Learn about flood forecasting and the challenges of sending out flood alerts and warnings. Discover the potential habitability of Jupiter's moon, Europa, and the design of the Europa Clipper spacecraft. Explore the effects of exercise and video gaming on brain power and cognitive abilities. Dive into a study on the effects of immersive video games and the relationship between the body and the brain. Plus, find out the scientific explanation behind a viral video of a mouse tidying up objects in a shed.
Understanding the impacts of physical exercise on cognitive function can shed light on its potential benefits for brain health.
The Europa Clipper mission aims to gather information about Jupiter's moon Europa and explore the possibility of life in our own solar system.
Deep dives
The Relationship Between Physical Exercise and Cognitive Function
Researchers are investigating the relationship between physical exercise and cognitive function. While it is well established that exercise is beneficial for the body, the impact on cognitive abilities is not as clear. Previous studies have shown conflicting results, leading to uncertainty in the direct effects of exercise on cognitive function. The current study aims to explore this relationship further, with a particular focus on the effects of exercise on attention, concentration, and decision-making. By understanding the impacts of physical exercise on cognitive function, researchers hope to shed light on the benefits it may have on brain health.
Exploring the Potential for Life on Europa
Scientists are excited about the possibility of life on Europa, one of Jupiter's moons. Europa is unique because it contains an icy outer shell covering a global liquid saltwater ocean, which could potentially support life. A mission called Europa Clipper is being launched to study and gather more information about this moon. The spacecraft, the largest ever built for a planetary expedition by NASA, will analyze the thickness of the ice, the extent of the water, and the potential energy sources that could sustain life. This mission offers the opportunity to explore and unravel the mysteries of Europa, potentially expanding our understanding of life in our own solar system.
Investigating Mouse Behavior and Foraging
A viral video depicts a mouse seemingly tidying up a shed by organizing objects in a box. However, experts suggest that the mouse's behavior is more related to foraging and interacting with novel objects. Mice are known to search for items to build nests and keep warm, and it is likely that the mouse in the video found the behavior rewarding on a cognitive level. While the chosen objects may not be suitable for nest-building, the mouse's consistent and repetitive actions indicate a level of enjoyment. Studying natural behaviors in mice is essential for gathering meaningful data in scientific experiments and understanding their cognitive abilities.
When Lois Pryce arrived at her boat in Berkshire, the area was already completely flooded. The only way to get to it was via a small pontoon. She is one of many across the UK that have been affected by the current floods, and is very familiar with the flood warning system accessible to the public. But how exactly does this system work? What information is taken into account? Marnie Chesterton speaks to Dr Linda Speight about flood forecasting, and the delicate balance of when to send out flood alerts and warnings.
Plus, a supersized spacecraft is launching this October. Europa Clipper will assess whether the most intriguing of Jupiter’s 95 moons is habitable, meaning, could it support life? The evidence is tantalising. Jenny Kampmeier, Science Systems Engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, tells us why Europa might be the second body in our solar system on which life could exist.
And, if you’ve been procrastinating over the housework – or should we say, mousework? - take a leaf out of a little rodent’s book. Apparently, mice do like to keep things clean, but a video that went viral this week seemingly takes this idea to another level entirely! You may well have seen the footage of a Welsh mouse gathering up objects in a shed and placing them neatly inside a box, night after night. It’s certainly very cute - Tidy Mouse carrying out its mousekeeping..but what’s the scientific explanation behind this curious behaviour?
Finally, how do exercise and video games affect cognitive performance? Professor Adrian Owen is launching a new experiment to find out and he needs your help.
Presenter: Marnie Chesterton
Producers: Louise Orchard, Florian Bohr, Hannah Robbins
Editor: Martin Smith
Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
BBC Inside Science is produced in collaboration with the Open University.
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