversation
June 5, 2020 ~8 min

Dog brains process numbers a bit like ours do

Dogs process numerical quantities in a brain region similar to the one humans use, which could shed light on the evolution of "numerosity."

Carol Clark-Emory • futurity
Dec. 18, 2019 ~5 min

/

3