Tiny Matters [BONUS] We think your dog loves you and an intriguing molecule hitches a ride on space dust: Tiny Show and Tell Us #6
Sep 11, 2024
George Zydan, a science communicator and producer known for his engaging storytelling, dives into the emotional bond between dogs and humans. He discusses how praise and food influence canine brains, revealing insights from fMRI studies on dog emotions like jealousy. The conversation shifts to hemoglycin, a polymer that rides on space dust, which may have played a crucial role in the origin of life on Earth. They explore how micrometeorites contribute to our understanding of this fascinating connection between dogs and cosmic history.
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Dogs Show Reward Signals In Caudate
- fMRI studies measure dog brain activity via blood flow changes, revealing reward-related responses in the caudate nucleus.
- The caudate activation links to attachment and is comparable to human romantic-love activations.
Temperament Shapes Dogs' Neural Responses
- Dogs' caudate responses to hand signals vary with temperament and whether the signal comes from a handler or a stranger.
- Aggressive dogs show stronger reward-region responses to strangers, while calmer dogs respond more to their handlers.
Familiar Humans Beat Food For Many Dogs
- Dogs show strong reward responses to familiar humans when smelling scents, stronger than to unfamiliar dogs.
- Some dogs show equal or greater caudate activation to praise than to food, indicating social rewards can rival nourishment.