Science 5 months ago
This week's news covers astronauts' extended stay in SpaceX's Crew Dragon, insights into imitative behavior in the brain, and surprising findings on mice exercise habits.

This week’s highlights include the extended stay of astronauts on the SpaceX Crew Dragon, fresh insights into imitative behavior, and the unexpected fitness of mice.

Starliner Astronauts: "We Live Here Now"

Later this month, NASA will decide if astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will return to Earth on the problematic Boeing Starliner capsule or remain in the Guest Bedroom Module on the International Space Station until February 2025. Their mission, initially planned for a week, was delayed due to mechanical issues with the capsule, such as helium leaks.

While NASA continues to support Boeing and the Starliner, they are preparing for a SpaceX Crew Dragon launch on September 24, which will carry only two astronauts instead of the usual four. This could be a significant setback for Boeing if Wilmore and Williams end up returning on the Crew Dragon in February.

NASA and Boeing are working to understand the issues with another Starliner, including thruster failures and helium leaks. "The NASA community wants to understand the root causes and physics behind these issues," said Steve Stich, the manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program.

Understanding Imitative Behavior

Imitative behavior is vital for social cohesion and cooperation, helping people form teams, dance groups, or even mobs. Examples include contagious yawning and mimicking facial expressions during conversations. A recent study from the University of Bologna provides new insights into how the brain manages these behaviors.

The research used cortico-cortical paired associative stimulation to study the brain's motor system and its role in imitation. They discovered that various brain regions, such as the ventral premotor area and the primary motor cortex, affect imitative actions. The supplementary motor cortex plays a role in inhibiting imitation when individual actions are needed, such as for a football goalkeeper who must avoid copying an opponent's moves.

These findings could enhance our understanding of brain plasticity and potentially lead to improvements in cognitive performance for those with neurological and social disorders, according to Professor Alessio Avenanti.

Mice: Nature’s Athletes

Mice have a surprising enthusiasm for exercise. Researchers placed a sensor-equipped running wheel near a mouse colony in a New York City park and found it in almost continuous use. A new study from UC Riverside shows that even with calorie restriction, mice continue to exercise vigorously. The study involved both normal mice and "high runner" mice bred for their exercise habits.

After reducing their calorie intake by 20% for three weeks and 40% in the following week, high runners slightly decreased their running distance by about 11%. Regular mice maintained their exercise levels and showed minimal changes in body mass. Theodore Garland Jr., the study’s author, suggests that mice might adjust to lower food intake by becoming more metabolically efficient or by reducing other activities.