under control
High doses of the psychedelic psilocybin temporarily dissolve brain networks. Laura Sanders “Psilocybin erases your brain’s ‘fingerprint’” (SN: 8/10/24, p. 12).
In the study, a generic form of the stimulant Ritalin served as a control for psilocybin. leader jason patrick I asked why the scientists chose that drug.
Planning research on psychedelic drugs can be difficult. Because the effects of a drug are usually obvious to both researchers and participants. sanders says Although psilocybin and a control drug called methylphenidate produce very different experiences, the two drugs have some similarities. sanders says Both affect the levels of chemical messengers in the brain and can increase alertness in the body, increasing heart rate and blood pressure.
a troubling story
Some Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs are immune to a deadly chytrid fungus called Bd, hinting at a way to save frog species globally. Martin J. Kernan Reported in ‘Bounce’ (SN: 8/10/24, p. 22).
Readers who have learned through stories Devin J. Staranil This was reflected in the frogs of his community. “I became more educated about what the potential threats to frogs are in our ecosystem and how easily they can become threatened.” Staranil wrote. “Spring evenings are heightened by the song of the stream. We named our leaders Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. “Without the songs of the Guild and Rosie the Rival, our lives would have been much darker,” he wrote. “I plan to contact our conservation committee about ways to protect the health of our streams and frogs.”
A display that was revealed to be a lie
UFOs are probably not aliens. Therefore, scientists are currently looking for the actual origins of what are called unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP). Sid Perkins “UFOs will be rebranded” (SN: 8/10/24, p. 16).
The story reminded the reader Don Wolman UFO sightings were reported in Utah in the 1960s. 1978 thesis Applied optics It was suggested that the mysterious light displays were probably caused by swarms of spruce moths rather than aliens. As the insects “flew through the electric air of the sky, their legs and antennae glowed with St. Elmo’s fire.” Wolman wrote. The atmospheric phenomenon creates a glowing plasma around an object in an electrically charged field.
