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June 30 - July 4, 2008

Current Biology - For the first time, researchers have shown that the pre-hatching calls of baby Nile crocodiles actually mean something to their siblings and to their mothers. The calls—which are perfectly audible to humans and sound like ”umph! umph! umph!”—tell the others in the nest that it’s time to hatch, according to a new study. Those cries also tell the mother croc to start digging up the nest.
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Neuron - New research suggests that novelty drives choice behavior in humans, even when the degree of familiarity with an option is completely unrelated to choice outcome.  The research reveals fascinating insights into the brain mechanisms that underlie the tendency to explore, and even value, unfamiliar options.
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Cell Metabolism - Chronically high levels of a recently discovered starvation hormone markedly stunt the growth of mice, reveals a new study in the July issue of Cell Metabolism, a publication of Cell Press. The liver-produced hormone known as FGF21 does so by causing the mice to become resistant to growth hormone.
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Neuron - Did you ever wonder why it is so difficult to part with your stuff? A June article reveals fascinating insights into the specific neuropsychological mechanisms that are linked with the potential loss of possessions. The research has important implications for both neuroscience and economics and may even explain why you are reluctant to sell your iPod.
Read Article Summary | Read Full Press Release | NEW Press Coverage includes:The Economist