news: Do animals have names? A new study suggests that animals do, after it was discovered that small monkeys called marmosets “phonetically label” their monkey friends with specific sounds.
How they did it: The team used audio recorders and pattern recognition software to analyze the animals’ high-pitched chirps and twitters. To prove that they had cracked the monkey code and learned the secret names, the team played the recordings to the marmosets through a speaker and found that they responded more often when the recordings had labels or names.
Why it matters: Until now, only humans, dolphins, elephants, and perhaps parrots were known to call out specific sounds to other individuals. This kind of research could provide clues to the origins of human language, which is perhaps the most powerful innovation in our species’ evolution. Read the full article.
—Antonio Regalado
A new smart mask analyzes your breathing to monitor your health.
Your breath can reveal a lot about you. Each exhalation contains all sorts of compounds that can give your doctor valuable insight into your health, including possible biomarkers for disease or lung disease.
Now, a new smart mask could help doctors continuously and noninvasively check their breathing signals. Patients can wear the mask at home, measure their own levels, and then see a doctor if they have a possible relapse. Read the full article.
—Scott J. Mulligan
