DAILY INNOVATION BRIEF by Maryanne Kane, Journalist
D A ILY INNOVATION BRIEF By Journalists Edward Kane & Marya nne Kane NEW SCIENCE: RATS CAN COUNT & UNDERSTAND NUMBERS!!! Source: Stock Turns out arithmetic calculations are not unique to humans. Incredibly, rats understand numbers too and seem to be able to evaluate them, according to new scientific research. Here's what we know: A South Korean research team found that a rat's brain has a specific area to process numbers In their scientific experiment: Researchers used rodents who had no previous counting experience They trained the rodents to recognize sound stimuli that represented 2 or 3 numbers The researchers devised an algorithm to help the rodents focus on numerical values The result: the small mammals were able to perceive and quantify numbers Wing-Ho Yung, the study's co-author, says the study encourages a reconsideration of the cognitive capabilities of animals