Why cats prefer silver vine to catnip and other May highlights

Every month unveils a treasure trove of fascinating scientific discoveries, and May has certainly delivered its share of remarkable stories. Among the highlights is the intriguing preference of cats for silver vine over catnip, alongside a range of other captivating findings that have emerged recently. In the eastern Pyrenees, archaeologists have excavated a prehistoric cave, revealing evidence of what may have been a significant copper smelting site. Conducted between 2021 and 2023, this project has unearthed a variety of artifacts, suggesting that this location saw more human activity than previously documented. The findings, published in the journal Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology, spotlight 23 hearths discovered in the excavation layers. These hearths contained crushed green mineral fragments that showed signs of burning, hinting at their potential use in ancient smelting processes. Researchers are currently analyzing these green materials, which closely resemble malachite. This mineral is crucial because heating malachite can yield copper—a significant discovery that could reshape our understanding of prehistoric metallurgy. Most of the hearths date back between 4,000 and 5,500 years, with additional findings including two prehistoric pendants and a human finger bone, alongside a baby tooth from a child around 11 years old. As excavations progress, there is a possibility of uncovering burial sites in deeper layers. In another corner of the scientific realm, a team at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has turned attention to the unique chirping behavior of singing mice in Costa Rica’s cloud forests. These mice engage in intricate call-and-response duets, showcasing a fascinating form of communication. Recent studies have pinpointed the specific brain circuit responsible for this behavior, revealing that no significant evolutionary changes are necessary. Instead, just a few targeted adjustments in existing neural wiring allow these creatures to exhibit such complex interactions, as detailed in a paper published in Nature. These discoveries not only enhance our understanding of animal behavior and ancient human practices but also illustrate the ongoing journey of scientific exploration, where each finding opens new avenues for inquiry and understanding.