The Einstein robot head at UC San Diego performs asymmetric random facial movements as a part of the expression learning process.
A hyper-realistic Einstein robot at the University of California, San Diego has learned to smile and make facial expressions through a process of self-guided learning. The UC San Diego researchers used machine learning to “empower” [...]

This image depicts a Paired Associates Learning (PAL) task, in which mice have to choose a specific object in its correct location on a touch screen to obtain a reward.
Although the fact that we generate new brain cells throughout life is no longer disputed, their purpose has been the topic of much debate. Now, an [...]

Adult volunteers wearing a close-fitting Teflon cover on their forefingers applied fingertip pressure on a slippery Teflon surface linked to a force-measuring sensor.
“Push your finger as hard as you can against the surface. Now as hard as you can but move it slowly – follow the ticking clock. Now faster. Now faster.”

Why does this image appear normal when viewed upside down, but clearly shows that it is distorted when right-side up? It’s a phenomenon known as the Thatcher effect.
Researchers at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, have demonstrated for the first time rhesus monkeys and humans share a specific perceptual mechanism, configural perception, for [...]

Performed as only Weird Al can
Weird Al’s homage to The Doors, featuring Ray Manzarek himself on keyboards. Video directed by Liam Lynch.

As summer progresses, crops of rice paddy art are beginning to emerge in Japan. The crop art — created by strategically arranging and growing different colors of rice plants — can be seen in farming communities across the country.  (Pics)
 

Kakapo parrot
Just under 100 of New Zealand’s most endangered parrot, the kakapo remain but hopefully that number will increase thanks to the 26 hand-reared chicks that are returning to New Zealand. The baby chicks will spend six more weeks on a predator free island, Codfish Island living in an outdoor pen before returning to their [...]

Children love animals, and the antics of young animals often remind us of our children. (Pics)
 

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo after stubbing his toe on the grass.
It might be socially unacceptable, but an outburst of swearing after a DIY mishap or stubbing a toe can actually do some good.  Scientists have discovered that uttering swear words can help to lessen the feeling of physical pain.
 

We all know that walking and texting is a tough combination — but a Staten Island teen learned the hard way when she fell into an uncovered sewer manhole while trying to send a message.
 

Finger monkeys are one of the most requested animals in the pet industry.
If only they existed in real life.
It’s always difficult to tell where reality ends and make believe begins. Especially with the tools we have today for breathing artificial life into artificial photos.  So, if one of the photos below happens to insult your [...]